Archive for June, 2007

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Canada and New Zealand split again in Sebringville

Saturday, June 16th, 2007

From: (click to visit)

VS.

Canada and New Zealand split again in Sebringville – SC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Sebringville, ON) – For the second time in as many nights, Canada and New Zealand split a doubleheader in the second chapter of the International Test Series in Sebringville, ON. Nez Zealand took complete control of the first game, winning by a score of 8-0 called after five innings. However, Canada bounced back in the second game with an 8-2 triumph of their own. The Series now shifts to Kitchener, ON where the two teams will meet again for one final doubleheader.

In the first game of the night, New Zealand jumped to an early lead and never looked back. Travis Wilson and Pat Shannon connected for back-to-back homeruns in the top of the first inning, which highlighted a three run inning for the “Kiwis”. New Zealand added a run in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Shannon, and four more in the fourth as five different players connected for singles. Thomas Makea produced two runs with a single in the inning, while Stacy McLean and Wilson each drove in a run with singles of their own.

The strong hitting of New Zealand was well complemented by the excellent pitching of Jeremy Manley, who threw a 5 inning gem en route to the victory. Manley struck out 6 while walking one, surrendering only one hit to Ryan Wolfe. His counterpart Paul Koert lasted 2 1/3 innings allowing four runs on three hits and two strikeouts, before passing the ball on to local player Don Scott, who pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up four runs of his own on five hits while striking out one.

In the nightcap, Canada took the early lead and produced in key situations to earn the victory. Ryan Wolfe led off the bottom of the first with a double, and later scored on an RBI single by Derek Mayson. New Zealand replied in the top of the third inning with a lead-off solo homerun by Travis Wilson, and took a 2-1 lead a few batters later after an RBI single by Donny Hale. However, Canada stormed right back in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs five hits, four of them for extra bases. Rob Gray tied the game with a solo homerun, followed by a two RBI double by pinch-hitter Keith Mackintosh, scoring Ian Fehrman and Brian Abrey. Wolfe then drove Mackintosh in with an RBI triple.

(more…)

Posted in Canada, ISF | No Comments »

Recap of New Zealand vs. Canada at Orillia

Friday, June 15th, 2007

VS.

Thanks to our friend on Prince Edward Island, Canada, Pat Healey for his recap of the opening round games of the New Zealand Black Sox vs. Canada series.

Ellsworth helps cause as Canada splits test series opener with Kiwis
BY PAT HEALEY

ORILLIA, ONT. – Jeff Ellsworth of Alberton left a mark for Team Canada in the opener of a three doubleheader, six game International test series with New Zealand Thursday night.

The Alberton recreation director continued his recent torrid hitting, going 1-for-2 with a triple and an RBI to help lead Canada to the 8-4 win over the Kiwis before 500 fans at Tudhope Park here in Orillia. New Zealand bounced back to earn the split with a 5-0 win in the second game.

Derek Mayson (3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI’s), Jody Eidt (1-for-4 with a solo home run), Rob Gray (1-for-2, run scored, two walks) and Kevin Schellenberg (2-for-3, run scored) also were tops at the dish.

Stacey McLean (1-for-1 walk, two RBIs) and Jarrad Martin (1-for-1 run scored) led the Kiwis at the plate.

Dean Holoien earned the win in relief of starter Rob O’brien. Holoien went two innings allowing one hit, walking one and fanning one batter. one hit while striking out three. Trevor Ethier relieved Holoien, going two innings fanning one batter, giving up two earned runs on two hits and walking one.

Jeremy Manley suffered the loss allowing four runs on five hits in five and one third innings of work while striking out three. Michael Gaiger finished the game off giving up three runs in one and two-third innings relief work.

The second game was a much different story, as the Kiwi’s blanked the Canucks 5-0 as Heinie Shannon pitched a complete game two-hitter to lead New Zealand and earn the split.

Nathan Nukunuku (2-for-4) and Travis Wilson each drove in two runs for the win. Pat Shannon hit a two-run triple to make it 5-0 and eventually earn the win.

Jody Eidt was 1-for-2 with a walk for the lone top Canuck hitter.

Rick Smith suffered the loss in relieve of starter Todd Martin.

Ellsworth did not play as head coach Mark Smith worked his 24 man roster into action during the first doubleheader.

Posted in ISF | No Comments »

Inaugural ISF Men’s Fastpitch World Cup starts on Monday

Friday, June 15th, 2007

From: (click to visit)

[PRAGUE, CZ] – Prague, Czech Republic is proud to host for the first time top world event – ISF Men’s World Cup. World Cup is an open format tournament, which brings the best level fastpitch in european history. Five national teams – USA, Japan, Venezuela, Czech Republic, Denmark plus 4 other teams (mostly empowered by oversea players) – DemoEHS from Holland, Tenerife Halcons and Real Zaragoza from Spain and second Czech team named Prague Stars promise great week.

Tournament will be played in the venue of Krc Altron and first games start on Monday, June 18, at 2 pm. Grand Final is scheduled for Sunday, June 24, at 5,30 pm.

Czech National TV will broadcast 5 games live, three from the round robin and than Final and Grand Final.

Part of this exceptional event is also series of seminars for players and coaches led by trainers and players from US and Japanese team. These clinics are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon.

Follow the tournament and its results on Czech Softball official website www.softball.cz

Pavel Prachar

European Softball Development
pracharpavel@gmail.com

Posted in ISF | No Comments »

New Zealand split with Canada in Orillia

Friday, June 15th, 2007

From: (click to visit)

VS.

NZ Black Sox vs Canadian National Team


Game 1
Orillia, ON
Thursday, June 14

New Zealand Black Sox at Canada

CA. 8
NZ 4

BLACK SOX: 0.2.0.0.0.2.0.x.x.x.4.4.0
CANADA: 0.0.2.1.1.4-.x.x.x.8.9.0

CA
Pitching
Rob o brien
Dean Holoien
Trever ethier

Rob O’Brien: 3 IP, 2R, 1ER, 1H, 3K, 0BB
Dean Holoien: 2 IP, 0R, 0ER, 1H, 1K, 1BB
Trevor Ethier: 2 IP, 2R, 2ER, 2H, 1K, 1BB
C: Sean O’Brien

NZ
Jeremy Manley
Michael gaiger

915 PM game ended (more…)

Posted in Canada, ISF | No Comments »

Get the Dirt …

Friday, June 15th, 2007

From: (click to visit)

Diamond Dirt Available on-line

Diamond Dirt Volume 2 – June – July 2007 is now available here on-line in PDF format:

http://www.iscfastpitch.com/uploads/File/DDirt_June07_Web(1)[1].pdf

Editor, John Thompson of Waterloo, Ontario has been working overtime to bring us another great issue of this popular ball yard magazine. This issue is jam packed with information including:

* News about the upcoming ISC World Tournament in Kitchener, August 10-18 and
the ISC II Tournament of Champions being held in Kitchener and Cambridge, August 14-18.
* ISC and ISC II June 5 team rankings.
* Kiwi Test Series being held this week in Ontario.
* 4th Annual Monkton World Fastball Invitational being held in Monkton, ON, June 28 to July 1.
* 10th Annual WORLD SERIES OF FASTBALL, being held in Orillia, ON – July 13-15

Thanks to John for another great issue of Diamond Dirt.

Again, this issue is available by clicking here.

Previous issues of Diamond Dirt, including the February edition are at:
http://www.iscfastpitch.com/index.php?page=120

Al Doran
from Orillia, Ontario

Posted in ISC, ISC-II | No Comments »

Ghostkeeper to Vancouver for 2007 Senior Canadians

Thursday, June 14th, 2007

Editor’s note: We gratefully thank Sports Editor Jim Swanson and the Prince George Citizen newspaper, both for granting permission to reprint their stories here at Fastpitchwest, and for providing the fastpitch community with such great coverage in the first place. Readers will recall that during last year’s Senior Canadian National Tournament, they ran feature stories on teams and players every day, in addition to the game by game reports, remarkable coverage for men’s fastpitch in this day and age, where many papers ignore the sport altogether. Today’s story, reprinted below is another well-written piece. Ghostkeeper moving from the hometown Black Bears to the arch rival Vancouver Grey Sox? Tantamount to Johnny Damon signing with the Yankees ! So to the folks at the Citizen, we say “well done — again”. Your newspaper’s coverage of men’s fastpitch is among the best in the nation. We’ve posted from a few more newspapers graciously providing coverage for men’s fastpitch, including the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls SD, the SE Missourian and the Du Quoin Evening Call in Illinois. Know of any others providing good coverage for men’s fastpitch? Let us know.

Reprinted with permission from:

(click logo to visit their website)

GREY SOX CATCH A CATCHER FROM P.G.

by JASON PETERS, Citizen staff

At the 2006 Canadian senior men’s fastpitch championship in Prince George, Chad Ghostkeeper was front and centre in pulling down the hated Vancouver Grey Sox.

When this year’s nationals step on the diamond in St. John’s, Nfld., Ghostkeeper will be there. And he’ll be wearing a Grey Sox uniform.

Ghostkeeper, a 35-year-old Prince George resident, has signed on with the Grey Sox for the Canadian championship tournament, set for Aug. 26 to Sept. 2.

Has he crossed over to the dark side? He doesn’t see it that way.

“I don’t really see them as an enemy,” said Ghostkeeper, the all-star catcher at the 2006 nationals as a member of the now-defunct Prince George Black Bears. “They’ve been bugging me throughout the year (to play for them at nationals). There were a few teams that were bugging me, and I just thought I would go to Vancouver. I know a few guys on the team, and it’s a lot closer.”

During the 2006 tournament, played at Spruce City Stadium, the Grey Sox — loaded with national-team talent — were one of the favourites to leave town with the title. Because of their star-studded roster, they became a target for other teams. The Sox ended up 2-5 after the round-robin portion of the event, won their first playoff game, and were then eliminated after a 4-1 loss to the Black Bears. The Bears had also beaten the Grey Sox in round robin. That game, won 8-1 by Prince George, was cut short by the mercy rule.

(more…)

Posted in Canada, General, Players, Teams | No Comments »

Gas Prices….

Thursday, June 14th, 2007

With everyone feeling the pinch of high gas prices driving to tournaments and such, MSN’s gas price website provides a bit of relief. Click the photo icon above, then put in your zip code, to find the best gas prices in your area. To our friends north of the border, I have not yet found an equivalent site for the Canada, but if someone does, email me, jim (at) fastpitchwest.com.

Update: Our friend Pat Healey from PEI send this one for Canada: http://www.gasbuddy.com (works for USA too)

Posted in General | No Comments »

Tornadoes Hit Blue-Gray Tournament

Thursday, June 14th, 2007


By DAN ARMONAITIS, For the Herald-Journal

TORNADOES CAPTURE TITLE

In their first of existence, the South Carolina Tornadoes did something last weekend that no other team from the Palmetto State had done before.

The Tornadoes – an amateur softball team based out of Spartanburg – captured the championship at the 54th Annual Blue-Gray Men’s Fast Pitch Invitational last Sunday at Lagoon Park in Montgomery, Ala.

“There have been a lot of other good teams from South Carolina that have gone down there over the years, but none of them had ever won it,” manager and right fielder Travis Owens said. “So, for us to win it all, it was something special.”

The Tornadoes swept through the two-day tournament, finishing with a 6-0 overall record. They won their two championship round games by a combined 22-4 margin.

“All the pieces fell together,” Owens said. “Our defense was playing well, and our offense was hitting the ball. We averaged 11 runs a ballgame while giving up three. When you do that, the odds are definitely in your favor.”

The Tornadoes – the only traveling men’s fast pitch team in the state – clinched the title on Sunday with a 12-4 victory against Alpha Heating and Air, which had won the tournament three of the previous four years. They posted a 10-0 win against Montgomery Fast Pitch in the semifinals.

Jahmal Overton, a former baseball player at Georgia Tech, was named the tournament MVP after hitting four home runs, including two in the championship game.

“Jahmal was on,” Owens said. “He was seeing the ball well, and it seemed kind of effortless for him. He was a spark plug for us, and every time he made contact, it generated something good.” Chris Sturgill and Greg Gerhart each added two-run blasts for the Tornadoes in the title game, and pitcher Brad Courtney claimed the decisive victory.

“The thing that was so great about the tournament was that we played all the better squads that were there,” Owens said. “Sometimes, you can go through and not have to play the best based on the way the brackets fall, but this time, we had to beat the best.”

Many members of the team had previous experience at the Blue-Gray Invitational but had never before competed in the tournament as the Tornadoes.

“When we went down to Montgomery, we kind of took everybody by surprise,” Owens said. “They didn’t know who we were by our team name, but when we showed up, they knew us as players.”

Owens said that the Tornadoes are planning to compete in two national tournaments this summer – the National Softball Association Men’s Fast Pitch World Series (Aug. 3-5 in Salisbury, Md.) and the Amateur Softball Association Class B national championships (Aug. 29-Sept. 3 in Altamonte Springs, Fla.).

For now, however, the Tornadoes will continue to savor their recently won title.

“(The Blue-Gray Invitational) is one of the best in the Southeast as far as the quality of teams that participate, so winning it is quite an accomplishment,” Owens said. “It’s a well run tournament, and every year, you know you’re going to go down there and see some good teams.”

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

2007 Portland Rose Cup – June 23rd & 24th – Portland, Oregon

Wednesday, June 13th, 2007

2007 Portland Rose Cup – June 23rd & 24th – Portland, Oregon
Delta Park Complex – 16 Teams

Printer Friendly PDF Schedule

Pool A.
Portland DeMarini (OR)
Larry Miller Hogs (UT)
Romie Angels (CA)
Team Yakima (WA)

Saturday – June 23rd
10:30am – GI Joes Field – Portland DeMarini vs Larry Miller Hogs
10:30am – M&W Field – Romie Angels vs. Team Yakima

2:30pm – GI Joes Field – Romie Angels vs. Portland DeMarini
2:30pm – M&W Field – Larry Miller Hogs vs. Team Yakima

6:30pm – White Field – Team Yakima vs. Portland DeMarini
6:30pm – Budweiser Field – Larry Miller Hogs vs. Romie Angels

Pool B.
SoCal Bombers (CA)
C-9 (Victoria, BC)
Mock Ford (OR)
AA Riteway (OR)

Saturday – June 23rd
10:30am – White Field – So-Cal Bombers vs. C-9
10:30am – Budweiser Field – AA Riteway vs. Mock Ford

2:30pm – White Field – AA Riteway vs. So-Cal Bombers
2:30pm – Budweiser Field – Mock Ford vs. C-9

6:30pm – GI Joes Field – Mock Ford vs. So-Cal Bombers
6:30pm – M&W Field – C-9 vs. AA Riteway

Pool C.
Vancouver Grey Sox (British Columbia)
A-1 Taylor (CA)
CR Adidas (OR)
Cleon’s (WA)

Saturday – June 23rd
08:30am – M&W Field – Vancouver Grey Sox vs. A-1 Taylor
08:30am – GI Joes Field – Cleon’s vs CR/Adidas

12:30pm – M&W Field – CR/Adidas vs. Vancouver Grey Sox
12:30pm – GI Joes Field – A-1 Taylor vs. Cleon’s

04:30pm – White Field – Vancouver Grey Sox vs. Cleon’s
04:30pm – Budweiser Field – C/R Adidas vs. A-1 Taylor

Pool D.
Broken Bow Gremlins (NY)
Lumberkings (CA)
Italian Athletic Club (CA)
Brotherton (OR)

Saturday – June 23rd
0830am – White Field – Broken Bow Gremlins vs. Lumberkings
08:30am – Budweiser Field – IAC vs. Brotherton

12:30pm – White Field – IAC vs. Broken Bow Gremlins
12:30pm – Budweiser Field – Lumberkings vs. Brotherton

04:30pm – GI Joes Field – Broken Bow Gremlins vs. Brotherton
04:30pm – M&W Field – Lumberkings vs. IAC

Top two teams from each Pool advance to Championship round

Championship Round
Sunday – June 24th
10:30am – GI Joes Field – A1 vs. D2
10:30am – White Field – B1 vs. C2
10:30am – Budweiser Field – C1 vs. B2
10:30am – M&W Field – D1 vs. A2

12:30pm – GI Joes Field – (A1/D2 winner) vs. (B1/C2 winner)
12:30pm – M&W Field – (C1/B2 winner) vs. (D1/A2 winner)

2:30pm – GI Joes Field = Championship game

Consolation Round
Sunday – June 24th
08:30am – GI Joes Field – A3 vs. D4
08:30am – White Field – B3 vs. C4
08:30am – Budweiser Field – C3 vs. B4
08:30am – M&W Field – D3 vs. A4

12:30am – White Field – (A3/D4 winner vs. B3/C4 winner)
12:30am – Budweiser Field – (C3/B4 winner vs. D3/A4 winner)

02:30pm – Budweiser Field – Consolation Championship Game

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

U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility

Wednesday, June 13th, 2007

Headed to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada for the ISC World Tournament or ISC II Tournament of Champions? Read on…….


From the U.S. State Department
Travel Accomodation Announced June 8, 2007
The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced Friday, June 8th that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region, who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can re-enter the United States by air. This accommodation does not mean that Americans are exempt from meeting the entry requirements of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region. Entry requirements for those countries remain in effect. Americans traveling to those countries must verify the specific entry requirements for that country before departure.
(more…)

Posted in General, ISC, ISC-II | No Comments »

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