Archive for October, 2006

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Tid Bits from Al – Rumors and more

Wednesday, October 11th, 2006

Rumor Mill Has Pitcher Jeremy Manley Coming to So Cal

From Al’s Fastball:

News

TidBits October 11, 2006 – Extra
Wednesday, October 11, 2006

For those not familiar with tidbits, its ballyard rumours, nothing more. Maybe no fact here at all, but same kind of stories you hear in the ballpark. Only those mentioned can confirm or deny these stories, and traditionally they tell us nada, or hardly ever, but they can straighten the story out any time.

Subscribers tell me that TidBits is the most read and most popular of all the items we send out to our subscriber list.

ALL our TidBits come from guys in the game that I know and who sign their name to what they send me. Each has asked to remain Anonymous.

Kitchener Hallman Twins:
Former “Farm” hand Todd Budke to join the Kitchener Hallman Twins for 2007 season.

(more…)

Posted in General, ISC, Players | No Comments »

“Add to Google” – the Morning Brief that is

Wednesday, October 11th, 2006

Add to Google
(click logo to add RSS feed to your Google Homepage or Reader)

Regular readers of Fastpitchwest know that we are fans of “Google”, for the many technological concepts that they have put into play, many of which come in handy for the fastball world. (Maps and Gmail to name a couple).

While “RSS” (Real Simple Syndication) has remained anything but simple to many, Google how provides a one-click way to get blog posts sent to your RSS Reader. Try it out if you like, by clicking the “Add Google” button.

If you already have a gmail account, use your same log in. If you don’t, well, what are you waiting for? I have a number of “Gmail invites” free for the asking. Just email me, gmail (at) fastpitchwest.com

Posted in Computers, General | No Comments »

USA Not on Medal Stand at Pan-Am’s

Monday, October 9th, 2006

From USA Softball website:
USA finishes fourth after 4-1 loss to Canada

Hermosillo, Mexico—The USA Men’s National Team lost its bid to repeat as the gold medalist of the Pan American Softball Championships with a 4-1 loss to Canada in the opening round of the playoffs on Saturday. Despite the loss and a fourth place, the U.S. did qualify for the 2009 ISF Men’s World Championships being held in Saskatoon, Canada.

Canada used its power early to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Jeff Ellsworth led off the inning with a walk and scored when Ian Fehrman blasted a home run over the right field fence for the early lead. In the fifth inning Scott Newitt reached on a single and scored when Ryan Wolfe sent a pitch over the left field fence for a 4-0 lead.

Facing elimination and down 4-0, the U.S. responded with a run in the top of the sixth inning that chased starter Cox from the game in favor of Nick Underhill. With two runners on base and no outs, Underhill hit Kyle Magnusson (Salt Lake City, Utah) with his first pitch to load the bases but the U.S. could not capitalize as Omar Moraga (Tucson, Ariz.) and Frank DeGroat (Ringwood, NJ) struck out and Blake Miller (Albany, Ga.) was tagged out at home trying to score on a passed ball.

Paul Algar (Lexington, Ill.), who had been spectacular for the U.S. during the championships, was tagged with his first loss of the tournament.

Canada went on to defeat Argentina in the semi-finals to advance to the championship game against Venezuela but had to settle for silver as Venezuela completed an amazing tournament with a 3-2 extra inning win over the Canucks.

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Venezuela Gold, Canada Silver, Argentina Bronze at Pan-Ams

Monday, October 9th, 2006


(Click logo for official website)
From Als Fastball:

Venezuela defeats Canada in extra innings to win gold

BY PAT HEALEY

HERMOSILLO, MEXICO – Jeff Ellsworth of Alberton has added another chapter to the PEI softball hisotry book.

After a heartbreaking 3-2 extra innings loss to Venezuela Sunday night in the championship final of the Pan American softball championship, the rec director became the first Island softball player to bring back an International softball silver medal.

“It was an experience of a life time,” Ellsworth said following the game. “I didn’t know what to expect coming into the event but got to play in all 12 games of the tournament.”

“Really proud of what we done, being my first international event a silver medal is great in my books.”

The Canucks led 2-0 until Venezuela tied it up in bottom of the seventh a two run home runand won in the eighth.

Derek Mayson of North Vancouver, B.C. had a huge home run for the Canadian side.

Frank Cox of Owen Sound, Ont. suffered the loss.

In the semi final, the Canadians beat Argentina 5-1, led by strong pitching from Nick Underhill of Campbell River, B.C. going six with Cox relieving in the seventh.

Canada led from start to finish in the game.

Ellsworth went 1-for-1 with a run scored in the win over Argentina.

“Thank you to everyone who kept sending emails cheering us on, it was greatly appreciated,” he said. “It’s a trip of a lifetime coming to an event like this one no doubt about it but like I always say “there is no place like home and I can’t wait to get back to the Island.”

(more…)

Posted in Canada, General, Tournaments | No Comments »

USA loses to Canada, finishes 4th at Pan Ams

Sunday, October 8th, 2006


(Click logo for official website)
From Als Fastball:

Canada advances

HERMOSILLO, MEXICO – Team Canada is two steps from capturing Pan American gold after eliminating the defending champions, United States 4-1 here at the 2006 Pan American Softball championships Saturday night.

The Canucks can finish no worse then a bronze medal placing with the win.

Canada used a long bomb off the hot sticks of Ian Fehrman of Townsend, ONT., and Ryan Wolfe of Melbourne, ONT., as
each connected for two run blasts in the win.

Frank Cox of Ontario earned the pitching decision.

Team Canada will play the loser of the first place-second place game between Argentina and Venezuela at 4 pm Pacific Sunday for the right to play that game’s winner in the final at 7 pm.

Pat Healey
pathealey@eastlink.ca

In their final round robin game, the USA team record fell to 6-3 with an 8-4 loss against Puerto Rico at the 2006 Men’s Pan American Softball Championships.

The United States struck first putting up two runs in the bottom of the first. Frank DeGroat (Ringwood, N.J.) took the long ball for a two-run homerun, his third of the Championships, scoring Omar Morago (Tucson, Ariz.) who reached on a fielder’s choice.

It was scoreless through the second until Puerto Rico responded with a five-run third inning off three doubles. It started off with a double by Guarronex Rodriquez. Santos Santiago followed three batters later with his own double for two RBI scoring both Jose Santiago who was hit by a pitch and Rodriquez. A double by Victor Ayala, which scored two runs, wrapped up Puerto Rico’s scoring drive, giving them a 5-2 lead.

Puerto Rico struggled from the circle with Morago scoring after landing on base with a walk and then scoring when Luis Joglar (Fairview, N.J.) drew a walk. The team drew four walks during the third cutting the lead to 5-3.

With two on in the fourth, Santiago homered to give Puerto an 8-3 lead. Their lead would not be challenged until the bottom of the fifth. For the second time of the game, Joglar drew a walk for an RBI scoring Degroat who landed on base on balls. A double play by Puerto Rico closed out the inning and scoreless innings through five and six gave Puerto Rico an 8-4 win.

Michael White (Sioux City, Iowa) walked away with the loss for the United States after throwing 2 1/3 innings with one strikeout and three hits.

Posted in ASA, Canada, General, Tournaments | No Comments »

Twins confirm Budke signing

Saturday, October 7th, 2006

California’s Todd Budke heading north to Kitchener for 2007! However, that would seem to leave the Hallman Twins with 7 Prawns – who will be let go?

From Al’s Fastball

KITCHENER, Ontario

Just a quick note to clarify any rumours. The Kitchener Hallman Twins have secured the services of Todd Budke for the 2007 season. Todd will be a tremendous addition to the TWINS line-up and the team is excited to welcome Todd aboard.

Also of note, the Hallman Twins expect that the pitching staff of Todd Martin, Don Scott and Paul Koert will remain intact for the 2007 season. Expect more from the Kitchener camp in the not too distant future as the TWINS work their way through the always exciting and rumour filled off season.

Dave Bailey
Kitchener Hallman Twins

Posted in General, Players | No Comments »

Canada advances with win over Guatemala

Saturday, October 7th, 2006


(Click logo for official website)
From Als Fastball:

CANADA ADVANCES; TOPS GUATEMALA 10-0
Canada secures playoff spot

(HERMOSILLO – Mexico) – Team Canada earned a berth into the playoffs at the Pan American Championships in Hermosillo, Mexico with a 10-0 victory over Guatemala.

Canada struck for three quick runs in the top of the 1st inning to take the early lead. Scott Newitt (Delta, BC) started things off with a leadoff walk followed by a Jeff Ellsworth (Alberton, PEI) bunt single. After Guatemalan starter Cesar Sajche retired the next two batters, Canadian 1st baseman Tim Macumber (Newport, NS) launched a 1-0 pitch from Sajche well beyond the center field fence for the 3 run lead.

“It’s always good to get an early lead” admitted Macumber. “Smith was able to control the game for us from the first pitch and jumping out with a 3 run home run in the first inning was a good momentum builder.”

Canada increased the lead to 8-0 with a 5 run second inning. Right fielder Steve Mullaley (Freshwater, NL) led off with a single, stole second base, moved to third on a wild pitch and finally scored on a single by Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON). Fehrman’s single was followed by consecutive singles from Rob Giesbrecht (Landmark, MB), Scott Newitt (Delta, BC) and Ellsworth bringing home Fehrman & Giesbrecht. The scoring finished on RBI ground outs by Rob Gray (Toronto, ON) and Derek Mayson (North Vancouver, BC) allowing Newitt & Ellsworth to score.

Canada capped their scoring in the third inning starting with Mullaley again when he lined a one out single to right field. Fehrman drew a walk from reliever Jorge Segura. Giesbrecht then doubled down the right field line to score Mullaley and Fehrman.

The shut out was the third straight shutout for the Canadians. In fact Canadian hurler Rick Smith (Duncan, BC) was one strike away from the third consecutive no hitter as he threw for one hit short of a perfect game. Guatemalan DP Vinicio Rivas broke the no hitter when he looped a single to center field just inches out of the reach of a diving Ellsworth. Smith promptly struck out the next batter to finish the game with a 1 hit shutout, striking out 10 in the process.

Canada will play in the 3rd vs. 4th playoff game on Saturday, October 07 at 6:00 pm. The opponent and ranking is still to be determined pending the outcome of the USA-Puerto Rico and Cuba-Mexico games later this evening.

-SC-

Posted in Canada, General, Tournaments | No Comments »

Todd Budke to……….. the Hallman Twins?

Friday, October 6th, 2006

From Al’s Fastball – “Tid Bits” is Back:

Budke rumors abound. Earlier rumors had him going to the So Cal Bombers. The latest has him going to the Kitchener Hallman Twins, the host team for the 2007 ISC World Tournament in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. As one of the games premier hitters for more than a decade, not surprising that everybody and their brother would like to add him to their roster. Judging from recent performances, he appears to be getting better with age, if that is possible. Budke did play with the Twins back in January at the AAU International Tournament, helping them to a Final Four finish.

Budke will be playing for the “South All Stars” at the first California North-South All Star Challenge next weekend, October 14-15, 2006.

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

USA continues to roll with 5-0 win over Mexico

Friday, October 6th, 2006

From Al’s Fastball: (Click link for box score)


(Click logo for official website)
Squad Now 6-2 with Final Game Tonight vs. Puerto Rico Before Playoff Round

Hermosillo, Mexico—The USA Softball Men’s National Team rolledto a 5-0 victory over host Mexico at the 2006 Men’s Pan American SoftballChampionships on Thursday night. With the win, the U.S.improves to 6-2 in round-robin competition with one game remaining on Fridayagainst Puerto Rico.

Paul Algar (Lexington, Ill. had another solid performance in the circle for the United States and recorded hissecond shutout of the championship. In six innings of work, Algar allowed just two hits while striking out 11 of the 23 batters he faced. Tony Peeples (San Miguel, Calif.pitched the final inning and held Mexico hitless while striking out two.

The U.S. broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning after Chad Boom (Barnesville, Minn.) ledoff with a single and scored on a single by Sonny Perkins (St. Michaels, Ariz.).Luis Joglar (Fairview, NJfollowed Perkins with a single that plated Landy Rodriguez (West Haverstraw, NJ) who reached after being hit by a pitch.

It was Boom once again that got things started for the U.S.in the bottom of the fourth inning when he led off with a walk. Rodriguezfollowed with a single that advanced Boom to second and into scoring position.A double by Joglar brought both runners around to score and gave the U.S. a4-0 advantage.

In the fifth inning the Red, White and Blue added an insurance runwithout recording a hit. Omar Moraga (Tucson Ariz.) led off the inning with awalk, stole second base and then scored on two consecutive pass balls for a 5-0 lead.

The U.S. completes round-robin play on Friday at 9 p.m. versus Puerto Rico and will begin the playoffs on Saturday.

Posted in ASA, General | No Comments »

USA Tops Guatemala, Now 5-2 at Pan-Ams

Thursday, October 5th, 2006


(Click logo for official website)
From Al’s Fastball: USA defeats Guatemala 5-1 at Pan American Softball Championships

Hermosillo, Mexico—With its fourth consecutive win, theUSA Softball Men’s National Team improved to 5-2 with a 5-1 win over Guatemalaon Thursday morning at the 2006 Pan American Softball Championships. TravisPrice (Santa Ana, Calif.won his second game for the U.S.by holding Guatemalato just one run on seven hits.

The game remained scoreless through the first three innings until the U.S.exploded for four runs in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, OmarMoraga (Tucson, Ariz.) walked and scored on a Frank DeGroathome run to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead. But the guys in Red, White and Blue werenot finished with their rally as Chad Boom (Barnesville, Minn.followed with a solo home run to push the lead to 3-0. After reaching base on afielder’s choice, Sonny Perkins (St. MichaelsAriz.) scored the final run of the inning on adouble by Luis Joglar (Fairview NJ).

Guatemalascored their only run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to alead off home run by right fielder Gerardo Dacaret.

In the seventh inning, the U.S. added an insurance run byexecuting a perfect suicide squeeze. With one out, Blake Miller (Albany, Ga.) singled, movedto second on a base hit by Chris Miljavac (St. Joseph, Mo.on to third on a double steal. ChadFerguson (Battle CreekMich.) was called on to pinch hit for KyleMagnusson (Salt Lake City, Utah) and was given the sign to lay down abunt for a suicide squeeze. The play worked perfectly as Miller raced home and Ferguson was out on thesacrifice.

In 6 2/3 innings of work, Price allowed just one run on seven hits andhad eight strikeouts. He was pulled with one out remaining in the bottom of theseventh inning after walking his first batter of the game. Tony Peeples (San Miguel, Calif.entered the game and struck out the last batter to secure the win.

The U.S. returns to action tonight against host Mexico at 7 p.m.Pacific time before wrapping up pool play on Friday at 9 p.m. Pacific againstPuerto Rico.

Posted in ASA, Tournaments | No Comments »

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