#1 County and #2 Farm Tavern Retain Top Spots
In the latest ISC World Tournament rankings, County Materials and The Farm Tavern remained atop the heap, at # 1 and 2, respectively. The Orillia Riversharks are now the #3 team, trading places with the Hallman Twins, who are now ranked #4.
Teams out West:
So Cal Bombers remained at # 8
Portland, formerly #18, climbed two spots to #16
Pueblo, formerly #19, climbed 4 spots to #15
Houston remained at # 23
Team Rainey remained at #24
Report on Vancouver Grey Sox from Ducks Unlimited Tournament in Sasketchewan, Canada:
Vancouver, BC
The Vancouver Grey Sox traveled to Saskatchewan last Thursday for a doubleheader in Saskatoon on June 15 and the Ducks Unlimited Tournament in Melfort June 16-18. The Grey Sox were declared the winners in all games played, and the champions of the Ducks Unlimited event.
Under the Skins format for the Ducks Tournament the Grey Sox were able to advance to the final after picking up 6 Skins v. 4 Skins for SoCal Bombers, although SoCal scored 6 runs in the top of the first inning and the actual final score was 6-5 for the Bombers. Unfortunately, the Ducks Tournament fell almost two hours behind schedule on Sunday due to rainouts the previous day that were made up in full on Sunday, and a 16-16 extra inning marathon semi-final between Fargo Kegal Black Knights and Prince George on the Main Diamond. Thus the final, won 6-4 by Vancouver over Kegal, was severely time-restricted.
Ducks Unlimited Shootout Gets Underway Friday, June 16:
Pool A
Aspen Black Sox
Prince George Black Bears
Saskatoon Diamondbacks
Kegel Black Knights
Pool B
Vancouver Grey Sox
So Cal Bombers
Stony Plain
Saskatoon Merchants
FRIDAY JUNE 16
7PM ASPEN VS DIAMONDBACKS – DIAMOND 1
9PM VANCOUVER VS MERCHANTS – DIAMOND 1
DENMARK
The following is a short write up about one of the European teams participating at the ISC in Kitchener/Waterloo in August 2006. The Danish Team is an “all star” team from the Danish 1st division, witch is the top devisionin Danish fastball. The Danish Dynamite (DD’s) is the name that has been chosen for the “all star” team from the Danish 1st division. The Danish National men’s fastball league is made up of a 1st, 2nd and 3rd division. The 1st division has 7 teams, while the 2nd and 3rd division have 5 teams each. Teams have the opportunity to play them selves into a better division. By winning the division title in a lower division, this gives them the right to play the last place team of the division higher up. For example the winner of the 2nd division plays the last team in the 1st division. The winner wins the right to move in to the higher division or to stay in the same division. The winner of the 1st division wins the Danish National Title and the right to play in the European Cup the following year. The 2nd and 3rd divisions are more recreational league level, while the 1st division has some of the best teams in Europe. Two different Danish teams have won 2 of the last 3 European Cups.
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Peaches; Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
The hex continuesThe Vancouver Grey Sox were riding a 14 game winning streak heading into this weekends exhibition series against the Portland Merchants.
They had also never beaten Mike Piechnik, who was slated to suit up and face them in game one.
Something had to give, and at the end of the two game set on Saturday – the Sox record had slipped to 14-2 and Piechnik’s unbeaten record against the Sox still stands.
From Al’s Fastball: CT at The Grafmeier
June 2-4 Kimberly, WI The Circle Tap Fastpitch team made loads of progress this week in going 5-1(9-6 overall) and earning a 2nd place finish at the Grafmeier Invitational in Kimberly, WI. Weather was gorgeous in the mid 80’s all weekend. Our bats finally came alive on Friday and Saturday and we got outstanding pitching performances from all three pitchers. Thanks to Brad Dvorachek for filling in behind the plate this weekend. Click link above for all the details.
From Al’s Fastball: Pueblo Bandits Roll in the Joe Santos Memorial
Pueblo Bandits Roll in the Joe Santos Memorial The Pueblo Bandits reached their second title game in as many weeks when they faced off in a battle of Manley men in the Joe Santos Memorial Tournament Final. Bandit ace Jeremy Manley led the Bandits to an 8-1 win over his younger brother Regan Manley of the Colorado Rage in the championship game. The Bandits achieved run rule victories in all but one game during the three-day event held at their home park. Jeremy Manley was again dominant on championship Sunday, this time completing the weekend with a win in the final. Peter Mersereau threw a no hitter on Saturday in a run rule shortened affair. The Bandits came out swinging on Sunday, outscoring opponents 27-2 to take the title. By virtue of their win, Pueblo earned a berth into the ISC tournament. The Colorado Rage earned the ISC II berth with their runner-up finish. This tournament showed a resurgence of team and fan interest in men’s fastpitch with teams from El Paso, TX, Arizona & Utah and from all over Colorado. Thanks to all who participated and supported the event. In attendance were Charlie Smith, ISC Treasurer, and Dick Mason, ISC President/Commissioner, who commented on how “great the tournament turned out.” Below is the list of game summaries. 2006 Joe Santos Memorial Fastball Tournament Summary Pueblo, Colorado May 26, 27 & 28, 2006
From Al’s Fastball:
The new ISC World Tournament rankings are up at the ISC website. http://www.iscfastpitch.com/uploads/File/June_1_Ranking(1).htm
Biggest jump appears to be the Houston Aces, who scored points with voters by knocking off a #5 (Patsy’s), #20 (Portland) and #22 (Team Rainey) at the Red Rock tournament, enroute to a runner-up finish, and won the TX/LA/ARK/OK ISC qualifier last week. The Aces vaulted from #33 into the top 25, winding up at #23.
The So Cal Bombers win at Red Rock and Palm Springs shot them into the top 10, moving from #13 to #8.
Other teams from the West:
Vancouver Grey Sox moved up one spot from #7 to #6;
Pueblo fell one spot from #18 to #19, despite knocking off the Bombers at Palm Springs;
Portland moved up two spots from #20 to #18
Team Rainey fell two spots from #22 to #24
Click link above for the complete list.
Tournaments“>
Click here for prior rankings.
From the Vancouver Grey Sox Website: Vancouver Grey Sox Sign Darren Box
May 29, 2006
Vancouver, BC
The Vancouver Grey Sox are pleased to announce the signing of catcher Darren Box to bolster the team’s line up in its attempt to qualify for the Softball Canada Senior Mens Fastpitch Nationals to be held in late August in Prince George, BC.
Box a resident of Edmonton, Alberta is a highly regarded elite player at the Senior Mens Fastpitch level. He spent the 2005 season with the Broken Bow, NY Spirit and is signed for the majority of the 2006 season with the So Cal Bombers.
John Stuart, Grey Sox Field Manager commented on the signing. “Any time you have an opportunity to add someone with the ability of a Darren Box to your line up, it immediately brings added depth and experience in big game situations to the team”. I look forward to having him in a Grey Sox uniform, and have no doubts that he will solidify our roster with his leadership and presence.
Box will make his Grey Sox debut on the weekend of June 3 and 4, when the Sox host Portland CR for a 4 game super series at South Memorial Park in Vancouver.
The Houston Aces went undefeated this weekend at 5-0 winning their ISC Qualifier. The following is a recap of Sunday’s games.
9:30 A.M. Houston Aces vs Houston Nine ( H.I.S.) Semi-Final
In a battle of undefeated’s the Aces took on H.I.S in the semi final in the morning. Pitcher Wayne Wells took the mound for the Aces while Robert ” Tito” Florencia took the hill for H.I.S. The Aces started early scoring 2 runs in the first when with 2 man on cathcer Troy Gilmour singled to right scoring 2 runs. In the top of the second H.I.S. countered with 4 runs of their own and having the advantage at 4-2. The H.I.S. would then add 1 more in the 4th making it
5-2. In the 5th with one man on base 2nd baseman Peter Saldana would hit a 2 run homer to left field making it 4-5. Enter pitcher Panfilo Valdez who retired the side in the 6th. The Aces would then add 1 more tying the game at 5. In the last inning the Aces would score one more making it 6-5 and giving them the win and advancing to the finals.
Houston Aces 6 – Houston Nine ( H.I.S) 5
4 P.M. Houston Aces vs Houston Nine ( H.I.S) Final
The Aces would again face H.I.S. in the final. Pitcher Jason Smith would take the mound against H.I.S. In the 1st inning H.I.S. would take an early lead scoring 2. In that same inning the Aces would score 2 of their own making it even. The game would stay tied for 2 more innings as Jason Smith held H.I.S. The Aces bats came alive and before the game was done they would add on 7 more runs making it 9-2. This would give the Aces the Championship and a birth to the ISC World’s.
Houston Aces 9 vs Houston Nine ( H.I.S.) 2
Representing the All Tourney Team for the Houston Aces:
Mario Perez
Panfil Valdez
Troy Gilmour
Craig Buttar
Jason Smith – Most Valuable Pitcher
Ben Duron – Most Valluable Player
Pictures of the tournament as well as results can be seen at WWW.HoustonAces.com