Archive for June, 2007

SCIFL Schedule of Games for This Weekend – Ventura, CA

Thursday, June 21st, 2007

The SCIFL schedule of games for this weekend in Ventura was just announced.

Click here to view. Note there is also a menu button for a “printer friendly” PDF.

California’s ISC II Teams to Square off at Rose Cup

Wednesday, June 20th, 2007

California’s two ISC II teams, the California Lumberkings and A-1/Taylor Farms will square off at 4:30pm on Saturday, in the Rose Cup tournament at Portland, Oregon. The head-to-head matchup puts bragging rights, ISC II rankings, and a spot in the Rose Cup playoffs on the line.

For more, visit our sibling blog for ISC II teams, “The Deuce”.

REVISED Portland DeMarini Rose Cup Tournament Schedule Announced

Wednesday, June 20th, 2007

The 2007 Portland DeMarini Rose Cup schedule has been “revised” and is now a 14 team tournament. Due to a couple of teams unable to participate and our unsuccessful attempt to complete the field (pitching, visa, travel, etc. problems), we had no other choice and apologize for any inconveniences. Travel/prize monies remain the same.

SATURDAY JUNE 23, 2007 SCHEDULE:

Pool A

SoCal Bombers
Portland DeMarini
C-9 (Victoria)
Larry Miller Hogs (UT)
Romie Angels (CA)
Team Yakima (WA)
AA Riteway (OR)

Pool B

Broken Bow Gremlins (NY)
Vancouver Grey Sox (BC)
CR/Adidas (OR)
California LumberKings
A-1/Taylor (CA)
Mock Ford (OR)
Cleon’s Auto (WA)

08:30am Mock Ford vs. A-1/Taylor M&W Field
08:30am CR/Adidas vs. Cleon’s Auto White Field
08:30am Portland DeMarini vs. Larry Miller Hogs GI Joes Field

10:30am Broken Bow Gremlins vs. California LumberKings GI Joes Field
10:30am C-9 vs. Romie Angels M&W Field
10:30am Team Yakima vs. AA Riteway Budweiser Field
10:30am Vancouver Grey Sox vs. Cleon’s Auto White Field

12:30pm SoCal Bombers vs. Larry Miller Hogs White Field
12:30pm Broken Bow Gremlins vs. Vancouver Grey Sox GI Joes Field
12:30pm A-1/Taylor vs. CR Adidas Budweiser Field
12:30pm Mock Ford vs. California LumberKings M&W Field

2:30pm C-9 vs. Portland DeMarini GI Joes Field
2:30pm Romie Angels vs. SoCal Bombers White Field
2:30pm AA Riteway vs. Larry Miller Hogs Budweiser Field

4:30pm CR Adidas vs. Vancouver Grey Sox White Field
4:30pm A-1/Taylor vs. California LumberKings M&W Field
4:30pm Cleon’s Auto vs. Mock Ford Budweiser Field
4:30pm Team Yakima vs. Portland DeMarini GI Joes Field

6:30pm SoCal Bombers vs. Broken Bow Gremlins GI Joes Field
6:30pm Team Yakima vs. Romie Angels Budweiser Field
6:30pm C-9 vs. AA Riteway White Field

***coin toss will determine home team for all Saturday games

Championship Round – Sunday, June 24, 2007
(top 4 teams in each pool play in Championship Rd.)

10:30am A1 vs. B4 GI Joes Field
10:30am B2 vs. A3 White Field
10:30am B1 vs. A4 Budweiser Field
10:30am A2 vs. B3 M&W Field

12:30pm A1/B4 winner vs. B2/A3 winner GI Joes Field
12:30pm B1/A4 winner vs. A2/B3 winner M&W Field

2:30pm Championship Game GI Joes Field

Consolation Round – Sunday, June 24, 2007
(bottom 3 teams in each pool – A5 & B5 get bye)

08:30am A6 vs. B7 GI Joes Field
08:30am B6 vs. A7 Budweiser Field

12:30pm B5 vs A6/B7 winner White Field
12:30pm A5 vs. B6/A7 winner Budweiser Field

2:30pm Consolation Championship Game Budweiser Field

Scores available at: fastpitchwest.com Saturday and Sunday

Tom Ree – Tournament Advisor
ree1837@comcast.net

Further info contact:

Roger Jones
Tournament Director
(503) 887-3200
jonesroger9@earthlink.net

or Brian Ree
(971) 253-9030
bree10@comcast.net

Ron Boley
PMSA
pkronb@ci.portland.or.us

USA World Cup – Game 5 – Win Over Spain

Wednesday, June 20th, 2007

PRAGUE, CZ –The USA Softball Men’s National Team exploded for six runs in the fifth inning to score its second run rule win of the day and third overall of the tournament by defeating Santa Isabel Zaragoza of Spain, 8-1, to remain undefeated in the ISF Men’s World Cup.

Until the fifth inning, the USA, now a perfect 5-0, held only a 2-1 lead against Santa Isabel Zaragoza, which suffered its fourth defeat in as many games.

The USA’s Chris DeLarwelle (Appleton, Wisc.) doubled home the first USA run in the bottom of the first inningand Nate Devin (Merced, Calif.) plated the second run with a sacrifice fly that brought home Chris Miljavac (St. Joseph Mo.) who tripled to open the third inning.

Santa Isabel Zaragoza closed the margin to one run in the top of the fifth inningon a solo homer by Miguel Andrade offUSA starter and winning pitcher Cody Thomson (Salt Lake City, Utah). Thomson picked up his first win in two starts after a solid performance that included 12 strikeouts. He allowed only two hits in 4 2/3 innings of work and was replaced by Travis Price (Santa Ana, Calif.) who came in and recorded the final out in the top of the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth inning the USA picked up the runs it needed to shorten the game to just five innings. The Red, White and Blue got a two-run RBI double by DeLarwelle, an RBI singleby Daryn Miller(Creve Coeur, Ill.) and a three-run walk-off homer by BlakeMiller(Albany, Ga.) tohand pitcher Gabriel Melendez the loss. Melendez hadallowed only three hits through four innings before the USA’s bats camealive in fifth inning. Miller’sopposite field shot, which came with one out, was his second in as many games.

The USA finished the game collecting eight hits and was led by DeLarwelle who was a perfect 3-for-3 on the night with a pair of doubles and a single. Miljavac also had multiple hits in the game going 2-for-3 with a triple and a single.

Next up for the USA is a showdown with the host team, Czech Republic, on Thursday, June 21, at 1 p.m. CST in Havlickuv Brod, which is60 miles southeast of Prague in Eastern Bohemia.The USA will complete round-robin play on Friday, June 22 when they take on the Prague Stars and undefeated Venezuela. The Page Playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 23.

USA World Cup – Game 4 – Win over Spain

Wednesday, June 20th, 2007


(Home Run Club: Omar Moraga, Tim Hunt and Frank De Groat, Jr.- his 3rd)
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(18 yr old BJ Hunhoff notches win, big games for the Miller boys, Blake (3-5, 5 RBI and Daryn, 3-5)

From USA Softball:

USA Men Push Record to 4-0 With Easy Win Over Spain

PRAGUE, CZ – The USA Softball Men’s National Team won its fourth game in a row and second run-rule in the ISF Men’s World Cup, routing Halcones Tenerife of Spain, 21-2, in five innings Wednesday morning. It was the third loss in as many games for Halcones Tenerife.

Left-hander B.J. Hunhoff (Harrisburg, SD), the youngest player on the USA team at just 18, made his first start in the pitching circle and allowed just two runs on three hits to collect his first win. He gave up a solo homer in the second inning to Oropeza Merentes over the right center field fence with one out and an RBI single in the third inning by Pena Garcia, scoring Arteaga Matei who had walked to open the inning and went to second on a wild pitch. Hunhoff fanned five batters and walked only one.

The USA scored once in the second inning on a solo homer by catcher Frank DeGroat, Jr., (Ringwood, N.J.) off losing pitcher Escalona Zambrano, who was rocked for 18 hits, including 11 hits in a 14-run fifth inning.

The homer was DeGroat’s third of the World Cup and leads the USA team. DeGroat’s homer was the first of three launched by the USA in the game. Omara Moraga (Agoura Hills, Calif.) hit a solo homer and Tim Hunt (LaHabra, Calif.) also contributed a two-run round-tripper in the 14-run fifth inning.

Daryn Miller (Creve Coeur, Ill.) had three singles in five trips to the plate, driving in three runs, while Blake Miller (Albany, Ga.) drove in five runs with a double and two singles in five at-bats. Hunt also had a pair of singles to go along with his homer to lead the USA offensive attack.

The Red, White and Blue will look to keep their unbeaten streak alive as they take on Santa Isabel Zaragoza of Spain later today.

Bernie’s World Cup 2007 Photos

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

Thanks again to Bernie Lopez, who is sending us pics from the 2007 World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic. We’ve added a few new ones to the original page, here: 2007 World Cup Photo Gallery Thanks Bernie!

The photo below was taken during the USA’s first game against Denmark. I can’t tell who is crossing the plate, or greeting him. Anyone want to wager a guess?

(click photo to enlarge)

Click here for one of pitcher in Japan’s bullpen warming up vs. USA. It gives you a bit of the feel of the place, and you can see they had a pretty good crowd on hand for that game. Is that Steve Bartman with his back to the camera, waiting to reach out to catch that foul ball ? Moises?

And I think if you look closely, this is Sonny Perkins warming up against Japan.

In the meantime, we’ll be posting a few more as the tournament progresses, so keep an eye out.

“A High Towering Drive to Left….”

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

A week ago today, I traded emails with Nate Devine, of Team USA (and moderator of the most popular Fastpitchwest Forum section “The Rumor Mill”) and wished him luck at the World Cup. I told him that I wish I could be there to broadcast the games, writing:

“Sorry I can’t be there to call it, but it goes something like this: ‘A high towering drive to left…….’ You know the rest. “

I smiled as I read the report on the USA’s Game 3 tonight:

An exclamation point was added in the sixth inning after Devine led off with a monster home run that cleared the trees in left field that gave the U.S. a comfortable 4-1 advantage.

I guess anyone that’s seen him swing it saw that one coming. (including those who saw the game-tying blast in last year’s ISC World Tournament in Kitchener, Ontario) You know the Devine One is smiling tonight……

Before he left town, we hit Nate with “20 Questions”, give or take. Seems like a good night to roll out his responses:

Q. How old are you?
A. 30

Q. When did you start playing fastpitch?
A. Age 14 in city leagues in Sonora, ca

Q. Who got you started?
A. My dad played and I always went to the games. When I got older I was on the sideline and when guys didn’t show up I got in.

Q. Where do you reside?
A. Merced, Ca

Q. When did you first get involved with Team USA?
A. This year

Q. How did you first learn that you had made the team?
A. By email

Q. How did you feel about that?
A. It was awesome. I have wanted to play for my country since about 2002 when my baseball career had ended earlier that summer.

Q. Who was the first person you told you had made the team?
A. I think Porto called me right after I got the email. Then I called my mom.

Q. Who on TEAM USA do you admire most?
A. Adam Lalonde

Q. What ISC World teams have you played for in the past?
A. Team Rainey, So Cal Bombers

Q. What ASA Major teams have you played for in the past?
A. None

Q. What ISC World teams will you play for in 2007?
A. So Cal Bombers

Q. What ASA Major team will you play for in 2007?
A. None

Q. Have you competed in any tournaments for Team USA ?
A. No

Q. What was your best individual performance in fastpitch?
A. MVP and Offensive Player of the 2002 NAFA. Game tying homer in the bottom of the 7th last year at the ISC was cool too.

Q. When do you leave to CZ?
A. June 15

Q. Where are you flying from?
A. Fresno to JFK to Prague

Q. Are you travelling with any of the other players?
A. No

Q. How long will you be gone for ?
A. 10 days I think

Q. Have you ever been to Europe?
A. Never

Q. What do you imagine CZ is like?
A. Everyone I talk to says it’s a great place. I’m really excited. It seems really historic.

Q. What do you hope to accomplish in CZ?
A. A Gold Medal

House of Blues

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

World Tournament and ToC Umpires Announced

Umpires working the 2007 ISC World Tournament

Bruce Bierman UIC Ayr, ON
Les Novak Deputy UIC St. Louis Park, MN
Paul Baier Stratford, ON
Lou Davis Truro, NS
Jay Hart Dunnville, ON
Charlie Johnston Hitterdal, MN
Kevin Wallace Shipman, IL
Peter Kluszczynski Barrie, ON
Serge Laflamne Levis, PQ
Frank Omoe Edmonton, AB
Greg Pohl St. Louis, MO
Dave Seldon Reese, MI
Joe Squires Midland, MI
Leon Watson St. Louis, MO

Umpires working the 2007 ISC II Tournament of Champions

Joel Balberman Brantford, ON
Steve Bedard Port Hope, ON
Roger Cheyne Forest Lake, MN
Michael D’Abreu Brampton, ON
Jordan Hearn Hagersville, ON
Adam Hook Barrie, ON
Garry Kipfer Angus, ON
Chris Lamer Belleville, ON
Billy Norton Sault Ste Marie, MI
Lloyd Poirier Lower Sackville, NS
Trevor Topping Kitchener, ON
Tim Whitelaw Kitchener, ON

USA World Cup – Game 3 – Win Over Japan

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

From USA Softball

Miller’s Homer Propels USA Softball to Third Straight Win in ISF Men’s World Cup


HR for Blake Miller, Win for Sonny Perkins

PRAGUE, CZ—Blake Miller (Albany, Ga.), one of the smallest players on the USA Softball Men’s National Team at 5’10” and 165 pounds, came up with one of the biggest hits so far in the ISF World Cup Tuesday night in a 4-1 win over Japan, who is ranked fifth in the world.

With the teams scoreless after one inning, Miller hit an opposite field two-run homer to right center to give the USA an early 2-0 lead. Miller’s homer—his first and the fifth for the USA in three games—came off losing pitcher Tatsuya Hamaguchi.

“The ball was a dipper (drop ball),” Miller said. “It was a great pitch to hit and I was glad that I could give us an early lead.”

After Miller’s homer, which had Nate Devine (Merced, Calif.) aboard after reaching on a fielder’s choice, Japan cut the margin in half by scoring a run in the bottom of the second inning. Ryuji Hazeyama tripled to the left field corner to open the inning and scored on a fielder’s choice by Shubei Suzuki. It was the only run allowed by USA starter and winning pitcher Sonny Perkins (St. Michaels, Ariz.) who allowed only five hits in his first start at the World Cup. He fanned four and walked three.

The USA added to its lead in the fourth on an RBI single by Chris DeLarwelle (Appleton, Wisc.) that scored Lucas Goring (St. Paul, Minn.), who reached on a bunt to lead off the inning and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Chris Miljavac (St. Joseph, Mo.).

An exclamation point was added in the sixth inning after Devine led off with a monster home run that cleared the trees in left field that gave the U.S. a comfortable 4-1 advantage.

Goring had a pair of singles in three at-bats to lead the USA six-hit attack.

Now 3-0, the USA will play two club teams from Spain on Wednesday, Halcones Tenerife and Santa Isabel Zaragoza.

Our roving photographer/reporter had this to say about the game:

Team USA beat Japan 4- 1 but had to earn every bit of it. Sonny Perkins picked up the win rearing back and absolutely blowing fastballs past the Japanese slap hitters when it counted most. The Japanese pitchers were no slouches but our hitters were just a bit better tonight. And their third baseman made quite possibly one of the best plays ever made on a perfectly bunted ball by a Team USA batter. The crowd seemed very appreciative getting the chance to watch some World Class fastpitch on a very warm Prague evening.

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USA World Cup – Game 2- Win over Denmark

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

From USA Softball

June 19, 2007

USA Softball Come From Behind to Take Down Denmark, 9-4


HR’s for Frank DeGroat Jr. and Omar Moraga, Win for Travis Price

PRAGUE, CZ –Trailing 3-0, the USA Softball Men’s National Team came storming back to register a 9-4 decision over Denmark (1-1) Tuesday morning (June 19th) to remain undefeated in the ISF World Cup.

The USA, which meets Japan in a late game Tuesday evening, fell behind when Denmark scored on an RBI single by Rasmus Sorensen in the first inning, a solo homer by Jesper Panduro in the second inning and a passed ball in the third inning against USA starter Cody Thomson (Salt Lake City, Utah). But the USA cut the margin to a lone run with a pair of solo homers by Omar Moraga (Agoura Hills, Calif.) and Frank DeGroat, Jr., (Ringwood, N.J.) off losing pitcher Kim Hansen in the fourth inning. Hansen was rocked for four runs and seven hits in four and one-third innings.

DeGroat’s homer was his second of the competition and landed in the trees over the fence in left center. Moraga’s homer was his first of the competition and went over the right field fence.

The USA then took command of the game for good, scoring six runs on five hits in the fifth inning. Daryn Miller (Creve Coeur, Ill.) had two RBI, Moraga, Matt Palazzo (Des Moines, Iowa) and Chris DeLarwelle (Appleton, Wisc.) all had one RBI for the USA in the inning. Miller scored the final USA run in the seventh inning on an RBI single by catcher Adam LaLonde (Cheboygan, Mich.), who played an outstanding game on defense either throwing out or picking off four Danish base runners. Omar Moraga was 3-for-4 with two RBI and is hitting .667 for the tournament.

USA starter Thomson hurled 2 2/3 innings with B.J. Hunhoff (Harrisburg, SD), the youngest player on the USA team, hurling 1 1/3 innings and Travis Price (Santa Ana, CA) getting his second win in as many games hurling 3 2/3 innings. The USA collected 12 hits while Denmark had eight.

The USA National Men’s Team is moves to 2-0 in the ISF World Cup in Prague, CZ, and is set to face Japan, who finished fifth at the last ISF Men’s World Championship, at 8:00 p.m. (1:00 pm CST) on Tuesday, June 19. Denmark dropped to 1-1.

For additional information or interviews with players on the USA Softball Men’s National Team contact Bill Plummer at 202 352 2629.

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