Al Doran Legends update:
Kitchener win Legends; Twins 4 – 1 over Jarvis.
Al’s note:
Twins 4 – 1 over Jarvis
Complete update when I get home tonight
Al Doran
VIA my BlackBerry
Check for his update later by clicking logo to his site:
Archive for the ‘Canada’ Category
Kitchener Wins Legends Tournament
Sunday, June 7th, 2009Kitchener vs. Jarvis in Legends Final
Sunday, June 7th, 2009We’ve posted some Legends Tournament scores, to our Twitter page, information courtesy Al Doran’s Facebook. Click the logo below:
Kitchener over St. Thomas, to get to the final:
Twins win on Holoien 3 run HR w 2 out – 5 – 3 final. (St. Thomas led 3-2 going into the bottom of the 7th
It’s not footage of today’s home run, but here’s what a Holoien home run looks like – today’s is hardly the first and it won’t be the last.
Jarvis wins over Argentina:
8-7 in 8 innings
Snapper Shootout – Sunday Update
Sunday, June 7th, 2009Al Doran may be at the Legends tournament in Kitchener, but he’s also got the full scoop on the Snappers Shootout tournament:
Click his logo below for the complete details.
Al Doran’s Sunday Updates from Legends Tournament
Sunday, June 7th, 2009
Vancouver Challenge – July 10-12
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
(click logo to visit official Vancouver Grey Sox website)
SOUTH HILL SPORTS ASSOCIATION presents the Eighth Annual Vancouver Challenge Tournament Sr. Men’s Fastpitch
RED POOL
Vancouver Grey Sox
Great Britain National Team
Kamloops Blazers
Vernon DC Arrows
BLUE POOL
National Team of Japan
Portland Columbia River Rockers
Vancouver South Hill Giants
Denmark National Team
FRIDAY, July 10, 2009
6:30 p.m. Great Britain vs. Vancouver Grey Sox
8:15 p.m. Denmark vs. South Hill Giants
SATURDAY, July 11, 2009
8:00 a.m. Team Japan vs. Columbia River Rockers
9:45 a.m. Vancouver Grey Sox vs. Vernon DC Arrows
10:00 a.m. Great Britain vs. Kamloops Blazers – SW Diamond
11:30 a.m. Team Japan vs. Denmark
11:45 a.m. Columbia River Rockers vs South Hill Giants – SW Diamond
1:15 p.m. Great Britain vs Vernon DC Arrows/Clayface
3:30 p.m. Team Japan vs. South Hill Giants
3:30 p.m. Kamloops vs. Vernon DC Arrows/Clayface South Hill – SW Diamond
5:15 p.m. Vancouver Grey Sox vs. Kamloops Blazers
5:15 p.m. Columbia River Rockers vs. Denmark – SW Diamond
PLAYOFFS – SATURDAY, July 11, 2009
P1 7:00 p.m. – R3 vs B4 – loser eliminated – winner to P3
P2 9:00 p.m. – R4 vs B3 – loser eliminated – winner to P4
SUNDAY – July 12, 2009
P3 8:00 a.m. winner P1 vs. R2 – loser eliminated – winner to P5
P4 10:00 a.m. winner P2 vs B2 – loser eliminated – winner to P6
P5 12:00 noon winner P3 vs B1 – loser eliminated – winner to P7
P6 2:00 p.m. winner P4 vs. R1 – loser eliminated – winner to P7
P7 4:00 p.m. Championship Final
South Memorial Park
East 41st Avenue between Knight and Fraser Streets
Vancouver, British Columbia
ADMISSION: $6.00 per day or $12.00 for tournament pass
(Vancouver’s Nick Underhill, one of the hardest throwers in the game)
2009 Canada Fastpitch Tournament
Monday, May 25th, 2009From the official tournament website:
(Photo from the tournament’s Facebook page: Darren Zack)
First Pitch Scheduled for July 3rd
The 2009 Canada Fastpitch Tournament is slated for July 3rd-5th as Canada Day falls on a Wednesday and we chose to host the event the weekend after the holiday. The 2008 tournament was considered a success as there were a dozen teams participating including teams that travelled from Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia to compete for the $5,000 first place prize money. The Regina Hawks downed the Prince George Black Sox in the final game in a thriller, but what fans noticed the most was the measurable improvement in the skill level from previous years.
The original tournament was called “July First” and was started by Charlie Ghostkeeper over 40 years ago. Last year the Regina Hawks beat the PG Black Sox and both teams have indicated that they will be back. The 2009 edition of the long running tournament will include Treaty, Midget and Bantam Divisions allowing more teams to participate at a comparable level at the Northern Fastpitch Capital of Canada.
This website will be maintained to allow all tournament participants, volunteers and fans stay up-to-date. This website will also be the portal for game broadcasts of all evening games and the medal games on Sunday afternoon. Leading up to the tournament, look for weekly updates on this website.
Also from the Facebook site: (referring to Darren Zack)
We’re lucky to have him out West again and we should all get out and watch him any chance that we may get to see the BEST pitcher of all time! He will be playing for the Horse Lake Thunder this year and the team will be attending the Senior “A” Canadians, Native Canadians and the ISC Championships
World Fastball Invitational – Monkton 2009
Thursday, May 14th, 2009
(click banner for official tournament website)
PRESS RELEASE
Hello fastball fans, players, and coaches/management alike!
It’s that time of year again!!!
The season in many parts of the continent has just got underway, and yes, here in Monkton we are starting final preparations to welcome the world to our prestigious annual event – the World Fastball Invitational. First and foremost, I would like to invite everyone to check out our recently updated (but not yet completed) website. www.monktonfastball.com Here you will find all the info you need regarding our event – schedule of events, teams, maps, contact info (tournament schedule to be released and posted soon!)
The off-season has not only brought many changes to teams and their accompanying rosters, but to our event as well. None more important than the announcement of our NEW TITLE sponsor – Steelback Brewery!!
Located (somewhat) nearby in the town of Tiverton ON and in the theme of keeping our suppliers/vendors/sponsors local, we are very proud to have this new affiliation. New ownership and management has brought the company to prominence recently by winning several awards for their product (BEER!) , and thus, we are delighted to have them on board for our event. Check their website: www.steelbackbrewery.com for more information, and where you can buy their products. I would like to take this opportunity to not only thank the folks at Steeback in advance, but ask for your support and assistance by thanking them as well via an email addressed to the President of Steelback Mr. Ian MacDonald – imacdonald@steelbackbrewery.com The more thanks and kind words we send the better it is, not only for our event, but for the support of softball in general. The game needs more people/sponsors like Steelback and I urge you to send thanks to Mr. MacDonald.
Also, we have formed a new alliance with the ownership of the 3 prominent hotels in nearby and beautiful Stratford ON – the Arden Park Inn www.ardenpark.on.ca , the Festival Inn www.festivalinnstratford.com , and The River Garden Inn , www.rivergardeninn.com If you plan on making the trip to Monkton this year, be sure to book a room at one of these fine hotels.
Our event is, and always will be founded on having the best teams in the World, and we are very pleased to once again assemble the finest roster of teams, who have assembled their clubs with players from all over the globe. AND, as an added bonus, we are delighted and proud to host the New Zealand National team, who will compete in the round-robin portion of the tournament only, but will play an exhibition game (slated for 3:00pm) following the final game which is scheduled for 1:00 on Sunday afternoon.
The other 7 teams playing in this year’s event are:
defending ISC World Champions Kitchener Rivershark Twins
ISC World runner-up Saskatoon Aspen Interiors;
The Farm;
Vancouver Grey Sox;
Midwest Stampede;
Jarvis First Ontario Gamblers,
and rounded out with a local – but very competitive All-Star team from the local South Perth league.
Competition gets under way once again on Thurs evening following our opening ceremonies at 7:15 pm, with a re-play of last years ISC championship game – Kitchener vs. Saskatoon!!! The 9:30 game will feature the New Zealand National team squaring off against first-time visitors to Monkton – Vancouver Grey Sox. The remainder of the schedule will be posted online at our website, and here on AlsFastball within the next few days.
Once again we welcome back our good friends at Easton and will once again be hosting the Easton Home Run Challenge on Fri night at 8:00. This event is a crowd favourite as we have seen some outstanding home-run performances in the past. Last years Champion Dale Levy will be back to defend his title, along with previous 2-time winner Travis Wilson!
As always, what event would be complete without some great entertainment off the field!! We again have an open-air karaoke night on Friday, along with a live performance from New Hollywood on Sat night in the arena, as well as the scrumptious (and now famous!) Sat beef-b-b-q, and the renowned Sunday morning Firefighters Brunch!
More information and details will be coming out on a regular basis here on Al’s as well as our website, so stay tuned and we look forward to seeing you all in Monkton!
World Fastball Invitational
Monkton ON.
www.monktonfastball.com
Kitchener Riversharks Twins Embark on ISC Title Defense
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009PRESS RELEASE
2009 Kitchener Rivershark Twins
The Kitchener Rivershark Twins will embark on their defense of the 2008 ISC World Championship when they host the Legends of Fastball Classic, June 5-7, at beautiful Peter Hallman Ballyard. The announcement this weekend that the 2011 ISC World Tournament will also return to Kitchener is just one more indication that this is the ‘Capital City’ of major men’s fastball.
The Rivershark Twins have been busy in the off – season, tweaking a lineup that proved team chemistry, as much as talent, is the key to success. As is inevitable, some of the 2008 squad have moved on and will no doubt bring talent and leadership to their new clubs. Frank Cox and Jason Sanford will take their pitching and catching tools to The Farm this summer while Ian Fehrman will return to Jarvis where he will re-join his hometown teammates and friends after a 3 year absence. Jeff Ellsworth will also be joining the Jarvis team after 3 very rewarding years in a Shark uniform.
Losing 4 quality players would normally handicap a contending team however GM Bob Nydick and Field Manager Denny Bruckert are confident they have filled all the holes with the addition of 4 proven veterans, and one emerging star. Team Canada battery mates Dean Holoien from Saskatoon, and long time Twins backstop Craig Crawford will suit up in the red, white and blue Kitchener uniform this year. “Deano” and “Crawf” were teammates in 2004 when the Saskatoon Aspen Black Sox went 10-0 to win the Canadian National championship. They have played together on the Canadian National Team for many years and bring strong leadership skill and offensive prowess to their respective roles as pitcher and catcher.
The never ending “fastball factory” of Newfoundland will send two more spirited performers to Kitchener’s potent lineup this summer. Brad Ezekiel will be united with his sweet swinging big brother Blair after a great rookie season patrolling the outfield in Midland last year. Brad brings all the tools to his game, speed, power, average and he is a bonafied fly-catcher in the outfield. An unexpected last minute addition to the roster comes with another solid piece of the “rock”, infielder Darrell Joy. Darrell has been a versatile infielder and lead-off hitter with a number of teams and brings a quite, confident demeanor to the park every time out. He will help fill a big void left by shortstop Ian Fehrman, and will certainly compliment the already tough Shark hitting lineup.
The final new comer, hard throwing pitcher Grant Patterson, will make the relatively short trek down Highway 401, from Toronto, to join his catcher of the past 5 seasons Craig Crawford, in Kitchener. Grant has come of age under Crawford’s tutelage and will give Kitchener arguably one of the best pitching staffs in the game.
Any question of impact with the changing of the guard of 4 or 5 players will be quickly put to rest with the leadership of the returning World Champion player personnel. Team co-captains, Jody Eidt, Ryan Wolfe and Patrick Shannon have been at the center of some of the greatest teams the ISC has ever known, and they will certainly be poised to lead the R-Twins back to defend their crown. The fourth co-captain, Dave Bailey, will add a coaching role to his duties as catcher and DH. Bailey will also work as a bullpen coach, providing Field Manager Bruckert with insight on the preparation and readiness of his pitching staff.
Eight time ISC All-World and 3 time Most Valuable Pitcher Todd Martin, and hard throwing right hander Don Scott would be a formidable pitching staff for any defending champion to build on. The addition of Holoien and Patterson gives the Riversharks a multitude of pitching options and will certainly make the bullpen as strong as the starting staff.
The balance of the roster returning from 2008 includes infielders Derek Shackleton, Evan Boyd, and USA National Team member Blake Miller. The returning outfielders include Dan Loney, Matt Lynch and Team Canada member Steve Mullaley. “Lolly” had the misfortune of injuring himself in the World Tournament semi-final in 2008, and watched from the sidelines as the Rivershark Twins became only Canada’s second team to claim the coveted ISC crown. He will certainly be looking forward to another championship Saturday in 2009.
With the Canadian National’s in Ontario this summer Kitchener is clearly looking to claim their first ever National Championship. Since the roster is limited to only Canadian citizens the Sharks will lose the services of ‘Kiwi’ Patrick Shannon and ‘Yankee’ Blake Miller for that season ending event. To fill those rather large shoes GM Bob Nydick has secure the services of multi-time National’s winners, Sean O’Brien and Dale Levy to bolster the Sharks lineup.
Team sponsors Nydick and Jim Hallman will again rely on the decades of coaching experience in ISC Hall of Fame managers Denny Bruckert and Larry Lynch to chart the course for the summer of 2009. With many of the players committed to National teams and the ISF World Series in July, the R-Twins schedule has been compressed somewhat this year.
The season schedule is as follows :
June 5th – 7th, Legends Classic. Kitchener, Ontario
June 26th – 28th , Jarvis Tournament, Jarvis Ontario
July 2nd – 5th, World Fastball Invitational, Monkton, Ontario
July 31st – August 2nd , Ontario ( OASA ) Eliminations, Waterloo, Ontario
August 5th – 7th , NAFA “Open” , Madison Wisconsin
August 14th – 22nd , ISC World Tournament, Quad Cities IL and IA
August 30th – September 6th , Canadian Championship , St.Thomas, Ontario
For detailed player profiles, results, photos and links check out the Kitchener Rivershark Twins web site at:
Umpire hits the big time
Friday, May 1st, 2009Saint John native Bob Stanton, who now lives in Fredericton, recently became the international director of umpires for the International Softball Federation.
Recognition Official has gone from Saint John church leagues to softball federation’s international directorSCOTT BRIGGS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNALFREDERICTON – Bob Stanton has never been one to seek recognition or rewards.
Stephen MacGillivray/Canadaeast news service
Saint John native Bob Stanton, who now lives in Fredericton, recently became the international director of umpires for the International Softball Federation.
But whether he likes it or not, he’s in for some accolades.
The Saint John native and Fredericton resident was recently named the international director of umpires of the International Softball Federation, which includes 137 countries. He’ll be honoured for that achievement during a tribute at the St. Mary’s Entertainment Centre on May 9 at 1 p.m. There will also be a dinner at 1:45 p.m., followed by presentations and speeches.
“I’ve known Bob for over 30 years,” said Wayne Brown, the former umpire-in-chief for Canada and the ex-North American umpire-in-chief for the ISF. “Bob never wants any credit for himself.
“I’m tired of him helping everybody else and not expecting anything in return. He’s the type of guy who does more than anybody expects. It’s just the way he is.”
Brown gained an appreciation for Stanton’s officiating skills during the 1985 Canada Games in Saint John.
“I can remember back in ’85, he was one of the better on-field umpires,” Brown said. “I know that Bob had never set his goal to be where he is today, but as he went along, he gained more and more credibility. The International Softball Federation is lucky to have a man of Bob’s stature and credibility.”
Stanton’s love affair with softball started as a youth in East Saint John.
“When I played, I was mostly a survivalist,” the 59-year-old said. “We used to hang around the old East Saint John ball diamond.
“We used to play a lot of sandlot ball. There were three or four of us that used to be field rats.”
Stanton started umpiring on ball diamonds that wouldn’t exactly be considered fields of dreams, calling balls and strikes in local church league games.
“They were the games the experienced umpires didn’t want to do,” he said. “I just wanted to do a bit of umpiring and I wanted to stay in the game. It just kind of grew.
“I think it’s something you usually take to right away. If you don’t take to it after your first two years into it, chances are you’ll get out of it.”
But Stanton kept doing the games no one wanted and he eventually got the games everyone wanted. The Canada Games came calling, and that led to more national and eventually, international assignments.
Today, Stanton’s focus is educating young umpires and helping them reach their potential.
He’ll be at the world men’s fastpitch championship this summer in Saskatoon, Sask. His influence begins with some team-building exercises that include e-mails before the tournament.
After arriving in Saskatoon, Stanton and the umpires meet with coaches and managers to review rules.
From there, Stanton leads the umpires in a pre-tournament clinic, and then it’s time to dole out assignments for the first two days of the tourney.
Once the on-field action starts, Stanton evaluates the umpires and handles protests if they arise. Stanton likes to see each umpire at least twice at each position – home plate, first base, second base and third base.
After the third or fourth day of competition, it’s time to choose umpires for medal games. After the tournament, Stanton does a written evaluation of each umpire.
Stanton was involved in similar capacities during last summer’s softball tournament at the Beijing Olympics.
“We were really pleased with the crew,” he said. “We didn’t have any controversy on the field and the games were all under two hours.
“The country I’ve probably been to the most over the last two years is China. I find they have a real burning passion for softball, both playing and umpiring. They always want to learn more.”
Stanton said the toughest place to adapt to is North Korea, where facilities are few and a field is often a bare patch of ground between a couple of apartment buildings.
He remembers one occasion when officials wouldn’t let him enter the country with his computer. There have been adventures in Asia.
“The electricity would be on for three or four hours, then it would go off,” Stanton recalls about one nightmarish visit. “Here, we’re so used to throwing up a PowerPoint presentation.
“You have to be aware that what you use here, you can’t always use in other countries. It’s about remembering what you’re doing and who your audience is.”
If anyone can handle the curves that come with travel, it’s Stanton. He’s known for being a good listener, approachable and patient. Those qualities go a long way toward connecting with folks in a foreign land.
“I really do enjoy the travel. I always look forward to meeting new people. I don’t mind flying and I don’t mind airports and I don’t mind all the little hassles that you sometimes find at smaller airports.”
Champions abound as city’s softball season nears
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009From the Star Phoenix, Sasksatoon:
Champions abound as city’s softball season nears
BY MARK LOEHNDORF, SPECIAL TO THE STARPHOENIX
APRIL 9, 2009As the snow finally begins to melt, fans are starting to look at the diamonds in the hope they will soon be ready to again produce exciting softball action.
For the first time in softball history, local fans will have an opportunity to cheer on four different Canadian champions.
The Saskatoon Minor Softball League’s top boys’ team, the midget A Selects, are primed to defend their title. Dave McCullough’s squad is loaded with talent including two national junior team members, catcher Derek Arsenie and pitcher Devon McCullough.
Earle Woodside’s Saskatoon Junior Outlaws will feature an almost identical lineup to the one that won the junior women’s nationals in Summerside, P.E.I., last year. Last fall, Woodside was named Softball Saskatchewan’s coach of the year for 2008, as he also coached the University of Saskatchewan team to the Canadian Intercollegiate Ladies Softball Championship in October. Although the team has not been finalized, the nucleus of last year’s squad is still available and should challenge again this year.
The burning question in local softball circles over the winter was whether or not Aspen Interiors will be back to defend the senior A men’s Canadian championship they won in Saskatoon. Coach Jason Kurlyk reported this week that Aspen does plan to be back at nationals this year. Kurlyk feels confident his team can challenge again in spite of the loss of four local players, including Dean Holoien and Pat Mackintosh, who were both standouts at last year’s nationals. His nationals roster certainly looks capable, as it will feature five national teamers: Pitchers Korrey Gareau and Trevor Ethier, catcher Sean O’Brien and outfielders Keith Mackintosh and Dale Levy.
– – –
It is no coincidence that with so many national champions, Saskatoon is home to the strongest adult and children softball leagues in the country. Saskatoon Minor Softball League president Lawrence Beatty is looking forward to another great year, as he expects the number of SMSL teams to surpass the 190 that participated last year.
The junior leagues — made up of the squirt, pee wee and bantam divisions — will have the same number of teams as last year. Beatty expects that when all the teams are finalized, the SMSL will see a modest increase in the rookie-league divisions of BlastBall, rookie and mites.
For most SMSL teams the season begins with the 17th annual Early Bird Tournament organized by Zone 2, the Raiders, from May 1-3. League play is set to begin Monday, May 4.
– – –
Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association president Bryan Kosteroski reports SASA league play will also begin May 4 and will feature 24 women’s and 20 men’s teams, up one from last year. Although Aspen will not be part of league play, Kosteroski is happy to welcome back DBJ Leasing into the women’s top division. Coach Jan Hiebert’s team returns to the league after a two-year absence during which Saskatoon was without a senior A women’s team. The first adult tournament of the year has the midget selects hosting the second annual Spring Classic from May 8-10.
– – –
Once league play is complete, these two busy organizations will stay active as they host nine different provincial championships, five by the SMSL and four by the SASA. Saskatoon will demonstrate why it is worthy of its reputation as the softball event capital of the world July 17-26, when the SASA will host the ISF world men’s softball championship.
Co-chairs Keith McLean and Lisa Down and their committee have been very busy over the winter making sure this event will be a success. Local softball fans are in for a real treat this year. If they want to watch top-notch minor softball or the best adult players in the world, no doubt Saskatoon is the place to be for softball fans this summer.
(Loehndorf is a Saskatoon freelance writer)
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix