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Oct 29, 2008

Six players, including pitcher Karl Gollan after a four-year absence, have been recalled to the Black Sox softball team for next month’s trip to Argentina.

After playing against four club sides, the Black Sox contest a tournament along with Venezuela, Argentina and the Parana All Stars.

Gollan, who last played for New Zealand at the 2004 world championship in Christchurch, has been based in the United States but returned to New Zealand to enhance his chances of making the national team.

“He deserves his selection in this team based on some really strong performances in the US which culminated last year’s most valuable player award at the International Softball Congress tournament ,” Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase said.

Also back in the Black Sox are Stacy McLean, Steven Ratu, Fabian Makea and brothers Michael and Thomas Cameron.

Ratu and McLean have been regular members of the Black Sox, but were overlooked for the Oceania world championship qualifying tournament in April.

Makea last played for the Black Sox at the Commonwealth tournament in Melbourne in 2006, Michael Cameron was a member of the team in 2005 and was also in the New Zealand A team the following year while his older brother Thomas was last in the side in 2006 for the Pacific Series tournament in Japan.

Forced changes

The six changes have come mainly through a combination of work, family commitments and injury.

Kohlhase lost the experienced Travis Wilson through his fielding coaching commitments with the New Zealand cricket team, pitcher Heinie Shannon pending fatherhood, catcher Aaron Neemia (wedding), and infielder Nathan Nukunuku recovering from an injury.

Another player who will also come under close scrutiny during the South America tour is Wayne Laulu, who was the 2007-2008 most promising men’s player.

Laulu made his debut for the Black Sox at the world championship qualifying tournament where he was the top batter with an average of .600.

For Kohlhase the tour to South America, which also involves games against Venezuela, is crucial in the side’s preparation for a fourth consecutive world championship crown next July.

Argentina have a number of players involved with American club sides and have on their roster two world class pitchers, while Venezuela are traditionally among the top six sides in the world.

“They play a different brand of softball, they are very free spirited,” Kohlhase said.

“This is a good opportunity for us to play against some teams we will see in 2009 and also do some hard serious training in between those international games.”

The team leave New Zealand on November 14 and return December 4.

Black Sox: Michael Cameron, Thomas Cameron, Roman Gabriel, Donny Hale, Patrick Shannon (Auckland), Daniel Milne, Stephen Ratu (Canterbury), Rhys Casley, Jeremy Manley (Hutt Valley), Marty Grant (Nelson), Brad Rona (North Harbour), Wayne Laulu, Stacy McLean, Fabian Makea, Thomas Makea (vice captain), Jarrad Martin (captain, Wellington), Karl Gollan (US-based).

Sunday night update, November 23:

Welcome to the new members who registered on the Fastpitchwest Forum over the weekend. Registration has been closed as the spammers are swarming again (we got about 10 spams for each legitimate new user). Keep an eye out, we’ll open it up again for those that missed the open window.

Due to spammers, we have had to lock down registration for new users on the Fastpitchwest Forum. We are opening it up from time to time, though, so if you have been unable to register, keep an eye out here for “Forum Registration Open” notices. We had another open registration period last night and I see that some of you managed to register. You’ll note the spammers as the ones that post from overseas, and include a “link” over on the right hand side, to various sites and scams that they are running. Be careful not to click those links. It just encourages them, and in some cases, can link you to harmful viruses and such.

An important note:

(1) After you register, you will receive a “welcome” email but still need to be “activated” by the administrator (me). So when you receive that, forward to me with a “please activate me” in the subject line, and I’ll get you squared away. Please tell me what team you are affiliated with, or something fastpitch related so that I can distinguish from the spammers. If you have included a link on your registration, to a fastpitch site, be sure and mention to me, or I will mistake you for a spammer. Sorry it’s a bit tedious to join, but that’s just the internet these days. These guys are like the little machines on “The Matrix”– they just keep coming.

(2) I receive a number of emails from people asking me to add them to the forum. I am unable to add you, as the “welcome/activation” email comes back to your email address that you use when you register. You’ll need to create the “new user” yourself, using the “Register” link on the forum menu (left side of the page).

To the new forum members, welcome, we hope you will enjoy your time on the board, and invite you to post fastpitch information from your local region. For old members, we’re glad to have you as a member of the Fastpitchwest community, and appreciate the support you have given the site over the years.

This was passed along by our friend Scott Standerfer:

Michael White’s Daughter
11/19/08

I just wanted to let all of you on the Ultimate site know that Mike White’s daughter, Sidney who is 11 years old, is facing a serious medical situation. She is in a Portland Children’s Hospital undergoing tests. For those of you who don’t know Mike, he is one of the finest pitchers in the world, and he has been instrumental in helping us with our Elite Futures Camps. Pasted below is a note Mike sent regarding Sidney:

“I briefly wanted to give you all an update on our daughter Sidney’s condition.

Since July Sidney has been suffering from anxiety which has led up to brief spells where she basically freezes in place. Looking at Sidney you wouldn’t know a thing is wrong. Physically she is 100%. She is getting A+’s in school, pitching better than ever, and excelling in her new sport volleyball. However, for the past (nearly three months) Sid has been talking less and less – and having momentary lapses where she just kind of freezes in one place. Sidney was admitted to Riverbend Hospital in Eugene on Friday after her condition deteriorated the past 2 weeks. A MRI and EEG were performed and showed some abnormalities in both.

The results of the MRI showed Sid has a dark “spot” about the size of the end of your finger in the deep tissue of her brain stem. Because of the depth of the “spot” in her brain it is not easy to determine what exactly it is. We will not know more until the results of extensive tests are returned early next week. It is not a “text book” case where there is a logical explanation for the cause of her symptoms. They do however think that there is something “structural” within the brain that is causing Sid’s condition. This weekend the doctors are gathering more information using 48 hour EEG monitoring (brain wave patterns) to see if there is any type of seizure activity. On Monday we will be moving Sidney up to Doernbecher Children’s hospital in Portland where a team of specialists will take Sidney’s case and determine a course of action. We do not know how long this will take but we will do everything we can to get Sidney back to normal soon.

Sidney is an extremely courageous girl and will fight this illness with all her strength. I have included as many friends as possible so that the power of our prayer will be multiplied many times. I ask that you add Sidney to your prayers and to your friends and church congregation prayers. Please pray to continue to give Sidney the strength to fight this illness; that you pray to give the doctors the wisdom and insight to find the cure and to give our family the strength to get through this very difficult time.
God bless Mike, Lisa, Nyree, Kenzie and Sidney

If you know the Whites, you know that they would never ask for anything; they are truly a family that gives. I am posting this message in the hope that all of you will send your prayers and best wishes to the White family. Getting Sidney well is the ultimate wish. She is now in the hands of some of the best children’s doctors in the world. But as Mike says, she needs the power of your prayers during her battle.

The Eugene community is quickly mobilizing to help the Whites. An account has been set up at U.S. Bank titled, “Sidney White Donation Account. Any U.S. Bank can accept funds for this family. Obviously, the internet can also provide access. Understanding that these are difficult times for all any help you can offer would be great.

You can reach Joann and me at allister (at) ondecksoftball.net If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to touch base with us. Thank you very much.

Derek Allister

Yet another.

From The Consumerist:

Delta To Add $15 First Checked Bag Fee

The AP says that the new mergeriffic Delta will be adding a $15 fee for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag when traveling domestically, which is consistent with Northwest’s existing policies.

Customers who purchased Delta tickets on or before Wednesday, and who are traveling on or after Dec. 5, will be charged $50 for a second bag, but will be permitted to check their first bag without charge based on Delta’s previous policy. Customers flying in first or business class, including SkyMiles Medallion members and WorldPerks Elite members, will be able to check up to three bags, up to 70 pounds each, for free, Delta said.