From our friend Dennis Dosman (of TWIF notes fame), on the upcoming tour of the New Zealand Black Sox to Ontario, Canada, in the summer of 2011:
I have been to ball tournaments in Woodstock, and Niagara Falls the past couple of weekends and fastpitch fans are all looking forward to seeing the New Zealand Black Sox later in June.
June 21, 2011- Lancaster Field, St. Catherines vs. GHFL All Stars
The first stop for this popular and powerful national team is at St Catharines at Lancaster Field on Tuesday June 21st where they will play a double header against the Golden Horsehoe Fastball League All Stars.
June 22, 2011 at Doug Fischer Memorial Park in New Dundee vs. KW Cubs
The following evening, Wednesday June 22nd. the KW Cubs and the Tri County All Stars will play the Black Sox in New Dundee at the new Doug Fischer Memorial Park, right behind the New Dundee Community Centre.
Brad Thomson of the KW Cubs has a barbcue set up for all fastball fans starting at 6pm, The Cubs will play the Black Sox at 7pm and at 8:30 the Tri County All Stars will take up the challenge of playing one of the very best ball clubs in the world.
Both double headers will cost $5, kids free.
June 23-26, 2011, Legends Fastball Classic at Peter Hallman Ballyard
Those four games will just be a warm up for the Black Sox as they then head back to their Ontario base of operations in Kitchener and open up the 8th Annual Legends of Fastball Classic. They will be one of 16 teams in Kitchener for the 4 day event. Ten senior mens and 6 Ontatio Junior teams will be competing for the two division titles. The tournament opens on the Thursday night with 5 games on the 3 Peter Hallman diamonds. Five more on Friday night and all day Saturday. Championship rounds will be played on Sunday.
The Black Sox are in pool play both Thursday and Friday evening as well as Saturday. Any fastball fan will also assure you that they will also be in the Championship round on Sunday.
Tickets for the Legends are available at the gate, Peter Hallman Ball Yard, the same diamonds that many of you enjoyed the previous Legends and the ISC Championships as well. Hanson Drive, off Courtland and near Homer Watson, prices, $20 for the weekend, and $5 per day.
Beer tents, barbcue, and great fastball.
See you in St Catharines, New Dundee or Kitchener….
Editor’s note: Reader Eric Legge mentions in comment below that the Black Sox will be playing the defending ISC World Champs, the Jarvis Travelers on June 27.
They will also be playing in the Peligro tournament in New York over the 4th of July weekend.
Click to enlarge Posters:
On Monday June 27 it is my understanding they are playing a double header in Jarvis against the Travellers.
As a Kiwi it was great to see the Black Sox show their skills last night. Energetic, fast, capable they were soon on top of the local team which did not have the same cohesion or energy. The second game was proving to be more competitive though when the heavens intervened. Plaudits to the Anthem version. I have never heard the three verses sung of God Defend New Zealand.