Archive for June, 2005

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Hail Cesar

Friday, June 10th, 2005

No, no, not the So Cal Bombers’ Cesar Rodriguez. Cesar Izturis. Los Angeles Dodger shortstop. Well, if you don’t “hail” him, at least consider voting for him to be the starting shortstop in the July 12 MLB All Star Game at Detroit. Oh, I know it’s not fastpitch news, but close enough for a blog based in So Cal. Excuse the shameless plug for a local player here in L.A.

Apparently, I was not the only one dismayed by the fact that Garciaparra led the early voting returns – – despite the fact that he’s been out with an injury since April 20. Or that Izzy was way back in the early voting returns, trailing the likes of a .227 hitting Rafael Furcal and others in the “not worthy” category. Click their names if you can bear to see their stats. Garciappara has a .157 avg, .228 OBP — and all of 8 hits this season.

From MLB.com:

Amid international dismay at his not being listed among the top five vote-getters in initial All-Star balloting, a flurry of votes has inched Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis into the No. 4 slot in the most recent polling results.

With columns in the Los Angeles Times and three Venezuelan media outlets advocating his election, the league leader in multihit games, who has 260,683 votes, now ranks behind only Chicago’s Nomar Garciaparra (who’s been out since April 20 with an injury), St. Louis’ David Eckstein (who’s hitting .303 but has committed nine errors) and Atlanta’s Rafael Furcal (who’s batting .224).

Izturis, who is only 25, won his first Gold Glove last season, and has played highlight-reel defense all year, turning 35 double plays and making countless plays from deep in the hole. Through the first third of the season, he set a pace that would have him finish with 231 hits, 102 runs, 33 doubles, 12 steals and 60 RBIs as a leadoff man. Through Saturday, Izturis was batting .326.

It’s picking up for the man Vin Scully calls simply “Little Cesar”, and you can help by clicking that little picture of him here. Vote once — heck– vote 25 times as permitted by Major League Baseball. Haven’t been able to cast that many ballots since the old days in Chicago. All kidding aside, consider Izzy when casting that all star ballot.

Hey, you there in St. Louis, or San Diego, or Washington D.C. — who do you really want at shortstop in the all star game in the 9th inning, protecting that home field advantage for your team? Even you Cardinal fans — I know you love Eckstein — but don’t you want those World Series games at home in this last year of Busch stadium? Don’t like the Dodgers? I barely do myself, after DePodesta’s havoc. But throw us a bone….we stink and aren’t going to the playoffs anyway. Remind DePo that it was Dan Evans who signed our star player. Hail Cesar.

Posted in General, Players | No Comments »

GHFL All-Stars vs. Australian Jr. Men on Ballparkradio, Monday, June 13

Friday, June 10th, 2005

NIAGARA 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

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

Team Canada looking for ‘balance’ at Jr. Men’s World Championship

Thursday, June 9th, 2005

By Pat Healey Marketing and Media Consultant
ISF 2005 JR. MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP http://www.2005worldsoftball.com

PORT ALBERNI, B.C. The Canadian Junior Men’s softball team is looking for ‘balance’ when it selects the 17 players to represent Canada at the ISF 2005 Jr. Men’s World Softball Championship June 24 to July 3 in Summerside. Coach Kelly McGiffin of Port Alberni, British Columbia, said the 30 players selected to the team’s five day tryout camp in Kitchener, Ontario starting June 10 was based on evaluations from each province’s Canada Games coaches. “We’ll select the 17 that we’re going to take to the Worlds then fly to CFB Greenwood, N.S. and train there,” McGiffin said. “We’ll be playing a number of exhibition games in St. Croix.” The father of three boys, Aaron, Morgan and Rob, said the team has 10 pitchers trying out, and hopes to take four or five top performers from camp with the team to the Worlds. “We’re trying to get the best balance possible with strong defense and pitching,” he added during a phone interview recently. “The team will really have a balanced approach.”

The team will be holding a selection camp June 10-15 in Kitchener, Ont., and then the trimmed roster of 17 will head to Greenwood, N.S. for a five-day training camp from June 16-21 before driving over to P.E.I. He noted the team would be playing an exhibition doubleheader against the Charlottetown Razzy’s Roadhouse Fawcetts June 21 at Central Field in Charlottetown at 7 and 9 p.m. They will then watch the Fawcetts play a doubleheader June 22 against New Zealand in Charlottetown. “We’ll see how one of our competitors play and take the day off,” McGiffin added.

When asked why Team Canada is late picking their team, considering teams such as Denmark, Australia and U.S.A have been together for the past year, McGiffin said it was hard with 2005 being a Canada Games year as well. “It’s a tough question, but mainly because of timing,” McGiffin explained. “The players play with their club teams and tryout for their respective Canada Games squads so it’s difficult to put together a schedule where you’re not doing a pick and play.” McGiffin said the Canadian coaching staff was poised at having a team last year, but the Canada Games factor played into their plans. “We had a choice to pick the team last year and have them playing in the spring, but they (the players) grow,” he added. “It was really hard to choose, so we decided to compact it all into one camp.

There’s pros and cons to doing the selection last year and now.” He said the 30 players trying out go in knowing nobody is a lock to make the team, meaning each and every player will have to work hard just to make the team. A factor adding to the decision-making is the early date for a softball championship on the East Coast. “It’s different to with the early date as the season is just getting going in late June,” McGiffin said. “I think you will see a really competitive camp as all players will have to make the team and there’s no givens.” He said Canadian management scouted players and went on recommendations from the players’ Canada Games coaches. They then compared the players to fellow competitors at the 2004 Canadian Midget Boys Fast Pitch Nationals co-hosted by the City of Summerside and Town of Alberton. “When it comes down to it, it will be a tough decision for us the coaching staff, which is good,” said McGiffin. “I believe all the players have a real legitimate chance to make the team. “The first day or two they’ll be nervous, but then they should settle down and get mentally focused and by the end of the week should have had a good camp.”

P.E.I.’s Jeremy MacKinnon is the lone Islander trying out for the team. —–

Pat Healey MARKETING AND MEDIA CONSULTANT
ISF 2005 JR MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS mailto:phealey@2005worldsoftball.com

Posted in ASA, Teams, Tournaments | No Comments »

ISC #16 Bar on the Avenue Makes Its Case for Spot in Top 10

Thursday, June 9th, 2005

The ink is barely dry on the ISC’s June 2005 rankings, and the #16 ranked The Bar on the Avenue is already making a case for a big move upward. The Bar actually fell a couple of spots from #14 in the preseason ranking, but make a strong statement at the Grafmeier Tournament at Kimberly, WI last weekend, winning the tournament, and in the process, knocking off the following teams ranked above them:

#2 – The Farm
#6 – IS Knights
#10 – Heflin St. Louise
#12 – Quad City
#15 – Townline

It certainly cannot be said that The Bar is ducking any of the competition, playing mostly Top 20 teams enroute to their 18-9 record. This past weekend, they were led by pitchers Colin McKenzie and Mike Roberts, and hitters Josh Johnson, Jon Zipperer, Trent Noe, and Dan Wall in the middle of their batting order. The Bar will be back in action later this month, at Eau Claire.

From Al’s Fastball: Bar on the Avenue wins Grafmeier Tourney in Kimberly

Posted in ISC, Teams, Tournaments | No Comments »

Rose Cup Preview: Vancouver vs. Prince George

Thursday, June 9th, 2005

From Al’s Fastball : Vancouver Grey Sox host Prince George Black Bears – June 11-12

Two of British Columbia’s best will face off this weekend in Vancouver, providing readers a preview of what we might see at the Rose Cup tournament later this month (June 25-26). If the question is is Kevin Careless and Colin McKenzie, then the answer is “Who is Prince George”. The two aces have moved over to Prince George after their recent stints with Portland DeMarini and Victoria, respectively. Catcher Tim Scaber returns to action with PG as well, after a year off last season. Look for both of these teams to be in the hunt at the Rose Cup.

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June 2005 ISC Rankings Released

Thursday, June 9th, 2005

International Softball Congress June 2005 Rankings

Very little movement from the pre-season rankings, with the top six spots unchanged:

1) County
2) Farm
3) Broken Bow
4) Calgary
5) Circle Tap
6) IS Knights

Only a few teams moved more than a couple slots, with Albaugh the big gainer, jumping four spots from #18 to #14, and Team Iowa jumping 3 spots from #27 to #24, while the Hallman Twins fell four spots, and out of the Top 10, from #7 to #11. Happy Hollow dropped 6 spots from #22 to #28.

Rising:
7) Quaker Riversharks, +1 from #8
8) Midland Explorers, +1 from #9
9) Aspen Interiors, Sask, +1 from #10
10) Heflin-St.Louis, +1 from #11
12) Quad City, +1 from #11
14) Albaugh, +4 from #18
15) Townline/Shoots, +2 from #17
22) Jarvis, +1 from #23
23) Bloomington, +1 from #24
24) Team Iowa, +3 from #27
27) Dolan & Murphy, +1 from #28
29) Page Brake, +1 from #30
30) Blackhawk AC, +1 from #31

Falling:
13) Bergstrom/Kegel, -1 from #12
16) The Bar on the Avenue, -2 from #14
17) Innerkip, -1 from #16
18) Patsy’s, -3 from #15
28) Happy Hollow, -6 from #22

Even Stephen
19) So Cal Bombers
20) Team Rainey
21) Pueblo Bandits
25) Planggers
26) Saskatoon Merchants

Posted in ISC, Teams | No Comments »

Around Town, June 8

Wednesday, June 8th, 2005

While Long Beach Black Sox player-manager-webmaster extended his vacation in Oregon, following the Grant’s Pass tournament over the Memorial Weekend, his Artesia city league Black Sox topped the Panteras Wednesday night, 6-3, and appear to have gotten off the bubble and into the playoffs, pending final announcements next week. Ken Shaw filled in for the Sox, hitting a solo home run to right field in his first at bat, the lone run for the first 5 innings, until both teams got their offenses going, scoring 8 runs collectively in the final inning, with the Sox hanging on for the win.

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

ISC #23 JRW & Associates Gain Pacific NW ISC II Berth at Chissus Memorial

Wednesday, June 8th, 2005

JRW & 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.

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

World’s Top Teams to Meet in Monkton Over 4th of July Weekend

Tuesday, June 7th, 2005

From Al’s Fastball: 2005 World Fastball Invitational schedule

Posted in ISC, Tournaments | No Comments »

Clash of the Titans – Ten of ISC II’s Top 25 at Niagara Last Weekend

Tuesday, June 7th, 2005

The 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.

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

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