Archive for the ‘Players’ Category

Inaugural California Challenge – All Star Series – Oct 14 & 15*

Friday, October 13th, 2006

It’s North vs. South in All-Star Series This Weekend

California Challenge Info at Fastpitchwest.com:

The first ever “California Challenge” North vs. South All Star Games will be played this weekend in Bakersfield, California. A best of three series will begin Saturday at 4:30pm, with game 2 slated for 7:30pm. Longtime fastpitch supporter Dave Frye will throw out the first pitch before the 7:30pm game, with ISC Broadcaster Ron Chambers, a former catcher for the legendary Dave Frey teams of the 1970’s and 1980’s doing the honorary catching duties for the first pitch. The third “if” game will be played on Sunday, if necessary. The series is being sponsored and put on by the California Lumberkings, the first California team to compete in the ISC II Tournament of Champions. Tickets are $5.00 and T-shirts are available, with proceeds going to help the team. The Lumberkings fared well in the ISC II Tournament, qualifying for the playoff round, and winning their first round playoff game before being eliminated. The team plans to return to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada to compete in 2007.

Click the link above for a look at the rosters of the two squads, featuring most of the best players in California, including ISC and ISC II players. You can also cast your vote in the “Pick-the-winner” poll on that page, right up until the first pitch at 4:30pm tomorrow. The poll has been neck and neck all week, with a one or two vote lead for the South until yesterday, when the North surged ahead, taking a double digit lead for the first time since the poll opened last week. The North crossed the century mark last night, garnering 100 of the nearly 200 votes cast.

Click the link below for satellite photo of the field, and to get driving directions to the field:

Satellite Photo of Dave Frye Field, Bakersfield, CA.

Military Honors Ceremony and Luncheon for the late Brian McNaughton – Oct. 13

Friday, October 13th, 2006

You are all invited to the (Military) Full Honors Ceremony and Post Ceremony Gathering for the late Brian McNaughton:

Friday October 13th 2006 @ 1:30pm
OakHill Memoral Park
2640 Glenridge Rd
Escondido, Ca 92027
760.745.1781

Gathering at Medinas Italian Restaurant hosted by Adele McNaughton
330 W Felicita Ave
Escondido, CA
cross street is Escondido Ave
#760-746-0955 Medinas

Adele McNaughton #760.443.3707
Renee (McNaughton) Pulver #714.323.0582

Thank You, Renee


Click here for past articles about Brian.

Tid Bits from Al – Rumors and more

Wednesday, October 11th, 2006

Rumor Mill Has Pitcher Jeremy Manley Coming to So Cal

From Al’s Fastball:

News

TidBits October 11, 2006 – Extra
Wednesday, October 11, 2006

For those not familiar with tidbits, its ballyard rumours, nothing more. Maybe no fact here at all, but same kind of stories you hear in the ballpark. Only those mentioned can confirm or deny these stories, and traditionally they tell us nada, or hardly ever, but they can straighten the story out any time.

Subscribers tell me that TidBits is the most read and most popular of all the items we send out to our subscriber list.

ALL our TidBits come from guys in the game that I know and who sign their name to what they send me. Each has asked to remain Anonymous.

Kitchener Hallman Twins:
Former “Farm” hand Todd Budke to join the Kitchener Hallman Twins for 2007 season.

(more…)

Twins confirm Budke signing

Saturday, October 7th, 2006

California’s Todd Budke heading north to Kitchener for 2007! However, that would seem to leave the Hallman Twins with 7 Prawns – who will be let go?

From Al’s Fastball

KITCHENER, Ontario

Just a quick note to clarify any rumours. The Kitchener Hallman Twins have secured the services of Todd Budke for the 2007 season. Todd will be a tremendous addition to the TWINS line-up and the team is excited to welcome Todd aboard.

Also of note, the Hallman Twins expect that the pitching staff of Todd Martin, Don Scott and Paul Koert will remain intact for the 2007 season. Expect more from the Kitchener camp in the not too distant future as the TWINS work their way through the always exciting and rumour filled off season.

Dave Bailey
Kitchener Hallman Twins

Todd Budke to……….. the Hallman Twins?

Friday, October 6th, 2006

From Al’s Fastball – “Tid Bits” is Back:

Budke rumors abound. Earlier rumors had him going to the So Cal Bombers. The latest has him going to the Kitchener Hallman Twins, the host team for the 2007 ISC World Tournament in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. As one of the games premier hitters for more than a decade, not surprising that everybody and their brother would like to add him to their roster. Judging from recent performances, he appears to be getting better with age, if that is possible. Budke did play with the Twins back in January at the AAU International Tournament, helping them to a Final Four finish.

Budke will be playing for the “South All Stars” at the first California North-South All Star Challenge next weekend, October 14-15, 2006.

South Roster Announced for First North-South All Star Game – Oct 14

Monday, October 2nd, 2006

Press Release from David Weldin:

[Bakersfield]-I would like to say a few things about selecting an all star team for the south. As sledge say, it doesn’t matter who you select, there will always be snubs, and some people will be upset with the decision of some of the players selected. Through discussions with Fred Hanker, Clyde Bennett and Ralph Trejo Jr., we all were in a pretty close agreement with the selections made.

This is the first year for this event, so I’m pretty confident that the decisions they make in the future will only make this event even better and the selection process a little more easier. I will apologize in advance for players that probably should be playing and for some players that we may have overlooked.

Remember, this event is to help promote the game, we need to come together as a state, and make this game strong again like it once was her. Hopefully with this event, we can start something big here in California. With the decision of Robert Hernandez stepping down as the ASA commissioner for SoCal, shouldbe only want our players in the south to come together even more, for the good of the game.

We need to do something and I would personally like to offer my time to hear everyone’s input. I would like to hear from everyone and get their input on this event and how we can make it stronger and also on any other issues that may be on your mind. You can email me at teeroy44@sbcglobal.net.

We are looking forward to see everyone up in Bakersfield. How many people from the south are going up to watch the games? Come and see me in the beer tent, I may just buy you a beer. BUFFALO!!!!

Without anymore delay the South’s roster is the following:

Travis Price-SoCal Bombers
Mark Bennett-Portland DeMarini
Todd Budke-The Farm
Paul Rosebush-The Farm
Chris Hunt-Team Rainey
Stan Grebeck-Team Rainey
Rod Rainey-Team Rainey
Jesse Duncan-Team Rainey
Brian Teeters-LumberKings
Carlos Flores-LumberKings
Troy Parker-LumberKings
Shawn Mandolesi-LumberKings/Taylor Farms
Jeff Twist-Taylor Farms
Kevin Castillo-Young Bucks
Jose Sandoval-Rude Pac
Chris Minogue-Black Sox

Coaches:
Cllyde Bennett-Young Bucks
Ralph Trejo Jr.-SoCal Bombers

Editor’s Note: For the North Roster, scroll down a couple posts.

North Roster Announced for First North-South All Star Game – Oct 14

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

Announcement by Sledgehammer22, unofficial moderator of the California section of the Fastpitchwest Forum:

With the All-Star game hype upon us, we have finally got a team together for the first All-Star Fall Classic. In choosing the team there were several possibilities for players, making the selection process extemely tough for the committee. Although this will be the team playing for the North, I have to admit the process is flawed and several changes need to be made in order to bring the game’s best together. For this year, we took nominations only and brought the team together. After nominations were made we then took into account what team the players played on and what position they played.

For next year, I think the state committee needs to build a plan that is used statewide for the selection of All-Star teams. I would hate to use the popularity contest that Major League Baseball uses but it seems as though it may be the only answer. As with any All-Star team, there will always be “snubs” and arguements against who belongs on the team. Some will have good arguements but for the first year, and the amount of time we had to fill a squad, we had to move quickly. With that being said, The Northern California All-Star Committee is proud to announce the first North All-Star Team.

Roster “below the fold” (more…)

8 HR Weekend for Chad Ghostkeeper

Wednesday, September 27th, 2006

From Al’s Fastball:

A member of the Prince George Black Bears fastball team, had himself quite the weekend, down in Mexico and today received quite the honour. Chad Ghostkeeper played with the So Cal Bombers and an international tournament in Mexico last weekend. Ghostkeeper hit 8 home runs and was named the top batter and MVP. Today Softball BC also acknowledged Ghostkeepers year which included the all-star catcher award at the National Mens Fastpitch Championship which was held in Prince George. Ghostkeeper was named the Senior Athlete of the year by Softball BC. Ghostkeeper will be given his award at a banquet in a a few weeks in Richmond.

Allan Bristowe
From: abristowe(at)ckpg.bc.ca

Budke, Holoien to Bombers?

Monday, September 25th, 2006

Scoop or Just a Rumor? Sledgehammer22 says “stay tuned”

From the Fastpitchwest Forum:

Fastpitchwest Forum :: View topic – 2006 Rumor Central
It appears that there is a major signing on the horizon for the So Cal Bombers. After reading several reports on other websites across North America, I have now received credible information from an anonymous source that the Bombers are “very” close to signing Farm Tavern star and So Cal native Todd Budke. I have contacted Budke to get the scoop today but only time will tell. Also apart of the deal is Farm ace, Dean Holien. Signing these two players would be huge for the organization as well as California fastpitch. Several calls have been made to So Cal management for confirmation but have not been returned. It’s typical for management to keep quiet during these times

Alberton’s Jeff Ellsworth to be honoured at ceremony Thursday

Sunday, September 17th, 2006

BY PAT HEALEY

ALBERTON – Jeff Ellsworth works in the Heart of West Prince and he will bring that heart and dedication to Team Canada, when he suits up for them starting Sunday. And he will get to celebrate being selected to the Canadian fast pitch team with friends and family from across P.E.I. and West Prince as a celebration ceremony in his honor is held Thursday night at the Alberton Fire Hall starting at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. Ellsworth leaves two days later for a five day training camp with the Canadian squad in Las Vegas, NV, beginning Sept. 24, before they depart for Hermosilo, Mexico and the 2006 Pan American Softball championships.

(more…)