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May 8th, 2009
New Providence Fast Pitch Opens Saturday With 15 Teams
Bernard Newbold

The New Providence Softball Association will officially open its 2009 season tomorrow (Saturday) on The Bankers Field in the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with the defending men’s champions D’s Truckers and the women’s champions Sigma Brackettes in action.

New Public Relations Officer for the NPSA, Ivan Francis said although they are getting the local season underway two weeks late, they are anticipating a huge crowd at the park on Saturday night when the Truckers take on the New Breed.

There are 15 teams that have already confirmed their participation in the league this year. Francis said, that number could increase before the registration deadline because there are two teams that are still trying to “put themselves together.”

“I am pleased to say that the Dorsey Park Boyz are back in the league and we are awaiting confirmation on the Outlawz and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force teams,” he said.

Francis said executives are pleased to see another young team in the league, which has branched away from the New Breed.

“I have been out to the ball park watching the various teams practice, but the Young Breed as they called themselves are very skillful and are going to be the hit men of the league,” predicted Francis.

During the 2008 season there were many physical confrontations between a few men’s teams, like the Truckers and the New Breed, and in past years the Truckers have also had issues with the Dorsey Park Boyz. Francis indicated that the league has this “under control.”

“The fans come out to see a great game between two teams and yes tempers fleer, but this even happens at the professional level,” he explained.

He said he is not going to make any excuses for the confrontations, but this time around rules are in place to control that type of behaviour.

With the excitement already building for this weekend season opener, Francis is inviting the fans to come out and support, as they will be continuing their fan appreciation nights.

“During the 2008 season, some fans left the ball park with very nice prizes and this year you never know what you may leave with. It could be a round trip ticket, television or even free tickets to the games,” said Francis.

HITTING OUT: Mt Albert Ramblers’ Matthew Hicks sends the ball into the outfield during their 6-5 victory over Auckland United in the Auckland fastpitch softball final at Rosedale Park on Saturday(photo by Shane Wenzlick)

[Auckland, New Zealand] – There were twice as many reasons for the Mt Albert Ramblers Softball Club to celebrate on Saturday.

The club’s men and women’s sides won their respective finals in the Auckland fastpitch champs at Rosedale Park.

The men’s side didn’t have it all their own way in their title defence against local rivals Auckland United, taking out a 6-5 victory in a match that went down to the wire.

Going into the match United had recent form on their side, notching up two wins over Ramblers this season, though the gap between the teams was always close.

But Ramblers know how to win finals matches, with the victory their fifth consecutive Auckland title.

Two previously out-of-form players Bernard Hale and Bobbie King stood up when it counted for Ramblers, with both belting home runs.

And Matthew Hicks added another late in the game to give the reigning champs the edge they needed.

New internationals Ben and Thomas Enoka were the stand-out players for United with Ben smacking four hits from his four turns at bat and Thomas three, as well as pitching a strong game.

Both hit home runs but the rest of the side could only manage two hits.

The next challenge for the Ramblers is a defence of their national club title in a fortnight. If they’re successful it’ll make them the top club in the country for the third year running.

For the Ramblers women their second consecutive finals win was an upset over hot favourite Wai-takere Bears. The Bears had won 19 games in a row, before the 8-2 loss to Ramblers.

Former international Tuhi Cooper was in outstanding form along with pitcher Carina Hale.

During the semifinal earlier in the day, Ramblers edged out Marist 3-2.

It’s been an impressive couple of years for Ramblers who were promoted into the top grade last season.

Thanks to our good friend in Argentina, Martin Jorge for this English translation. Martin is the editor of www.softballnewsla.com (“Softball News Latin America”). Check out the new logo.

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Don Bosco Argentine National Champion

Photo via Don Bosco team site.
Click here for original story en Espanol at the (team) Don Bosco Official Site.

Don Bosco was crowned champion for the first time in the history. Eduardo Sabate’s team took over the Championship after beat Patronato 4 runs to 1.

Sunday night, at the Panamerican Stadium of Paraná, ended the 10th edition of the softball Major National Championship. In the final game, Don Bosco overcame great way to Patronat by 4 runs to 1, which was a confrontation between two teams of Paraná City. Despite the rain in Paraná, the tournament had a great closing.

Don Bosco got the competition for the first time in its history. The event brings together every year to the best teams in country. In this issue took the name of Eduardo Jaton, who was president of the Association Paranaense de Softball.

In the definition of the Championship Round, Don Bosco made a flawless work throughout the match. Supported by a great work of his pitcher, Francisco Sabaté, Don Bosco was strong on defense. Then go right into the attack and get a well-known difference in the score (4 to 1).

The runs were scored by Francisco Sabaté, Lisandro Sabaté, Mariano Germán Juárez and Germán Sacks –solo HR- (all for Don Bosco) and Gustavo Godoy (for Patronato).

Winning pitcher was Francisco Sabate, who pitched 7 innings allowing only 1 run, and the loser was Matias Tessore, allowing 4 runs.

Individual Awards

After the final at the Panamerican Stadium, the organization chose Francisco Sabaté (Don Bosco) as the championship Best Pitcher, and the Champion Bat of the Tournament was Mariano Montero (Patronato).

Editor’s notes from Martin Jorge, Editor of Softballnewsla.com (“Softball News Latin America), based in Argentina: In the tournament pitched Lucas Mata (Sarmiento, from La Pampa), Juan Potolicchio (Estudiantes, Paraná), Max Montero (CPEF Nº5, Paraná), Francisco Sabaté, Lisandro Sabate and Mariano Juarez (Don Bosco, Parana) and Matias Tessore (Patronato, Parana). And played Fernando Petric and Nicolas Bitor (Estudiantes, Parana) -both played in Townline last year-. All these players played ISC last year.

FPW Editor’s notes: Click here to revisit our earlier story on the “Argentine Pitching Pipeline” Argentina’s National team (yet to be announced) is one of the 16 teams that will be competing in this summer’s ISF World Championships in Saskatoon. They are in Pool B, and among the favorites to move on to the medal round, along with 2004 medal winners Canada (silver) and Australia (bronze). Four teams from each pool will advance to the medal round.

ISF World Championship
Pool B

Canada
Australia
Czech Republic
Argentina
Venezuela
South Africa
Puerto Rico
Indonesia

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National Softball League Finals
28 Feb 2009
Men’s Final – Auckland 39ers 9, Wellington Lancers 0

1st inning
Donny Hale singles
Patrick Shannon Home Run!!!

3rd inning
Michael Cameron, Natahn Nukunuku single
Patrick Shannon blooper to outfield scores 2
Ben Enoka single scores Shannon
Bernard Hale single
Aaron Thompson hit down 3rd base line scores 2

4th inning
Donny Hale single
Patrick Shannon single (3 from 3)
Heine Shannon double scores 2

Bottom 4th
Thomas Makea singles
Carig Wallace double
Aaron Neemia hit to Heine Shannon, out at 1st for third out

Top of 5th
Gus Leger hits to left field
Stacey McLean takes the catch and crashes through the outfield fence
Michael Cameron singles
No runs

Bottom of 5th
Wellington no runs