Archive for the ‘ISC-II’ Category
Revised Decatur ShootOut schedule for June 18-19
Wednesday, June 15th, 2005Calif Area ISC Qualifier Schedule Released
Tuesday, June 14th, 2005Click here for the schedule for the 2005 Calif Area ISC Qualifier, June 18-19, 2005 at Little Lake Park in Santa Fe Springs, CA. Teams will vie for berths to the ISC World Tournament and ISC II Tournament of Champions, to be held in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin in August 2005.
ASB-Villard (MN) Earns Bid to ISC II Tournament of Champions
Tuesday, June 14th, 2005Aussies U19 Take Two from GHFL All-Stars
Monday, June 13th, 2005The U19 Austrailian National Team (Jr. Men) took two against two separate teams of Golden Horshoe Fastball League All Stars, by scores of 7-5 and 2-0, played at Ker Park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, and broadcast live on the internet by ISC II Commish Blair Setford, on Ballparkradio. The first game was all offense, with the score 6-4 after two innings of play, while the second one proved to be a pitcher’s duel.
Adam Folkard, the young Aussie ace had 10 strikeouts in the 4 innings he pitched, including 6 in the final two innings of the first game for the save. Folkard will be with the Fargo IS Knights later this summer at the ISC World Tournament in Eau Claire, WI, following the ISF Jr. Men’s World Championships June 24-July 3, at Prince Edward Island, Canada. The Australian team are two time defending champions at the ISF Jr. World Championships.
Blair will be on the road heading home from Niagara Falls, but keep an eye on his website in the next day or two for his post game thoughts and impressions on the Aussies and GHFL All Stars.
Kudos to Blair for his work in bringing the games and broadcasts to fruition, for an outstanding job behind the mike Monday night, and for making the Aussies’ tour a memorable one. hanks to all of you who took the time tonight to drop us an email at ballparkradio during the broadcasts. Blair was a one-man band, so didn’t get to see them during the game, but he will shortly, and they are appreciated. Speaking from personal experience, it’s nice to know that people are out there listening, and enjoying the games.
Tonight, we received a couple of emails from Austrailia, one from some folks in Melbourne, and another from the Bronze Medal-winning Australian National team wishing their Jr. counterparts good luck. It reminded me a bit of the time that the mother of former Dodger (and Australian) Luke Prokopec called in from down under to talk to Dodger announcer Ross Porter. Australia may be an 18 hour flight from here, but with internet radio, they’re just down the road. We were also pleased to have Al Doran in the listening audience tonight.
We’d be interested to hear your impressions of the broadcasts, and what your login experience was, be it good, bad or indifferent. Email us at blair@ballparkradio.com.
There will be an archived copy of tonight’s broadcasts available. Watch Ballparkradio for more details.
Looking ahead, the next men’s fastball broadcasts on Ballparkradio will be June 25-265, 2005 from the Rose Cup Tournament in Portland, Oregon.
The ISF Jr. Men’s World Championships get underway June 24-July 3, 2005 at Prince Edward Island. We invite you to peruse the articles by their PR man, Pat Healey, which we have been posting here at the Morning Brief. (click the titles of the articles to see the full text).
You may also wish to visit the official ISF Jr. Men’s website for the tournament.
Wisconsin State Tournament Sends Two to ISC II
Sunday, June 12th, 2005Three Minnesota teams ISC-II Bound
Sunday, June 12th, 2005GHFL All-Stars vs. Australian Jr. Men on Ballparkradio, Monday, June 13
Friday, June 10th, 2005NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario – Fastball fans in southern Ontario can put a shrimp on the barbie for the Australian Junior Men’s national fastball team as they take on a pair of all-star teams from the Golden Horseshoe Fastball League (GHFL) on Monday June 13 at Ker Park in Niagara Falls.
The games will be webcast via Ballparkradio starting at 7:00 pm eastern time.
The Australian team is looking to get a head start on the competition for the 2005 International Softball Federation Junior Men’s World Softball Championship running from June 24 to July 3 in Summerside, PEI with a 20-game, 10-day trek through southern Ontario. “We’re excited about playing these young men, some of whom are going to be superstars in the game in the future,†said GHFL President Blair Setford, noting that Aussie pitcher Adam Folkard is already being courted by some of the top men’s teams in North America. “We’re hoping that events like this will bring out families to the park and get people excited about the game again,†said Setford, a former St. Catharines resident who grew up playing minor ball in the area.
The GHFL counts 13 teams spanning from Niagara Falls through Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Waterdown and Mississauga. Players from the Niagara-based teams and Mississauga will be playing in the first game at 7:00 pm while players from the Waterdown teams will take the field at 9:00 pm. (that’s 4pm and 6pm for those of us on the West Coast)
After the doubleheader in Niagara Falls, the Aussies are off to Milverton, for a doubleheader the next day; Wednesday they play the Innerkip Eagles before spending two days in Belmore when they play Belmore and Harriston on Thursday. They regroup and face two all-star teams from the Belmore area on Friday.
On Saturday, June 18 they play another doubleheader as they face the Kitchener Senior and Junior Hallman Twins. Their last game is the Silver Kings in Mitchell before taking in a Toronto Blue Jays game Monday June 20. They leave Toronto Tuesday morning for PEI where they will compete against nine other countries for the gold medal. The Aussies have won the past two championships in 2001 and 1997.
Setford said the fans will be in for a treat during the exhibition games. “Fastball fans will be thrilled with the exciting brand of ball played by the Australian team. They’re a talented group of players with strong pitching, speed and some power, but our guys will be taking this seriously, too. We’ve got some of the best players in Ontario playing in the GHFL and we’re delighted to get them some exposure.†Among the players will be several members of the Niagara Snappers, who recently won a star-studded tournament in Virgil over top Ontario and American competition, players from the defending Niagara Falls league champions Niagara Falls Fury and representatives from the 2004 GHFL champion Hamilton Hawks along with players from all the GHFL teams.
Entry to the games is free. Ker Park is on Sinnicks Road just off Thorold Stone Road in Niagara Falls.
For further information, please contact:
Blair Setford
Golden Horseshoe Fastball League
905.826.2697 evenings
416.681.8803 days
blairjs@rogers.com
http://www.ghfl.ca
ISC #23 JRW & Associates Gain Pacific NW ISC II Berth at Chissus Memorial
Wednesday, June 8th, 2005JRW & Associates Gain Pacific NW ISC II Berth at Chissus Memorial
Renton, WA – ISC II 23rd ranked JRW & Associates of Yakima, WA won three straight games in the elimination round for a first place finish at the 33rd Annual Chissus Memorial tournament on Sunday June 5. The ten team Chissus Memorial served as the ISC II qualifier for Washington, Oregon and British Columbia.
JRW & Associates has accepted a berth to the 2005 ISC II Tournament of Champions (ToC) in Chippewa Falls on August 13th-20th.
Not Ranked Runner-up Regal Homes of Everett, who JRW defeated 6-3 in the finals, was a surprise finalist to the championship game. Regal, typically not a traveling team, is not expected to accept the ISC II berth. The third place team, 48th ranked Bucknell Park, playing under the sponsorship of Morgan Transfer, very likely will consider accepting the second berth. (In the absence of an ISC II Travel League in 2005, this qualifier provided the two berths for the Pacific NW).
In the elimination round, JRW beat not ranked Interbay Door of Seattle 6-3 and 48th ranked Morgan Transfer (Bucknell Park) 7-2 to reach the Championship game. Most Valuable Pitcher Dave Drotzmann (JRW) pitched back to back victories with 21 K’s in the two games and allowed only two earned runs. Most Valuable Player Mike Parham (JRW) had a 2 RBI single in the 3 run 6th inning to close out the victory over Morgan Transfer which gave JRW & Associates a berth to the ToC. Mike finished with a .786 BA – See stats below.
In the championship victory over Regal Homes, Pitcher Matt Barnes (JRW), returning from a two year absence from fastpitch softball, struck out 12 and didn’t walk any. Although the pesky Regal team got 11 hits, Matt stranded eight of them, ending 4 of the 7 innings with strikeouts.
JRW’s only loss in the tournament was in pool play on Saturday to 45th ranked Bodle Chiropractic 2-3 in a game with two International Tie-Breaker (ITB) innings. Norm Pipke (BC) of British Columbia struck out 9 in that victory. Bodle lost to eventual runner-up Regal Homes in the first round of elimination play on Sunday.
Game One (Sat)
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 022 360 1 – 14 19 1
N/R Interbay Door, Seattle 400 301 0 – 8 13 1
Matt Barnes, Dave Drotzmann 5th (WP) and Troy Grow; Kevin Rasmussen (LP) and Steve Morrison.
Highlights: HR: Steve Drissel (JRW) Solo
SS Mike Parham (JRW) 4-4, 4 R; DH Dave Drotzmann (JRW) 3-5, 4 RBI; LF Steve Drissel (JRW) 4-4, 2R, 3 RBI; CF Tim Fischer (JRW) 2-4, 2 RBI.
JRW rallied from a seven run tie by scoring 6 runs in the top of the 6th inning. The inning was highlighted by a 2 RBI double by P Dave Drotzmann (JRW), an RBI single by CF Tim Fischer (JRW) and an RBI triple by LF Steve Drissel (JRW).
Game Two (Sat)
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 001 001 000 – 2 6 2
# 45 Bodle Chiropractic, Seattle 101 000 001 – 3 4 1
Dave Drotzmann (LP) and Troy Grow; Norm Pipke (WP) and Link Hawley
Highlights: SS Mike Parham (JRW) 2-4; CF Tim Fischer (JRW) 3-4; LF Steve Drissel (JRW) 2 RBI
Pitching: Dave Drotzman (JRW) 9 IP, 1 ER, 2 W, 9 K’s
Norm Pipke (BC) 9 IP, 2 ER, 3 W, 9 K’s
In the bottom of the 9th with ITB runner Cal Nehren (BC) on second and one out; an unsuccessful bunt attempt blocked the catcher (JRW) and Nehren stole third. The next batter (BC) hit a slow grounder which was errored on an attempt to throw home.
Game Three (Sat)
N/R Rascals Casino, Seattle 100 00 – 1 4 3
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 318 3x – 15 11 1
Duey Christensen (LP) and Nate Collins: Travis Kraft (WP), Dave Drotzmann 5th and Bob Harris
Highlights: HR: Tim Fischer (JRW) Grand Slam; Bob Harris (JRW) 3 Run HR
LF Bob Harris (JRW) 1-3, 2 R, 3 RBI; DH Dave Drotzmann (JRW) 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI; CF Tim Fischer (JRW) 2-3, 2 R, 4 RBI
LF Bob Harris’ (JRW) 3 Run HR in the 3rd and CF Tim Fischer’s (JRW) Grand Slam in the same inning capped a 15 run outburst by JRW & Associates. Pitcher Travis Kraft (JRW), after allowing only four singles, pulled a groin muscle in the 5th with no outs and a walked runner on first. Relief pitcher Dave Drotzmann (JRW) ended the game on four pitches – a 6U — 6-3 DP and a ground out, 6-3.
Game Four (Sun) – Single Elimination Round Starts
N/R Interbay Door, Seattle 000 201 0 – 3 5 1
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 031 002 x – 6 9 2
Kevin Rasmussen (LP) and Steve Morrison; Dave Drotzmann (WP) and Troy Grow;
Highlights: HR: 3B Mike Parham (JRW) 2 Run in the 2nd
RF Steve Allen (JRW) 1-1, 1 R, 1 RBI; SS Mike Parham (JRW) 3-3, 2 R, 3 RBI
Pitching: Dave Drotzmann (JRW) 7 IP, 2 ER, 12 SO, 2 W
After Interbay closed to one run down, JRW scored the clinching runs in B6 on 3 singles, RF Steve Drissel’s (JRW) Sac fly and an OF error.
Game Five (Sun)
Morgan Transfer, Lacey, WA 010 001 0 – 2 4 4
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 011 113 x – 7 9 3
Kory Knight (LP), Trevor Knight 5th and Josh Baumgardner; Dave Drotzmann (WP) and Troy Grow.
Highlights: 2B Don Cawthron (JRW) 2-4, 2 R; Mike Parham (JRW) 2-3, 1 R, 2 RBI.
Most Valuable Player Mike Parham (JRW) had a 2 RBI single in the 3 run 6th inning to close out the victory over Morgan Transfer. Mike finished with a .786 BA.
Game Six (Sun) Championship Game
N/R Regal Homes, Everett 101 010 0 – 3 11 2
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 010 401 x – 6 11 1
Matt Barnes (WP) and Troy Grow; Jerry Rizzuto (LP) and Isiah Piquette
Highlights: 3B Casey Johnson (JRW) 2-3, 1 RBI; CF Tim Fischer (JRW) 1-3, 2 R, 1 RBI; RF Steve Drissel (JRW) 1-3, 1 RBI; Don Cawthron 1-4, 2 RBI
Pitching: Matt Barnes (JRW) 7 IP, 2 ER, 2W, 13 K’s
JRW Tournament All-Stars
Most Valuable Pitcher – Dave Drotzmann (JRW) 3-1, 27 IP, 3 ER, 6 W, 34 K, 0.778 ERA
Most Valuable Player – 3B Mike Parham (JRW) 11-14, .786, 7 Runs, 5 RBI, 1 HR, 3 SB, 1 W
All-Star – CF Tim Fischer (JRW) 8-20, .400, 8 Runs, 8 RBI, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 SB
All-Star – OF Steve Drissel (JRW) 6-16, .375, 6 Runs, 8 RBI, 1 3B, 1 HR, 1 SB, 1 Sac
Many, many thanks to Tournament Director Joe Bodle who handled lots of adversity in putting on another quality event. A pitching shortage for one team had Joe switching teams and fields even before the tournament started. The change away from the traditional Memorial Day weekend for the Chissus tournament left Joe in a dogfight over field use at the Liberty Complex. The Complex had to be cleared on Sunday by noon for Sally League Co-Ed play. Five of Sunday’s nine games for the Chissus Memorial were played at the Renton Hi School ball fields.
Clash of the Titans – Ten of ISC II’s Top 25 at Niagara Last Weekend
Tuesday, June 7th, 2005The west coast does not (yet) have teams in the ISC II’s Top 25, with many of the top teams based in Ontario, Canada, the midwest and back east. For readers interested in seeing how the rest of of the continent’s ISC II teams stack up, over the past weekend, the Niagara Snappers hosted 12 teams, including 10 teams in the Top 35. The results give readers their first real look at how many teams who could be headed to the 2005 ISC II Tournament of Champions in Chippewa Falls are shaping up.
Top dog Tavistock was shorted-handed in the pitching department on the weekend, missing both Rob Oliver and Fred Follings, and were knocked off by the ISC II’s hottest team, the Niagara Snappers. The Snappers won the event, beating another team rising in the rankings,
Ashland, OH Merchants. ISC II commish Blair Setford had his Mississauga Arrow teams in the thick of it, knocking off two top-10 ranked teams before bowing out in the quarter finals, and provides this inside look from the tournament:
“This was a real good test for a lot of teams to see where they stand against the top competition in the ISC II,” said Setford. “Unlike in the ISC division, where the top 3 teams seem to be separated from the rest of the pack, you could throw a blanket over the top 25 or even 30 teams in ISC II and we saw that this weekend as no one managed to go 3-0 in the round robin. Only two of the 12 teams failed to win a game and one of them lost three one-run games, so that just speaks further to the closeness of the competition.”
Click here for the complete recap on the Niagara Snapper Shootout.(Editor’s note: Not only the Snappers are on the move up in the rankings. Blair Setford’s own Mississagua Arrows, currently #34 knocked off the #5 and #7 teams in the tournament.)
On June 18, 2005, California area ISC II teams will vie for a bid in the ISC II Tournament of Champions at Santa Fe Springs, CA.
Full June 1, 2005 ISC II Rankings
Thursday, June 2nd, 2005Teams west of the Rockies didn’t fare very well in the latest set of ISC II rankings. JRW & Associates, from Yakima, WA, the 10th place finisher in last year’s Tournament of Champions at Fargo, is the top western team, at #23, moving up 2 spots from #25 in the preseason rankings. JRW has added Dean Waltier to their roster, though we hear that Dino suffered an achilles injury last week and is out for 4-6 weeks.
Next is the Colorado Rage at #29 (down from #23), River City Rockers at #31 (up from #34), Pleasant Grove UT (High Desert Dawgs #32) and Bodle Chiropractic #45 (down from #26). Bodle’s drop may be more a case of underexposure and new teams in the east turning some heads.
River City and the High Desert Dawgs both did well at last month’s Red Rock tournament, knocking off ISC ranked teams (River City over ISC #21 Pueblo, and the Dawgs over the #19 So Cal Bombers), though neither is committed to trying to qualify for the ISC II. The California area qualifier is this month, June 18-19, 2005 at Santa Fe Springs, CA. Early rumors have the Northern California Mavericks and Raymar among ISC II teams after the bid. No word on River City, though we hear that they have the ASA “B” Nationals in mind, a title they’ve come very close to in recent years.
The Mavs and Raymar were winless against a tough field of ISC caliber teams and did not make the Top 50 in the recently released ISC II rankings. The Mavs played ISC #29 Colorado Rage tough in their elimination game at Red Rock, with the score 4-3 going into the last inning, but surrendered 8 runs in the final frame to lose 12-3, something that may have hurt them with the ranking voters. Raymar gave Minnesota Vannelli’s (with ISC pitcher Darcy Byrne) a run for their money, but are new to the upper division, having been bumped up after finished 3rd in the nation among 70 teams at Hastings, NE, so not on the ranker’s radar — yet.
The rankings are important as they determine seeding at the ISC II Tournament of Champions, to be held August 14-19, 2005.
Click here to see list at the ISC II’s unofficial blog, “The Deuce”