From the Canberra Times, Australia

Heading bat to basics helps ACT turn tables
BY PAUL NEWMAN

The ACT finally found form to score its first win of the Australian under-19 men’s fastpitch softball championships at Hawker yesterday.

The defending champion made a horror start to the tournament losing its first five matches on the tournament’s opening two days.

But a 45-minute batting drill before yesterday’s match against Queensland sparked the team into some much-needed form.

Queensland had thumped ACT 11-1 on day two, but yesterday the home side turned the tables to score a 7-3 victory.

‘’Finally we clicked,'’ coach Wayne Duroux said.

‘’Poor execution with the bat had let us down but after a 45-minute batting session we turned that around.'’

Pitcher Matt Kraeh was just as effective with the bat. He hit a triple and a single, as well as keeping the Queensland runs to a minimum.

But in its second match yesterday the ACT found it tough going against Western Australia. It was behind 8-2, before scoring four runs in the sixth inning and eventually going down 8-6.

Relief pitcher Brendan Robinson helped slow the WA run flow as well as hitting two singles with the bat.

Despite sitting at the bottom of the table the ACT still hopes to contest the final on Saturday, but must beat Victoria and WA today to stay in contention.

Meanwhile, in the under-19 women’s tournament in Victoria, the ACT scored a 13-3 win over Tasmania yesterday before losing to NSW 5-0.

AT A GLANCEUnder-19 men: ACT 11 bt QUEENSLAND 1; WA 4 bt VICTORIA 3; WA 8 bt ACT 6; NSW 10 bt VICTORIA 0; NSW 11 bt QUEENSLAND 1.

Editor’s note: Any wonder why these guys are 4x gold?

This story appeared in the Leader-Post during the summer, but we didn’t see it until now. Thought you still might enjoy it.

From the Leader-Post:

A man for all seasons

Julie Folk
Leader-Post

[ Regina,Saskatchewan,Canada] - Jeannot has been playing fastball for 14 years; now it’s time to set down the bat and pick up a clipboard, spending more time coaching, staying home with his family, and resting his shoulders, which have already been through three surgeries. For the past six years, Jeannot has been playing with the Saskatoon Poly Plus Senior Diamondbacks fastpitch club. While his Supreme Auto Body team in the Rambler Park men’s fastball league plays a lighter schedule, a couple of times a week, the Diamondbacks regularly travel across Canada for competition.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Inaugural Silverhawks Invitational is March 14-15, at Greenacres Park, 2014 Calloway Dr. in Bakersfield, CA 93312. The tournament is a place to showcase your team against some of the top B and C teams from around the state.

There will be a $500.00 prize to the tournament champion, as well as an ASA National Tournament berth to all teams. The tournament will have a beer garden, serving free ice cold Bud Light to all players in the tournament, we have also arranged for Hotel Rooms at the Quality Inn and Suites for $59.00 per night, which includes a free pass to the Replay Lounge (One of Bakersfields premiere nightclubs) for all players.

We would like to invite all teams interested to contact Chris McGehee @ 661-330-7114 or by email at garageworks@bak.rr.com, or Bob McCormick @ 661-549-3987. Spaces are filling up fast as we only have room for 12 teams.

More info can be found at the Silverhawks team website:
http://www.eteamz.com/SilverhawksMFP/news/

Chris McGehee
Silverhawks Fastpitch

Reports Lumberking skipper David Weldin:

Congratulations are in order to Ron Guzman. He is now the proud father of a healthy baby girl. Cameron Alexis Guzman was born on December 27, 2008 and weighed 7 lbs 5 ounces & 21 inches long. Both mom and daughter are one and doing great.

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas ! May it bring good things to all…

(My nephew Ryan enjoying the new fallen snow)

(click logo to visit Ballparkradio.com website)

Just in time for Christmas, the archived broadcast of the 2008 ISF Jr. World Championship game has been posted online for listening and download. You may listen to it directly, or save to your computer and play back on any computer. The broadcast is made available free of charge. (We have an MP3 version as well, for those who want it on a CD or to put on their iPod or other media player, but that file is too large to post online. Watch for more information on how to get on CD)

Our production team is working on the rest of the ISF Jr. World Championship games that were broadcast from Whitehorse, as well as the ISC II Tournament of Champions, so stay tuned.

Click here to listen or download the broadcast, between Australia and Canada, with Kyle Smith and Jim Flanagan. (This file posted online is still a large one, so be patient while it downloads and buffers). Once done, it will load quickly the second time. Depending on which browser you’re using, it might make some funny noises while it downloads, but give it time.)

(Kyle and Jim will be in Orlando, January 22-25, 2009 for live broadcasts of the 2009 AAU International tournament.)

(Click logo for official SCIFL website)

From Robert Hernandez of the SCIFL (So Cal Independent Fastpitch League)

LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP II

With most of the Country freezing and snow falling in places it doesn’t normally, NAFA and SCIFL are announcing the second edition of the “Las Vegas Road Trip” Men’s fast pitch tournament. The dates of this tournament will be April 4th and 5th and the 3′ 1/2″ of snow that fell in Las Vegas should be long gone . Temperatures in Sin City should be great. Last year with the two playing days in the low 80’s. This will be a NAFA sanctioned event with the participating teams separated in the following divisions:

A
A-Major/AA (depending on amount of teams)
AA/AA-Major (depending on the amount of teams)

The splits in the higher classifications will be based on the amount of teams that enter. It is anticipated that 24 teams can be accommodated for this event and confirmation into the tournament will be based on the entry fee and roster being received. The entry fee for the tournament is $375 and a the NAFA 3-game guarantee bracket will be used for all divisions. It is open to all fast pitch teams and if your team has not yet paid their NAFA registration fee, there will be an additional $20 fee which will be forwarded to your State Director. With a minimum of eight (8) teams in a division, the winner in each division will have their 2009 NAFA World Series entry fee paid.

Tournament Directors for the event will be Robert Hernandez and Bob Chapel. Clyde Bennett will be scheduling the umpires. Statistician will be Jan Tokorcheck. Information regarding the event, game results and player statistics will be posted on www.scifastpitch.com . This year’s tournament will be played at Sunset Park which is located by the Las Vegas airport. Sunset Park is a four diamond wheel-wagon complex so all teams will be playing at the same facility this year. Game times will be available once the tournament is filled or the Tuesday prior to the event.

Team interested in playing should contact Robert Hernandez at rmh323@roadrunner.com or 714-392-1387. All teams will need to submit a signed roster from their State Director with their entry fee. Checks can be made out to “SCIFL” and forwarded to Robert Hernandez, P.O. Box 1891, Anaheim, CA 92815-1891. Teams will be entered into the event in order of receipt of entry fees.

The host hotel for the tournament once again will be Arizona Charlie’s Boulder. Last year staying at the hotel was nice for the teams as the rooms are set up in a dorm type setting and being able to talk or hang out with each other was very easy. Please help the tournament by booking with Arizona Charlie’s using their 800 number to receive the special rate. The number is 800-362-4040 and the reference code is C-SOCAL or mention So Cal Independent Fast Pitch League.

Arizona Charlie’s Boulder
Full service hotel/casino/restaurants/bowling alley
www.arizonacharliesboulder.com
4575 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas, NV
800-362-4040 ad reference “C-SCIFL” as the group name
Room rates:
Fri/Sat - $49 per night plus taxes for a standard room or $59 per night plus taxes for an upgrade to a suite
Thur & Sun - $29 per night plus taxes for a standard room or $39 per night plus taxes for an upgrade to a suite
These rates are by far the best that we received for similar type hotels during this timeframe, most were well in the $100+ range per night. Rooms will be included in the block until March 3, 2008. We will not be negotiating with another hotel, so once the hotel is booked you will need to make your own accommodation’s. Last year there were a number of teams that waited until the last couple of weeks to book their rooms and the hotel did not have any more to give. At the time of booking you will be charged first night of your stay with the reminder of days being charged upon check-in. Roll-outs are available for an additional $10 per night.

Arizona Charlie’s Boulder is located 7 miles from the park but the money saved on the rooms will be a plus for teams compared to some of the other quotes that have been received. Teams can also save at the buffet by joining the casino player program when they arrive to check in.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding this tournament.

Robert Hernandez
NAFA Pacific Coast VP
P.O. Box 1891
Anaheim, CA 92806

rmh323@roadrunner.com
714-392-1387

2009 ISC Qualifiers
December 21, 2008

Canada East Region – Blair Setford, Vice President – blairjs@rogers.com 905-826-2697

World Tournament – 3 + 2 berths awarded from ‘08

ISC II ToC – 7 + 4 berths awarded from ‘08

World Tournament Qualifiers
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We were sorry to learn of the passing of longtime fastpitch player and fan, William Hefflemire. William followed the AAU International tournament, among others, in recent years, dropping us an occasional email to catch up on scores and send along a good word. He kept his passion for the game throughout his life.

His son, Eric writes:

SERVICE – A short and somewhat informal service is scheduled for Saturday December 20th at 2pm @ the Jackson Park Chapel 71 Olding Rd Bremerton.

William F. Heffelmire left us too soon on December 11th 2008. Tough and honorable to the end, he was 78 years old. Known, loved and respected by so many in so many roles, and by many titles – husband, Bill, Dad, Chief, COB, Heff, Boss and in perhaps his greatest and latest role, to his grandchildren, lovingly as “Grumpy.”

Born in Brady Lake, Ohio July 19, 1930 – son of Frederick J. Heffelmire and Orpha Pendleton he left home young for a career in the US Navy. A highly decorated Chief Petty Officer, he rose to the top of his vital profession and became Chief of the Boat (COB) on the greatest vessels and weapon platforms and cold war deterrents ever created – Fast Attack Nuclear Submarines. During his extraordinary 42 year career, he repeatedly refused commissions to officer rank, – rejecting, what he saw as “a demotion” from COB to Ensign. In his second full Naval career, as a Navy civil servant, he again rose to the top as General Foreman and Section Head at the Naval Undersea Warfare Engineering Station (NUWES, later NUWC). Along the way he added to his lifetime of practical experience a Bachelors of Science degree. In his long years of service to the United States and the US Navy, he came to know the four corners of the earth and the 7 seas and truly left his mark wherever he served.

He was a gifted athlete and fast-pitch baseball player/pitcher back in the day and he maintained his love of the sport his whole life, traveling all over the country to support the sport. He loved bowling, cribbage and was legend across the submarine fleet for his domino playing prowess. In later years he dedicated himself to helping raise his grandchildren, all well grounded and successful young adults, some of whom have followed in his footsteps into military service, as did all his own sons, - in the Navy and as a Cadet at the United States Air Force Academy. In this, his legacy of service and tough, but fair leadership lives on.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 53 years – Charlotte, six children – William - a Navy Veteran, Mary-Anne, Mark – a US Marine, Celia, Eric – a USAF veteran, and Adria – as well as 11 grandchildren, and son & daughter-in-law Stu and Darmie.

So in honor of a life extraordinarily well lived and in the tradition of the Navy that he loved and served his entire life - Anchors away… and until we meet once more, here’s wishing you a happy voyage home.

Click here to view story in the Kitsap Sun, Bremerton Washington’s local newspaper.

Midland Daily News
December 9th, 2008
By Dan Chalk
(reprinted with permission)

[Midland, MI] - With all of its fastpitch softball history, one fastpitch event that Midland has never hosted is the International Softball Congress World Tournament. But now, the Midland Explorers Booster Club hopes to bring the ISC Tournament to Currie Stadium in the second and third weeks of August 2010.

After a presentation by the Explorers Booster Club last Tuesday, the City of Midland’s Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to recommend that city staff work with the booster club in support of a bid for the tournament. If the bid is accepted by the ISC, the 32-team ISC World Tournament would be held at Currie Stadium, and the concurrent 40-team ISC Tournament of Champions would take place at Redcoats Complex.

Kyle Beane of the Explorers Booster Club said the club for a few years has tossed around the idea of hosting the tournament. He said its economic impact would be between $2 million and $5 million. “We’ve looked at it for the past few years but never put the time and the organization into it,” said Beane, who also plays for the Midland Explorers fastpitch team. “We’ve still got a lot of steps to go, but we’re very hopeful.” Beane said the booster club plans to submit a bid to ISC Executive Director Ken Hackmeister next month, and he expects to get an OK from Hackmeister by March 2009.

Beane said no other city has expressed an interest in hosting the 2010 tournament, and he said that Hackmeister has told him the ISC would be supportive of a bid from Midland.“In the past, two to four teams have bid for it,” he said. “It just so happens that for 2010, no one else is bidding for it. Ken and I have talked different times over the years. He’s supportive of us (in our plan to make a bid).”

In the meantime, the Explorers Booster Club is working on the details of preparing for the tournament: lining up volunteers, vendors and accommodations, among other things. “It definitely is a year-and-a-half process to get it ready,” Beane said. The ISC has been hosted recently by Kimberly, Wis.; Eau Claire, Wis.; Sioux City, Iowa; Fargo, N.D.; St. Joseph, Mo.; Kitchener, Ont; and Victoria, B.C. Most teams that compete in the ISC are from the United States and Canada. Australia, Denmark, Bahamas, Czech Republic and Mexico also have sent teams to the tournament. “The top players in the world are going to play in this tournament,” Beane said. “It’s the best tournament the sport has to offer. … The crowds travel well. People all over the country come to the ISC every year, regardless of where it’s at.”

In the past, Currie Stadium has hosted numerous major softball events, including the ASA Men’s Major Nationals, ISF World Championships, USA Men’s National Team and Women’s National Team tryouts, and Olympic Softball team exhibition games. “We’ve got a leg up, because the (Currie Stadium) facility and the community are used to this type of event,” Beane said. City of Midland Recreation Manager Marcie Post said she feels the Explorers Booster Club is well organized in its plan to bid for the tournament. “It sounds like they really have their ducks in a row,” she said. “If we get everything set and ready to go, it would be a really great thing for Midland.”

Post added that it’s important for the city to recoup the cost of the labor that will be required to staff the tournament.“I want to break even on everything that we’re doing here,” she said. “In the crisis we’re going through with the city budget, I think it’s important that we’re breaking even, that we’re recouping our costs.” Beane said it was crucial to get the vote of approval from the Parks and Recreation Commission.“We were looking for their blessing. We knew if we didn’t have fields to play on, it would be a moot point,” he said.