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Archive for the ‘So Cal’ Category

Hustlers Sign “Shaw Quartet” for 2006

Wednesday, December 21st, 2005

The Hustlers, runner-ups at last month’s Cal Cup II tournament, bolstered their ASA “C” Alliance roster for 2006 with the acquisition of the “Shaw quartet” of Doug and his son Matt and Kenny and his son Kasey. The Shaws played last year for Raymar, which took 3rd in the ASA “C” Nationals at Hastings, NE in 2004. After the bump up of six of the top teams to the “B” level, the Hustlers figure to be among those contending for the 2006 “C” crown. Player-manager Bobby Cole had this to say about the addition of the Shaws:

“All four will plug holes for the Hustlers offensively and defensively with Kenny giving the Hustlers a veteran second baseman and leadoff hitter. Doug, a RBI machine and a solid glove at first base. Matt, an outfielder with a cannon for an arm and one of the best young hitters in the game and Kasey, an untapped talent with tons of potential.”

Read the whole story at the Hustler’s team website

Posted in ASA, Players, So Cal, Teams | No Comments »

So Cal Bombers Add Another Arm

Tuesday, December 20th, 2005

So Cal/Casa Trejo Bombers sign Canadian pitcher Ryan Brand for the 2006 season

Southern California Bombers out of Calimesa, CA have acquired the services of Ryan Brand for the 2006 season. Brand pitched for the Calgary Smokers previously. The team is still in negotiations with 3 or 4 more players, the Bombers will be posting the final roster and tourney schedule for the 2006 Season in the coming weeks.

Posted in General, So Cal, Teams | No Comments »

A-1 Tank / Nor Cal Mavericks Merger

Sunday, December 11th, 2005

Sledgehammer22 has broken another piece of big news at the 2006 Rumor Central:

News Break!!! Fresh off the phone with Chris Wright of the Nor Cal Mavericks. The Mavericks have announced a merger between them and A-1 Tank. The deal was said to be done last week and the details have been ironed out. The team will take on the A-1 Tank name and compete at the ISC II level. Wright, who will have the duties of General Manager and Field Manager, says the merger is a two year deal with options after the first year. The merger instantly makes the northern California based team a serious player at the “B” level and ISCII level. When asked about the deal, Wright added, “It’s tough to watch my Mavericks team name go but this could turn out to be a great thing for Nor Cal fastpitch. I’m excited for the season to start.” The Mavericks look to compete in Red Rock, Portland and a travel league in preparation for the ISC II Tournament of Champions. Details of the roster will be released later this month.

The merger positions the team to compete with another new California ISC II team being formed, for a bid to compete in the ISC II Tournament of Champions in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada in August.

Sledgehammer22’s “2006 Rumor Central” has nearly 10,000 page views in barely a month’s time — almost as many as all of 2005. Click here to catch the latest.

Posted in ISC-II, Players, So Cal, Teams | No Comments »

David Bell Out of Retirement and into a Black Sox Uniform

Friday, December 2nd, 2005

David Bell has traded his golf clubs for a bat and glove, returning to play the game he loves, and will be a member of Fred Hanker’s 2006 Black Sox.

“Bell played sparingly the last two seasons, hosting his Spring Swing Fastpitch Weekend, a national qualifier in Fresno, the “C” Nationals in Hastings in 2004 and last year in a 4 game friendship series against his buddies from Bremen, Indiana, DC Current with brothers Mike and Dean Huppert. “I thought it was time to step away, spend time with my wife and kids and coach the boys. I have been playing some competitive golf in an amateur tour but it’s not the same as playing the great game of fastpitch. I don’t know how many years I’ll try to keep playing, or if this is a one year return, but I am returning to my favorite sport to play.”

Read the complete story at “Sox News” at Fred’s Long Beach Black Sox website.

Posted in General, Players, So Cal, Teams | No Comments »

Long Beach Black Sox Announce All Time Career Leaders

Monday, November 28th, 2005

The Long Beach Black Sox, in existences since 2003 released their complete book of career stats. Black Sox founder, player-GM Fred Hanker leads in 14 of 15 offensive categories:
LONG BEACH BLACK SOX: Sox News

Watch the Black Sox website for more news soon, on a free-agent signing for ’06 by GM Fred Hanker.

Posted in Players, So Cal, Teams | No Comments »

Cal Cup 2005 Photos

Monday, November 28th, 2005

The Cal Cup II photos from Nov. 5-6, 2005 are posted. Click the link below. We’ve added “rollover” captions to some of the thumbnails.

Click here to view photo gallery.

Here’s a shot of veteran pitcher Joe Edwards pitching for Those Guys against the San Diego Suns. (click to enlarge)

(Minus Maddy, and her cameras that were stolen, these will have to do in a pinch)

Posted in So Cal, Tournaments | No Comments »

“Jeff Coleman to Return as SoCal Bombers Manager”

Monday, November 21st, 2005

So says sledgehammer22. Fastpitchwest Forum – 2006 Rumor Central

Posted in So Cal, Teams | No Comments »

Todd Budke Caught in the Hot Seat

Saturday, November 19th, 2005

Catch Fred Hanker’s latest “Hot Seat” interview, with the Black Sox’ newest addition, Todd Budke. Budke will play for the Sox, when available, from his regular team, last year’s ISC World Tournament runner-up, The Farm Tavern. Budke is generally regarded as one of the finest hitters in the game, with a Ted Williams-esque swing.

(click photo to enlarge)

Here is an excerpt from the Budke “Hot Seat” interview with Black Sox player-manager-GM Fred Hanker:

Q: If you were commissioner for the day, what would you change about the game of fastball?
A: Not sure there is enough room….I would change how the players rep committee works. Right now there are people on this that are not even players. Also certain individuals that have there own agendas have the power to put rules in place that they see fit. Players are not represented! Case in point the PRAWN rule. So many holes have been punched in this by numerous players and coaches.

Click the link below to read the entire interview:
Long Beach Black Sox News
For more info on the Black Sox signing of Budke for 2006, click this link: (more…)

Posted in Players, So Cal, Teams | No Comments »

California Money Tournament?

Tuesday, November 15th, 2005

From Al’s Fastball: California Money Tournament?

Posted in So Cal, Tournaments | No Comments »

ASA Region 14 Pitcher, Player & Team Lists Updated

Friday, November 11th, 2005

ASA’s Region 14 (California, Nevada & Hawaii) has updated their pitcher, player and team lists, following the recent “bump-ups”, mostly “C” pitchers and teams headed to “B”. Click the links above to view each list. The feedback that we’ve received here at Fastpitchwest has been mostly favorable to the move. It will be interesting to see if the rest of the nation follows the lead.

The size of the “B” pitchers list virtually doubled overnight, going from 29 pitchers in 2005, to 57 in 2006. For my two cents worth, it seems that new classifications represent a better dividing line, and will create better balance among both the “B” and “C” teams. Perhaps most important of all, an opportunity for entry level “C” teams to develop. As an aside, did anyone notice the powerhouse “C” team that stayed under the radar? (not bumped to “B”). Read on for the list of 57 pitchers on the “B” list. Or post to “Rumor Central 2006” if you know where any of the “B” pitchers will be next season (more…)

Posted in ASA, So Cal | No Comments »