Archive for the ‘Players’ Category

BJ Hunhoff – Carroll Forbes Scholarship Recipient

Friday, December 14th, 2007

From the official ISC website:

Carroll Forbes Foundation Scholarship Program

The International Softball Congress has awarded the second annual scholarship to BJ Hunhoff from Harrisburg, SD.

BJ is currently enrolled in his first year at the University of Sioux Falls College in Sioux Falls SD. His career ambition is to work in the computer field. He was chosen in 2007 to play for the USA National team in Prague for the Men’s World Cup and the American Challenge Series in Oklahoma. He has been invited to try out for the USA Jr team in January 2008. All the members of the International Softball Congress congratulate BJ Hunhoff and wish him well in his future endeavors.

Charlie Smith, Treasurer
10317 Sugarberry
El Paso, TX 79925
E-Mail Address: csmith2@elp.rr.com

Editor’s Notes: We reprinted a local South Dakota newspaper story about BJ at the time his selection to the USA National team was announced here. BJ will be with the defending AAU champs, Mac’s next month in Orlando.

Update/correction: Well, his name did appear on Mac’s roster for the 2008 AAU, but I’m told that he won’t be in Orlando, as the USA Jr. Men have a training camp at the same time. There’s also a camp Jan 2-6, 2008 in Chula Vista (San Diego area), CA, so the kids will be getting a jump on the New Year.

Changes to the ISC II Ineligible List

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007

Via

Changes to the ISCII Ineligible list are posted at our ISC II blog, “The Deuce”. A few additions and lots of deletions (meaning pitchers who become ISC II eligible). Click here for the details.

Will Pellum, Fastpitch Player, Author

Wednesday, November 14th, 2007

Update to our earlier post about Palm Springs player Will Pellum’s new book. He now has his own website for the book. Click here to view.. His book signing is tomorrow (Thursday, November 15). See info below.

When last we saw Will Pellum, of the Palm Springs Express, he was in the midst of a TV news interview at the NAFA World Series in Des Moines, Iowa. Now, his next venture, as an author — he’ll be signing copies of his autobiography next week. See info below. (For those of you not familiar with Will, he is a longtime member of the Palm Springs Express, which plays in the SCIFL, and competed in the NAFA “A” World Series in Des Moines last summer.)

Catching Dreams is the Autobiography about William Pellum’s dreams to play college football and graduate from college. The conflict began with people judging me for my size and not my playing ability!

http://www.authorstobelievein.com/catching.dreams.htm

BOOK SIGNING Thurs. 11/15/07 Crystal Fantasy 264 N. Palm Canyon Dr P S CA.

Map to Book signing (near the Palm Springs Airport, about 4 miles northwest of De Muth Park)

View Larger Map

A Helping Hand for Russ Snow

Friday, November 2nd, 2007

We pass along a note from Craig Heberer, a friend of Russ Snow’s who is organizing a helping hand for Russ:

With input from Dave Itano, Ben Meyer, Russ’ wife Cindy, and myself…Glenn Itano has developed a webpage to provide information on how you can help brother Russ Snow get his ranch back up and running after he suffered a heavy loss from the devastating Witch Creek Fire.

One of the great benefits we get from running the Humboldt Fishin’ Lumberjack Charters every year is the time spent with friends and the tight bonds that have formed. Please do what you can to help out one of our own during this time of crisis and recovery. Russ is one of many small farmers in the area trying to keep a tradition alive. We support US businesses at the consumer end, we also need to support them on the producer end. I thank you in advance for whatever level of support you can provide. We will be back up at Russ’ ranch tomorrow to continue with the rebuilding process. Anyone who is in the immediate area is welcome to join the work party.

Please pass this email and weblink on to any friends and associates who would like to contribute to the effort.

Regards,
Craig

Here’s the link to the webpage:

http://www.pomoxis.com/hflj/snowy/

Scroll down the page on that website and you will see photos of the damage to Russ’ property.

The email below was written by one of Russ’ neighbors and printed in the Los Angeles Times;

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Vancouver Grey Sox Sign Ree, Rassmussen

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007


(Brian Ree)

Vancouver, BC

The Vancouver Grey Sox are pleased to announce the signings of infielder Brian Ree and catcher -outfielder Kevin Rasmussen for the 2008 season.

Both Ree and Rasmussen were members of the 2007 edition of the Portland, Oregon DeMarini Merchants. Ree a resident of Gresham, Oregon and Rasmussen a resident of Everett, Washington are expected to provide open level experience and depth to the Grey Sox line up as we attempt to improve upon our recent result at the ISC World Tournament.

Further updates regarding our roster and 2008 schedule will be provided in the weeks ahead.

Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com


(click logo for official team website)

Editor’s note: With Vancouver signing three of Portland’s top players from 2007, Mike Piechnik, Brian Ree and Kevin Rasmussen, rumors are swirling that this spells the demise of the Portland team. Not so, however, says a very reliable source, who tells fastpitchwest that Portland will be adding personnel to replace those departing players and plans to be on the field for the 2008 season.

A Note from Russ Snow

Monday, October 29th, 2007

Editor’s note: A postscript on the So Cal Fires notes from last week, a note from Cindy Snow, pitcher Russ Snow’s wife. We are sorry to report that Russ’s home and business was in the path of the fire, but grateful to report that he and his family are fine. Somewhere in my batch of old photos are some of the Vista Bomber team BBQ on his ranch, amidst the the fish, firewood and Russ’ familiar trailer. It was a special place, an oasis amidst the city life. Sad to hear of the news, but knowing Russ, he will bounce back. A number of you had asked if/what we had heard, and so, with their permission, we have posted this note to family and friends:

Dear Friends and Family,

Here is the update on the Snow ranches. Wonderful news! John and Nancy Snow’s beautiful home is safe. We are so very happy and are counting our blessings. Several of the houses near their home, including one on their private ranch road and four on their old ranch, across the street, are gone. We feel very fortunate. Russ’ situation is different. Tuesday morning, We waited until about 10am and then headed back up to his ranch in Highland Valley. Roadblocks were everywhere, but with Russ’ local knowledge and ability to charm Cal Trans employees, we got to his ranch about noon. There is no other way to put it, but “we took a hit”. Russ’ home is gone; his mobile home caught fire and melted. With it went most of his personal items, he will miss among other things, his grandfather’s tackle box, a lifetime collection of reels and poles, his golf clubs, a Rolodex with his entire wood client list, his baseball card collection, photos and his wedding and world championship rings.

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Piechnik to Vancouver in 2008

Thursday, October 25th, 2007


(click logo for official team website)

Vancouver, BC

The Vancouver Grey Sox are pleased to announce the signing of veteran lefthanded pitcher Mike Piechnik for the 2008 season.

Piechnik a resident of Victoria, BC spent the 2007 season with the Portland, Oregon Demarini Merchants. Highly regarded at the open level for his numerous accomplishments and fine pitching performances, “Peaches” is a most welcome addition to the Grey Sox program.

The veteran leadership qualities that Mike Piechnik possesses and positive influence it is expected he will provide to the entire Grey Sox team and in particular the pitching staff, made him a priority for the organization as we attempt to improve upon our 7th place finish at the ISC World Tournament, and defend the Softball Canada National Championship.

More news and a schedule announcement will be forthcoming in the weeks and months ahead.

Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com

Wagar, Jackson Sign with Cents

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

From

St. Thomas Centennials Roster additions

The St. Thomas Evergreen Centennials are very pleased to announce the additions of pitchers Scott Wagar and Andy Jackson.

Wags is a workhorse who relishes the oppourtunity for a fresh start. He will be counted on to be a “go to guy’ for the Cents. The team is hoping he can add something to offensive side as well with his bat.

AJ is a veteran who has proven he can beat anyone at any given time. He will give us leadership on the field and help some of the young guys adjust to the open level. Andy is a very capable hitter and can play the outfield as well as 1st base. We welcome Andy back for his third stint in the St. Thomas area. He played with some of the Fingal teams in the ’90s and helped the Union Storm win the ’04 OASA Eliminations.

For more on this story, including other player signings by the Cents, see Al’s Fastball.

A-1 Bombers?

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

The rumor mill is churning again. The latest, from a reliable source:

A1 BOMBERS—-MORE TO COME IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

Others note the absence of the Hunt brothers, Chris and Tim, from the recently released Taylor Farms Lumberking roster and speculate about what that means.

International transfusion

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

From
via

BeaconNewsOnline.com Member of the Sun-Times News Group

International transfusion

Its popularity waning in recent decades, fastpitch softball teams like Dolan and Murphy use recruitment of international players to keep the sport alive in United States

September 23, 2007
BY JOHN SAHLY Staff Writer

Jonas Mach, a 23-year-old softball player who throws a fastball hitters have less than four-tenths of a second to react to, lives in a pink room.

Not just pink; suffocating pink. Pink tulips in untouched parts of nature aren’t this pink.

To top it off, the light-switch cover includes a pastel-colored bunny painted on it, matching the banner that crawls across the room.

For the Czech Republic-native Mach, this pink room is not home. Neither is the more spacious but just as messy room where his Argentinean teammate Juan Potolicchio spends his time.

Both young men are international fastpitch softball pitchers who play for Aurora’s Dolan and Murphy team. They are part of a large contingent of foreign players who, for various reasons, come to the United States and Canada to play softball in the summer.

Mach’s room — cluttered with clothes, softball equipment and a single mattress — can’t fit more than a handful of people comfortably. The bedroom once belonged to a young girl. For Mach, it’s a place to sleep and a place to hang out with Potolicchio and teammate Jason Iuli — who all live together in the Aurora house during their summers in the U.S.

“At first, when I walked in and I saw the pink walls I thought it was a joke,” Mach said.

But the fastpitch community knows Mach’s fastball and Potolicchio’s riser are no laughing matter.

The two are a major part of the sport’s biggest trend. Two pitchers in a pitchers’ game; two international players in an increasingly-international game; two young competitors in a game desperate to get younger.

Two players who represent how fast-pitch softball — a sport few in the public know about and even fewer pay attention to — not only survives, but thrives in its own small way.