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Archive for December, 2008
Wisconsin Fastpitch Site
Thursday, December 4th, 2008High Quality Video on YouTube
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
As you have probably noticed, we’ve been posting more videos of late, to the “Fastpitchwest Channel” at YouTube. We plan to post a lot more during the 2009 season, including some from the AAU International tournament in January.
YouTube, as many of you know, is owned by Google, and is the leading site for display of videos. The quality of the video is fair at best, but it’s become popular because the site is easy to use and allows you to upload any and all video formats, without worry as to whether it will play on someone else’s computer, a sort of universal video converter that everyone can use and watch. The good news is that the Google boys have upgrading their system to permit you to view the videos in “high quality”. The difference is dramatic. (900 kbps vs. 200 kbps for you techies).
To watch in high quality mode, simply start the little movie displayed in the blog, then click the “YouTube” logo on the lower right had side of the screen. That will take you to a wide screen, high quality version of the video.
Please note:
I have the defaults at the Fastpitchwest Channel at YouTube set to “high quality”. If you are on a dial up or slow connection, after you click the YouTube logo on the blog post video, look for the link underneath the wide screen video that says “view in normal quality”.
Click here to watch a Fastpitchwest video in high quality.
Click the YouTube logo above to visit the “Fastpitchwest Channel” at YouTube, and see all available videos.
For those so inclined, you can “subscribe” to the Fastpitchwest Channel, and get updated whenever we post a new video. You can also “Add to Google”, if you use iGoogle homepage, and the latest video will display inside a little widget on the page.
Hitting/Training at On Deck in Signal Hill, CA
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008Long Beach Black Sox Player-Manager Fred Hanker Onboard as Hitting Instructor
(click logo to visit their website)
On Deck Batting Cages /Training
2499 Willow Street
Signal Hill, CA 90755
562-426-HITS (4487)
http://www.ondeckbattingcages.com
GRAND OPENING PARTY!!!
December 6th 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
On Deck Batting Cages & Training is a brand new 17,000 sq ft. facility and we invite you to our grand opening party December 6th 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Batting Cage Highlights
– 10 Indoor Batting Cages – Specialized “Home Plate†Pitching Machines
– Professional Instruction in Hitting, Pitching & Defense
– Explosive / Plyometric and Fast Twitch Training – Sports Motivation Training
On Deck Batting Cages and Training facility is a brand new 17,000 square foot facility offering baseball, softball and slow pitch cages for the recreational or serious athlete. We are located at 2499 Willow Street in Signal Hill across street from Cosco, and just minutes away from Heartwell Park, Long Beach City College, and California State University Long Beach.
Co-owner of On Deck, Rose Rogers is a pitching coach and manager. Rose has managed youth leagues as well as the Junior Olympic travel team. Rose’s teams have been competitive at both the local and national level.
Owner Mike Rogers has been a fixture in local community youth programs for the past twenty years. Mike is currently the Varsity Softball Coach at Gahr High School in Cerritos. Mike has also served as Assistant baseball coach at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower. (former home to Nomar Garciaparra)
Long Beach Black Sox owner Fred Hanker is an on site instructor for On Deck.
2008 AAU Clip on YouTube – Budke Triples
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008
Speaking of the AAU, here is a clip from last year’s tournament, semi-final game between Team Minnesota and the NY Gremlins. In this clip, Todd Budke triples home Rhys Casley for a run, though Minnesota would come back to win the game and advance to the championship game against the eventual champions, Mac’s Marauders.
Click here to watch this video in high quality.
AAU Roster – New York Gremlin Knights
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008
NY Gremlin Knights 2009 AAU Roster
3 – Bryan Newton – P
9 – John Rozich – C
12- Nathan Craigue – OF/INF
13- John Heinsch – DH/C
19- Steve Price – OF/DH
20- Bill Hillhouse – P
21- Dave Simon – OF/INF
23- Jay Herr – 3B
24- Chad McConnell – SS
26- Derek Pukash – OF
27- Dan O’Brien – UTIL
29- Jeremy Tracy – P/INF
32- Chad Busch – 2B
42- Reggie Barrau – OF
51- Craig Pidcock – P
94- Ed Jackson – OF
##- Jon Nimmo – C
1-Bruce Tanski – Sponsor
5- Gregg Leather – Manager
33- Jim Busch – Coach
We invite other teams to email their AAU rosters, to jim (at) fastpitchwest (dot) com.
Anthony Martinez Homers on YouTube
Monday, December 1st, 2008
Here’s a YouTube clip of Anthony Martinez of the Santa Barbara Bucks homering in a SCIFL league game against the So Cal Hustlers, at Little Lake Park in Santa Fe Springs, July 26, 2008.
I got to pinch-hit against Anthony in the game, and reminded him that I had the video. You think he’d lay one in there for me? Not a chance. Good morning, good afternoon and good night. Sit down, Mr. Videoman. I threatened to auction this footage on eBay after that 🙂 . But in the spirit of Christmas, Anthony, here it is.
For bonus points, can anyone i.d. the runners that score ahead of him?
Black Sox win Parana International at Argentina
Monday, December 1st, 2008The New Zealand men’s softball team won the Parana International in Argentina by beating the tournament hosts 3-1 in today’s final.
The world champion Black Sox opened the scoring in the first inning when captain Jarrad Martin hit a home run with Thomas Makea on base.
Argentina pulled one back in the second inning before Donny Hale scored a third run for the New Zealanders in the fifth.
Argentina were unable to find an answer to tight pitching from Jeremy Manley, who pitched the first five innings, and then Marty Grant, who came on for the final two.
The Black Sox finished the tournament with six wins from eight games, with the losses against the Venezuela national team and the local side Parana.
– NZPA