Click here for PDF bracket for 2009 ISC World Tournament at Quad Cities, Iowa, August 14-21, 2009.
Archive for the ‘ISC’ Category
Bracket Released for 2009 ISC World Tournament
Thursday, July 16th, 2009Final 2009 Pre ISC World Tournament Rankings
Thursday, July 16th, 2009
Defending Champs from 2008 Hold Top Spot Heading into World Tournament
Rank Team Name (last month’s ranking show parenthetically if different)
1 Kitchener Rivershark Twins
2 Broken Bow Patsy’s
3 Aspen Interiors
4 Midwest Stampede (6)
5 The Farm (4)
6 Jarvis Gamblers (5)
7 Vancouver Grey Sox
8 Allbaugh, Inc
9 St. Thomas Centennials (10)
10 Midland Explorers (9)
11 Dominican Republic
12 Pueblo Bandits
13 NY Gremlins
14 Dolan & Murphy
15 Bar of Appleton (18)
16 Kegel Black Knights
17 Quad City Sox
18 Owen Sound (16)
19 Thomson Merchants (22)
20 California A’s
21 Saskatoon D’Backs (19)
22 Bar of Green Bay (21)
23 Ashland Mets
24 Winterset A’s
Editor’s Notes: The biggest story related to these rankings is the fact that the top 8 teams (shown above) get first round byes at the ISC World Tournament, no small matter. St. Thomas and Midland just missing that cut at 9 and 10, respectively.
The June rankings are set out after the jump, but in short, here is a summary of the changes:
* Top 10 remained the same, save re-arranging a few deck chairs in terms of order.
* Kitchener won convincingly at Monkton and has made its case for the top spot.
* Broken Bow Patsy’s hasn’t played a game all year yet hold the #2 spot solely on the basis of their reputation.
* Aspen played well, and managed to hold their # 3 spot over new # 4 Midwest, even though Midwest beat them at Monkton.
* The biggest jump by a top 10 team was the Midwest Stampede, jumping two slots from # 6 to # 4, no doubt on the strength of their runner-up finish at Monkton two weeks ago, and their win at Boys of Summer last weekend. The Stampede played these tournament without their New Zealanders, who are busy with the ISF, so certainly a team that everyone will keep an eye on. As the So Cal Bombers did in their 2007 runner-up World Tournament finish, the Stampede has some momentum as they head to Quad Cities.
* The Farm slipped one slot from # 4 to # 5, a product of Midwest’s strong performances of late, though pitching appears to be the big question mark heading into the World Tournament. Cox looked strong at Monkton against Kitchener in their opener when he was fresh, but carried the load, and the innings took their toll as the weekend wore on. Can Darryl Tilley get healthy for Quad Cities or will Korry Gorreau return?
* Jarvis dropped from # 5 to # 6, with Midwest moving past them. Jarvis played better than their Monkton record looked, losing close games to # 5 Farm and # 7 Vancouver. Paul Koert of course will be one of the keys, so Jarvis fans will pay close attention to his efforts for Team USA at the ISF’s in Saskatoon this week and next, but he will need support from Andrew Phibbs and the offence.
* Vancouver is perhaps the toughest top 10 team to figure out. They played well at Monkton, even without two front line pitchers, Nick Underhill and Travis Price, knocking off # 6 Jarvis. They did come on strong last Sunday to beat Team Japan convincingly, 10-3, to win their own Vancouver Challenge, but stumbled against a lower seeded local team on Saturday. Perhaps that will be the wake-up call that the Grey Sox need as they head to Iowa. It looked like it last Sunday.
* St. Thomas and Midland traded places, now at # 9 and # 10 respectively, but the change doesn’t mean too much, other than trading first round opponents, as both just missed the reward of the first round bye by finishing out of the top 8. St. Thomas may be missing Scott Wagar, who’s wife is due in mid-August, so a lot will be riding on the arm of Ward Gosse. The Midland Explorers haven’t played much during the year, and will probably only have their full squad together twice before the ISC (Boulevard Lounge Tournament and ASA). Three pitchers (Urquhart, Joseph, Kelly) give the staff depth, and their starters have tons of ISC experience and success.
* As for the remaining teams, The Bar of Appleton took the biggest jump, 3 slots from # 18 to #15, along with the Thomson Merchants fromi # 22 to # 19.
* At the risk of sounding like a homer for my home state California A’s, I think their # 20 ranking could be a good bit higher. The A’s are a merger team of last year’s ISC II defending champion California Lumberkings, along with a nucleus of last year’s So Cal Bombers, a top 10 team in 2008. The New York Gremlins are, to some degree a similar team, combining some of last year’s ISC II third place team from the NY Knights and some of the best players from the 2007 ISC II champs, TNT. I’m not saying the Gremlins are ranked too high at 13, but rather that I think the two teams (Gremlins and A’s) are closer in talent than the disparity of # 13 and # 20 are concerned. There has been a good deal said about the lack of ISC II teams moving up to the world tournament level. These two teams, the Gremlins and the A’s are largely former ISC II teams, who are not just moving up, but have the rosters to compete at the next level.
June 2009 rankings after the jump (more…)
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)
Vancouver Challenge – Saturday night and Sunday morning scores
Sunday, July 12th, 2009Japan vs. Great Britain in Semi-Final
Vancouver, BC
Up to date information as of 10:30 am PDT regarding the 8th Annual Vancouver Challenge is enclosed.
Games played Saturday July 11th in the afternoon and evening:
Japan 4 – Vancouver South Hill 0
Kamloops 4 – Vernon 2
Vancouver Grey Sox 8 – Kamloops 2
Denmark 7 – Sooke 2
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
Game played Saturday evening
Kamloops 1 – Sooke 0 – in 11 innings – great ball game to finish the day. *Scheduled game between Denmark and Vernon moved to Sunday am due to Vancouver Parks Board restrictions on use of the facility after 11:00 pm PDT.
Sunday July 11th
Games played at 8:00 am PDT
Vernon 8 – Denmark 4
Great Britain 5 Kamloops 0
In progress
Vernon vs. South Hill Giants winner advances vs Vancouver Grey Sox at 2:00 pm PDT
Noon PDT
Great Britain vs. Japan winner advances to Championship Final at 4:00 pm PDT
Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com
(click logo to visit official Vancouver Grey Sox website)
Editor’s note: Click here for our earlier post on the Vancouver Challenge which includes complete schedule of games.
Click here for our earlier post with Friday night scores.
Click here for our earlier post with Saturday scores.
Boys of Summer Tournament – Without Circle Tap
Friday, July 10th, 2009
Circle Tap tournament goes on without Circle Tap team
Andrew Pekarek
Press-Gazette correspondent
DENMARK — It’s going to be a bittersweet weekend for Darren Derricks.
The owner of the Circle Tap bar in Denmark this weekend is hosting the 10th annual Boys of Summer open fastpitch softball tournament, which features 12 teams made up of some the best players from around the world.
But Circle Tap won’t be one of them.
The local squad isn’t playing anywhere this summer, dismantling because of high costs to field a team and limited interest by younger players to join it.
Circle Tap’s biggest rival, Townline of Green Bay, also isn’t playing this season.
“The sport is definitely declining,” Derricks said. “But hopefully, somehow it turns around.”
Besides being the team’s main sponsor, Derricks, 37, also played 13 years for Circle Tap. He plans on bringing the team back next year, but this season, he’s just a spectator.
“This will be the tough one because it’s our home tournament,” he said.
Circle Tap began playing in 1994, quickly going from a local team to a world power and winning the American Softball Association national championship in 2006.
“When we started, it was completely local,” said Dean Kane, who was a player and coach. “When we finally finished, we were probably half local and half out of the area, which at the elite level is actually a pretty local team.”
Kane, 34, began playing fastpitch softball when he was 14 for lower-level teams in Denmark, but said there aren’t many teams or leagues like that in the area anymore to develop younger players.
“A lot of them are just going to play slowpitch and coed (softball) because it’s just a lot easier game,” Kane said.
Chris DeLarwelle, 41, who played for Circle Tap since 2002 and will be playing for The Farm of Madison at this weekend’s tournament, doesn’t see a lot of younger baseball players adapting to fast-pitch, either.
“Our sport’s dying because too many people find it too difficult and they quit,” DeLarwelle said. “That’s why guys my age can still play, because no one’s pushing us out of the game.
“It’s a good sport for a lot of kids who are midlevel baseball players to come over to fastpitch and refine their skills there and become very good, but I don’t know if kids are willing to put the time in anymore.”
Bryan Hansen, 25, was the second youngest player on Circle Tap’s roster the last two seasons and one of the few who is sticking with the sport after playing baseball at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Hansen will be playing this weekend for The Bar of Green Bay, which along with The Bar of Appleton, give the tournament some local flavor.
“A lot of guys that make the transition from baseball to fastpitch are not really prepared to strike out as much,” Hansen said. “It’s a faster game, and you’re playing against people from Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, that grow up playing the sport.
“The U.S. is just so far behind developing pitchers and players because we start so late.”
Fans will get a taste of the international style of play because the Argentina national team will be at the tournament again this year.
The team was a big draw last year, according to Derricks, and features pitcher Juan Pottoluccio, who played for Circle Tap.
The tournament also will feature elite squads from six states and one from Canada.
Those squads also need a sponsor that is willing to pay for travel and other expenses, which is hard to come by with the current economy.
“You may see guys staying closer to home and playing on lower-level teams,” Kane said about the effects of elite teams possibly folding. “It could revive the game at the local level, not only here, but everywhere.”
“It’s a double-edge sword,” said DeLarwelle, who will also play for the U.S. national team next week at the International Softball Federation World Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. “If you don’t have people willing to spend the money, you’re not going to get the best competition.”
Additional Facts
Boys of Summer kicks off tonight
The Boys of Summer men’s fastpitch softball tournament starts at 6 p.m. today, and the championship game will be at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Games will be played at Circle Tap and Denmark Memorial Park.
2009 ISC Qualifiers – Update # 6
Tuesday, July 7th, 20092009 ISC Qualifiers
June 30, 2009
Canada East Region – Blair Setford, Vice President – blairjs@rogers.com 905-826-2697
World Tournament – 3 + 2 berths awarded from ‘08
ISC II ToC – 7 + 4 berths awarded from ‘08
World Tournament Qualifiers
June 5 – 7
Legends Tournament – Kitchener, ON
Berths: 1 ISC WT berth to highest finishing Canada East team (additional berths for Canada East teams may be available)
Format: Divisional
Entry Fee and deadline: Contact Larry Lynch
Local contact: Larry Lynch – Llynch@town.mapleton.on.ca
ISC Contact and Rep: Joe Todd – ftode739@rogers.com
UIC: Bruce Bierman – bierhawk@xplornet.com – 519-632-8773 Home
June 26 – 28
Jarvis Gamblers Tournament – Jarvis, ON
Berths: 1 ISC WT berth to highest finishing Canada East team
Format: Divisional Round Robin
Entry fee: $500 to Jarvis Gamblers Fastball Club
Local contact: Pat Graham – pkgraham24@rogers.com – 519-442-5762
ISC contact & Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: Ed Otterman – eotterman@cji.on.ca – 519-429-3223
ISC II Tournament of Champions Qualifiers
May 22 – 24
Atlantic Canada ISC II Qualifier – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Capital City Shootout
Berths: 1 ISC II ToC berth, regardless of region
Format: 16 teams, pool play with crossover for playoffs
Entry Fee and Deadline: $350, payable to Vimy Legion Outlaws
Local Contact: Colin Strangward colinstrangward@eastlink.ca
ISC Contact & Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: Lloyd Poirier Lloydpoirier@hfx.eastlink.ca
June 19 – 21
Eastern Ontario ISC II Qualifier – Ottawa, ON
Berths: 1 ISC II ToC berth to winner, regardless of region (additional berths may be available)
Format: Double-knockout
Entry Fee & Deadline: $350 CDN – May 15, 2009
Local Contact: Allan Read – aread@lwlaw.com
ISC Contact & Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: Steve Bedard – sjbgolf@hotmail.com
June 19 – 21
Southwestern Ontario ISC II Qualifier – Innerkip, ON
Berths: 3 ISC II berths to top 3 teams, regardless of region (additional berths may be available)
Format: Double-knockout
Entry Fee & Deadline: $350 CDN – May 15, 2009
Local Contact: Tim Wright – twri7823@rogers.com
ISC Contact & Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: Peter Kluszczynski – kluzzy@sympatico.ca
July 3 – 5
Oswego CPI ISC II Qualifier – Oswego, NY (Joint Qualifier with US East)
Berths: 1 ISC II to highest finishing Canada East team.
Format: Divisional
Entry Fee: $400US
Local contact: Charlie Walseman Charlie_h_walseman@cargill.com, 518-207-6992 Cell
UIC: Chris Tehonica sfitzger@twcny.rr.com 315-771-9810
ISC Rep: Mike Cutro cootie0604@yahoo.com
Note: Above tournament is a joint qualifier between US East and Canada East and each region will award 1 ISC II berth to highest finishing teams from their respective regions.
July 5
2009 Travel League of Eastern Canada
Berths: 1 ISC II berth to top ISC II team as of July 5 league standings
Format: League play
Entry fee: Part of league entry fee
League contact: David Bakker – bakkers@teksavvy.com
UIC: Peter Kluszczynski – kluzzy@sympatico.ca
ISC Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
2009 Qualifiers for 2010 Berth
July 24 – 25
Travel League of Eastern Canada Playoff Tournament
Location: Owen Sound
Format: pending
Entry fee: included in league entry fee
Berths: 1 2010 WT berth to winner; 1 2010 ISC II ToC berth to top finishing ISC II team
League contact: David Bakker – bakkers@teksavvy.com, Colin Smith – colinsmith@look.ca
ISC Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: Peter Kluszczynski – kluzzy@sympatico.ca
July 31 – Aug 2
OASA Intermediate Eliminations
Location: Waterloo, Hillside Park
Format: Double knockout
Entry fee and deadline: $465 Cdn, payable to OASA by June 10, 2009
Berth: 1 for 2010 ISC II ToC
Local Contacts: Brad Thomson, bradthomson41@hotmail.com, 519-954-1269
ISC Contact: Rick Boyd, rdboyd@rogers.com, 519-240-3188
Umpire In Chief: Jim Herbert – jherbert@hotmail.com – 519-631-0511
August 28 – 30 – Note new date
Northern Ontario ISC II Qualifier
Location: Sagamok (Massey), Ontario
Format: Double knockout
Entry fee and deadline: $350 Cdn, payable to ISC Canada East by August 7, 2009, entries capped at 8
Berth: 1 for 2010 ISC II ToC, reserved for Northern Ontario team
Local Contacts: Eric Abitong – change_up99@yahoo.com – 705-865-2165
ISC Contact: Blair Setford, ISC Canada East VP, blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
Umpire In Chief: Larry Pederson bluelight24@hotmail.com 705-897-1444
September 18 – 20
Stratford, ON
2009 Ontario Challenge Cup ISC II Qualifier
Berths: 1 2010 ISC II ToC berth to winner – Canada East teams only
Format: Double-knockout
Entry fee and deadline: $225 CDN – August 31, 2009
Local contact: Murray Patterson – murraypatterson@wightman.ca
ISC Rep: Joe Todd – ftode739@rogers.com
UIC: Paul Baier – mapbaier@wightman.ca – 519-273-0446
September 18 – 20
McNab/Braeside, ON
2009 Challenge Cup East ISC II Qualifier
Berths: 1 2010 ISC II ToC berth to winner – Canada East teams only
Format: Double-knockout
Entry fee and deadline: $225 CDN – August 31, 2009
Local contact: Harold MacMillan – jh.mac@gozoom.ca
ISC Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com – 905-826-2697
UIC: George Findley – gfindley@rogers.com
US East Region – Bill Howell, Vice President – bhowell5@yahoo.com – 301-870-5049
World Tournament – 3
ISC II ToC – 7 + 1 berth awarded from ’08
April 17 – 18
War Eagle Classic – Auburn, AL
Berths: 1 ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US East team
Format: TBD
Entry fee: $225
Contact: Robbie Carter – 334-501-2976
UIC: Sam Kelly
ISC Rep: Robert Gray – rgray77271@aol.com – 334-567-9797
May 22 – 24
Metro Fastpitch Invitational – Linden, NJ
Berths: 2 ISC II ToC berths; one to highest finishing US East team and one to highest finishing team from any ISC Region.
Format: Round robin with 3-game guarantee
Entry fee: $400
Contacts: Gregg Leather – 718-673-0188 or 646-610-6088 – nysoftball@aol.com
Pete Quaranta – 917-797-1172 – Quaranta15@aol.com
UIC: TBD
ISC Rep: Bill Hillhouse – 814-392-3369 – houseofpitching@yahoo.com
June 12 – 14
Boulevard Lounge Invitational – Midland, MI
Berths: 1 WT and 2 ISC II berths to highest finishing US East teams. 2nd ISC II berth is for highest finishing team from any region.
Format: Round robin into single elimination – 4-game guarantee
Entry fee: TBD
Contact: Kyle Beane – kbeane8@yahoo.com – 810-813-5178
UIC: Joe Squires – heyumpy@yahoo.com – 989-631-7043 H 989-205-5256 Cell
ISC Rep: Kyle Beane – kbeane8@yahoo.com – 810-813-5178 H
June 12 – 14
Blue & Gray Tournament – Montgomery, AL
Berths: 1 WT berth to champion regardless of region (No ISC II berths but participating teams become eligible to be invited to ISC II ToC)
Format: Round-robin – 4-game guarantee
Entry fee: $150
Contact: Robert Gray – rgray77271@aol.com – 334-567-9797
UIC: Larry Raines – 334-365-8148 – lwr901@charter.net
ISC Rep: Robert Gray
June-July, 2009
Mid-Atlantic Fastpitch Travel League
Berths: 1 WT and 1 ISC II ToC berth to championship teams
Contact: Bill Howell – bhowell5@yahoo.com – 301-870-5049
July 3 – 5
Oswego CPI ISC II Qualifier – Oswego, NY (Joint Qualifier with Canada East)
Berths: 1 ISC II to highest finishing US East team.
Format: Divisional
Entry Fee: $400
Local contact: Charlie Walseman – Charlie_h_walseman@cargill.com 518-207-6992 Cell
UIC: Chris Tehonica 315-771-9810 sfitzger@twcny.rr.com
ISC Rep: Mike Cutro – cootie0604@yahoo.com
Note: Above tournament is a joint qualifier between US East and Canada East and each region will award 1 ISC II berth to highest finishing teams from their respective regions.
July 3 – 5
Bluewater Invitational – Port Huron, MI
Berths: 1 ISC II ToC available to teams from any region.
Format: 3-game guarantee – Pool winners advance to elimination round
Entry fee: $375 – $400 depending on number of teams
Contact: Kurt Schieman kurt.schieman@semcoenergy.com
UIC: Roger Vargo – 810-334-9859 – csvargo2003@yahoo.com or phcsa@hotmail.com
ISC Rep: Bill Hillhouse – houseofpitching@yahoo.com 814-392-3369 Cell
July 17 – 19
Pete Schwab Memorial Fastpitch Tournament – Frankenmuth, MI
Berths: 1 2010 ISC II berth to highest finishing US East team. An additional berth may become available to any team from any region.
Format: 16 teams, round robin into 8-team single elimination
Entry fee: $350
Contact: David Lach – lachdavid@gmail.com – 810-623-2276 Cell
UIC: Mike Clark – umpyclark@charter.net 989-790-0844 Home
ISC Rep: Lee Isenhart – isenhartlee_@hotmail.com – 989-835-9146 Home
US Central Region – Dave LeBlanc, Vice President – farm32@aol.com – 920-851-2349
World Tournament – 10 + 2 Host team in ’09 and 1 berth awarded from ‘08
ISC II ToC – 9 + 2 for Host Team and 1 berth awarded from ‘08
May 1 – 3
Hustlehogs Icebreaker – DeKalb, IL
Berths: 1-ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US Central team
Format: 4-game guarantee
Entry fee: $200
Contact: Tom Crouch – 815-501-6186 Cell – tcro14@yahoo.com
UIC: Chad Allen – 815-519-8773 – chada14@comcast.net
ISC Rep: Tom Crouch
May 16 & 17
Dick Tracy Invitational – Rockford, IL
Berths: 1 ISC World Tournament and 1 ISC II ToC berths to US Central teams.
Format: Round robin into single elimination – 4 game guarantee
Entry Fee: $275
Contact: John Reed – 815 563 4303 or 815 563 4318 mrgr@comcast.net .
UIC: Rick Odell 815 633 5695
ISC Rep: John Reed – 815 563 4303 or 815 563 4318 mrgr@comcast.net
May 15 & 16
Villa Grove Invitational – Villa Grove, IL
Contact: John Schweighart – jschwei17@yahoo.com – (217) 649-3387
Format: Round Robin
Entry Fee: $175
Berth: 1 ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US Central team
UIC: Argie Johnson – 217-493-7872
ISC Rep: Scott Standerfer – Standerfer@mchsi.com
May 22 – 24
Walcott Memorial Day Tournament – Walcott, IA or Moline, IL
Contact: Sean Marten – ssmarten@aol.com 563-391-8307 or Ron Foster – poppafos@hotmail.com – 563-650-2837
Entry fee: $300
Berths: 1 World Tournament berth to highest finishing US Central team
Format: Round-robin into single elimination
UIC: Cathy Creighton (563)940-9503 CCreig8118@aol.com
ISC Rep: Sean Marten – ssmarten@aol.com 563-391-8307
June 5 – 7
Grafmeier Tournament – Kimberly, WI
Entry fee: $200
Format: Round robin into a top-4 playoff
Berth: 1 World Tournament berth to any team from any region
Contact: Dave LeBlanc – farm32@aol.com – 920-851-2349
UIC: Hank St. Clair – hstclair@ameritech.net – 216-533-5209
ISC Rep: Dave LeBlanc – farm32@aol.com – 920-851-2349
June 6 – 7
Sioux Falls Men’s Association Fastpitch Tournament – Sioux Falls, SD
Entry fee: $225
Format: 2-divisions – 3 game guarantee
Berths: 1 ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US Central team.
Contact: Mike Mueller – muellermomike@yahoo.com 605-321-5411
UIC: Jerry Bills – 605-332-4946
ISC Rep: TBD
June 20 – 21
Eugene Holm Classic – Fargo, ND
Entry fee: $300
Format: Round robin into single elimination
Berths: 1 World Tournament berth to highest finishing US Central team.
Contact: Mike Oehlke – mikoehlke@yahoo.com or tournaments@fargofastpitch.com –
701-367-3545
UIC: Charlie Johnson cjohnson@ulenhitterdal.k12.mn.us
ISC Rep: TBD
June 12 – 14
Kelso Klassic – Kelso, MO
Entry fee: $250
Format: Elimination bracket with 3-game guarantee
Berths: 1 World Tournament and 2 ISC II berths for highest finishing US Central teams.
Contact: Larry Eftink – larry_eftink@hotmail.com – 573-450-8887 Cell or 573-264-3714 Home or Rick Heuring gogetterguy@hotmail.com 573-450-8134 Cell 573-264-3643 Home
UIC: Kent Rich – 573-893-6824 H or 573-694-6824 Cell
ISC Rep: Rich Well –rwell@fayette.k12.il.us – 618-283-4258 Home
June 19 – 27 (two weekends)
Iowa ISC Qualifier – Walcott, IA
Berths: 1 ISC World Tournament and 1 ISC II ToC berth for US Central teams
Format: Double elimination
Entry Fee: $100
Contact: Pat Sullivan 563-583-4381 patsullivanisc@aol.com – 563-583-4381
UIC: Pat Sullivan 563-583-4381 patsullivanisc@aol.com – 563-583-4381
ISC Rep: Pat Sullivan 563-583-4381 patsullivanisc@aol.com – 563-583-4381
June 27 – 29
Eau Claire Classic – Eau Claire, WI
Berths: 1 World Tournament and 1 ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US Central teams.
Entry fee: $400
Format: Pool play into single elimination
Contact: Stu Taylor stu.taylor@ci.eau-claire.wi.us
UIC: Les Novak bestumpln@aol.com 763-545-6788
ISC Rep: TBD
July 10 – 12
Boys of Summer – Denmark and Circle Tap, WI
Berths: 1 2010 WT berth to highest finishing US Central team
Format: Round Robin into single elimination
Entry fee: TBD
Contact: Zakk Flash – zakkflash@greenbaynet.com – 920-676-2448
UIC: Hank St. Clair – hstclair@ameritech.net – 216-533-5209
ISC Rep: Dave LeBlanc – farm32@aol.com – 920-851-2349
July 17 – 19
West St. Paul Qualifier – W. St. Paul, MN Sports Complex
Berth: 1 2010 ISC II ToC berth to highest finishing US Central team
Format: Double elimination with hard luck round – 3-game guarantee
Entry Fee: $235
Contact: Wayne Ball – 653-457-3933 or Jerry Ball – jball@dart.net – 653-453-9605
UIC: Steve Vail – umpiresteve@yahoo.com – 651-253-5409
ISC Rep: Les Novak – bestumpln@aol.com – 612-750-1340
July 24 (Final League Date)
Tri-County (Midwest) ISC Travel League
Berth: 1 2010 ISC II ToC berth to league champion
Contact: Ron Foster – poppafos@hotmail.com – 563-650-2837
UIC: Cathy Creighton (563)940-9503 CCreig8118@aol.com
ISC Rep: Wayne Fisher – wpfisher@mchsi.com – 319-3451-1055
US West Region – Chris Santos, Vice President – jcsantos25@msn.com – 303-419-7352
World Tournament – 4 + 2 for ISC II Move-up berths
ISC II ToC – 4
May 22, 23 & 24
Joe Santos Memorial – Pueblo, CO
Berths: 1 WT berth and 1 ISC II berth to highest finishing US West teams
Format: Round Robin into single elimination – 3-game guarantee
Entry Fee: $300
Contacts: Chris Santos – jcsantos25@msn.com – 303-419-7352
Jerry Santos – jerrysantos66@hotmail.com – 719-240-4771
UIC: Benny “Ginger†Rendon – gingerrendon@hotmail.com – 719-250-6608
ISC Rep: Dick Mason – damson@mrwllc.com – 303-734-4800
May 30 & 31
Best of the West – Santa Barbara, CA
Berths: 2 WT berths and 2 ISC II berths to highest finishing US West teams
Format: Round Robin into single elimination – 4-game guarantee
Entry fee and deadline: $400 – May 1, 2009
Contact: Dave Blackburn – daveb@virtvent.com – 310-266-7803
UIC: Clyde Bennett – clydebennett13@yahoo.com – 805-895-9007
ISC Rep: Dave Blackburn – daveb@virtvent.com – 310-266-7803
June 20 & 21
Portland Demarini Rose Cup – Portland, OR
Berths: 1 WT berth and 1 ISC II berth to highest finishing US West teams
Format: Round Robin into single elimination – 4-game guarantee
Entry Fee and Deadline: $400 – May 1, 2009
Contacts: Roger Jones – jonesroger9@earthlink.net 503-887-3200
John Fitzgerald – brjfitzger@cascorp.com
Brian Ree – bree10@comcast.net – 971-253-9030
UIC: Dan Duffy – d2pdx@mindspring.com – 503-520-1319
ISC Rep: Craig Donaldson – cdonalds5@shaw.ca – 778-228-0799
Canada West Region – Ferdi Nelissen, Vice President – ferdi@mts.net – 204-239-5822
World Tournament – 3 + 1 awarded from ‘08
ISC II ToC – 4
May 29, 30 and 31
Rambler Park – Regina Saskatchewan
Berths: 2-ISC II ToC berths to highest finishing Canada West teams
Entry – $350 – guarantee 3 seven inning ball games.
Contact – Harvey Curts – fastball@sasktel.net – 306-545-0682.
ISC Rep: Ferdi Nelissen – ferdi@mts.net – 204-239-5822 (H) 204-871-2072 (C)
UIC: Dave Moore – morred@sasktel.net
June 5, 6 & 7
3rd Annual Saskatoon Diamondbacks Fastpitch Tournament – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Berths: 2 WT berths to highest finishing Canada West teams.
Entry fee: $450
Format: 8-teams – Round robin into a 6-team playoff
Contact – Jimmy Climenhaga @ 306-493-2430 or jclimenhaga@sasktel.net or Collin Schaan @ 306-227-1630 or cschaan@schaanhealthcareproducts.ca
ISC Rep: Todd McCabe – Todd McCabe – todd_mccabe23@yahoo.ca or todd_mccabe23@hotmail.com
UIC: Dave Moore – moored@sasktel.net
Dates: July 10 – 12, 2009
Vancouver Challenge – Vancouver, BC
Berths: 1-2010 WT berth to highest finishing Canada West team.
Entry fee: $350 CDN
Format: Round robin into elimination bracket
Contact: Craig Donaldson – cdonalds5@shaw.ca 604-525-3440 (H) 778-228-0799 Cell
ISC Rep: Craig Donaldson
UIC: Bob Henning
WFI at Monkton – Championship Game
Sunday, July 5th, 2009WFI Playoff Game 17 Championship game – FINAL – Kitchener 5, Midwest 0. WP-Dean Holoien
Individual Awards:
Top Hitter – Paul Walhford;
MVPitcher – Lucas Mata, Aspen,
MVP – Craig Crawford, Kitchener
Saturday Broadcast Schedule for WFI at Monkton
Saturday, July 4th, 2009
12:00 PM Jarvis v. Vancouver (ISC WT # 5 v. ISC WT # 7)
2:00 PM Stampede vs New Zealand Black Sox (ISC WT #6 vs. ISF World Champions)
6:00 PM Farm vs Saskatoon (ISC WT # 4 vs. ISC WT # 3)
8:00 PM PLAYOFF 1 – A3 vs B2
The Ballparkradio site is in error on the 12pm noo game – we’ll fix that when I get to a computer that allows me to update the site. The schedule above, showing Jarvis v. Vancouver is the correct one.
ISC WT Top 10:
1 Kitchener Rivershark Twins
2 Broken Bow Patsy’s
3 Aspen Interiors
4 The Farm
5 Jarvis Gamblers
6 Midwest Stampede
7 Vancouver Grey Sox
8 Allbaugh, Inc
9 Midland Explorers
10 St. Thomas Centennials
WFI at Monkton – Game 1
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009World Fastball Invitational at Monkton – Game 1 – Kitchener 5, Aspen Saskatoon 0.
World Fastball Invitational in Monkton less than a week away
Saturday, June 27th, 2009The World’s Best at Monkton, July 2-5, 2009
(click banner for official tournament website)
Less than a week ’til the World Fastball Invitational tournament in Monkton, Ontario, Canada. The tournament field boasts the top six (6) ISC ranked teams in the world, plus the reigning ISF World Champion New Zealand Black Sox. Tournament director Brian Ballie is in the midst of final preparations for what figures to be a whale of a weekend – for the teams, and of course, fastball fans.
Al Doran of Al’s Fastball, Fastpitchwest, Ballparkradio, and Maddy’s Photos will be on hand, in Monkton, to bring you all of the action.
(click to enlarge)
The final schedule of live streaming audio broadcasts is due out this weekend, so be sure to keep an eye out here at the Morning Brief for that post.
Kyle Smith will head up the broadcasts for the weekend, and will be joined by yours truly, Steve Sabourin, Blair Setford, Joe Todd, and tournament director Brian Ballie. As readers know, Kyle has been broadcasting men’s fastball at the ISC II for several years, along with his minor league hockey broadcasting. A graduate of a Canadian broadcasting school, Kyle’s knowledge of the game, its players, and his blend of information and humor have made him a listener’s favorite. Kyle headed up last summer’s live audio broadcasts of the ISF Junior World Championships from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, heard by thousands ’round the world.
A short clip of Kyle’s dramatic call of the conclusion to the Canada v. New Zealand game can be heard by clicking here. (give it time to load)
Earlier this week, Kyle was named by the ISC as one of four play-by-play broadcasters for the 2009 ISC World Tournament.
Steve Sabourin is a pro sports broadcaster from Canada, and the original “Voice of the Monkton Tournament”. Steve has done live local radio broadcasts from the tournament since its inception, via the radio station that he works for. In 2007, Steve accepted the invitation of ISC II commish Blair Setford to join the Ballparkradio crew for part of the ISC II T of C in Kitchener, and has graciously agreed to do some live streaming broadcasts on Ballparkradio at Monkton this year, on Friday and Saturday, in between his Thursday night and Sunday broadcasts for local radio. We at Ballparkradio are pleased to add Steve to the lineup, and know that fastball fans will enjoy the professionalism he brings to the broadcasts.
Ballparkradio will feature Steve’s local radio stream for Thursday night, and broadcast Friday through Sunday.