Fredericton's new sports tourism manager has his first gig this week at the Senior Men's Fast Pitch Canadian Championship.

Roger Shannon, a former Fredericton police officier, has the job.

Shannon is general manager of the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds, a position he’s held for 12 seasons, and was also assistant general manager of the Shawinigan Cataractes last season.

In his new role, he's meant to help organizations bring large events to the city.

"For years the city has been talking about doing this," he said. "Many, many, many years ago they asked when they were building the new facility if it was something I'd ever be interested in, of course I said yes, because I was thinking something like that would never happen.

"But one day I was approached by the city administrator — pretty hard to say no to a position like this."

Organizers say hundreds of people have shown up each night to cheer on the best in the country at the fast pitch tournament.

They say the sport has changed a lot since the tournament was last in the city 28 years ago.

Pitcher Scott Wagar says he doesn't need much from a host city.

"Maybe go out and see some movies. Maybe go out to some of the local pubs," Wagar said.

This is Wagar's first time in Fredericton, and says it's the right size city, even for a national tournament.

He says getting into the city was even easy with the one-gate system at the Fredericton airport.

"Oh, it was great — get off, get your equipment, get the rental car. Done," Wager said with a laugh.

With three days left in the tournament, organizers say it's still too early to tell just how much money the national championship will bring in.

But with hundreds of people showing up every night, there are hopes it’ll be a great economic achievement for the city.

"When you run good events like this, then it travels across the country in terms of your reputation,” he said.

He says he's now looking to put together a strategic sports planning meeting for the city.

The finals will be played Sunday at the Prospect Street fields.