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Portland DeMarini at the Vancouver Challenge

Thursday, August 2nd, 2007

Thanks to Tom Ree for this report from Portland, OR

2007 Vancouver BC Challenge

Portland DeMarini finished 3rd at the 2007 Vancouver Challenge beating the host Grey Sox in a close game on Sunday before losing to eventual champs So Cal Bombers. Mike Piechnik picked up the win for Portland. Kris Waverick and Brian Ree homered for Portland. Portland finished with 3 wins at the tournament. Next came the So Cal Bombers. Those Bombers sure can hit. The Bombers also had an impressive win over NY Gremlins in the final.

Portland finished the season at 27-10 and will travel to Kitchner, Ontario for the ISC World Tournament next week.

The team really enjoyed the tournament as did the 11 fans I counted from Portland in the stands. Speaking of fans, there were several hundred each day at the games. The place was packed a few times.

The story of this event, however, is what a great job the hosts did. Starting with newspaper articles. There were several articles including some with photos of Mike Piechnik and Darren Zack who the tournament hosts had a special tribute to. I have never seen so much publicity in a large metro paper(s) for a fastpitch tournament before. IMPRESSIVE! I am told it took a lot of time and effort to get the papers interested in doing these articles.

John Stuart, coach of the Grey Sox, told me he estimated half of the crowd size was due to the newspaper articles. Regardless, the place was packed for a few of the games and good crowds at all games. It is such a bonus to see so many fans. The players, umpires, fans and tournament staff all enjoy the games so much more with a good crowd.

Jimmy Johnson and Craig Donaldson did a superb job of announcing the games and doing the stats. I am not just saying that because they recognized me… inside joke…

The food was excellent, good bbq, sandwiches, soft drinks and beer garden. The servers were all friendly and accomodating.

Justin Morneau’s dad was there selling 50/50 tickets all three days and raised about 5k for the big split on Sunday. His son is the reigning American League MVP. It was all volunteer work with Morneau’s great sense of humor a bonus.

Conrad Margolis, Jimmy Johnson, John Stuart, Craig Donaldson, Larry Kancs, George Morneau and countless other volunteers, thanks for making this such a special event. You undoubtedly raised the bar for Men’s Open Fastpitch tournments on the West Coast. Hope to see you again next year and thanks!

Regards,

Tom Ree
Portland DeMarini

ps We tip our hats to the Grey Sox Organization

Posted in ISC, Tournaments | No Comments »

Midland Explorers Net Sweep

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

From:

(click logo for original article)

Explorers net sweep

The Midland Explorers men’s fastpitch team swept a doubleheader from Tiffany’s of Frankenmuth Saturday night at Emerson Park, winning 9-1 and 8-0.

In the first game, Doug Sleep earned the win while Duke Vanderaark took the loss.

Kyle Beane, Eddy Ketelhut, Steve Roberts, and Todd Schultz each had two hits for Midland. Dave Lach hit a home run for Tiffany’s.

In the second game, Grant Patterson was the winning pitcher and Todd Szagesh the losing pitcher. Craig Crawford had a pair of two-run homers, and Beane, Schultz, and Steve Horning each hit a home run.

The Explorers open the 17-team ASA Major National Tournament in South Bend, Ind., on Thursday at 4 p.m. vs. Dolan & Murphy (Ill.). The tourney runs until Saturday.

©Midland Daily News 2007

Editor’s note: Took a peek at Midland’s draws for the ASA Major and the ISC World. If they manage to win their first game in either or both — they run into Orillia, which held the # 1 spot in the rankings most of the year. Tough road to hoe.

Posted in ASA, General, ISC, Tournaments | No Comments »

Bomber Notes on Vancouver Challenge

Monday, July 30th, 2007

Thanks to Cesar Rodriguez, Bombers’ coach and webmaster for this report on the team’s weekend in Vancouver:


2007 VANCOUVER CHALLENGE – Comments:

This past weekend certainly was a good tune up for the World Tournament and obviously we’re pleased with our performance in winning the event, especially in defeating some very good clubs including the #1 ranked Broken Bow Gremlins in the final. Our team hasn’t been together for three weeks and the weekend was important in terms of getting back to work and to the process of our season’s plan.

I thought all areas of the team were pretty strong given our layoff and we know that they will have to be in order to have similar success in a few weeks. Our pitching effort was good with all three pitchers showing some great signs of being ready for the challenge of the WT. Our hitting came along throughout the weekend and our at bats improved game after game. We played our usual aggressive style and took advantage of opportunities whenever they presented themselves.

Lucas Mata won the top pitcher award and Darren Box was MVP but any number of players could be pointed out for great performances not the least of which included Steve Pinocchio, Adam Lalonde, Jason Porto and Evan Potskin.

The other news of the weekend was that we made a major signing in adding Doug Chase to our coaching staff. With our third coach, Cesar Rodriguez unable to attend the WT, we felt we needed another set of eyes going into the World’s. If we’re going to do this job effectively, we want all the different areas covered.

Doug (former All-World catcher with Victoria and the Farm) will be with us through the WT and will focus on pitching and catching with an eye to scouting opposing hitters for us. His experience and insights will balance well with Coach Shick and myself. Doug has history with both of us, having played with Rob early in his softball career, and he and I coached together on the Canadian National team.

The Bombers would like to thank the Vancouver Grey Sox for their hospitality and for a very well run and enjoyable tournament. Now it’s a weekend off and then out to Kitchener to start the World Tournament. We have had some great success in our recent tournaments but as our own Lucas Mata says, “we have to take it slowly”. At the World’s, all the teams will be better than they are right now, and the Bombers will not be taken lightly, so we have to be equally ready to stay focused on every pitch, every inning.

C-Rod – So Cal Bombers

Posted in ISC, Teams, Tournaments | No Comments »

Bombers Knock Off # 1 Broken Bow, Win at Vancouver

Monday, July 30th, 2007

Once again, So Cal Bomber pitcher Lucas Mata, formerly of the two-time ISC World Champion County Materials proved to be the difference maker for the Bombers, as they avenged an earlier defeat by Broken Bow, to beat them handily, 11-2 in the Vancouver Challenge championship game. The win at Vancouver marks the second time that Mata has pitched with the Bombers this year, and the second time he has pitched them to a tournament win against a top flite field of teams. The Bombers take a good bit of momentum into the tournament, as they battle towards their goal – an ISC World Title.

Broken Bow nabbed the # 1 spot in the final set of rankings leading into next month’s ISC World Tournament, after holding down the # 3 spot most of the year. The Bombers jumped from # 7 to # 4 on the strength of their win last month at Monkton Tournament, which boasted the strongest field of teams this side of the world tournament. The Bombers got to both pitchers equally, 7 against Andrew Kirkpatrick in 5 innings and 4 more against Jeremy Manley in one inning in the 6 inning-run-rule shortened game, while Mata held Broken Bow to just 2 runs on 4 hits. Evan Potskin (triple, homer, 2 runs and 4 RBI) led the way, with plenty of support from Steve Pinnochio (3 for 3 with a triple, two singles, 2 runs scored and an RBI), Adam LaLonde (3 runs). Jason Porto added a home run for the Bombers as well.

From
Complete Scoreboard at Al’s Fastball

Vancouver Challenge Semi Final and Final results

Semi Final

Portland DeMarini 4 R 2 H 4 E
SoCal Bombers 11R 9 H 2 E

Portland
Pitching
Bricklen Anderson(L) 4 IP 8 R 5 ER 7 H 4 BB 3 K
Craig Pidcock .1 IP 3 R 3 ER 2 H 3 BB
2 K

Hitting
Brian Ree 1 for 2 R

SoCal
Pitching
Darryl Tilley 2 IP 3 R 2 ER 0 H 3 BB 4
K
Sean Whitten(W) 2 IP 1 R 0 ER 3 H 2 BB 3 K
Lucas Mata 1 IP
3 K

Hitting
Adam Lalonde 1 for 2 (2B) 3 R
Chad Ghostkeeper 2 for 4 (1B,1B) RBI
Evan Potskin 1 for 3 (2B) R 2 RBI
Marc Santillano 2 for 2 (1B,1B) R, 3 RBI

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

SoCal Bombers 11 R 9 H 2 E
Broken Bow 2 R 4 H 2 E

SoCal
Pitching
Lucas Mata 6 IP 2 R 1 ER 4 H HR 2 BB 9 K’s

Hitting
Adam Lalonde 1 for 2(1B) 3 R
Steve Pinocchio 3 for 3(1B,1B,3B) 2R, RBI
Evan Potskin 2 for 4(3B,HR) 2 R, 4 RBI
Jason Porto 1 for 3(HR) R, RBI

Broken Bow
Pitching
Andrew Kirkpatrick (L) 5 IP 7 R 5 ER 6 H 8 K
Jeremy Manley 1 IP 4 R 3 ER 3 H 1 K

Hitting
Jordan Taveras 1 for 2 (1B) R
Eduardo Leonardo 1 for 3 (HR) R RBI

CHAMPIONS – SoCal Bombers
RUNNER UP – Broken Bow Gremlins
3 RD PLACE – Portland Demarini

ISC Canada West Qualifier – Vancouver Grey Sox

TOURNAMENT TOP HITTER – Derek Mayson Vancouver Grey Sox
TOURNAMENT TOP PITCHER – Lucas Mata SoCal Bombers
TOURNAMENT MVP – Darren Box SoCal Bombers

Posted in Canada, ISC, Tournaments | No Comments »

Bombers Drop One at Vancouver, Still Alive

Sunday, July 29th, 2007

# 4 Bombers Fall to # 1 Gremlins in Battle of “Double Life” teams

(click logo for official team website)

From

Vancouver Challenge Playoff Round Gremlins vs SoCal

PLAYOFF ROUND (Blue 1 vs Red 1)

Broken Bow Gremlins 4 R 4 H 1 E
SoCalBombers 0R 2 H 1 E

Broken Bow

Pitching
Jeremy Manley (W) 6 IP 0 R 2H 8 K
Andrew Kirpatrick 1IP 2K 1 BB

Hitting
Jarrad Martin 2for 3 (2B,3B) 1 Run 2 RBI’s
Patrick Shannon 1 for 3 (HR) 1 Run 2 RBI’s

SoCal
Pitching
Sean Whitten (L) 5 IP 4R 3 ER 4 H 7 K
LucasMata 1IP 3 K

Hitting
Adam Lalonde 2 for 3 (1B,1B)

Submitted by Craig Donaldson

Posted in Canada, ISC, So Cal, Tournaments | No Comments »

Vancouver Challenge – Friday Night Results

Saturday, July 28th, 2007


(click logo for official team website)

From

Game 1 7:00 p.m. 27 July

Vancouver Grey Sox 7R 11H 2E
Richmond Linus Software Stealers 4R 6H 2E

Vancouver
Pitching
Rick Smith (WP) 4.1 IP 6H 4R 3ER 2BB 5K
Nick Underhill 1.2 IP 4K
Hitting
Derek Mayson 4X4 (2 singles, double, triple) 1 RBI

Richmond
Pitching
John Bishop (LP) 3IP 7H 5R 3ER 3BB 2K
Darren Strang 3IP 4H 2R 2ER 1BB 1K
Hitting
Glen Ormsby 2X2 (single, double)

Submitted by Jim Johnson

Posted in ISC, Tournaments | No Comments »

Top hurlers join Vancouver tourney

Friday, July 27th, 2007

From the Vancouver Sun:

Two of the greatest throwers in the history of Canadian men’s fastpitch will be in the circle this weekend as the Vancouver Grey Sox play host to the 2007 Vancouver Challenge at South Memorial Park.

Legends Darren Zack, a right hander out of Garden River, Ont., and Mike Piechnik, a left hander from Victoria, are both in their mid-40s now, but still remarkably effective at the elite level as their teams continue gearing up for next month’s International Softball Congress world tournament in Kitchener, Ont.

Zack will be pitching in Vancouver for the Horse Lake, Alta., Thunder, while Piechnik is on the staff of the Portland, Ore., Demarini.

The six-team Vancouver tournament will also feature the Broken Bow Gremlins of New York, currently ranked No. 1 in the ISC, the So Cal Bombers, who are No. 4, the Grey Sox and the Richmond Linus Software Stealers.

Broken Bow’s lineup includes two of the top international pitchers in the game: New Zealand national team ace Jeremy Manley and young Australian hurler, 6-6 lefty Andrew Kirkpatrick.

“We do feel we can compete with these teams,” said Grey Sox GM Conrad Margolis. “We split a three-game series — a win, a loss and and a tie — with So Cal earlier and we lost 1-0 to Broken Bow and Manley in a game that was scoreless into the seventh.”

Zack, who won ISC world titles with the Toronto Gators in 1993 and 1995, led Horse Lake to the annual all-native title in Prince George earlier this month, while Piechnik threw a perfect game against the Grey Sox last weekend in Portland as those two teams split a four-game series.

The opening game is tonight at 7 p.m. between Vancouver and Richmond. Start times for Saturday games run 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., with playoff games Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

© The Vancouver Sun 2007

Posted in Canada, ISC, Tournaments | No Comments »

Experienced Crew of Umpires Assembled for the Vancouver Challenge

Friday, July 27th, 2007


(click logo for official team website)

[Vancouver, BC] – The Vancouver Grey Sox and South Hill Sports, co – hosts of the 6th Annual Vancouver Challenge tournament to be held July 27 – 29 at South Memorial Park in Vancouver, are pleased to announce the group of umpires selected to work our event.

Led by Bob Henning, Tournament UIC and Bill Watson, Tournament DUIC, and Michael Track, Tournament DUIC – the on field officials for the tournament come with a wide breadth of open level mens fastpitch experience. We are especially pleased that Ron Brinkman (Appleton, Wisconsin) is joining us for this year’s event and will be part of the crew umpiring throughout the weekend. Brinkman served as ISC UIC from 2002 – 2006, and has worked in 19 ISC World Tournaments. He also served as a umpire in the minors for Major League Baseball.

We are also pleased to have working this year’s event – Ron Gosselin from Vancouver Island, Jack Floyd from Washington State, Terry Richter from Alberta along with local BC umpires Don Martin, John Ribalkin, Tim Lederman and Al Strang.

As reported previously, the 2007 Vancouver Challenge Tournament will be held July 27 – 29. Admission is $5.00 per day or $10.00 for a tournament pass – children under 12 are admitted free. All games are to be played at South Memorial Park in Vancouver, located at 5950 Prince Albert Street (41st Avenue East – between Knight and Fraser Streets). This year’s field of teams include the Broken Bow Gremlins – Clifton Park, New York (ISC # 1), So Cal Bombers – Yucaipa, CA (ISC #4), Vancouver, BC Grey Sox (ISC #10), Portland, OR Demarini (ISC #12), Richmond, BC Linus Software Stealers (ISC unranked) and the Horse Lake, AB Thunder (ISC unranked).

Action kicks off Friday July 27th with a single game at 7:00 pm PDT when the host Vancouver Grey Sox tangle with the Richmond, BC Linus Software Stealers. Action continues starting at 8:30 am on Saturday with the final game of the day set for 6:30 pm local time. The highlight of Saturday’s action will be a tribute ceremony set at 4:30 pm for Mike Piechnik and Darren Zack recognizing their numerous accomplishments and achievements in the sport. Sunday action begins at 8:00 am with the championship final game set for 2:00 pm.

The full tournament draw can be accessed on our website at www.vancouvergreysox.com

Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com

Editor’s note: Full Schedule of games after the jump.

(more…)

Posted in Canada, ISC, Tournaments | No Comments »

Fastpitch More Than Just a Game to Nate Devine

Friday, July 27th, 2007

From the

(click Merced Sun Star logo for link to original newspaper story)

More than just a game

Merced College assistant baseball coach Nate Devine spent two months traveling with the U.S. softball team.

By James Burns
July 27, 2007

Nate Devine pressed his face up against the cold bus window, and with eyes as big as softballs, peered out at a world he’s never known. He was nervous and a little scared, too, unsure of what lay in wait around the next corner. Softball never felt so serious and the police escort to Prague’s downtown ballpark wasn’t helping matters, either.

How would European fans welcome an American softball team? Would they hiss and boo?

Just to be sure, Devine shielded himself by tugging his cap down lowon his brow before trotting out onto the diamond.

Almost instantly, the stands erupted into a chorus of chants and cheers.

That’s odd, Devine thought, almost certain a local celebrity had just walked down the stadium steps behind him.

Then it hit him like a loose fastball — he was the celebrity.

And the police escort?

Merely a formality.

A capacity crowd of nearly 3,000 turned up in June to see Devine and the U.S. men’s softball team compete in the World Cup.

“And the (Czech) national team wasn’t even playing anymore,” the Merced College assistant baseball coach saidin a voice that suggested long-term awe.

“They were cheering for every good play, every big hit and every strikeout. Even trying to do the wave.

“It was like they didn’t even have a favorite team — they just loved the game.”

Devine and the Americans gave them quite a show, too, before eventually falling to Japan in the title game.

The Americans were given a similar response at the American Challenge Series in Oklahoma earlier this month.

The U.S. breezed to the inaugural title, avenging their loss to Japan in the championship game.

Devine was impressive in his first national team appearance on home soil, capping the title run with a walk-off single.

During Sunday’s tape-delayed telecast of a Series round-robin game, ESPN commentators described the 30-year-old Devine as the future of American softball.

“I would be lying if I told you I expected Nate to come through as big as he did,” U.S. coach Pete Turner said, “but I was well aware of his talent.

“I can’t speak enough about what Nate did for us. I think he definitely impressed our selection committee.”

Devine went 16 for 44 in two tournaments with 2 homers, 7 RBIs and 10 runs scored.

“It was sad to see it come to an end. I enjoyed being with the team and being able to see the world,” Devine said. “You get to see just how much the sport means to people.

“It’s been a crazy ride.”

It’s not over yet.

His club team beckons.

Devine will rejoin the Southern California Bombers this weekend in Canada for the Vancouver Challenge, one of North America’s largest and toughest draws.

The Bombers are ranked fourth in the world by the International Softball Congress.

The Challenge will serve as a final tuneup for August’s ISC World Tournament in Ontario, Canada.

Win or lose, it’s been a memorable run for the hard-hitting first baseman, who took up softball as a teenager “because my hometown didn’t offer summer baseball.”

His pocket-sized digital camera shows the wears of his jet-setting summer vacation.

The buttons are worn from use and the memory stick is filled with photos of people, teammates and rare buildings.

Memories frozen in time.

“I was the guy in Team USA gear with the camera, staring up at all the buildings with a huge smile on my face,” Devine said. “I must have taken like 400 pictures.

“If it weren’t for (the national team), I would have never had the chance to see Europe — to go to all these places.”

Prague, the jewel of the Czech Republic with its old-world customs and architecture, was second to none.

He had never seen anything like it before — not in Merced and certainly not in Sonora, where he was raised.

One moment, he was standing at the gates of Prague Castle, and the next, mingling with locals on the cobblestone streets of Wenceslas Square.

Devine signed autographs, played catch with local kids and even passed out equipment.

“Getting a chance to meet people from other countries and promote the sport, that was cool,” Devine said.

“And at the same time, with all the stuff going on in the world right now, it was nice to show that Americans weren’t bad people at all.”

Even off the field.

Posted in ISC, Nor Cal, Players | No Comments »

Former Chisox prospect now catcher in Saskatoon

Friday, July 27th, 2007

From the Star Phoenix:

Softball fits baseball player like a glove
Former Chisox prospect now catcher in Saskatoon
Darren Zary, The StarPhoenix
Published: Friday, July 27, 2007

It’s not like Craig Horswell wasn’t good at baseball.

He was a member of Canada’s national team. With a rifle for an arm, he was identified by the Chicago White Sox as a Major League prospect. Yet, Horswell made the switch to the other side, giving up baseball for softball in 1999.

“Baseball was dead in Prince George,” says Horswell, a native of B.C.

“I was contemplating an offer from the Seattle Mariners when I decided to stay with the national team. After the disappointment of that season, I decided I had had enough of baseball and finished my schooling at UBC (University of British Columbia).

“I really like fast pitch and I enjoy catching. Defence is definitely my strong suit.”

“There’s no better defensive catcher on the planet,” says Saskatoon’s Keith Mackintosh, a member of Canada’s national team. “He’s got an unreal arm. And he has the intangibles, too. He’s played in pressure situations. He calls a great game.

“Anybody I know who has played with him and thrown to him just loves throwing to him. He’s so smooth.”

While Horswell’s baseball days are behind him, he has fond memories.

“I went to a world championship and Olympic qualifier. I have played with and against many Major League players and was able to get through school because of the help of baseball.”

Now softball is on his mind. Horswell is a member of the Saskatoon Aspen Interiors — formerly the Aspen Black Sox. They play the Saskatoon Diamondbacks in a best-of-five provincial senior A men’s final today and Saturday at Gordie Howe Park. Both teams advance to nationals Aug. 26 to Sept. 2 in St. John’s, N.F.

“I can compare this squad to the Calgary team I played for that came third in the ISC world tournament,” says Horswell, a school teacher by profession. “If our throwers stay healthy and we put things together at the right time, we will go far in both the ISCs and nationals.”

The Aspen Interiors are the two-time defending provincial champs.

“This won’t be a friendly series as we are looking for some payback from early June when the Diamondbacks defeated us 2-1 to knock us out of the Ducks (Unlimited) tourney (at Melfort),” says Aspen Interiors manager Jason Kurylyk. “It was a good game. The (potential) tying run was thrown out at home plate to end the game. The loss is still in the back of our heads and we are hungry.

“We won’t be giving our provincial title up without one hell of a fight.”

EXTRA INNINGS: Aspens pitcher Trevor Ethier had his collar-bone broken last month by a line drive. “But the warrior Trevor is, (he) was back in the circle throwing 17 days after it happened,” said Kurylyk . . . Aspen OF/catcher Brad Bibby is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury.

Posted in Canada, ISC, Players | No Comments »

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