Once again, Fastpitchwest Forum member “Sledgehammer22” has the inside track on information regarding the upcoming ASA “C” Nationals, which apparently will feature a number of players on their way home from the ISC World Tournament. Says forum member “sledgehammer22”:

“My sources tell me that there are several A and open players pitching in the “C” nationals in Stockton. Reports show that Jason Porto has now signed on to pitch for the Painters of Fresno. Porto looks to be the number 6 in the rotation. Is this just a ploy by Jeff “The Doc” Coleman to keep a good pitcher off another team? Unidentified sources say no but Porto claims to have a mid 60’s downball and a Tony Peeples change-up. Could he really be the number 1 or 2? I doubt it. Other notable players signing on in the circle are Todd Garcia, Nor Cal Masters, Chris Wright, unidentified team, Jesse Duncan, Panteras, Nate Devine, California Crew, Troy Parker, Savala Painters Bakersfield. Only time will tell if these hitters can get it done in the circle. It’s a lot tougher than it looks.”

Hey, ‘hammer, I notice you left Rod Rainey’s name off the list. He’s in the regular rotation for a team in the Wednesday night Artesia league.

Sledgehammer22’s posts at the Fastpitchwest Forum generally garner the most page views over at the forum. Good at stirring the pot, you might say. If his current “page views” numbers hold for 2005, he will be in line for some “Fastpitchwest Gear”. (sorry, ‘hammer, the girl modeling the gear not included)

Read his post and many more by clicking over on this link.

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Here’s another post from “Sledgehammer22” where he takes Fastpitchwest webmaster Jim Flanagan to task for his tardy coverage of the So Cal Bombers at the ISC World Tournament:

Just a quick note on Southern California’s OTHER team. The So Cal Bombers are 3-0 at the ISC World Tournament. We have received great pitching from all three on the staff and timely hitting from some veteren players. It’s been a great atmosphere here as both teams from Cali have showed up at each other’s games and supported. It’s great how two rival teams during the year realize that we are representing Callifornia and show up for their friends to support the cause. I hope we get two teams in the next round. It would be Huge for California fastpitch. Maybe you’ll hear more at the morning brief??? Who knows.

Looks like the Sledgehammer’s line drives are not limited to the playing field. No word yet on whether there is any truth to the rumor that Sledgehammer22 has been asked by Fastpitchwest to serve as moderator of a new forum section called “The Rumor Mill”.