Saturday, July 12, 2008
By Mike Spencer
mspencer@bc-times.comThe Argentina nationals will invade Munger on Friday night, one week ahead of the 54th annual Potato Festival.
”Yes, the town is abuzz about the Argentines coming, but nothing compares to the tater festival,” said Munger’s Del Benson, player/manager of the Munger Firemen who will host the Argentina men’s national softball team in an exhibition game.
The first pitch is set for 7 p.m. at the Munger field. Admission is free.
”We’re all pretty excited,” Benson said. ”I think the guys on this team realize this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for them.”
The 18-member Argentina national team will be in the midst of a Michigan and Southern Ontario exhibition tour when it stops in Munger. The team will also take on the Midland Explorers, managed by Auburn’s Clint Beane and assistant coach Benson, on July 19 and 20 in Midland.
”This is a great opportunity to meet people and make new friends,” said Julio Gamarci, catcher and team captain. ”After all, this is an amateur sport and the most important thing is to grow as persons and get to know different cultures, learn about them and improve in everything that you can.”
The series of games are a tune-up for Argentina which will compete in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan later this month in the International Softball Federation World Championships.
Editor’s note: The ISF World Championships are in 2009, not later this month.
”I don’t know how they’re doing and haven’t seen them play this summer, but I recognize some of the players who have played against the Explorers in the past,” Benson said. ”They’ll have some pretty good pitching and they’ll have good fielding.”
The Munger Fireman may not pose a big threat to the Argentina ballclub. But Benson’s young squad, which is 7-6 in the Thumb fastpitch league, is eager to face them.
”We’re sometimes pretty good and sometimes we struggle,” Benson said. ”We’re young. We’ve made some great strides the last couple of season and it’s been pretty rewarding.
”We’re going to play to win, but I’m looking at this as a real good opportunity for a younger players and the fastpitch fans in the area.”
Lapeer’s Kyle Beane, who pitches for the Firemen and plays infield for the Explorers, helped arrange the game in Munger because they were already scheduled to play the Explorers.
”I think it’s going to be one of the more unique experiences that Munger softball has had the opportunity to participate in,” Beane said. ”A lot of the guys on our team are fairly young in terms of their exposure to chances like this, and I’m excited that they get to play against an international team like Argentina.
”From what it sounds like, the entire community is excited about it. We’re hoping for a great crowd and a full ballpark. I have a feeling that it’s going to be a night that our team and fans won’t soon forget.”
In addition to Beane on the mound, the Firemen also have Munger’s Craig Histed (first baseman) and Brady Jacobs ready to pitch in.
”Kyle’s been monkeying around on the mound the last five or six years and he’s taken it fairly serious and he does a nice job,” Benson said. ”We started Brady out when he was 16 and he’s coming into his own after a couple of seasons.
”Craig’s got his feet wet on the mound, too, and he and Kyle usually pitch the league doubleheaders.”
Munger field is one of three used in the Thumb Fastpitch League. It is located on the festival grounds, just south of M-138 off Finn Road.
”For a good seat, you might want to come early,” said Benson, who plans to have a pre-game ceremony including introductions. ”We’re going to a public address announcer and some refreshments.
”We’re going to try and make it fun night.”
There will be seating behind home plate and some bleachers along the sidelines. Fans can also bring their own chairs.
Argentina, which is competing in Boys of Summer tournament in Denmark, Wis., will be armed with five pitchers for the tour.
They include Alberto Guerrinieri, Maximiliano Montero, Juan Potolicchio, Francisco Sabate and Pablo Sequi.
”Your summer is our winter, so this tour is our first games since last July,” said Gamarci. ”This is a great opportunity to stay on course.
”We are going to throw all our pitchers. We don’t have the complete staff, but the guys that are throwing will be competitive.”
Offensively, Gamarci, first baseman/catcher Bruno Motroni and outfielder Gustavo Guerrinieri are among the team’s top weapons.
The Midland Explorers will battle Argentina in doubleheaders July 19 (4:30 p.m.) and July 20 (10 a.m.) at Currie Stadium.
”I think it’s great,” said Clint Beane, preparing his club for some high-caliber competition. ”We’ve played some national teams in the past (Czechoslavakia and Denmark) but not Argentina.”
The Explorers, off to a 14-6 start, will use the exhibition games to get ready for the Amateur Softball Association and International Softball Congress championships. The ASA Major Nationals are July 31-Aug. 1 at Stevens Point, Wis. and the ISC World Tournament is Aug. 10-16 at Kimberly, Wis.
”We’re doing pretty good,” Clint Beane said. ”I like our chances of climbing up the ladder in the two big tournaments.”
The Explorers, ranked 10th in the World, also play doubleheaders today and tomorrow in Kitchener, Ontario, before traveling to Ashland, Ohio, on July 25-27.
The Explorers new additions – centerfielder Brad Ezekiel and leftfielder/pitcher Dan Skillings – have been a pleasant surprise for coach Beane. Ezekiel hails from Harbour Main, N.L. and Skillings is from Tavistock, Ontario.
Coach Beane also relies heavily on veterans Steve Horning (second base, Canton), Todd Schultz (shortstop, Williamston) and his son, Kyle Beane (first base). All have been with the Explorers for more than a decade.
”They are the old standbys,” coach Beane said.
Other area players on the Explorers are Todd Moore (outfielder, Clio) Steve Roberts (designated-hitter/catcher, Reese) and Ed Ketelhut (third baseman, Belleville).
The Explorers rely on Canadians on the mound, with veteran Grant Patterson, Toronto, Ontario, Brian Urquhart, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and Mike Joseph, Ohsweken, Ontario.
Former Olympian Doug Gillis is no longer with the team.
”Life goes on,” coach Beane said. ”I think Doug got what he wanted … to pitch more.
”But Grant’s done a great job as our No. 1.”