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Men’s softball eager to join Olympic lineup

Saturday, July 18th, 2009


Jody Eidt (top) celebrates a run against Argentina in Canada’s opening game at the ISF championship Friday Photograph by: Richard Marjan, The StarPhoenix

By Cory Wolfe, The StarPhoenix July 18, 2009


Click logo for StarPhoenix special section

Softball Canada president Kevin Quinn has a 2020 vision.

By that year, he hopes to see his sport being contested in the Olympics by both men’s and women’s teams.

“It’s very, very important for our sport to get back into the Olympic program because it affects our funding and it affects the development of the sport overall,” Quinn said Friday as the men’s softball world championship opened in Saskatoon. “The Olympics are such a carrot for young athletes to get into the sport and continue in the sport.”

When London plays host to the 2012 Summer Games, women’s softball and men’s baseball won’t be on the program. International Olympic Committee (IOC) members voted to remove those sports during a vote in Singapore four years ago.

Softball is one of seven sports — along with baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, rugby and squash — being considered for inclusion in the 2016 Games. IOC executive members are slated to announce the successful candidates next month, but their decision still has to be ratified during the IOC general assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark, in October.

Canadian Olympic Committee president Mike Chambers said the international softball fraternity has properly argued its case.

“Certainly the COC and myself would be pleased if softball is one of the two sports chosen,” said Chambers, who participated in Friday’s opening ceremonies at Bob Van Impe Stadium. “There are other worthy sports as well, but (softball) would assist the Games in more than one way, including bringing more women to the Olympic Games.”

If women’s softball is reintroduced for the 2016 Games, the International Softball Federation “would be working very, very hard to get the men in the next time (for 2020),” said Quinn.

cwolfe@sp.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

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Vancouver Challenge 2009 – Final Wrap

Monday, July 13th, 2009


Vancouver, BC

The 8th Annual edition of the Vancouver Challenge Mens FP tournament concluded Sunday evening, and was undoubtedly our most successful event to date. Over the course of 3 days the consistent large crowds of fastpitch enthusiasts were treated to some quality team and individual performances. Mother nature also cooperated throughout the weekend with seasonable summer weather for the first two days and although temperatures were considerably cooler on Sunday, the rain held off until the final out was completed.

The host Vancouver Grey Sox captured the event with a 10 -3 victory in the final game over the Japanese National Team.

Individual Tournament Awards were as follows:
Top Hitter – Hiraku Yokoyama, Team Japan .700 avg
Top Pitcher – Nick Underhill, Vancouver Grey Sox, 3W, 1.21 ERA, 26Ks
MVP – Derek Mayson, Vancouver Grey Sox, 1W, 1 Save, 1.00 ERA, 11Ks .545 batting avg, 4 3B, 7RBIS

Tournament Highlights:

* A very committed and dedicated volunteer group who worked long hours to execute the event. To the many people who staffed the gate, concession area, beverage gardens, groomed the fields etc. sold 50 /50 tickets and did everything possible to make the event happen we extend a special thanks.

* The largest 3 day crowds in the eight year history of the event, reminding us what makes being at the ball park so special on a nice summer’s day.

* A competitive field of teams, who for the most part were evenly matched, including three international national teams (Great Britain, Denmark and Japan) who used the event as tune up for the upcoming ISF World Championship.

* An excellent and cooperative crew of umpires, under the leaderhsip of UIC Bob Henning, whose commitment to the sport was so evident and very much appreciated.

* Sincere thanks to our partners South Hill Sports for co – operating the event.

All game results including round robin and playoff are enclosed below.

The Vancouver Grey Sox now take an 18 day break while the ISF World Championship is completed and will resume action in the month of August with stops at the ASAs in South Bend, Indiana, the ISC World Tournament in Quad Cities and then the Softball Canada National Championship in St. Thomas, Ontario.

Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com

ROUND ROBIN GAMES
Vancouver Grey Sox 4 – Great Britain National Team 2
WP – Nick Underhill 5IP, 1R, 0BB, 9K, 4H with relief from Derek Mayson 1IP, 1R, 1BB, 2K, 3H
LP – James Darby 5IP, 4R, 0ER, 3BB, 5K, 2H
Pat Mackintosh homered for the Grey Sox who capitalized on 3 Great Britain errors to score their runs. Kevin Stockford homered for Great Britain who led 1-0 early in the contest, and had loaded the bases in the final inning with 2 out, before Grey Sox pitcher Derek Mayson recorded a strikeout to end the contest.

Vancouver South Hill Giants 5 – Denmark National Team 2
WP – Craig Pidcock 5IP, 1R, 0BB, 6K, 3H with relief from Collin MacKenzie 2IP,1R,1BB,2K,3H
LP – Kim Hansen 5IP, 3R, 3BB, 7K, 1H with relief from Thomas Bonde 2IP, 2R, 2BB, 2K, 3H
Giants DP Frank DeGroat broke open a 1-1 game with a 6th inning bases loaded triple to pace the Vancouver side to victory.

Japan 10 – Sooke Junior A’s 0
WP – Kengo Terui 3IP,3K, 0H with relief from Kunihiko Iida 1IP,1K,1H
LP – Scott Lieph 4IP,10R,4BB,3K,9H
Japan showed their speed and power early in this one to cruise to a victory over the young junior side.

Vernon, BC DC Arrows 6 – Vancouver Grey Sox 3
WP -Travis Kunz 4IP,3R,3H,2BB,4K with relief from Rob Johnson 3IP,0R,0H,0BB,4K
LP – Travis Price 1.2IP,6R,3H,4BB with relief from Nick Underhill 4.1IP,0R,0H,0BB,7K
Rene Blanleil delivered a three run homerun to provide the Vernon squad with the margin of victory.

Great Britain 5 – Kamloops 2
WP – Rich Haldane with relief from Tony Kelly (5)
LP – Scott Austin

Japan 8 – Denmark 1
WP – Tatsuya Hamaguche with relief from Hirokazu Murakama (4)
LP – Thomas Bonde with relief from Japer Parduro (5)

Vancouver South Hill 4 – Sooke 0
WP – Collin MacKenzie
LP – Ben Oates

Great Britain 5 – Vernon 0
WP -Mark Elson
LP – Rob Johnson with relief from Andre Blanleil

Japan 4 – Vancouver South Hill 0
WP – Kazutaka Murasato with relief from Kenji Nakamura
LP – John Bishop with relief from Mike Egerdeen

Kamloops 4 – Vernon 2
WP – Darren Strang
LP – Travis Kunz

Vancouver Grey Sox 8 – Kamloops 2
WP – Nick Underhill in relief of Travis Price
LP – Scott Austin

Denmark 7 – Sooke 2
WP – Henrik Brask
LP – Scott Lieph

Standings at the conclusion of the round robin

RED POOL
(1) Vancouver Grey Sox 2-1
(2) Great Britain 2-1
(3) Kamloops 1-2
(4) Vernon 1-2

BLUE POOL
(1) Japan 3 – 0
(2) Vancouver South Hill 2 – 1
(3) Denmark 1- 2
(4) Sooke 0 – 3

PLAYOFF ROUND
Kamloops 1 – Sooke 0 – 11 innings – * a great ball game
WP – Darren Strang, 11IP, 1R, 1BB, 17K, 6H
LP – Ben Oates, 11IP, 1R, 2BB, 11K, 6H

Vernon 8 – Denmark 4
WP – Travis Kunz in relief of Rob Johnson
LP – Jesper Panduro with relief from Thomas Bonde and Kim Hansen
Venron exploded for 8 runs in the second inning only to see Denmark respond with 4 in the 3rd.

Great Britain 5 – Kamloops 0
WP – James Darby with relief from Mark Elson
LP – Darren Strang with relief from Scott Austin

Vancouver South Hill 7 – Vernon 0 – 5 innings
WP – Craig Pidcock
LP – Travis Kunz with relief from Maurice Blanleil

Japan 8 – Great Britain 3
WP – Kengo Tarui
LP – Rich Haldane
game was tied at 3 until Japan exploded for 5 runs in the 5th inning.

Vancouver Grey Sox 7 – Vancouver South Hill 0 – 6 innings
WP – Derek Mayson, 6IP, 1BB, 9K, 2H
LP – Collin Mackenzie, 5.1IP, 7R, 6ER, 4BB, 3K, 8H
D. Mayson aided his cause with a 3 for 4 performance at the plate, including a single, double and triple and 4 RBIS.

Vancouver Grey Sox 10 – Team Japan 3 – 5 innings
WP – Nick Underhill, 5IP, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 6K, 5H
LP – Kazutaka Murasato, 2IP, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 3K, 3H
with relief from Hirokazu Murakami and Kenji Nakamura
Vancouver took an early 4 – 0 lead, Japan closed it to 4-3, and then the Grey Sox exploded for 6 runs in the 5th inning.



(click logo to visit official Vancouver Grey Sox website)

Posted in International, ISC, ISC-II, ISF | No Comments »

Pre-ISF Exhibition Game Schedule at Al’s Fastball

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Schedule of Pre-ISF Exhibition Games by International Teams Headed to Saskatoon at Al’s Fastball.

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Kiwis enjoying success, popularity overseas

Friday, July 10th, 2009


(click banner for original news story)


By BILL WALKER , SUN TIMES SPORTS EDITOR

It’s rare that any three-time defending world champions can walk down the streets of their hometowns without creating a stir. Yet the New Zealand Black Sox men’s fastball team might be bigger celebrities abroad than at home.

While the national team plays to packed houses in Canada and the U. S., fastball is far off the mainstream radar in New Zealand.

“The softball people at home recognize our players, but they’re the only ones, which is an unfortunate thing we have to deal with at home,” Kiwi team manager Wayne Small said prior to his side’s exhibition doubleheader with the Owen Sound Verge Senior Selects.

“Fastball has been in the decline, much like in Canada. We’re competing against cricket, which is a big national sport in New Zealand, and touch rugby, which is becoming more and more popular. Softball New Zealand is trying to develop new strategies to build the game.”

The New Zealand national team is playing 14 exhibition games in Ontario in preparation for the 2009 International Softball Federation world championship July 17 to 26 in Saskatoon.

The Ontario tour is a necessity for the Kiwis because it’s currently winter in New Zealand.

“We’ve had five of our boys playing offshore in Japan and the States during your ball season, and the rest of the boys have elected to stay at home and train,” said Small.

New Zealand will be challenged in Saskatoon by Canada, the U. S., Australia and Japan.

“Everyone wants to knock you off when you’re at the top but we look at it as our motivation to maintain our world ranking,” said Small. “We’re going there to win it and not defend it. Hopefully about 4:30 (p. m.) on the 26th of July, we’ll have the answer that we’re after.”

The Kiwi side is led by former Major League Baseball prospect Travis Wilson, a second baseman who spent time in the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds organizations.

There’s also first-baseman Jarrad Martin, who is a stalwart with the Broken Bow Gremlins. Centrefielder Thomas Makea and young left-fielder Ben Enoka also help power the offense.

The Kiwis hit five home runs off the Selects in a five-inning 12-2 win in yesterday’s opener.

Wilson led the attack with a two-run homer and five RBIs. Patrick Shannon also had a two-run homer for New Zealand while Donnie Hale, Nathan Nukunuku and Rhys Casley added solo shots.

Marty Grant earned the win while Andy Skelton, Jamie Simpson and Andrew Scott all pitched for Owen Sound. Skelton was two-for-two for Owen Sound with a two-run homer. Game 2 details were unavailable.

Posted in International, ISF, Teams | No Comments »

South African Side Heads for Saskatoon

Friday, July 10th, 2009

SA softball squad heads for Canada


(click banner for original news story)

TOMMY Kgomo, coach of the national softball team Simunye, says they intend using the International Softball Federation’s World Series in Saskatoon, Canada, next week to improve their world ranking.

The South Africans are ranked 15th and can move to the 10th spot if they reach the semifinal stage of the showpiece.

The event kicks off on July 17 and the final will be played 11 days later in Saskatoon. In their final preparations for the event, Simunye won two of three friendly matches against Botswana last weekend.

“ We have been playing well in our preparatory matches and I don’t see why we should struggle in Canada,” Kgomo said yesterday. “We have been in this tournament before and we know what will be required of us to deliver.”

Simunye will be led by veteran campaigners such as Tyran Young, Moses “Vasna” Molaba, Greg Barrette and Anthony Carr. – Matome Lebea

Posted in International, ISF | No Comments »

Maccabiah Games in Israel Begin Monday

Friday, July 10th, 2009

From Fastpitch.us

Backsoftball Campaign Focuses On Israel As Athletes Prepare For Maccabiah Games

Written By: Fastpitch.US

Ramat Gan, Israel: Softball players from around the world are finalizing their preparations for the 18th Maccabiah Games which begin in Israel on Monday, reinforcing the universal popularity of the sport as the BackSoftball campaign continues making an impact.

Softball teams from three continents will take part in the Men’s and Women’s Open and Master’s competitions at the Maccabiah Games, with almost 7,500 athletes taking part at what is considered to be the third largest sports event in the world.

Softball first joined the quadrennial Maccabiah Games programme in 1981 and this year there will be 31 sports taking part. Teams from Argentina, Canada, Israel, Mexico, USA, and Venezuela will participate in this year’s softball competition.

The Israel Softball Association will be promoting the BackSoftball campaign during the softball competitions, highlighting the work they have been doing in the region in recent years as well as activity this month by two of their national teams.

A number of programs have been developed by the ISA, including junior coaching workshops, which are implemented through the use of Physical Education teachers and after-school programs.

International Softball Federation President Don Porter said, “The Maccabiah Games have been a notable date on the softball calendar for many years now and we are proud to continue being a part of them. Our sport is a part of 15 different multi-sports Games and this one is truly unique because men and women from a range of age groups get to take part. This is a perfect example of our sport being accessible to a wide-range of participants.”

Also in that country, Israel’s women’s national softball team is currently getting ready for the 11-nation VIII European Championship Women “B,” which begins on July 27 in Belgium. This comes on the heels of a third-place finish last week by one of their other national teams at another regional event, the VI European Championship Junior Boys, held in the Czech Republic.
The ISF is committed to growing the sport worldwide in a bid to target new players at every level, with particular focus on women and youth.

Softball’s exemplary anti-doping record in top level competition is further reason why softball is becoming so popular throughout the world.

Softball was first featured in the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996 and last year’s competition in Beijing was very successful with a total attendance close to 180,000 and a continuation of the sport’s excellent record of no positive doping tests at any of the four Summer Olympics that the sport has been a part of.

A final decision on which sports will be added to the current roster of 26 at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games will be made at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen in October this year.

Editor’s note: Our friends David Blackburn and Kenny Schwartz are among the athletes in Israel for the Maccabiah games.

Posted in International, Tournaments | No Comments »

Vancouver Challenge Gets Underway Tonight

Friday, July 10th, 2009

National Teams from Great Britain, Denmark and Japan among teams in Vancouver for Challenge



(click logo to visit official Vancouver Grey Sox website)

Vancouver, BC

The 8th Annual Vancouver Challenge Mens FP Tournament is but a few hours away, with a promising weather forecast throughout the weekend of sunny skies and seasonal summer temperatures.

This year’s field of teams includes the host Grey Sox who will be joined by past Vancouver Challenge participants, the Vancouver, BC South Hill Giants and the Vernon, BC DC Arrows . First time attendees at the event include the National Teams of Japan, Denmark and Great Britain, who will use the tournament as a tune up for the upcoming ISF Mens World Championship which commences next weekend in Saskatoon. Other first time participants at the Challenge also include the Kamloops, BC Blazers and the Sooke, BC Junior A’s. We wish to thank and acknowledge the Sooke organization lead by Kevin Maycock for graciously joining the event at the very late stages replacing the Portland, OR CR Rockers who unexpectedly withdrew from the competition.

Action commences Friday evening with with the opening game scheduled for 6:30 pm, and a second game that evening set for 8:15 pm. Saturday has a full slate of games commencing at 8:00 am with the last game of the day scheduled to start at 9:00 pm. Sunday action again commences at 8:00 am with the Championship final set for 4:00 pm. All games will be played at South Memorial Park in Vancouver (41st Avenue East between Knight and Fraser streets in Vancouver). Gate admission for the weekend is $6.00 per day or $12.00 for a tournament pass, children 12 and under are free. The entire weekend draw is enclosed. We will be providing regular updates throughout the weekend.

Red Pool
Vancouver, BC Grey Sox
Great Britain National Team
Kamloops, BC Blazers
Vernon, BC DC Arrows

BLUE POOL
Japan National Team
Sooke, BC Junior A’s
Vancouver, BC 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. Vancouver South Hill

SATURDAY, July 11, 2009
8:00 a.m. Japan vs. Sooke
9:45 a.m. Vancouver Grey Sox vs. Vernon
10:00 a.m. Great Britain vs. Kamloops – SW Diamond
11:30 a.m. Japan vs. Denmark
11:45 a.m. Sooke vs Vancouver South Hill – SW Diamond
1:15 p.m. Great Britain vs Vernon
3:30 p.m. Japan vs. Vancouver South Hill
3:30 p.m. Kamloops vs. Vernon – SW Diamond
5:15 p.m. Vancouver Grey Sox vs. Kamloops
5:15 p.m. Sooke 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 pm – Championship Final

Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com

Posted in Canada, International, Tournaments | No Comments »

One Week ‘Til ISF XII World Men’s Softball Championships

Friday, July 10th, 2009


(click logo to visit the official ISF XII World Championships website)
Media Release
Re: ISF XII World Men’s Softball Championship

We are only one week away from Day One of the International Softball Federation XII Men’s World Championship. The opening ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 17, at what may well be Canada’s premier softball stadium, Bob Van Impe Stadium.

An expected capacity crowd of approximately 7500 of Canada’s most knowledgeable softball fans as well as supporters of the sport from other countries will take in a proud moment in Saskatoon’s sport history. Dignitaries will include Softball Canada President Kevin Quinn, ISF President Don Porter, and special guest Mike Chambers, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. This is a major boost for softball as the sport is presently in a competition for reinstatement into the 2016 Olympic Games.

Local fans will appreciate the involvement of Canada’s first three members of the ISF Hall of Fame who all hail from Saskatoon: Bob Van Impe, Gene McWillie, and Ed Bitz. Hometown hero Trevor Ethier will return to the diamond just blocks away from where he grew up playing softball to play for Canada, and he will be called upon to give the athletes’ oath.

Following the ceremony, fans will be treated to two great games featuring four of the top seven ranked teams in the world. At 7:00 p.m. local time, second-ranked Canada will take on seventh-ranked Argentina, who is likely to pitch Lucas Mata, one of the best pitchers in the world and presently playing tournaments with the Saskatoon Aspen Interiors. The second game features the two winningest countries in ISF Men’s World Championship history, the United States playing the three-time defending champion New Zealand.

Posted in Canada, International, ISF | No Comments »

Tavistock Hosts International Tournament – July 11-12

Friday, July 10th, 2009

By Pat Payton
Sports Editor

TAVISTOCK – Here this weekend, July 11-12, four teams will be taking part in an Invitational men’s fastball tournament. They include: the New Zealand’s national team, Jarvis, St. Thomas, and a combined squad made up of Kitchener Rivershark Twins and Sebringville Sting players.

All the action starts Saturday morning. Playoff games are on Sunday, with the final slated for 2 p.m.

For New Zealand, it’s a tune-up for the ISF world fastball championship in Saskatoon, July 17-26.

Before they also head to Western Canada, the Australian national men’s team, meanwhile, completes a busy schedule of exhibition games this week at Arand Field (arena) in Milverton.

Tonight (Thursday, July 9), Australia plays Millbank Mustangs at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, July 10, Australia plays Elmira Expos in a doubleheader at 7 and 9 p.m. On Saturday, July 11, another twinbill features Australia against Port Elgin Blue Devils at 2 and 4 p.m.

On Sunday, July 12, there is a Milverton Softball Reunion celebration game at 2 p.m.

• Kitchener Rivershark Twins won their first Monkton championship this past weekend in the sixth annual World Fastball Invitational tournament.

Twins, featuring local players such as Jody Eidt, Derek Shackleton, Don Scott and Dave Bailey, went undefeated in the four-day, eight-team tourney. One of the teams in Monkton was the New Zealand national men’s team.

Kitchener defeated the Midwest Stampede, from Iowa, 5-0 in Sunday’s championship final.

St. Marys native Dale Levy, a member of the Saskatoon Aspen Interiors Black Sox, won the popular Easton home run derby for the second year in a row.

One of the umpires was Paul Baier. It was the fourth World Fastball Invitational for the Stratford umpire, whose credentials include three Canadian championships, one Canada Summer Games, two ISC worlds and several provincial championships.

Last October, Baier earned his Level 5 designation status from Softball Canada, the second-highest level an umpire can attain. The only level left is ISF accreditation, and he’ll be going for that next year. It entitles an umpire to do International Softball Federation (ISF) worlds and Olympics.

Editor’s note: Stratford is a beautiful small town about a half hour from Monkton, which housed many of the Monkton guests, on the road from Monkton to Kitchener. It resembles a small English village, and hosts an annual Shakespeare Festival each year. Watch for Maddy’s photos from the Monkton weekend due out soon.

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ISF XII World Men’s Softball Championship pre tournament games in Saskatoon

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

ISF XII World Men’s Softball Championship pre tournament games in Saskatoon have been finalized

Saskatoon is pleased to be hosting the Pre tournament games

PRE-EVENT EXHIBITION GAMES
(subject to change)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Glenn Reeve #3 5:30pm Saskatoon Sr. A Diamondbacks vs. Australia
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Glenn Reeve #3 7:30pm Saskatoon Sr. A. Diamondbacks vs. Australia
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Glenn Reeve #5 5:30pm South Africa vs. Saskatoon KW Homes
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Glenn Reeve #5 7:30pm South Africa vs. Delisle Diamond Dogs
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Glenn Reeve #6 6:30pm Philippines vs. Saskatoon Padres

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Glenn Reeve #3 3:00pm United States vs. Philippines
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Glenn Reeve #3 5:00pm Australia vs. Philippines
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Glenn Reeve #3 7:00pm United States vs. Diamondbacks
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Glenn Reeve #5 4:30pm Denmark vs. Venezuela
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Glenn Reeve #5 6:30pm Denmark vs. Venezuela
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Glenn Reeve #6 2:00pm Great Britain vs. South Africa
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Glenn Reeve #6 4:00pm Great Britain vs. Czech Republic
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Glenn Reeve #6 6:30pm South Africa vs. Czech Republic

Thursday, July 16, 2009 Glenn Reeve #6 5:00pm United States vs. Saskatoon Sr. A Diamondbacks

www.2009worldmensfastpitch.com

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