Archive for June, 2007

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15 Teams at Blue-Gray Tournament in Montgomery, AL

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

Thanks to Robert Gray for this information.

BLUE & GRAY ENTRIES FOR 2007

1. Brew Crew – Marietta, GA
2. Montgomery Fast Pitch – Montgomery, AL
3. Florida Fast Pitch – Jacksonville, FL
4. SC Tornados – Inman, SC
5. Memphis Dawgs – Nesbit, MS
6. Slugger Sports – Montgomery, AL
7. Alpha Heating & AC – Montgomery, AL
8. Nashville Mustangs – Hendersonville, TN
9. Corporation – McCalla, AL
10. Free Birds – Atlanta, GA
11. Victory Tabernacle – Gurley, AL
12. American Tire & Auto – Prattville, AL
13. Question Marks – Atlanta, GA
14. TPSA – Cullman, AL
15. Warriors – Cherokee, NC

BLUE & GRAY FAST PITCH TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE OF GAMES
June 8, 9 & 10,2007

Opening Ceremonies will be at 6:30PM on Field No. 1
(more…)

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Nine of ISC II’s Top 25 Teams to Tangle

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

Nine (9) of the Top 25 ranked teams in the ISC II will tangle this weekend, June 8-9, 2007, in Ontario, Canada at the Mitchell Met’s Tournament. Among the teams will be the Elora Brewers, Ontario, which turned some heads last weekend by making it to the championship game in the highly regarded “Snapper Shootout” Tournament, knocking off higher ranked teams in the process. Elora and the # 1 ranked Snapper split the substantial prize money in that one when the title game was rained out.

Click here the details at our sibling blog for the ISC II, “The Deuce”

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California Lumberkings Head to Chicago for AFSA Classic

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

For the second year in a row, the California Lumberkings, the top ISC II ranked team in the west, will be headed to Chicago, Illinois for the AFSA Classic.

Lumberkings’ skipper David Weldin had this to say about the team’s upcoming trip:

“Last year was our first year to attend the AFSA Classic. We were looking for a tournament to play last year and our players wanted to go to Chicago. We had a good time last year, so we decided to go back again this year. We were pleased with our play in last year’s tournament, defeating some good teams, before losing to Bloominton Stix in the semi-finals.”

Here’s the list of teams and schedule.

AFSA CLASSIC – Four game guarantee – July 13-15, 2007

Pool A
1 Denmark Circle Tap
2 Aurora Dolan & Murphy
3 Benton Harbor Plangger’s
4 Thomson Merchants

Pool B
1 Green Bay Townline
2 Quad City Sox
3 Bloomington Stix
4 California Lumberkings

Friday
7pm Aurora vs. Thomson
9pm Denmark vs. Aurora

Saturday North Field (A)
9am Benton Harbor vs. Thomson
11am Denmark vs. Benton Harbor
1pm Denmark vs. Thomson
3pm Aurora vs. Benton Harbor
5pm Green Bay vs. California

West Field (B)
9am Quad City vs. California
11am Bloomington vs. California
1pm Green Bay vs. Quad City
3pm Green Bay vs. Bloomington
5pm Quad City vs. Bloomington

Elimination bracket play begins Saturday night at 7pm, with games continuing through Sunday’s 2pm Championship game. (EST).

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

Ten Per Cent

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

Since January 1, 2007, USA Softball has generated 49 press releases on men’s and women’s fastpitch.

44 were about women and the women’s program.
5 were about the men’s program.

I’m just saying…….

By the way, in ten days, the Men’s National Fastpitch Team will be playing in the Men’s World Cup on June 16-24 in Prague, CZ. Read any good stories at www.usasoftball.com about it lately?

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New Zealand Black Sox Player Profiles

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

Rhys Casley, shown here with the Texaco Pirates, will be among the New Zealand Black Sox competing against Canada in June International Series

NZCT Black Sox Player Profiles

JEREMY MANLEY
Position: Pitcher
Club: Hutt City United
Province: Hutt Valley
DOB: 15/05/82
Career details – Victory in the 2006 Pacific Cup was Jeremy’s first taste of international softball with the NZCT Black Sox. He secured a place in the team last season on the back of strong performances for his club side Hutt City United as he led them to the 2006 NZCT National Club title. With his first taste of international softball behind him Jeremy is now looking to cement his place in the team with the 2009 World Championships in mind.

MICHAEL GAIGER
Position: Pitcher
Club: Parklands Christchurch United
Province: Auckland
DOB: 06/12/70
Career details – Michael debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1999 but has had a stop start international career due to injuries. Despite injury frustrations Michael has tasted the ultimate success winning world championships gold in 2004 and was also part of the victorious NZCT Black Sox team in the Pacific Cup last season.

HEINIE SHANNON
Position: Pitcher
Club: Auckland United
Province: Auckland
DOB: 21/06/75
Career details – It has been a long time between appearances for Heinie in the NZCT Black Sox uniform. Making his debut in 1998 Heinie has not played for New Zealand since the North American tour of 2002, so he will be keen to make the most of every opportunity in Canada. While he may not have been playing for New Zealand in recent years Heinie has not been lost to international softball as he has been representing Samoa.

PATRICK SHANNON
Position: Catcher
Club: Waitakere Bears
Province: Auckland
DOB: 21/06/75
Career details – Patrick first debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1995 and was in and out of the team before cementing his place in the side in 2001. Since then he has become a regular feature of the side and was part of the 2004 World Championship winning team.
Patrick is joined in the team by his twin brother Heinie.

STEPHEN RATU
Position: Catcher
Club: Miramar
Province: Wellington
DOB: 05/09/75
Career details – In the late 1990’s Stephen made his senior international softball debut but it wasn’t until his selection in 2005 that he became a regular member of the side. Stephen offers a degree of versatility to the NZCT Black Sox infield as he can successfully full the positions of both catcher and third base. Having fought his way into the NZCT Black Sox side Stephen is now targeting a world championship title in 2009.

JONATHAN MUNDEN
Position: Catcher
Club: Auckland Marist
Province: Auckland
DOB: 30/08/86
Career details – While still only young in years Jonathan has already had a wide taste of international softball. Jonathan debuted for the NZCT Black Sox as a 19-year-old in 2005 and in the same year he also captained the Junior Black Sox team at the Junior World Championships.

JARRAD MARTIN
Position: Infield
Club: Northcote
Province: North Harbour
DOB: 05/02/73
Career details – When it comes to softball there is little that Jarrad hasn’t achieved in his illustrious career. Since debuting for the NZCT Black Sox in 1991 Jarrad has claimed three world championship gold medals, a Commonwealth Series gold, two Pacific Cup titles and numerous provincial and club titles in New Zealand.

TRAVIS WILSON
Position: Infield
Club: Papanui
Province: Canterbury
DOB: 10/07/77
Career details – Travis debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1996 and was part of the World Championship winning team. Stella performances in that tournament caught the eye of American baseball scouts and he signed up for the Atlanta Braves in 1996. Travis played professional baseball in America for seven years before returning to softball in New Zealand 2004. Travis won a NZCT Black Sox recall in 2005 and is now targeting the 2009 World Championships.

BRAD RONA
Position: Infield
Club: Northcote
Province: North Harbour
DOB: 17/02/76
Career details – Brad has been in the NZCT Black Sox team for the last seven years after making his debut in the team’s gold medal winning performance at the 2000 World Championships. He claimed world championship gold again in 2004 with the NZCT Black Sox and caught the eye of the New Zealand sports fans with his power hitting and refusal to take a step backwards.

NATHAN NUKUNUKU
Position: Infield
Club: Mt Albert Ramblers
Province: Auckland
DOB: 08/05/80
Career details – Nathan burst on to the international softball stage as a 19-year-old in 1999 joining his older brother Dion in the side. Since then Nathan has gone on to claim two world championship titles with the highlight being the 2004 win in front of a home crowd in Christchurch. Nathan has also had plenty of success with both his club side and provincially for Auckland with three club national titles and three NZCT National League victories to his credit.

TYSON BYRNE
Position: Infield
Club: Hutt Valley Cardinals
Province: Hutt Valley
DOB: 27/09/88
Career details – Tyson is the youngest member of the touring squad and at the age of 18-years of age will be looking to make his NZCT Black Sox debut on tour. Following his international softball debut with the Junior Black Sox team in 2004 and 2005 Tyson has quickly risen through the ranks of senior softball in New Zealand.

THOMAS MAKEA
Position: Outfield
Club: Porirua
Province: Wellington
DOB: 20/08/75
Career details – As a three time world champion Thomas is something of a veteran in the NZCT Black Sox team but the desire to be the best continues to drive the world class outfielder. Thomas debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1994 and has been a fixture of the team ever since. A leader within in the team he is formidable in the batters box and hard to beat in the outfield.

DANIEL MILNE
Position: Outfield
Club: Parklands Christchurch United
Province: Canterbury
DOB: 07/09/78
Career details – Since making his NZCT Black Sox debut in 1999 Daniel has been in and out of the national team. Daniel has toured Australia, North America and Botswana with the NZCT Black Sox but is yet to attend a senior world championship. With his foot in the door Daniel is looking to cement his place in the NZCT Black Sox team with his eye on the 2009 World Championships.

STACY MCLEAN
Position: Outfield
Club: Poneke Kilbirnie
Province: Wellington
DOB: 02/10/75
Career details – World Championships gold in 2004 with the NZCT Black Sox has been the highlight of a distinguished softball career for Stacy to date. At 23-years of age Stacy made his international softball debut in 1998 and while injuries have seen him in and out of the team she has been a regular member of the side since 2002.

GUS LEGER
Position: Outfield
Club: Auckland Marist
Province: Auckland
DOB: 12/10/74
Career details – Gus has a wealth of international softball experience behind him for both New Zealand and Samoa. Gus debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1995 and then took up an American baseball contract before returning to New Zealand. Gus reignited his international softball career in 2000 with Samoa and captained the side at the 2004 World Championships. Gus won a recall to the NZCT Black Sox team in 2005 and is now targeting the 2009 World Championships.

DONNY HALE
Position: Outfield
Club: Mt Albert Ramblers
Province: Auckland
DOB: 03/04/75
Career details – Donny has been part of two world championship winning NZCT Black Sox teams in 2000 and 2004 and is an experienced member of the New Zealand team. The past season has seen Donny taste considerable success in the role of player coach as he has claimed the NZCT National League title with Auckland and the NZCT Open Club Championship crown with Mt Albert Ramblers.

RHYS CASLEY
Position: Outfield
Club: Hutt City United
Province: Hutt Valley
DOB: 21/12/78
Career details – Rhys debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 2002 but is still to cement his place in the side. He won an international recall in 2005 for the Evodrive Series where he was in impressive form with the bat. Along with maintaining a successful career in New Zealand he has also tasted plenty of success in America where he plays in the off season.

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New Zealand Black Sox vs. Canada Series – June 15-16, 2007

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

Thanks to Jon Nimmo of the California Lumberkings for this info:

NZCT Black Sox V Canada International Series
June 14th – June 16th
Orillia, Ontario

NZCT Black Sox prepared for pressure test
Thursday May 31st

It may have been over three years since the two teams last met on the softball diamond but the atmosphere will be electric when the New Zealand Community Trust Black Sox face Canada on their home turf next month.

The NZCT Black Sox fly out next week bound for Canada and a 12 day tour that will consist of four warm up games and six internationals.

NZCT Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase says such a short tour is unheard of and something the team has never done before. However he says it will be an ideal chance to set the framework for the 2009 World Championships which will also be held in Canada.

“Six internationals spaced over three days with two double headers each day against one of the best sides in the world. It will be a test of our team and give us a good indication of where we are at,” said Kohlhase.

Going into the tour the NZCT Black Sox hold the title of three time world champions having defeated Canada in the final of the 2004 World Championships to stay on top of the world.

Since that world championship victory in 2004 the Black Sox selection panel have increased the talent pool utilising up to 35 players on various tours in recent years. However there will be no experimenting on this tour.

“We are going there to win an international series and for the first time during this programme we have picked what we believe to be our best 17 athletes.

“The athletes understand that while they are the 17 going a number in the extended squad could well consider themselves unlucky to miss selection. This will be a test of the squad and the depth of the squad,” said Kohlhase.

Given that the world champs are just two years away Kohlhase says the tour will be a great chance to gauge where the team is at and understand the environment the team will be faced with in 2009 when they attempt to claim their fourth consecutive world title.

Due to the timing of the tour which sees the NZCT Black Sox taking to the diamond in their off season Kohlhase says he will be calling on all his players to stand up and perform.

“Traveling to Canada is a pretty tough assignment and we will be looking for everyone to deliver. Unlike what other teams are saying where they have a leadership group we talk of a team being “leader full”. We are very lucky to have experienced core of hardened internationals in this team and everybody has a role to play from the youngest guy in the squad Tyson Byrne through to the most experienced in Jarrad Martin”.

Draw

Friday June 15th

12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada

Saturday June 16th

12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada

Sunday June 17th

12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada

* Note all times listed are New Zealand time. Toronto where the games are being played are 17 hours behind New Zealand.

Itinerary

Thursday 7th June NZCT Black Sox fly out from Auckland International Airport bound for Toronto.

Friday 8th June Following a two hour bus trip the team arrive in Kitchener and settle into their accommodation with a rest day.

Saturday 9th June The team spend the day training.

Sunday 10th June Day four of the tour will be spent training and holding a skills clinic in the Kitchener area.

Monday 11th June The team have a 90 minute bus trip from Kitchener to travel to Jarvis for two exhibition games against Jarvis Merchants.

Tuesday 12th June The team have a 30 minute bus trip from Kitchener to travel to Travistock for two exhibition games against the Kitchener Hallman Twins.

Wednesday 13th June The team have a three hour bus trip from Kitchener through to a new base in Orillia.

Thursday 14th June The international series between the NZCT Black Sox and Canada gets underway with a double header at Tudhope Park.

Friday 15th June The team return to their base in Kitchener and settle back into their accommodation before traveling to Sebringville for another double header against Canada in the evening.

Saturday 16th June The NZCT Black Sox wrap up their international series against Canada with two final games at Peter Hallman Ballyard.

Sunday 17th June The team spend their final day on tour packing up and preparing for departure.

Monday 18th June The NZCT Black Sox team travel home flying out from Toronto and headed for Auckland.

NZCT Black Sox Touring Party

Heinie Shannon Pitcher Auckland
Jeremy Manley Pitcher Hutt Valley
Michael Gaiger Pitcher Canterbury
Patrick Shannon Catcher Auckland
Stephen Ratu Catcher Wellington
Jonathan Munden Catcher Auckland
Jarrad Martin Infield North Harbour
Travis Wilson Infield Canterbury
Brad Rona Infield North Harbour
Nathan Nukunuku Infield Auckland
Tyson Byrne Infield Hutt Valley
Thomas Makea Outfield Wellington
Stacy McLean Outfield Wellington
Donny Hale Outfield Auckland
Daniel Milne Outfield Canterbury
Gus Leger Outfield Auckland
Rhys Casley Outfield Hutt Valley
Eddie Kohlhase Coach Auckland
Eric Wilson Assistant Coach Wellington
Dave Workman Assistant Coach Wellington
Wayne Small Manager Wellington
Helen Townsend Video Analyst Canterbury
Rob Cashman Physiotherapist Wellington
Kurt Olsen Trainer Auckland
Russell Moffatt Scorer Christchurch

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Townline Shootout – Green Bay, Wi – June 15-17

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

Texaco Pirates of Bahamas Among Teams to Compete in Green Bay

From Al’s Fastball:

Townline Shootout
June 15-17
Green Bay, WI
Howard Memorial Park

Townline is proud to host the 1st annual Townline Shootout. Thank you to Townline, teams and fans that will make this event. Make sure to stop by Townline to enjoy some food and beverage that you’ll really enjoy. See you at the park.

Pool A
1. Circle Tap
2. The Farm
3. Bahamas
4. The Bar of Green Bay

Pool B
A. Townline
B. Albaugh
C. Bloomington
D. Earl’s Club

Friday
6:00 1 vs 4
7:45 A vs D
9:30 1 vs 2

Saturday
8:00 C vs D
9:45 C vs B
11:30 D vs B
1:15 1 vs 3
3:00 2 vs 3
4:45 2 vs 4
6:30 A vs C
8:15 A vs B

Sunday
9:00 3 vs 4
11:00 A1 pool vs B2 pool
1:00 B1 pool vs A2 pool
3:00 Championship

Jon Zipperer
zipp3@new.rr.com

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2007 Rich Rice Memorial Tournament

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

Interbay Winner at Wenatchee, WA

Some results from the long line of tournaments held last weekend, from Wenatchee, Washington, courtesy of Al’s Fastball:

The 2007 Rich Rice Memorial Tournament was won this past weekend by Interbay Door of Seattle,WA. This early season tourney is a favorite for teams because they get a full 5 games guaranteed in the warm sun of beautiful Wenatchee,WA. The top two finishers in each pool face off in the championship game. This year it was Interbay Door and the host team, Triple C Healthcare from Wenatchee.

Led by the pitching of Kevin Rasmussen who was MVpitcher for the tournament with some help from father Craig on the weekend Interbay managed to fashion a 5-1 record en route to another
Rich Rice title in the teams history .

The Triple C team led by the hitting of the Lewallen brothers managed to win 4 games in a row after a 1st game loss to Old Growth 6-4. On Sunday Terry Mace tossed a shutout vs Max’s followed by a hard fought win by Wade Liberty in game five of the weekend vs Mission to secure the berth in the title game. As always a great tournament and this year the rain held off with 95 degree or more temperatures all weekend. A great tournament for all that attend. Hopefully 2008 can attract a few more teams to the tourney.

A big thanks to Uncle Vern, John Kallahar, Randy Cooper and all involved in the community of Wenatchee for what is a classy, well run, and enjoyable tournament on the banks of the Columbia
River!!!

Results were:

Pool A

Triple C Healthcare Wenatchee,WA 4-2
Boise Riverdogs Boise,ID
4-1
Cleon’s Auto Repair Tacoma,WA 3-2
NW Old Growth Portland,OR 2-3
Max’s Bar & Grill Yakima,WA
0-5

Pool B

Interbay Door Seattle,WA
5-1
JRW & Associates Yakima,WA 3-2
Country Insurance Lynden,WA 3-2
The Screaming Yak Spokane,WA 2-3
Mission Electric Wenatchee,WA 0-5

From: “Jeff Hannan”
jeffman31(at)msn.com

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SCIFL News Blog

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

We’ve added a “SCIFL News Blog“ to the SCIFL website. For your convenience, you can reach it by clicking the “News” menu button on the main SCIFL website. You’ll find a familiar feel to it, as it uses a layout as similar to the “Morning Brief” and “Deuce” blogs here at Fastpitchwest. It is an addition to, not replacement of the SCIFL site.

Hope you’ll find it easier to get your latest SCIFL news, or search for whatever information you want. Fred Hanker, Robert Hernandez and Ron Rupp will be posting information to keep you up to date on all of the latest SCIFL news.

Today’s addition is ballpark and travel information for the league’s next weekend, June 22-23, 2007 in Ventura. You’ll also find some handy links on the right hand side, to various SCIFL pages, the NAFA sites, etc.

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ISF World Cup – June 18-24, 2007

Tuesday, June 5th, 2007

Bob Henning, Eric Minton Among Umpires for ISF World Cup

From Al’s Fastball

http://worldcup07.czechsoftball.com/

June 18-24, 2007 Schedule of Games

The Tournament starts on Monday June 18th. The first game starts at 2 p.m. The Technical Meeting will be held in the Clubhouse at the ballpark a day earlier on Sunday June 17th at 8 p.m. The meeting is organized for coaches and team managers but we would like you to be present at the TM as well as at the umpire briefing that will follow the TM. The transport from the hotel will be arranged. The Final game is scheduled on Sunday June 24th at 5:30 p.m.

The participating teams are

Czech Republic,
Demo EHS (NED)
Denmark
Japan
Halcones Tenerife (ESP)
Prague Stars (CZE)
Santa Isabel Zaragoza (ESP)
Venezuela
USA
(more…)

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