Archive for November, 2005

Of Fastball and Life….some thoughts from Michael Groves

Tuesday, November 15th, 2005

“Fastball. Fastpitch. It’s hard to explain, some people say, how the game gets hold of you. But I always say, nah mon……it’s not hard to explain at all. Anyone who has a competitive bone in his body, and passion, and an understanding of this thing called Life……..they get it. They know. Deep down, in the gut, they know. Even as winter sweeps over the North American landscape, they intuitively understand. You step back and you close your eyes and you remember and you know……..you do know………”- Michael Groves

Courtesy of Al’s Fastball, we share some thoughts from the pen of Michael Groves. About fastball, and a bit more about life.

For those readers who may not know Michael, he was the player, manager, GM, sponsor for the Fedlock Falcons, a top ISC World Tournament team which shuttered operations a year ago. Outspoken at times, thought provoking at others, his writings never disappoint.

If you can make the time, read it. Read it all. There is no one that says it quite like Michael.

(Click link to read):

“Choice, not chance, determines one’s destiny…….”

2005 ISC-II Tournament of Champions Feature Story & Photos in Softball Magazine

Monday, November 14th, 2005

The Fall 2005 issue of Softball Magazine, which just hit the newstands, features ISC II MVP Casey Halstead on the “inside” cover, along with a feature story penned by ISC II Commish Blair Setford, “Changing of the Guard at ISC II” and photos by Fastpitchwest’s own photographer, Maddy Flanagan.

The magazine is available on a subscription basis, which we heartily recommend. During 2005, the magazine carried 5 feature length articles and photos of men’s fastball, including the AAU Tournament, Red Rock, Rose Cup, and now the ISC II.

Click the PDF logo to view a PDF copy of the feature story with photos. (Requires Adobe Reader)
The file is large and takes a minute to load, so please be patient.

Decatur Withdraws as 2007 ISC Host

Monday, November 14th, 2005

From Al’s Fastball:

“After being awarded the 2007 ISC World Tournament and ISC – II Tournament of Champions, the Decatur Sports Foundation became aware of issues which may have jeopardized their ability to host quality ISC Tournaments. According to ISC Executive Director, Ken Hackmeister, “we have been in communication with them the past several weeks, seeing what options might be available to allow Decatur to retain and conduct our 2007 championship tournaments.”

Click link for whole story. Decatur Withdraws as 2007 ISC Host

New Look for the Morning Brief

Sunday, November 13th, 2005


Yes, it’s a new look for our “Morning Brief” banner, courtesy of Maddy’s photos and her handiwork. Just sprucing things up a bit during the off season. Let’s see how good you are: Can you identify the players in the pictures? Drop a note in the comments section if you can.

Mark Seward Named Top Pitcher in Yakima, WA League

Friday, November 11th, 2005

From the YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC, Friday, November 11, 2005
Seward named adult fastpitch’s top pitcher

Mark Seward of league champion Les Schwab/Pistoresi’s was named the top pitcher on this year’s Yakima Softball Association’s adult men’s all-star team. Seward posted a 10-6 record with a 3.97 earned-run average and 119 strikeouts in 97 innings. Mike Parham, a shortstop for Eric’s Remodeling, was tabbed the league’s top player. Parham had a season batting average of .561 and he led the league in hits (46), runs (39) and RBI (32). Les Schwab/Pistoresi’s had five all-star selections and Eric’s Remodeling and JRW & Associates had four each.

MVP player: Mike Parham, Eric’s Remodeling (.561, 32 RBI, 5 HR).
MVP pitcher: Mark Seward, Les Schwab/Pistoresi’s (10-6, 3.97, 119 Ks).

C: Jason Scheibner, Les Schwab/Pistoresi’s (.455, 25 RBI, 7 2B, 6 HR). 1B: Tom Magers, Eric’s Remodeling (.448, 27 RBI). 2B: Don Cawthron, JRW & Associates (.375, 23 RBI). 3B: Mark Seward, Les Schwab/Pistoresi’s (.390, 19 RBI, 7 3B). SS: Mike Leitch, Les Schwab/Pistoresi’s (.585). Util: Eric McClellan, Eric’s Remodeling (.362, 22 RBI). DH: Kevin Root, Les Schwab/Pistoresi’s (.488, 24 RBI, 8 HR). OF: Tim Fischer, JRW & Associates (.517, 10 3B); Troy Grow, JRW & Associates (.482, 20 RBI, 5 SB); Jason Grow, JRW 23U (.444); Bobby Harris, JRW & Associates (.420, 20 RBI). P: Bryan McKitrick, JRW 23U (8-6, 4.26, 61 Ks); Jacob Andreas, Eric’s Remodeling (8-11, 7.00, 36 Ks).

Cap tip to JR Williamson for the news.

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…)

Bringing the ‘hammer down on rumors for 2006

Tuesday, November 8th, 2005

After more than 10,000 page views at the most popular Fastpitchwest Forum section “Rumor Central 2005”, Sledgehammer22 sounds the opening bell for “Rumor Central 2006”.

Read, post, confirm or deny. Just don’t miss it ! The ‘hammer is back !

Casino Rama World Series of Fastball

Monday, November 7th, 2005

Casino Rama World Series of Fastball
(From Al’s Fastball)

Fedlock Explorers – 2006 AAU Tournament

Monday, November 7th, 2005

Pitchers Dewey Dyck and Rob Scheller will team up again for the AAU International tournament January 19-22, 2006, on Michael Grove’s Fedlock squad. Dyck and Scheller pitched the Circle Tap/Bar of Appelton team to the AAU title in last year’s AAU tournament. Joining Dyck and Scheller will be Doug Sleep, to round out the three man staff.



Fedlock Explorers – 2006 AAU Tournament
(From Al’s Fastball)

For information on the 2006 tournament, click here.

California Chaos Brings Order to Cal Cup II

Sunday, November 6th, 2005

California Chaos reeled off four straight wins Sunday, to finish a perfect 7-0 on the weekend, and capture the 2nd Annual Cal Cup tournament, at Palm Springs, Sunday, including a 6-1 championship game win over the So Cal Hustlers. Chaos ousted Sun Fastpitch in the semi-finals while the Hustlers reached the title game with a win over Quicksilver. The Chaos accepted the Cal Cup, taking over from last year’s inaugural winner, Fred Hanker’s Long Beach Black Sox. The Cal Cup is a perpetual trophy, handed off each year from the previous winner, a la Stanley Cup.

Scott Harrison of California Chaos was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, hitting a home run in the semi-final and championship game, the difference maker in both games and made a diving catch in centerfield with two on in the 7th of the semi-final game against Sun Fastpitch to preserve the win. Chaos pitchers Robby Epp and Brett Pobantz were selected as co-Most Valuable Pitchers, posting identical 3-0 records.

The Cal Cup tournament travels to one of California’s three fastball regions each year, North, Central or South. The first Cal Cup was hosted in 2004 by Central California, in Fresno, California. This year’s tournament was hosted by Vicki Oltean and the City of Palm Springs, in Southern California, so the tournament heads north next year to a site to be determined. Those teams or cities in Northern California interested in hosting the tournament can email us, calcup [at] fastpitchwest.com

Click here for complete scoreboard, standings, seeding, a few photos, and Sunday’s schedule of games.
Full story to follow.


Have you posted your flag at the Frappr Fastball Map? Click here for details