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“Pub Party” program for ISC II Broadcasts

Thursday, July 28th, 2005

Pub Parties Planned ’round the country for ISC II Broadcasts

The ISC II broadcast crew has established a “Pub Party” program to encourage local pubs to set up a computer and speakers for patrons to listen to the ISC II live audio broadcasts from Chippewa Falls, WI, August 14-19, 2005.

The program will provide participating pubs with free publicity, both on-the-air and online at an “ISC II Pub Party” webpage which will list the name and address of their pub, and logo or photo. The broadcast crew will also circulate a list of participating pubs, to let local fans know that they can enjoy the broadcasts in the company of good friends while enjoying a cold beverage of their choice.

Participating pubs can also send us a digital photo of the local fans that attend the pub party for posting online.

It’s a great way to generate support for your team from the folks back home that couldn’t make the trip to Chippewa Falls.

All that’s required is a willingness to set up a computer and speakers for the broadcast.

Send us the name of your favorite local pub or one that you think would be interested in hosting an “ISC II Pub Party”, or write to us for more information.

mailto:live@ballparkradio.com

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

ISC II Tournament of Champions Pools & Schedule Released at “The Deuce”

Friday, July 22nd, 2005

Click here to see the ISC II Tournament of Champions Pools and Schedule of Games, August 14-19, 2005, at our ISC-II Blog, “The Deuce”

Posted in ISC-II, Tournaments | No Comments »

JRW & Associates & Bucknell Park Split Super Series

Tuesday, July 19th, 2005

Monday July 18th, 2005

Lacey, WA – # 22 ISC II ranked JRW & Associates of Yakima, WA and Bucknell Park of Lacey, WA split a 4 game Super Series on the weekend of July 16-17. Bucknell Park, unable to field a team for their Travel League berth to the week long ISC II ToC, merged with Bodle Chiropractic of Seattle and plan to play in the NAFA World Series in Mankato.

JRW & Associates, as WA-OR-BC representative, will play in the ISC II ToC in Chippewa Falls, Wisc.; then play in the NAFA World Series in Mankato.

In Game One Saturday, Dave Drotzmann of JRW and BC pitcher Kurt Penne of O’Blarney’s Pub locked up in a classic pitcher’s duel. (Bucknell Park played as O’Blarney’s Pub, a favorite drinking hole for teams in the Lacey-Olympia area). Drotzmann struck out 8 and walked none in a 3-1 victory, allowing three singles and two doubles. Kurt Penne struck out six and walked one, allowing four singles and two doubles.

SS Trevor Knight doubled in O’Blarney’s lone run. JRW’s 2B Don Cawthron singled in JRW’s first run in a 2-4 effort. The other two runs scored on an error and a passed ball.

In game two Saturday evening, O’Blarney’s took a 10-9 victory on CF Mike Linnane’s solo homer in the bottom of the 7th off relief pitcher Dave Drotzmann. JRW starting pitcher Travis Kraft was victimized by a 2 run error in the bottom of the first, allowing 5 runs with only two earned. O’Blarney’s LF Dave Carlton’s 2 RBI single and CF Mike Linnane’s RBI single were the big hits.

O’Blarney’s SS Trevor Knight started this second game in the absence of BC pitchers Darren Strang and Sam Aldrich who were at the Provincials.

JRW answered with 7 runs in the top of the 2nd inning on seven of their 16 hits for the game. A key hit was RF Tim Arndt’s 2 RBI single. Tim was on loan from O’Blarney’s.

O’Blarney’s 2B Kevin Norton had a 2 RBI double and a 2 RBI single to put O’Blarney’s up 9-7. In the top of the 7th, JRW tied the game on RBI singles by 2B Don Cawthron and RF Tim Arndt. Then came Linnane’s game winning HR. Pitcher Kurt Penne took the win in a one inning relief effort.

In game 3 Sunday morning, Bucknell Park came with NW Merchant Jerseys. (NWM) Drotzmann and Penne hooked up a another pitcher’s duel with NWM taking a 3-2 victory. In the early innings, NWM scored 3 unearned runs. JRW countered in the 4th with one run on 1B Dean Waltier’s RBI single. In the bottom of the 7th, Dean led off with a single, advanced on a walk and both runners advanced on a sacrifice. Dean scored on the CF’s single and the tying run advanced to third. Kurt Penne induced a game ending 6U—6-3 double play to preserve the victory.

In game 4, the JRW hitters again came alive to gain a 10-7 victory and a split of the 4 game series. JRW’s Travis Kraft started, but left in the 2nd inning with arm problems. NWM had scored 4 runs on 4 hits and 3 errors for a 4-0 lead. Relief pitcher Dave Drotzmann struck out two and had a ground out to end NWM’s inning.

JRW scored three in B2 on a 2 RBI double by C Jason Scheibner and an RBI single by RF Troy Grow. NWM added 3 more runs on LF Kevin Norton’s RBI triple, 2B Mike Bodle’s RBI single and RF Dave Carlton’s RBI single to go up 7-3. JRW got two runs back in B3 on zero hits, two walks and two errors (Now 7-5). JRW added their last 5 runs in the 4th and 5th. The key hit was 1B Dean Waltier’s bases loaded triple.

Pitcher Trever Knight started for NWM, followed by brothers Korey and Kasey as JRW took an “All Knight” victory.

JRW Pitcher Dave Drotzmann had both wins and both losses for the weekend. (more…)

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Stars of the ISC (II) – 2004 MVP Jeremy Creeden

Tuesday, July 12th, 2005

Stars of the I.S.C. – – – – – July, 2005

(A Tribute to the Past, Present, and Emerging Stars of the Sport of Fastball)

JEREMY CREEDEN – – – Wind him up and he starts hitting!

He’s back!!!

And he will be a potent force to reckon with – – – again – – – in 2005 international tourney action.

Who is “He”? He is JEREMY CREEDEN. And his potent bat will be in action as the Harriston, Ontario, Mercurys return to ISC – II Tournament of Champions action in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. The Mercurys will be defending the title which they won in both 2004 and 2003.

And Creeden? He’ll be ready to take up where he left off last season when he was voted the ISC – II Tournament of Champions’ “MOST VALUABLE PLAYER” in leading his team to the 2004 title.

The 27-year-old Creeden hit a blistering .370 with a home run and six RBI as his team swept to eight straight wins and the 2004 championship in Fargo/Moorhead. He was already in the ISC – II record book, being among the all-time leaders in “Most hits in a tournament” from his 2003 performance with Harriston.

It isn’t hard to understand how Creeden got attached to ball fields at an early age. His home in Wingham, Ontario, was just three houses from the town ball park. So young Jeremy started early with “T” ball action with the kids of his town.

That action on the diamond stopped at age 12 when his family moved to a cottage on Lake Huron. It resumed by age 16 when he turned to fastball again, traveling to Wroxeter to play third base in a Midget program with the Wroxeter Rippers. That move came since there was no Midget team in Wingham and he had buddies playing in Wroxeter.

It was at that point that an injury wrecked the shoulder of his throwing arm and he moved from third base to the role of DH – – – a position in the batting order he has occupied ever since.

Young Jeremy’s athletic adventures weren’t limited to fastball. In high school he played soccer for four years. He also excelled on the track team for four years – – being a member of his school’s record-setting 4 X 100 relay team. And of course hockey entered his life early (Creeden IS Canadian you understand!) When his family moved to that cottage on Lake Huron, he started playing hockey year round – – even in summer time! That love led him to play one year of hockey in high school before moving to Junior hockey action.

It was as a hockey player that Jeremy picked up the nickname “Billy” and it has stuck with him.

In “real life” Jeremy Creeden is a General Machinist/Tool & Die Maker. Engaged to Andrea Johnston, he now lives in Teeswater, ON., just a few clicks north of his native Wingham. When he is not on a ball field, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and golfing. It is likely that he hits a softball better than a golf ball since he describes his golf handicap as simply “high”.

Creeden admits to having been “shocked” at receiving the MVP award last August in Fargo, but he readily chooses that award as representing his career highlight. He noted that he didn’t expect such an honor since he only hit during the tournament (as a DH) and did not play a position in the field. It was not his first time to be selected the MVP of fastball action, since he has won two separate MVP awards in the Bluewater Fastball League back home.

Jeremy credits an early coach, Bob Pegg, as being the person he most models himself after, describing Pegg as “the total Charlie Hustle” type person.

Looking back over unique experiences in fastball, he cites traveling to play in both ISC Under 19 and Under 23 tournaments, praising his experiences in Frankenmuth, MI.

Pressed to identify his favorite playing venues, he quickly chose the main fields in Kimberly and Fargo where his Mercurys captured those two ISC – II Tournament of Champions titles.

So, get ready Chippewa Falls! Jeremy Creeden is just counting the days until he can step into the batter’s box.

That’s Jeremy Creeden, our July, 2005, STAR OF THE I.S.C.

By: Gordon Wise
ISC Information Officer

Posted in ISC-II, Players | No Comments »

Niagara Snappers Top Ontario ISC II Rankings for June 30

Thursday, June 30th, 2005

It’s no secret that teams from the Ontario province of Canada have dominated the ISC II division. Presently 6 of the top 10 teams are from Ontario. The Niagara Snappers have made a splash in the 2005 season, climbing from #28 in the ISC II overall pre-season rankings, to #18 in the second set, and #8 in the most recent June 17, 2005 overall ISC II rankings.

Ontario also does their own set of rankings, just for Ontario teams, released today, and Niagara has made it to the top of the heap, on the strength of a big win over ISC II # 1 ranked Tavistock Merchants. Since Ontario teams hold down the top 4 slots in the overall ISC II rankings, look for Niagara to be voted #1 in the next set of overall rankings.

Niagara Snappers Won the highly competitive Snapper Shootout & the Innerkip qualifier beating Palermo twice & Norwich. Added Tim Neill, who was named to the All Tournament Team last year, for the ISC II Tournament of Champions

From Al’s Fastball: Ontario Top 10 ISC II Rankings for June 30

Speaking of ISC II, have you visited “The Deuce” lately?

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Lack of Pitching Sinks JRW & Associates at Rose Cup

Monday, June 27th, 2005

Monday June 27th, 2005

Portland, Oregon – JRW & Associates of Yakima, WA ended up with one pitcher on Saturday morning, June 24th, as they began Round Robin play in the 14 team Rose Cup. As a result, a disheartened JRW team went 0-3 in RR play and lost a Sunday morning single elimination game to eventual runner-up CR/DeMarini of Portland.

One pitcher recently went to the hospital with three blood clots in his leg and hasn’t pitched in the two weeks since. Then the team learned on Friday afternoon that the second pitcher could not get out of his work commitments (ate an $800 plane ticket). An OPEN class Calif pitcher had been lobbying to join a team for the Rose Cup. He was contacted early Friday evening and even had checked out the plane schedule to arrive in Portland on Sat morning. At 9:00 PM Friday night, he backed out.

To add to the setback, the JRW team started play with a 10 inning 5-3 loss to the Prince George, B.C. Black Bears. With the score tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the 6th, Dave Drotzmann (JRW) was on 3rd base when there was a passed ball. Dave broke for home, but stopped when catcher Chad Ghostkeeper (PG) made a great recovery. Then he fumbled the throw, but Dave had turned back to third.

An unearned run in that 6th inning allowed JRW to tie the score at 2-2. Another unearned run in the bottom of the 8th allowed JRW to match PG’s run in the first of three International tie-breaker innings.

In the top of the 10th, PG scored two runs on CF Brian Bailey’s single and Kevin Broboske’s Sac Fly. Relief pitcher Colin McKenzie (PG) struck out the side to preserve the victory.

Certainly didn’t need a 10-inning game to start the day with only one pitcher. With a win, JRW might have had 1-½ pitchers (emotionally) ready for the second game.

In the second RR game, the NorCal Mavericks started quick with three first inning runs, then fell behind by two runs because of three errors, but scored 3 runs in the B6 for a 7-5 victory over JRW. Manager Chris Wright let Pitcher Keith Frey struggle thru 5 !/3 innings, thin let ace Sonny Perkins finish up. And finish he did by striking out 4 of the last 5 JRW batters. Sonny also chipped in a 5th inning solo HR.

Pitcher Dave Drotzmann (JRW) also had a solo homer. Dave had 8 K’s and only two walks in a losing effort.

Needing a victory over # 19 ranked Team Rainey to even finish third in their pool in their last RR game, Manager Jim Williamson elected to rest his one pitcher for the next day’s playoff. Two infielders and one outfielder shared the pitching duties in the 13-1 blow-out. One highlight was JRW 2B Don Cawthron’s entry to the game with two outs in Team Rainey’s 7 run third inning. Don struck out his first batter on two pitches for the 3rd out. A second highlight was a single by 21 year old LF Jason Grow (JRW) to break up Villabalos’ no-hitter. SS Paul Reyes had JRW’s second and last hit in the 5th.

In Sunday morning’s single elimination game, eventual Rose Cup runner-up CR/Demarini pounded out 12 hits enroute to a 14-4 victory over JRW.

Center-fielder Kent Zweifel (CR) led the charge with two 3 run homers and a single for 6 RBI’s. In Kent’s first year back from college baseball, he sometimes would strike out 2-3 times a game. Kent takes a very healthy cut and now has certainly made the adjustment to big-time softball. Kent was named to the All-Tournament team. 3B Rob Gehrke (CR) had a solo HR. No surprise as Gehrke hits home runs off everybody.

After struggling in the ISC II qualifier tournament, SS Paul Reyes (JRW) capped off a .333, 3 RBI weekend with a solo HR off Mark Bennett.

Next action for the JRW squad will be the Phil Hunt Memorial Tournament in Everett, WA on July 9-10. This tournament is also a fund-raiser for the Burn Children Recovery Foundation (BCRF).

Game One (Sat)
Prince George, BC 011 000 010 2 5 – 5 – 2
JRW & Associates, Yakima 000 011 010 0 3 – 4 – 2

Kevin Careless (WP), Colin McKenzie, (10th) and Chad Ghostkeeper; Dave Drotzmann (LP) and Troy Grow.

Highlights:
C Troy Grow (JRW) 1-4, 1 R; RF Bob Harris (JRW) 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
Pitching: Dave Drotzmann (JRW) 10 IP, 4 ER, 4 W, 5 K’s

Game Two (Sat)
JRW & Associates, Yakima 221 000 0 5 – 5 – 3
NorCal Mavericks, Stockton 300 013 x 7 – 9 – 3

Dave Drotzmann (LP) and Troy Grow: Keith Frey, Sonny Perkins (6th) (WP) and Kevin Kennedy

Highlights: HR’s – Dave Drotzmann (JRW), solo in 3rd; Troy Parker (NCM), 2 Run in 1st; Sonny Perkins (NCM) solo in 5th as DH.
SS Paul Reyes (JRW) 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI; C Troy Grow (JRW) 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI; P Dave Drotznann (JRW) 1-3, 2 R, 1 RBI
Pitching: Dave Drotzman (JRW) 6 IP, 4 ER, 2 W, 8 K’s


Game Three (Sat)
Team Rainey, Whittier, CA 307 30 13 – 12 – 1
JRW & Associates, Yakima 100 00 1 – 2 – 2

Alejando Villabalos (WP) and Tony Acedo, Jack Andreas (LP), Don Cawthron (3rd), Jason Grow (5th) and Bob Harris
Highlights:
SS Paul Reyes (JRW) 1-2, 1 R; LF Jason Grow (JRW) 1-2; RF Troy Grow (JRW) 1 RBI

Game Four (Sun) – Single Elimination Round Starts
CR/DeMarini, Portlard, OR 501 107 14 – 12 – 2
JRW & Associates, Yakima 000 301 4 – 6 – 2

Mike Warren (WP), Mark Bennett (5th) and Ken Kvarnstrom; Dave Drotzmann (LP) and Troy Grow
Highlights:
2B Don Cawthron (JRW) 1 RBI; SS Paul Reyes (JRW) 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI

The weather was perfect all weekend. Many thanks to TD Roger Jones, PDX Metro ASA Commissioner Ron Boley and behind the scenes Tom Ree for an outstanding tournament. After an opening game glitch, FP West’s Jim Flanagan broadcast some of the key tournament games. Also Jim’s posting to his web site provided teams and fans with all the tournament information. Great job, fellas !!!

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

NorCal Mavs Win ISC II Berth, ISC World Berth Pending

Monday, June 20th, 2005

The NorCal Mavericks won the 2005 ISC II berth at the California area ISC and ISC II Qualifier at Santa Fe Springs, over the weekend, and are headed to Chippewa Falls, WI in August, for the ISC II Tournament of Champions. The Mavericks are a new team for 2005, consisting of some former members of Team Rainey, such as Chris Wright, and also last year’s Leafs team, with Troy Parker and Spud Barker. Their pitching staff includes Barker and Ed Gasper, who was the NAFA “A” Most Valuable Pitcher at the 2002 NAFA World Series in Salem, OR.

For those not familiar with the ISC II Tournament of Champions, it is entering its fourth year of existence, and has already become one of the leading men’s fastball tournaments in the world. Last year’s tournament, held concurrently with the ISC World Tournament in Fargo, North Dakota, hosted 39 teams from all over North America. The Harriston Mercurys of Harriston Ontario, Canada were crowned champions last year, for the second year in a row.

ISC II is generally termed “intermediate” level play, just below “open” level competition. Some consider it to be the rough equivalent of NAFA AAA and ASA Class “A” competition. For frame of reference, McKie Sports won last year’s ASA “A” National, and are currently ranked #10 in the ISC II rankings.

The Mavericks are a new team, and an unknown commodity with the ISC II ranking committee. They have languished somewhere in the 50’s on the latest set of rankings, in a division that only takes 40 to the Tournament of Champions. The Mavericks have now joined the “top 40” and look to make a splash in their first ever ISC II Tournament of Champions, in August 2005.

The ISC World Tournament berth has not yet been determined, as between the So Cal Bombers and Team Rainey. Stay tuned as there is some big news about to break on this one.

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

ISC #8 Niagara Snappers Over ISC #6 Palermo at Innerkip for ISC II Berth

Sunday, June 19th, 2005

From: Al’s Fastball: ISC II SUNDAY Game Results – and Summary, Innerkip ON qualifier

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June 17 Rankings for ISC II Released

Friday, June 17th, 2005

The newest set of ISC II rankings are fresh off the press. Click here for all of the details at our ISC II blog, “The Deuce”

Teams from the hotbed of fastball, Ontario Canada dominate the top slots, as they have at the first three ISC II Tournaments of Champions (both the champion and runner up last year were from Ontario, Canada). Ontario area teams hold the top 4 spots, 6 of the top 10, and 11 of the Top 25.

Teams west of the Rockies are few and far between, but JRW & Associates, 10th in last year’s tournament moves up one notch from #23 to #22 on the strength of their win of the Chissus/ISC II Qualifying tournament, while the Colorado Rage move up one spot from #29 to #28. California’s top ISC II teams, the NorCal Mavericks and Raymar were not among the ranked teams, but will vie this weekend for the California area berth to this year’s ISC II tournament. The River City Rockers from Sacramento were previously ranked #31, but fell from the rankings, as they have opted not to compete for the ISC II berth.

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

#19 SoCal Bombers, #20 Team Rainey Among Those Looking for a Ticket to the Dance

Friday, June 17th, 2005

This weekend is one of the most important of the So Cal season, with the California Area ISC Qualifier at Little Lake Park in Santa Fe Springs, CA, June 18-19, 2005.

Six teams will be on hand, the best of the bunch, to decide who gets the berth to the ISC World Tournament in Eau Claire, WI and to the ISC II Tournament of Champions down the road in Chippewa Falls, WI. So Cal Bombers, Team Rainey, Mexicali, Northern Cal Mavericks, CR/DeMarini (Portland), and Raymar.

Too bad many of us will be down south in Ramona, CA for an Alliance weekend. You can get the results though, at this webpage at Fastpitchwest.

Championship game is 1pm Sunday. Two-time defending champions and #20 ranked Team Rainey tries for three in a row, and will take on the top rated team in the tournament, the So Cal Bombers (#19 in the world), at 5pm Saturday in the round robin portion of the tournament.

The Mavericks are in town from NorCal, and out to claim the ISC II berth. Raymar, third in last year’s ASA “C” Nationals among 70 teams tries to get their season on track, after the tough transition to the A/B level of play, and is equally determined to be in Chippewa Falls.

How often do you get to see pitchers like Travis Price, Bricklen Anderson, Tony Peeples and Alejandro Villalobos locally? Map and Driving Directions to the park are at the page linked above.

Picks anyone?

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

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