From Al’s Fastball:

Thursday, July 3, 2008
USA Men’s National team loses two exhibition starts to Canadian National Team

MELFORT, Saskatchewan — The USA Men’s National team went on the road in Saskatchewan to take on the Canadian National team and loss two exhibition games Wednesday night. The team traveled to Melfort, SK and played in front of over 1,400 spectators on a cool night. Team Canada swept the doubleheader by scores of 5-0 and 4-1.

Game 1 – Canada 5 USA 0
In the first game, Team USA could not score against the hard throwing Grant Patterson. Shortstop Blake Miller (Kingsville, Texas) was on base three times going 2-2 and also getting on base after being hit by a pitch. Team USA’s best scoring chance was in the sixth when Chad Seeman (Chenoa, Ill.) led off the inning with a single. After a Steve Pinnochio (Merced, Calif.) strikeout, Miller was hit by a pitch giving the U.S. two baserunners. Third baseman Matt Palazzo (Pleasant Hill, Iowa) then grounded into an inning ending double play. Left fielder Eddie Ketelhut (Canton, Mich.) had the lone extra base hit for the Americans, a double in the fifth inning with two outs. Ketelhut was stranded when right fielder Chase Turner (Stockton, Calif.) grounded out to first.

Team USA starting pitcher Cody Thomson (0-1) (Herriman, Utah) threw well allowing just six hits and striking out seven. The home run was key for the Canadians as they hit three solo home runs. Second baseman Jody Eildt was 2-3 with two solo home runs in the game. Canadian catcher Steve Crawford was 2-2 with three RBI on a double and solo home run.

Game 2 – Canada 4 USA 1
In the second game, Team USA managed only two hits against a pair of Canadian pitchers. The lone USA run was on a long solo home run by Seeman in the fifth inning. The only other hit was a single in the second off of Canadian starter Trevor Eithier. Eithier went five innings and was relieved by Derek Mayson who threw two scoreless innings. American pitcher Gerald Pyle (0-1) (Simi Valley, Calif.) tossed five innings giving up seven hits and walking four. He was relieved in the sixth by Sean Kelly (Homer, Mich.) who gave up just one hit.

Team USA ends their exhibition tour at 1-2 as they begin play tonight in the 3 Nations Challenge at 6:30 p.m. (MST) against Japan. The second game of the evening will feature USAagainst Canada at 8:30 p.m. (MST).

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Santa Rosa is Red, Santa Rosa is Blue, Both of These Teams to the Nationals too.

From Herb Dower:

SONORA, CA — First there was one and now there are two Santa Rosa fastpitch teams to worry about. Santa Rosa Fastpitch Blue and Santa Rosa Fastpitch Red posted a combined 10-1 record in last weekend’s Class C Sonora Tournament, with the Blue team winning the championship with a 4-1 win over Da Bruddah’s of Hayward on Sunday to cap a perfect 6-0 tournament run. It was the Blue team’s second win over their arch rivals from Hayward. In Saturday’s first game, veteran pitcher Jim Fleck turned in his strongest outing of the season in beating Da Bruddah’s 3-1.

The powerful hitting Santa Rosa team also beat North Bay 16-3 on Saturday and routed Merced 20-0 in a five-inning game on Sunday, at one point collecting 11 consecutive hits, capped by a grandslam home run by Carlos Gomez. Santa Rosa had to struggle to beat North Bay on Sunday, coming from behind to get the win that put them into the finals.

In the title game, losing pitcher Rich (Snake) Rivera issued a bases-loaded walk to Santa Rosa catcher Tom Dower in the second inning to give the Blue team a 1-0 lead, and pitcher Jeff Want nursed the lead until the sixth, when Da Bruddah’s tied the score. Santa Rosa bounced right back with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, with Casey Hillman hitting a solo home run to end the rally.

Brian Macler hit two home runs during the tourney, including a long drive high up into the trees beyond the 260-foot left-field fence, while Gomez was 5-for-5 in one game and a young newcomer, 19-year-old Cody Spaulding hit well over .600 in his debut. Nick and Dustin Green, Mark Young, Tom Dower and Danny Macler also had key hits. The new Santa Rosa Red team got solid pitching from Brandon Shearer, who had a 4-1 record. Santa Rosa opened with a 3-1 win but then had to overcome 8-1 deficits in its next two games to win 11-8 and 13-12 in 11 innings over Merced and Romie’s Angels on Saturday. They won their opener Sunday before being routed by Da Bruddah’s 14-4 to be eliminated. The Blue team, which finished fourth in last year’s Class C National Tournament in Killeen TX, will be back in the Nationals this year in Prescott, AZ, and the Red team will also be making the journey.

–Herb Dower

(click logo to visit official ISC website)

With the field of teams that we have this year, I have no doubt that this will be the most competitive and fiercely contested ISC II championship yet.

The first deadline for rosters is July 15. This is for the Kimberly & Appleton tournament program.

Hopefully, each of you has saved the original roster you submitted on or around May 1. If so, simply insert any changes, additions, etc onto your saved copy (a blank copy is attached if you are starting over) and send it to ALL of the following email addresses:

blairjs@rogers.com
jrwilliamson@foodfacility.com
hdewild@milwpc.com
tschaaf@kimberly.k12.wi.us
RUDIEREED@aasd.k12.wi.us
jody.lockhart@thedacare.org

Please try to include each player’s home town and uniform number. Also, it is very helpful to the Host Committee if you can place player family names in the far right column so they can pre-stuff team packets with the proper number of tournament passes for players, wives and children.

Again, your July 15 roster submission will be used in printing team rosters in the tournament program. If revised rosters are not received by the time they print the program, they will have to use the information submitted in May.

The final deadline for rosters is August 4. Any changes must be made by that date and should be sent to all of the above emails.

The schedule will be available in mid to late July and you will receive a copy by email.

Some other details to keep in mind as you are making your travel plans.

The host hotel is the Settle Inn in Appleton. Registration will take place at the Settle Inn from 7 pm to 8 pm on Saturday August 9. The mandatory manager meeting will also take place at the Settle Inn starting at 8 pm on Saturday August 9. Please ensure you have a team representative at both.

There is a list of additional hotels in the area at this link.

Hertz Rental Cars has a special available for teams in the ISC tournaments. The contact info is below. You must mention the ISC World Tournament to get a 30% discount for the week.
497 County Highway CB
Appleton, WI 54914
(920) 739-4323
(920) 739-4774
(920) 739-5133 - Fax

If you have any questions about the ToC, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Appleton!

Cheers,

Blair Setford
ISC II Commissioner
ISC Canada East VP

From the official ISF Jr. Men’s World Championship website:

Australia Wins Fourth Consecutive World Junior Fast Pitch Championship

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News Release
Sunday, June 29, 2008

The 2008 World Junior Fast Pitch Championship has crowned a familiar victor. After ten days that included 70 games all told, Australia has their fourth consecutive title after a 2-1 extra inning win against the host Canadians.

The gold medal game was tight all the way as pitchers Matt Stafford of Australia and Canada’s Devon McCullough pitched a scoreless draw into the eighth inning where, although Canada was able to produce a run, Australian pinch hitter Drew Faulkner won the game on a two run single with two outs.

“It’s all about these guys (the players),” said George Arcand, Chair of the 2008 World Junior Fast Pitch Championship during the closing ceremonies. “We’re so grateful the ISF gave us the chance to host this great tournament.”

The game was the second of the day for the Canadian team as they had beaten Japan by a score of 5-3 just hours earlier for the chance to play the Australians in the final game of the championship.

Softball Canada President Kevin Quinn was complimentary of all 12 competing nations during his closing ceremonies address.

“Each team from first to twelfth should be so proud of the entertaining brand of softball they played over the last 10 days. All the medal winners are very deserving.”

The International Softball Federation will now turn its’ attention to next year’s Senior Men’s World Fast Pitch Championship which are being held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Contact:
Media Relations
(867) 334-5203
softballmedia@outsidethecube.ca

Here is an updated list, as of June 26, of entered teams in both the ISC World Tournament and the ISC II Tournament of Champions.

(California teams in Bold)

ISC World Tournament

1. The Farm Tavern (Defending Champs)
2. Stone Yard (Host Team)
3. Texaco Pirates - Bahamas (International Berth)
4. Niagara Snappers (ISC II Move-up Berth)
5. Bar of Appleton (ISC II Move-up Berth)
6. Jarvis Gamblers (E. Canada TL ‘07)
7. Patsy’s (CPI Qualifier)
8. Dolan & Murphy (Dick Tracy Qualifier)
9. Pueblo Bandits (Joe Santos Qualifier)
10. Midwest Stampede (Walcott Memorial Qualifier)
11. Circle Tap (Wisconsin State Tournament I)
12. Townline (Wisconsin State Tournament II)
13. Bar of Green Bay (Wisconsin Classic TL)
14. Kitchener Rivershark Twins (Hallman Legends Qualifier)
15. Aspen Interiors (Horse Lake Qualifier)
16. Team Rainey/IAC (Best of the West Qualifier)
17. Portland/DeMarini (Best of the West - from Lodi Shootout)
18. Thomson Area Merchants (Grafmeier Qualifier)
19. Broken Bow Gremlins (Invite)
20. Vancouver Grey Sox (Invite)
21. Midland Explorers (Midland Qualifier)
22. Saskatoon Diamondbacks (Ducks Unlimited I)
23. Horse Lake Thunder (Ducks Unlimited II)
24. Casa Trejo A1 Bombers (Rose Cup Qualifier)
25. Ashland Mets (Ashland Qualifier)
26. St. Thomas Evergreen Centennials (Jarvis Qualifier)
27. MinnDak Millers (invite)
28. Scarborough Wolverines (invite)

(click logo to visit official ISC website)

ISC II Tournament of Champions

1. South Lebanon TNT (Defending Champs)
2. Taylor Farms Lumberkings (’07 ToC Runner-up)
3. Bar of Appleton II (Host Team)
4. Ottawa Team Easton Thunder (E. Ontario Challenge Cup ‘07)
5. Kitchener Outlaws (Ontario Challenge Cup)
6. Palermo Athletics (Highest Finisher ‘07 E. Canada TL Play-off)
7. ASB Villard (West St. Paul ‘07 Qualifier)
8. Keating Fitness (’07 MAFTL)
9. Memphis Posse (War Eagle Qualifier)
10. Chicago Fastpitch Club (Hustlehogs Icebreaker Qualifier)
11. Clay Face (Kelowna May Days Qualifier)
12. Innovative Communications (Best of the West - from Santos Qualifier)
13. Earl’s Club - Wisconsin State Tournament
14. Bulyea Rustlers (Canada West ISC II Qualifier I)
15. PDC Comets (Canada West ISC II Qualifier II)
16. Rude Pac (Best of the West Qualifier)
17. Sioux Falls Sox (Huntimer Qualifier)
18. NY Knights (Midland Qualifier)
19. Cutro Professional Inspections (CPI Qualifier I)
20 Carp 14C Victory Consulting (CPI Qualifier II)
21. Pete’s Blues (Kelso Klassic Qualifier)
22. Ashland Stockpack (Ashland Qualifier)
23. River City Rockers (Rose Cup Qualifier)
24. Waterdown Hammer (E. Ontario ISC II Qualifier)
25. Elora Wellington Brewers (SW Ontario ISC II Qualifier II)
26. Wilber Lime (Eau Claire Qualifier)
27. Wyevale Tribe (E. Canada Travel League)
28. Elmira Cubs (SW Ontario ISC II Qualifier I)
29. Bridgeport Braves (SW Ontario ISC II Qualifier III)

Ok Managers and Coaches, the deadline is here. I have to know by July 3 if you are going to PLAY in Sonora on the 12 & 13. This should be a good event since there are teams from central and northern CA coming. Once again this event is sponsored by BLACK OAK CASINO. Fun packets will be given to all players. CALL OR EMAIL.

–
Bob Chapel

Checks must be received by Tues. July 8th. Remember our mail is snail mail

Bob Chapel
1165 Capricorn Pl
Billings MT 59105

From Dennis Frye:

The Midwest Stampede in Thrilling fashion WON in the 8th inning, to rally and Capture the Prize against a Very Tough Townline team from Green Bay 8-7 on Sunday afternoon . They also met on Saturday night and went back and forth in a see-saw affair , coming out on top 8-5 ! The Fast-pitch action all weekend had to deal with Strong winds and Sprinkle’s but The Higher Power wanted Softball at it’s Finest to be on DISPLAY for ALL who were here to Experience the Atmosphere .

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(click logos to visit official sites)

Thousands of listeners tuned in for the 8th ISF World Jr. Men’s Championships at Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada on Ballparkradio.com. Listener logins showed more than 1000 listeners for each of Sunday’s medal games, and nearly 7000 total for the 12 broadcasts over four days. Listener “logins” do not reflect the grand total of listeners, as many families and neighbors gathered around one computer for the big event, as reflected in the hundreds of emails received by the broadcast crew of Kyle Smith and Jim Flanagan. Flanagan noted the listener totals for the final two games may have approached the several thousand fans in attendance at Whitehorse.

Ballparkradio broadcaster Kyle Smith had this to say:

“I can not even begin to wrap my head around the number of listeners who tuned in over the four days of broadcasting. This is absolutely tremendous for the game of fastpitch that was said to be in decline some years ago. This just goes to show that the game is alive and well. The thousands of fans in attendance at Whitehorse were joined by thousands more online. I want to thank each and every listener who tuned into www.ballparkradio.com. ”

Jim Flanagan added:

“Kyle and I were overwhelmed by the emails sent by listeners from all corners of the world. We received a ton of email from people in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and the USA, as well as Europe and other parts of the world. If the volume of emails are any indication, I think all of Newfoundland was listening and rooting for Mike Noftall and Shane Boland. We received one from a former ISF Junior player who had played in the tournament back in 2001, and was listening from Israel. One loyal listener in Argentina expanded the audience by opening a chat room and translating the play-by-play into Spanish for non-English speaking fans so they could follow along. Another fan who wasn’t home to listen convinced her sister to hold the phone up to the speaker so she could listen while driving home. A junior player who was in Whitehorse, but flew home Sunday, raced home from the airport to listen to the final game. A group of umpires and fans at the ongoing Monkton tournament tuned in. A number of fastpitch associations or teams wrote to say they were following players that they coached or knew.

I especially enjoyed reading those from gatherings of family and friends — in some cases, grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, neighbors and friends, all sitting around the computer to follow the action — and their favorite player and team live. My only regret is that everyone doesn’t get to read all of the emails right along with us. It was like sitting in the bleachers and carrying on conversations with everyone there — knowing that they might be halfway around the world, but feeling like they were sitting right there with us. To see — and feel — that kind of interest in the game — was an amazing experience for Kyle and I.”

To all of our friends north of the border, including those celebrating Canada’s silver medal at the 8th ISF Jr. World Championships last week, we wish you a Happy Canada Day.

Frequently referred to as “Canada’s birthday,” particularly in the popular press, the occasion marks the joining of the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces (the Province of Canada being divided, in the process, into Ontario and Quebec) on July 1, 1867.

-Wikipedia

(click logo for official tournament website)

The USA Jr. Men played tough against many of the top finishing teams in the tournament, losing a number of one-run ballgames. Their low point was the 12-2 loss to 9th place South Africa. The high points were the a 7-6 extra inning win over Mexico (which came at the end of a day that saw them lose a tough 7am game to New Zealand, 3-2, and and another to Argentina, 5-4) and a hard fought 1-0 loss in 8 innings to Team Canada in the final game of the round robin portion of the tournament. In that final game, USA Jr. Men’s pitcher BJ Hunhoff shut out the silver medalists through regulation, striking out 9 and surrending but 2 hits.

USA Jr. Men against the top finishers:

Austrailia, gold medalists: USA lost 9-0
Canada, silver medalists: USA lost 1-0 in 8 innings
Japan, bronze medalists, USA lost 4-2
New Zealand, 4th place: USA lost 3-2

Argentina, 5th place, USA lost, 5-4
Venezuela, 6th place, USA won, 12-4
Mexico, 7th place: USA won 7-6