From :
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Money is getting tighter, top-caliber teams are dwindling and players are retiring, but world-class men’s fastpitch softball lives on for another summer.
The Midland Explorers opened their 23rd season of major fastpitch softball this weekend at the Legends of Fastball Tournament in Kitchener, Ontario. The Explorers again are regarded as one of the top men’s teams in North America, but will play this season without one familiar face on the mound.
Saginaw native and world-class pitcher Doug Gillis isn’t playing with the Explorers this season for the first time since 1998. Instead, the 43-year-old Gillis is pitching for Dolan-Murphy of Aurora, Ill., as he continues in his attempt to make a full recovery from a stroke he suffered two years ago this month.
Click here to read the rest of the story at The Saginaw News.