Native Softball Classic this weekend

August 6th, 2009

by Dave Price, Special to The R-C


Cliff Simpson Jr. takes batting practice in Dresslerville Tuesday night in preparation for this weekend’s softball tournament.

Combine tradition with love for the game, some top-level talent, even a unique twist thrown in for good measure, and you have the ingredients for the Cal-Neva Native Softball Classic this weekend at Stodick Park.

A field of men’s fast-pitch softball teams from Nevada and California, in addition to at least one co-ed entry, is expected to play Saturday and Sunday in an event that has been held annually in Carson Valley since 1967.

Games are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday and conclude Sunday afternoon.

Though known by different names over the years, the tournament has long been a family affair, according to Loren Simpson, who is serving as tournament director for the second year.

Previously, his aunts, Virginia and Lenora Kizer, and before that, his father, Cliff Simpson, were all movers and shakers in putting on what is one of the few men’s fast-pitch tournaments remaining in Northern Nevada.

“This has been a family effort for years, since the beginning, really,” Simpson said. “It’s been a long time. This is our 42nd or 43rd year … it’s now the biggest and longest-running men’s fast-pitch tournament in the area.”

There’s been a surge of interest this year because 12 teams are expected to play in the fast-pitch division this weekend.

That’s opposed to last year, when the response was low enough that a one-pitch limit slow-pitch tournament was set up to bring in more teams.

“This is the most teams we’ve had in a decade, the most since we had nationals here,” Simpson said. “We’re still going to have a slow-pitch division.

I expect five or six teams to come out and play a round robin schedule and have fun.”

On the fast-pitch side, this tournament will serve as a tune-up for teams preparing for upcoming national tournaments. Among those are the North American Fastpitch Association men’s AA and A World Series on Aug. 13-16 in Sioux Falls, S.D., and the NAFA Masters West World Series for men’s 50-, 45-, 40-, 35-and-over, as well as women’s 35-and-over teams on Sept. 18-20 at Centennial Park in Carson City.

Proceeds from this weekend’s tournament will help cover entry fees for Dresslerville Athletic Club teams that plan to play in Carson City next month and for teams to play in tournaments next year, according to Simpson.

Three or four local teams are tentatively set to play this weekend, two of those led by longtime fixtures in Northern Nevada’s fast-pitch softball community, Junior and Craig Kizer.

“Junior still has great movement on the ball,” Simpson said of the long-time ace pitcher and well-known pitching coach.

Simpson, 43, said he may even try to pitch some himself.

“I’ve always loved to play. If I’m healed up from my injury, I’ll throw some,” he said, adding with a laugh. “I don’t have great speed or great movement on the ball like Junior. It’s all about placement; I need every edge I can get.”

Simpson hopes he can delegate most of the pitching load for his Cal-Neva squad to Arizona ace Sonny Perkins, who in 2007 was a member of USA men’s national team that finished second at the ISF Men’s World Cup in Prague and in 2005 was named designated hitter on the ISC All-World team.

“He’s pretty well known in our fast-pitch circle,” Simpson said of Perkins.

As for the unique twist, Craig Kizer has entered Red Storm, which consists of players from a team that won the NSA girls 18-and-under state tournament in Carson City last month. The state championship team included Carson City’s Cassie Vondrak and Fernley’s Sevreana Johnson, who have committed to play for Western Nevada College, and Carson City’s Katie McEwan, who is set to play for Santa Barbara City College.

“It’ll be a co-ed team … I’ll probably even play some myself, just to help direct them a little from the infield,” Kizer said. “Mostly, it’s to let the girls see some quality pitching.”

And to have some fun, he added.

“That’s what the game’s all about, having fun,” Kizer said. “A lot of those guys out there, we’ve been playing together and against each other for years.”

Simpson echoed that.

“It takes a lot of work. Is it worth the time? Oh, yeah, it’s good to see that calibre of pitching. We just love the game and we want to see it keep going.”

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2009 NAFA “A” World Series – Sioux Falls South Dakota – August 6-9

August 6th, 2009

Sioux Falls, South Dakota at their brand new 8 field, 2 million dollar complex

August 6-9, 2009, Thursday through Sunday

Format – NAFA 3 game guarantee bracket

First Game 10 AM Thursday with championship game Sunday at 1:15 PM with if game to follow if necessary

Click logo for official NAFA website.

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44th Annual Grass Valley California Tournament

August 6th, 2009


(click logo for original news story)


Men’s softball classic set for Aug. 21 – 23
michael kirby


Chas Lowry of the Artichoke Joe’s Fireballs makes a play at shortstop in action from last season’s Colfax Recreation Men’s Fast Pitch Softball Classic. The field is starting to round into shape for this year’s 44th annual event, planned for Aug. 21-23.

The field is starting to take shape for the upcoming 44th Colfax Recreation Association’s Men’s Softball Classic, which is slated for Aug. 21-23 at the Living War Memorial Park in Colfax.

A line-up of eight men’s fast pitch teams are expected to fill the tourney brackets which will be pool play the first two days of the tournament followed by an elimination round on Sunday.

Confirming entries as if this week were the NorCal Gamblers from Sacramento, Sonoma Valley, Les Eva All-Stars of Grass Valley, All Phase Land Clearing of Grass Valley, Nor Cal Merchants of Stockton, Perfect Game from Grass Valley and the Pastime Club Fireballs of Colfax.

The longtime running tournament began in 1966 with four teams playing a one-day event.

At its peak in the early 1980s, the tournament was once played over a six-day period and included as many as 22 teams.

The Colfax Fireballs with 13 tournament championships lead the title winners in the event. Other multiple winners include Sutherland Union Oil (4), Reno Raiders (3), Ball Stars (3), Neilsen Gamblers (2), Italian AC (2), and J&P Sportsmen (2).

Keywords

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NAFA “A” World Series at Sioux Falls – Aug 6-9

August 6th, 2009


(click logo for original news story)

Men’s softball teams clash in Sioux Falls

DAVE MARTIN •
DAMARTIN@ARGUSLEADER.COM

Sioux Falls will continue to bask in the national softball limelight for the next two weekends, but this time it will be the men who are the headliners.

Forty teams from the U.S. and Canada hit the diamonds today through Sunday at Harmodon Park for the North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) Men’s ‘A’ World Series, while 11 teams will be competing for the 23-under world series title starting Friday.

Championship games are set for Sunday at 3 p.m. for the ‘A’ teams and 4:45 p.m. in the 23-under division.

Next weekend, Aug. 13-16, there will be 20 teams in the ‘AA’ division and 44 teams in the ‘A’ major division battling for world series titles.

“It’s a big challenge for us to host these tournaments because we got into it late – just after Thanksgiving,” said event organizer Kerwyn Lykken, the state’s regional NAFA director.

“I got a call from the national office asking us to host it after they took the original bid away from Appleton, Wis., which didn’t follow through on promised field improvements.”

Lykken said the national office likes to locate the tournaments in the Midwest, due to geographical considerations and past success at sites such as Fargo; Mankato, Minn.; Des Moines, Iowa, and Eau Claire, Wis.

Teams competing in the ‘A’ division – the lowest of the five divisions (other than the 23-under group) – are expected from Canada and 13 states, including California, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin and South Dakota.

Lykken said teams are placed in divisions according to the rating given their top pitcher.

“We (state commissioners) rate all the pitchers by observing them pitch and clocking their pitches with a radar gun and then placing their teams in the various divisions to try to make the playing field as level as possible,” he said.

Lykken said men’s fastpitch is especially strong in Canada, the Midwest and “hotbed” states of Wisconsin and California.

South Dakota will be represented by six teams: Crow Bar No. 2, Scarlett’s and Silver Stars, all from Sioux Falls; Young’s Prime No. 2 from Watertown and teams from Ramona and Freeman.

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Southern Oregon Bandits Win the 49th Seattle Invitational

August 3rd, 2009

Thanks to Charlie Bendock for some great coverage of this long running tournament.

The Southern Oregon Bandits defeat the Boise River Dogs to Win the 49th Seattle Invitational.

The Southern Oregon Bandits, behind the stellar pitching of the “ageless” Mike Trotter, defeated a very determined Boise River Dogs, 2 – 1 to capture the Championship in the 49th Annual Seattle Invitational at Kasch Park in Everett, WA over the weekend. The game was a classic fastpitch pitching duel between two hard nosed determined pitchers; Mike Trotter and Shane Alder of the River Dogs. Both pitchers had been workhorses for their teams throught the tournament and on Sunday in the 90 degree heat.

To reach the Championship Game, the River Dogs had to defeat a very stuborn team from Spokane, the Generals 7 – 5. After falling behind in the game 5 – 1 in the 2nd inning, a 3 run Home Run by All-Star Nick Harris in the 3rd inning ignited the come back by the River Dogs. Next they had to get by the pre-tournament favorite Team Jones with the 2008 Seattle Invitational Most Valuable Pitcher, Greg Barker.The River Dogs and Shane were up to the challenge, defeating Team Jones 1 – 0. Shane spaced out 5 Team Jones hits and struck out 9 in the victory. The Bandits had an equally tough road to the Championship Game.

In their first game against the Portland Pirates, both teams were tied 2 – 2 going into the 7th before the Bandits pushed across 3 runs in the top half of the inning. Mike came in and shut the door to preserve the 5 – 2 victory. The Bandits then had to defeat a very strong Outlaw team (seeded 2nd after Saturday’s pool play) from Mt Vernon, WA. After 7 innings the game was tied at 3 apiece. After 9 innings it was tied at 4 apiece. In the 10th, the Bandits were able to push across 3 runs to make it 7 – 4. The big blow in the inning was a triple by All-Star Josh McGowan. Mike went the distance in this game striking out 9 Outlaw batters.

The Championship Game was a real battle. The Bandits struck first in the 3rd inning. Consecutive singles by Branden Dixon and Josh McGowan after one out put runners at first and third. A slow roller to second by All-Star D.J. Ryan allowed Dixon to score and make it 1 – 0. The Bandits struck again in the top of the 7th. A lead off triple by Ryan Goodman got the inning started. Shane then struck out Nate Olson, but the ball got by catcher Jamie Kubena allowing Goodman to score making it 2 – 0. However, the River Dogs would not give up.
In the home half of the 7th, with one out, All-Star Brian Stanton doubled. Nick Harris followed with a single to drive in Stanton. Trotter then struck out Brian Blake and got Dan Ryan to groud out to preserve the victory. Just a Great Championship game!

The K-Club Defeats The Sting to Win the 49th Annual Seattle Invitational Consolation Game

The K-Club from Bremerton, WA banged out 13 hits in 4 innings to defeat the favored Sting 11 – 2 and win the 49th Annual Seattle Invitational Consolation Game. The K-Club started fast scoring 6 runs in the first inning as they sent 11 batters to the plate. That was all the cushion that All-Star pitcher Dan Kolda needed as he spaced out 3 hits and struck out 3 in 5 innings to preserve the victory for the K-Club. A real good victory for the K-Club, a young team in its first year of play. Jeremy Welsh (second base) had an outstanding tournament and was selected as an All-Star.

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49th Annual Seattle Invitational All Stars

August 3rd, 2009

49th Annual Seattle Invitational Fastpitch Tournament
Kasch Park, Everett August 1-2, 2009

All Stars

C – Jamie Kubena Boise River Dogs
IF – Josh McGowan Bandits
IF – Danny Ryan Boise River Dogs
IF – Jeremy Welsh K-Club
IF – Brian Stanton Boise River Dogs
IF – Nick Harris Boise River Dogs
OF – D J Ryan Bandits
OF – Ryan Goodman Bandits
UT – Marcus Durbin Bandits
UT – Danny Mecum Bandits
P – Dan Kolda K-Club
P – Darren Strang Sting

MVPitcher – Mike Trotter – So. Oregon Bandits
MVPlayer – Shane Alder – Boise River Dogs

Updated List of Previous Winners for the past 49 years after the jump

Read the rest of this entry »

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ASA Newsletter – The Inside Pitch – August 2009

August 3rd, 2009

Click here for the latest issue of Bill Plummer’s Newsletter, “The Inside Pitch”. It’s a color PDF, so give it time to load.

You’ll find coverage of Team USA Men’s fastpitch team towards the back of the issue, on page 15 (of 16).

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2009 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Recap

August 3rd, 2009

Courtesy of Al’s Fastball:

Friends of ASA Fast PitchSoftball,

One of the most exciting Men’sMajor Fast Pitch National Championship Finals has concluded today in SouthBend, Indiana. Farm Tavern, Madison, Wisconsin – managed and owned by RodPeterson lost their first game Thursday night at 8 p.m. to NY Gremlins, StatenIsland, New York by a 5-2 score. Rod’s squad, rolled up theirsleeves, tied their shoes a littler tighter, and manned-up through the losers’bracket – winning ten (10) straight games to claim their third Men’sMajor title. Farm Tavern won the 2003 tournament played in Midland, MI,the 2004 tournament played in South Bend, Indiana, and now the 2009 tournamentplayed in South Bend, Indiana.

Six Farm Tavern players earnedFirst Team All-American honors, while two more players received Second TeamAll-American Honors.

Farm Tavern players also didwell in the individual awards:

1. Most Home Runs –Donny Hale (1B) , Farm Tavern – hit 5 HR’s
2. Batting Champion –Shawn Vanduvall, Bandits (Pueblo, Colorado)
3. Herb Dudley ExcellentPitcher – Frank Cox, Farm Tavern
4. Most Valuable Player– Donny Hale (1B) , Farm Tavern

While Rod was fighting aninfected tooth, he still enjoyed this mighty comeback by his team.

To view a completed game bracketwith scores, game-by-game summaries, All-American Teams, Post Tournament FactSheet, and the Official Order of Finish – please visit our web site: www.sbpark.org

Click on the gold menu, “ASASoftball”. Then choose the “- ASA Softball” tab. Now click on either “NEW!!” or “CLICK HERE”. Now you are on the “Belleville” web page. Choose the blue “Tournaments”tab. Then the “2009 ASA MFP Major” pop out tab. Now youare at the 2009 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch page.

Tomorrow we will be postingBatting Statistics, Pitching Statistics, and Photos.

Also please review the web pagefor the 2010 Rose Cup Softball Tournament which is annually held in Portland,Oregon and our 2010 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch page.

Remember you can never plan toofar ahead. Help us keep the fast pitch game alive and well.

Sincerely,
Bob Waters
Belleville Softball Staff
bwaters48881(at)mchsi.com

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49th Annual Seattle Invitational Results

August 3rd, 2009

AGELESS WONDER MIKE TROTTER MOST VALUABLE PITCHER

The Southern Oregon Bandits won the 49th Annual Seattle Invitational over the weekend at Kasch Park in Everett, WA. They defeated the Boise River Dogs 2 – 1 to win the championship.

The Bandits is Mike Trotter’s team (Yes, 70 year old Mike Trotter). He won 4 of the Bandits 6 games, including the last 2 back-to-back on Sunday afternoon with the temperature about 90 degrees. I think last year I described him as the “ageless” Mike Trotter. I may have to do that again. Mike won the Most Valuable Pitcher of the tournament

The Boise River Dogs. They had a great tournament too. In the Semi’s, they defeated Team Jones and Greg “Spud” Barker 1 – 0 (what a game) to reach the Championship Game. Their workhorse pitcher Shane Alder was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
He was also batting 12 for 19 going into the championship game.

It was another great tournament. However, it was also a l-o-n-g weekend. For the first time in my 28 years as TD, I had to go to the international tie breaker rule. On Saturday night, Game # 19, between the Bandits and the Portland Pirates, was the first time. That game started at 6:30. At 10:30 pm that game was tied at 18 – 18 (a 4 hour 7 inning game!). The game ended at 10:47 pm. This game had everything; arguments, fights, expulsions, close plays (a catcher broke his collar bone in a collision at home plate), lots of hits, errors, over-throws, equipment malfunctions……….and yes, poor umpiring. The Bandits finally put Trotter in to end the game. I got home and to bed about 2:00, back up at 5:00 am.

The K-Club (from Bremerton) defeated the Sting (Seattle) to win the Consolation game 11 – 2.

All Star Team

C – Jamie Kubena (Boise River Dogs)
IF – Josh McGowan (Southern Oregon Bandits)
IF – Danny Ryan (Boise River Dogs)
IF – Brain Stanton (Boise River Dogs)
IF – Jeremy Welsh (K-Club)
IF – Nick Harris (Boise River Dogs)
OF – D J Lyon (Southern Oregon Bandits)
OF – Ryan Goodman (Southern Oregon Bandits)
UT – Marcus Durbin (Southern Oregon Bandits)
UT – Danny Mecum (Southern Oregon Bandits)
P – Dan Kolda (K-Club)
P – Darren Strang (Sting)

MVPitcher – Mike Trotter (Southern Oregon Bandits)
MVPlayer – Shane Alder (Boise River Dogs)

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ISC Special Olympics Game – August 19, 2009

August 3rd, 2009

[Quad Cities, IA] – I’d like to invite any and all ISC and ISC II players, coaches, managers, officials and umpires to participate in the 2009 ISC/Special Olympics exhibition game. Last year’s game in Kimberly was a great success and we expect nothing but the same for Quad Cities.

Here are the details:

** 5:00 p.m.
** Wednesday, August 19th
** Diamond #8, Greenvalley Sports Complex
** Meet at the Main Diamond at Greenvalley at 4:30 p.m.

We’re going to try and get the Special Olympics team introduced on the main diamond, and then make the walk to Diamond #8. It’s a short distance between the two fields, and the Special Olympics team and the ISC players can make the trek together.

Once we get to Diamond #8, we’ll split the two groups up, mix and match the teams, and Play Ball!

Souvenirs Needed!!

Last year, many of the ISC and ISC II teams donated one of their hats, or t-shirts, or jerseys to the Special Olympics team – this gesture was very much a surprise to the players and they treated those mementos as treasures. I’d like to be able to do the same thing this year. Anyone who has something they’d like to donate, please let me know. Once we get to Quad Cities, you can give those items to myself, or Ric Thompson (who plays for the Bar of Green Bay).

Hope to see as many of our ISC family out to this game – if you’ve never participated in an event like this, I highly suggest it, you’ll be happy you did.

Kyle Beane
– Midland Explorers
– ISC Player Rep

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