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World’s best convene at Vancouver

Friday, July 25th, 2008

From The Province:

The Province
Friday » July 25 » 2008


World’s best convene at Vancouver fastpitch tournament
Event hosted by the tough Grey Sox squad

Some of the top men’s softball teams in the world will be at South Memorial Park this weekend for the seventh annual Vancouver Challenge Men’s Fastpitch Tournament.

The tournament is hosted by the Vancouver Grey Sox, the defending Canadian champions and a team that’s ranked at No. 9 in the world by the International Softball Congress.

The Grey Sox, 29-6 this season, are coming off a four-game Super Series sweep of Portland DeMarini last weekend and are gearing up for the ISC World Championship Aug. 9-16 in Kimberly, Wis.

They’re headed to the Canadian Championship in Saskatoon Aug. 24-31.

This weekend’s tournament could feature a “Hall of Fame” matchup of two of the sport’s best pitchers. Victoria’s Mike Piechnik, now 47, is still dominant. He’s the owner of a 13-1 record with the Grey Sox this season, and could end up facing Darren Zack, a future Hall of Famer who’s hurling for Alberta’s Horse Lake Thunder, the 11th-ranked club by the ISC.

The eight-team tournament includes Portland DeMarini, the Bakersfield Lumberkings, Pueblo Bandits, Camrose Fury, Vernon and the Vancouver South Hill Giants.

Leading the Grey Sox at the plate are Canadian national team infielder/outfielder Rob Giesbrecht of Manitoba, national team pitcher/infielder Derek Mayson of North Vancouver, outfielder Brian Abrey of Richmond and catcher Kevin Rasmussen from Seattle.

Besides Zack, the Thunder have former Canadian national team pitcher Sean Whitten and Karl Gollan, a New Zealander pitcher who was the 2007 ISC MVP.

The tourney starts at 6:30 p.m. today. Play begins at 8 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday with the final set for 2 p.m. on Sunday.

South Memorial Park is on 41st Ave. between Fraser and Knight streets. Admission is $5 per day or $10 for a tournament pass.

The schedule is at www.vancouvergreysox.com.

© The Vancouver Province 2008. Copyright © 2008 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.



(click logo to visit official Vancouver Grey Sox website)

Posted in Canada, ISC, ISC-II, Tournaments | No Comments »

Top teams in Ashland for two weekend series

Thursday, July 24th, 2008

From the:

(click logo for original story)

July 23, 2008
By DOUG HAIDET
T-G Sports Writer

A bit of happenstance will be happening around Ashland’s once-bustling softball fields this weekend.

For the only time this summer Ashland’s International Softball Congress men’s fast-pitch teams will be in town, as the Ashland Mets and Ashland Stockpack will combine with the Midland (Mich.) Explorers for a six-game superseries Saturday and Sunday.

Unrelated to the ISC competition, there also will be seven other teams converging on Ashland for an Ohio ASA Class C State Fastpitch Tournament.

The whole thing should kick up memories of softball summers past in Ashland.

“It just happened that we were both playing in town the same weekend,” Ashland Mets coach Kevin Scott said. “The games we’re playing are just games to get us ready for the (ISC) World Tournament (Aug. 10-16 in Kimberly, Wisc.).”

Scott said the Mets, who have roughly a 15-12 record, have traveled out of state every other weekend, going as far as Chicago last weekend and into Michigan the weekend before that. Trotting onto the home dirt against Ashland Stockpack (coached by Chad Honaker and Jim Saffle, and formerly known as Ashland Merchants), as well as the team from Midland, will be a treat for performers and fans alike.

“Midland has been a top 10 team in the world for most of the past 25 years,” said Scott, who said the Mets are 2-4 against the Michigan squad this summer. “They’re one of the oldest fast-pitch groups who have been able to stay together all this time.”

The current Ashland Mets roster includes Scott, coach Craig Scott, Luke Reymer, Martin Humphries, Sean Zaborowski, Tom Botkins, Tyler Sammy, Luke Painter, Justin Blair Jr., Brian Culler and Joe Massie.

“(Such ISC competition in Ashland) is something that hasn’t happened for the last 10 years,” said Stockpack coach Jim Saffle, who has been involved with men’s fast-pitch in town for more than two decades.

Saffle said Ashland Stockpack has played roughly 17 games and is preparing for the ISC II’s Tournament of Champions in Appleton, Wisc., Aug. 10-13. The team’s roster includes Tyron McKinney, Jeff VanHooser, Barry VanHooser, Jim Yates, Shane Flinner, Chad Honaker, Trevor Urban, Rick Yoder, Brad Yoder, Shane Queer, Jason Whitley, Junior Rodriguez, Scott Robinson and Nick McCurry.

And while those local teams are locking up, the double-elimination Class C State tournament will be featured in town the same two days. That tournament is made up of out-of-town teams West Liberty, Chillicothe, Findlay, Westerville and Columbus Jack Daniels, along with Buffalo Wild Wings and Akron squads that feature Ashland players.

“There used to be 30 or 40 teams in this,” said ASA District 6 commissioner Dave Honaker, “now it’s down to seven. But there are still some teams who like to play.

“This weekend will definitely bring some of the top fast-pitch teams to town, so we’ve got a solid schedule together.”

n Contact Doug Haidet, sports writer, at 419-281-0581, ext. 245, or dhaidet@times-gazette.com.

International
Softball Congress Superseries

SATURDAY

BROOKSIDE MAIN

n Midland Explorers vs. Ashland Mets, 7 p.m.

n Midland Explorers vs. Ashland Stockpack, 9 p.m.

CAHN GROVE

n Ashland Mets vs. Ashland Stockpack, 4 p.m.

SUNDAY

BROOKSIDE MAIN

n Ashland Mets vs. Midland Explorers, 9 a.m.

n Ashland Stockpack vs. Midland Explorers, 11 a.m.

n Ashland Stockpack vs. Ashland Mets, 1 p.m.

Class C State
Tournament

SATURDAY

BROOKSIDE MAIN

n Buffalo Wild Wings (Ashland) vs. West Liberty, 9 a.m.

n Findlay vs. Westerville, 10:30 a.m.

BROOKSIDE WEST

n Chillicothe vs. Akron, 9 a.m.

n Columbus Jack Daniels vs. winner of Chillicothe/Akron game, 10:30 a.m.

Note: Listed games are first-round games in the double-elimination tournament. Additional state tournament games with those same teams will be played Saturday at Brookside Main (noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m.) and Brookside West (noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m.) following the first round.

SUNDAY

BROOKSIDE WEST

n Finals of the Class C Tournament will be held at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Posted in ISC-II, Teams | No Comments »

Vancouver Challenge Schedule Announced

Saturday, July 19th, 2008

Vancouver, BC

The Vancouver Grey Sox and South Hill Sports Association are pleased to annouce the draw for the 7th Annual Vancouver Challenge event to be held July 25 – 27 at South Memorial Park (41st Avenue East between Knight and Fraser streets) in Vancouver.

The event in the past has always attracted good quality teams, providing an excellent tune up prior to the ISC World Tournament, ASAs and the Softball Canada Nationals. Past tournament champions include:

2007 – So Cal Casa Trejo Bombers
2006 – Vancouver Grey Sox
2005 – Broken Bow NY Spirit
2004 -Victoria Travellers Inn
2003 – Vancouver Grey Sox
2002 – Victoria Fine Line.

Gate admission for the weekend is $5.00 per day or $10.00 for a tournament pass, Seniors $3.00 per day or $6.00 for a tournament pass, 12 and under are free.

As is always the Grey Sox practise, we will endeavour to provide updates and scores throughout the weekend of the event.

Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com

RED POOL
Vancouver, BC Grey Sox
Horse Lake, AB Thunder
Pueblo, CO Bandits
Vancouver, BC South Hill Giants

BLUE POOL
Camrose, AB Fury
Portland, OR DeMarini
Bakersfield, CA Taylor Farms Lumberkings
Vernon, BC DC Arrows

FRIDAY – July 25
6:30 – Vancouver South Hill vs. Vancouver Grey Sox
8:15 – Horse Lake vs. Vancouver South Hill

SATURDAY – July 26
8:00 – Vernon vs. Camrose
9:45 – Pueblo vs. Horse Lake
10:00 – California vs. Vernon – SW Diamond
11:30 – Portland vs. Camrose
1:15 – Vancouver Grey Sox vs. Pueblo
1:30 – California vs. Camrose – SW Diamond
3:30 – California vs. Portland
3:30 – Pueblo vs Vancouver South Hill – SW Diamond
5:15 – Horse Lake vs. Vancouver Grey Sox
5:15 – Vernon vs. Portland – SW Diamond

PLAYOFFS – SATURDAY
P1 – 7:00 – R3 vs B3 – loser eliminated – winner to P3
P2 – 9:00 – R4 vs B4 – loser eliminated – winner to P4

SUNDAY – July 27
P3 – 8:00 winner P1 vs. R2 – loser eliminated – winner to P5
P4 – 8:00 winner P2 vs B2 – loser eliminated – winner to P6 – SW Diamond
P5 – 10:00 winner P3 vs B1 – loser eliminated – winner to P7
P6 – 12:00 winner P4 vs. R1 – loser eliminated – winner to P7
P7 – 2:00 – Championship Final

Posted in ISC, ISC-II | No Comments »

CPI Fastpitch at Our “Teams” Page

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Add another to our “Teams Page” – Mike Cutro’s CPI Fastpitch, one of the ISC II’s top teams.

Click here to view.

CPI had a Cinderella run this year at the AAU International Tournament, finishing in a tie for third place, the first ISC II to ever place that hight.

They enter this year’s Tournament of Champions as the # 4 ranked team

1. Bakersfield, CA Taylor Farms Lumberkings
2. South Lebanon, PA TNT
3. New York City, NY Knights
4. Oswego, NY Cutro Professional Inspections
5. Ashland, OH Stockpack
6. Elmira, ON Cubs
7. Ottawa, ON Team Easton Thunder
8. Wilkes-Barre, PA Keating’s Fitness

Editor’s note: For some reason, the team’s website does not play well with Firefox. If you have trouble viewing photos, try Internet Explorer.

Posted in ISC-II, Teams | No Comments »

Field of Teams for Vancouver Challenge Announced

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

Vancouver, BC

The Vancouver Grey Sox and South Hill Sports are pleased to announce the field of teams for the 7th Annual Vancouver Challenge tournament scheduled for July 25 – 27 at South Memorial Park in Vancouver.

This year’s event is highlighted by a number of first time attendees, and its anticipated the line up of teams will provide local fastpitch fans with an opportunity to witness some top quality open level mens fastpitch softball.

The host Vancouver, BC Grey Sox (ISC ranked #9) will be joined by past Vancouver Challenge participants the Horse Lake, AB Thunder (ISC ranked #11) and Portland, OR DeMarini (ISC ranked #30). The first time attendees at this year’s event include the Pueblo, CO Bandits (ISC ranked #24), Bakersfield, CA Taylor Farms Lumberkings (ISC II ranked # 1), Camrose, AB Fury (unranked), Vernon, BC DC Arrows (unranked) and the Vancouver South Hill Giants (unranked).

Action commences Friday July 25th 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 2:00 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 $5.00 per day or $10.00 for a tournament pass, Seniors $3.00 per day or $6.00 for a tournament pass, 12 and under are free.

The full tournament draw will be released publically before the end of this week. As is always the Grey Sox practise, we will endeavour to provide updates and scores throughout the weekend of the event to Al’s Fastball List and Fastpitchwest.

Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com

Posted in Canada, ISC, ISC-II | No Comments »

ISC II Game 1 Honors to….

Friday, July 11th, 2008

Memphis, TN Posse vs. Lloydminster, AB Dodgers
Sunday August 10, 10:00 AM CDT


(click logo for official ISC II T of C page)

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2008 ISC II T of C Schedule

Friday, July 11th, 2008

Looking for the ISC II Tournament of Champions Schedule of Games? You’ll find it — and a lot more ISC II info at our brother blog, “The Deuce”.

Click here to view the schedule
at “The Deuce”


(click logo for official ISC II T of C page)

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Field Set for 2008 ISC II T of C

Friday, July 11th, 2008


(click logo for official ISC II T of C page)

July 11, 2008 – The field is set for the 2008 ISC II Tournament of Champions. Please see the list below.

A total of 32 teams will be looking to unseat defending champion South Lebanon, PA TNT.

Games will start at 10:00 am on Sunday August 10 at Memorial Park in Appleton with the championship game slated for 2:00 pm on Wednesday August 13.

Twenty games will be broadcast on Ballpark Radio starting Sunday morning and running right through to the championship game.

For more information on the seventh annual ToC, see the ISC II section of the ISC website at www.iscfastpitch.com and check out all of the links to the right here at The Deuce.

Blair Setford
ISC Canada East VP
ISC II Commissioner
blairjs(at)rogers.com

1 South Lebanon, PA TNT – Defending Champion
2 Bakersfield, CA Taylor Farms LumberKings – Finalist
3 Appleton, WI The Bar of Appleton II – Host
4 St. Paul, MN ASB Villard – US Central 1
5 Palermo, ON Athletics – Canada East 1
6 Ottawa, ON Team Easton Thunder – Canada East 2
7 Kitchener, ON Outlaws – Canada East 3
8 Wilkes-Barre, PA Keating’s Fitness – US East 1
9 Memphis, TN Posse – US East 2
10 Chicago, IL Fastpitch Club – US Central 2

11 Lloydminster, AB Dodgers- Canada West 1
12 Kenosha, WI Earls Club – US Central 3
13 Kelvington, SK PDC Comets – Canada West 2
14 Bulyea, SK Rustlers – Canada West 3
15 Salt Lake City, UT Innovative Communications – US West 1
16 Sun Valley, CA Rude Pac – US West 2
17 Sioux Falls, SD Sox – US Central 4
18 New York, NY Knights – US East 3
19 Oswego, NY Cutro Professional Inspections – US East 4
20 Carp, ON I4C Victory Consulting – US East 5

21 Mascoutah, IL Pete’s Blues – US Central 5
22 Ashland, OH Stockpack – US East 6
23 Sacramento, CA River City Rockers – US West 3
24 Waterdown, ON Hammer – Canada East 4
25 Elmira, ON Cubs – Canada East 5
26 Elora, ON Wellington Brewers – Canada East 6
27 Bridgeport, ON Braves – Canada East 7
28 Waverly, MN Herda & Sons – US Central 6
29 Winterset, IA A’s – US Central 7
30 Wyevale, ON Tribe – Canada East 8

31 Perkasie, PA Hoffman Rise – US East 7
32 Hermann, MO Black Gold – Invite

Posted in ISC-II | No Comments »

California LumberKings retain #1 ranking heading into Tournament of Champions

Friday, July 11th, 2008


(click logo to visit official ISC website)

July 11, 2008 – The California LumberKings will be the top seed at the 2008 ISC II Tournament of Champions as they were ranked #1 by all 12 members of the ranking committee.

With three wins in their last four matchups, defending champion South Lebanon TNT edged the New York Knights for #2 spot.

The top 8 teams who will headline each of the pools in the ToC are:

1. Bakersfield, CA Taylor Farms Lumberkings
2. South Lebanon, PA TNT
3. New York City, NY Knights
4. Oswego, NY Cutro Professional Inspections
5. Ashland, OH Stockpack
6. Elmira, ON Cubs
7. Ottawa, ON Team Easton Thunder
8. Wilkes-Barre, PA Keating’s Fitness

To see the full list, including how each committee member ranked the teams, please see the ISC II section of the ISC website at www.iscfastpitch.com.

The rankings will form the basis for seeding teams in the seventh annual ISC II Tournament of Champions which will be played August 10-13 at Memorial Park in Appleton, Wisconsin.

For more information, please contact:

Blair Setford
ISC II Commissioner
Email: blairjs(at)rogers.com

Posted in ISC-II, Teams | No Comments »

Roster deadlines for teams in 2008 ISC II ToC

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008


(click logo to visit official ISC website)

With the field of teams that we have this year, I have no doubt that this will be the most competitive and fiercely contested ISC II championship yet.

The first deadline for rosters is July 15. This is for the Kimberly & Appleton tournament program.

Hopefully, each of you has saved the original roster you submitted on or around May 1. If so, simply insert any changes, additions, etc onto your saved copy (a blank copy is attached if you are starting over) and send it to ALL of the following email addresses:

blairjs@rogers.com
jrwilliamson@foodfacility.com
hdewild@milwpc.com
tschaaf@kimberly.k12.wi.us
RUDIEREED@aasd.k12.wi.us
jody.lockhart@thedacare.org

Please try to include each player’s home town and uniform number. Also, it is very helpful to the Host Committee if you can place player family names in the far right column so they can pre-stuff team packets with the proper number of tournament passes for players, wives and children.

Again, your July 15 roster submission will be used in printing team rosters in the tournament program. If revised rosters are not received by the time they print the program, they will have to use the information submitted in May.

The final deadline for rosters is August 4. Any changes must be made by that date and should be sent to all of the above emails.

The schedule will be available in mid to late July and you will receive a copy by email.

Some other details to keep in mind as you are making your travel plans.

The host hotel is the Settle Inn in Appleton. Registration will take place at the Settle Inn from 7 pm to 8 pm on Saturday August 9. The mandatory manager meeting will also take place at the Settle Inn starting at 8 pm on Saturday August 9. Please ensure you have a team representative at both.

There is a list of additional hotels in the area at this link.

Hertz Rental Cars has a special available for teams in the ISC tournaments. The contact info is below. You must mention the ISC World Tournament to get a 30% discount for the week.
497 County Highway CB
Appleton, WI 54914
(920) 739-4323
(920) 739-4774
(920) 739-5133 – Fax

If you have any questions about the ToC, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Appleton!

Cheers,

Blair Setford
ISC II Commissioner
ISC Canada East VP

Posted in ISC-II | No Comments »

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