Click here to view scores at Al’s Fastball.
Down the stretch on Sunday:
Game 20
Final
Aspen 4 – Albaugh 3Game 19
Final
Argentina 7, The Bar of Appleton 0Game 21
Stampede vs ArgentinaGame 22
Farm vs AspenWinners of 21 & 22 play in Championship
Boys of Summer Tournament Scores
July 12th, 2009Vancouver Challenge – Saturday night and Sunday morning scores
July 12th, 2009Japan vs. Great Britain in Semi-Final
Vancouver, BC
Up to date information as of 10:30 am PDT regarding the 8th Annual Vancouver Challenge is enclosed.
Games played Saturday July 11th in the afternoon and evening:
Japan 4 – Vancouver South Hill 0
Kamloops 4 – Vernon 2
Vancouver Grey Sox 8 – Kamloops 2
Denmark 7 – Sooke 2
Standings at the conclusion of the round robin
RED POOL
(1) Vancouver Grey Sox 2-1
(2) Great Britain 2-1
(3) Kamloops 1-2
(4) Vernon 1-2
BLUE POOL
(1) Japan 3 – 0
(2) Vancouver South Hill 2 – 1
(3) Denmark 1- 2
(4) Sooke 0 – 3
Playoff Round
Game played Saturday evening
Kamloops 1 – Sooke 0 – in 11 innings – great ball game to finish the day. *Scheduled game between Denmark and Vernon moved to Sunday am due to Vancouver Parks Board restrictions on use of the facility after 11:00 pm PDT.
Sunday July 11th
Games played at 8:00 am PDT
Vernon 8 – Denmark 4
Great Britain 5 Kamloops 0
In progress
Vernon vs. South Hill Giants winner advances vs Vancouver Grey Sox at 2:00 pm PDT
Noon PDT
Great Britain vs. Japan winner advances to Championship Final at 4:00 pm PDT
Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com
(click logo to visit official Vancouver Grey Sox website)
Editor’s note: Click here for our earlier post on the Vancouver Challenge which includes complete schedule of games.
Click here for our earlier post with Friday night scores.
Click here for our earlier post with Saturday scores.
Vancouver Challenge – Saturday Scores
July 11th, 2009
Vancouver, BC
The 8th Annual Vancouver Challenge commenced day two of action under a bright sunny sky with very warm temperatures, and continued large crowds. Today’s results as of 3:15 pm PDT are as follows:
Japan 10 – Sooke Junior A’s 0
WP – Kengo Terui 3IP,3K, 0H with relief from Kunihiko Iida 1IP,1K,1H
LP – Scott Lieph 4IP,10R,4BB,3K,9H
Japan showed their speed and power early in this one to cruise to a victory over the young junior side.
Vernon, BC DC Arrows 6 – Vancouver Grey Sox 3
WP -Travis Kunz 4IP,3R,3H,2BB,4K with relief from Rob Johnson 3IP,0R,0H,0BB,4K
LP – Travis Price 1.2IP,6R,3H,4BB with relief from Nick Underhill 4.1IP,0R,0H,0BB,7K
Rene Blanleil delivered a three run homerun to provide the Vernon squad with the margin of victory.
Great Britain 5 – Kamloops 2
WP – Rich Haldane with relief from Tony Kelly (5)
LP – Scott Austin
Japan 8 – Denmark 1
WP – Tatsuya Hamaguche with relief from Hirokazu Murakama (4)
LP – Thomas Bonde with relief from Japer Parduro (5)
Vancouver South Hill 4 – Sooke 0
WP – Collin MacKenzie
LP – Ben Oates
Great Britain 5 – Vernon 0
WP -Mark Elson
LP – Rob Johnson with relief from Andre Blanleil
Standings after 8 games
RED POOL
Great Britain 2-1
Vernon 1-1
Vancouver Grey Sox 1-1
Kamloops 0-1
BLUE POOL
Japan 2 – 0
Vancouver South Hill 2 – 0
Denmark 0 – 2
Sooke 0 – 2
Games still to be played today:
3:30 pm – Japan vs. Vancouver South Hill
3:30 pm – Kamloops vs. Vernon (Diamond 2)
5:15 pm – Vancouver Grey Sox vs. Kamloops
5:15 pm – Sooke vs. Denmark
The single life playoffs commence Saturday evening at 7:00 pm Red 3 vs. Blue 4 with the final game of the day slated for a 9:00 pm start featuring Blue 3 vs. Red 4.
Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com
(click logo to visit official Vancouver Grey Sox website)
Editor’s note: Click here for our earlier post on the Vancouver Challenge which includes complete schedule of games.
Click here for our earlier post with Friday night scores.
Monkton Video – Holoien
July 11th, 2009
Dean Holoien strikes out MidWest Stampede’s Mark Johnston for the final out of the Monkton World Fastball Invitational, giving the title to Kitchener Rivershark Twins. Ballpark Radio’s Steve Sabourin, of CKNX Radio 920 am, makes the call. You can watch in standard definition or click the HD button in the bottom right of the video to see in high definition.
Video by Blair Setford
Vancouver Challenge – Friday Night Scores
July 11th, 2009
Big Crowds on Hand Opening Night at Vancouver
The 8th Annual Vancouver Challenge Mens FP tournament commenced this evening under sunny skies and warm temperatures at South Memorial Park in Vancouver. The results from tonight’s opening games were as follows:
Vancouver Grey Sox 4 – Great Britain National Team 2
WP – Nick Underhill 5IP, 1R, 0BB, 9K, 4H with relief from Derek Mayson 1IP, 1R, 1BB, 2K, 3H
LP – James Darby 5IP, 4R, 0ER, 3BB, 5K, 2H
Pat Mackintosh homered for the Grey Sox who capitalized on 3 Great Britain errors to score their runs. Kevin Stockford homered for Great Britain who led 1-0 early in the contest, and had loaded the bases in the final inning with 2 out, before Grey Sox pitcher Derek Mayson recorded a strikeout to end the contest.
Vancouver South Hill Giants 5 – Denmark National Team 2
WP – Craig Pidcock 5IP, 1R, 0BB, 6K, 3H with relief from Collin MacKenzie 2IP,1R,1BB,2K,3H
LP – Kim Hansen 5IP, 3R, 3BB, 7K, 1H with relief from Thomas Bonde 2IP, 2R, 2BB, 2K, 3H
Giants DP Frank DeGroat broke open a 1-1 game with a 6th inning bases loaded triple to pace the Vancouver side to victory.
One of the largest opening night crowds in the history of the event turned out for what has the makings of a good weekend of Mens FP softball. The large turnout of fans was most encouraging considering the playoffs also commenced this evening for the week long Canada Cup International Womens Softball Tournament being held in South Surrey, BC and the BC Lions kicked off their 2009 CFL football season this evening with a home game vs. Hamilton.
Saturday’s pool play games are as follows:
8:00 am – Japan vs. Sooke
9:45 am – Vancouver Grey Sox vs. Vernon
10:00 am – Great Britain vs Kamloops (Diamond 2)
11:30 am – Japan vs Denmark
11:45 am – Sooke vs Vancouver South Hill (Diamond 2)
1:15 pm – Great Britian vs. Vernon
3:30 pm – Japan vs. Vancouver South Hill
3:30 pm – Kamloops vs. Vernon (Diamond 2)
5:15 pm – Vancouver Grey Sox vs. Kamloops
5:15 pm – Sooke vs. Denmark
Playoffs commence Saturday evening at 7:00 pm with the final game of the day slated for a 9:00 pm start.
Playoff games will continue on Sunday commencing at 8:00 am with the Championship Final game scheduled for 4:00 pm.
The weather forecast remains positive for Saturday with sunny skies and highs of 23 c (which is approx. 75 F) and thus bodes well for the teams and the many fastpitch enthusiasts.
Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
(click logo to visit official Vancouver Grey Sox website)
Editor’s note: Click here for our earlier post on the Vancouver Challenge which includes complete schedule of games.
Monkton Video – Josh Brohman singles off Marty Grant
July 11th, 2009
Elmira Expos’ Josh Brohman singles off New Zealand Black Sox ace Marty Grant at the Monkton World Fastball Invitational. Brohman had the only hit off Grant for the South Perth Men’s Fastball League All-Stars. Ballpark Radio’s Blair Setford and Jim Flanagan make the call. You can watch in standard definition or click the HD button in the bottom right of the video to see in high definition.
Pre-ISF Exhibition Game Schedule at Al’s Fastball
July 11th, 2009Schedule of Pre-ISF Exhibition Games by International Teams Headed to Saskatoon at Al’s Fastball.
Kiwis enjoying success, popularity overseas
July 10th, 2009
(click banner for original news story)
By BILL WALKER , SUN TIMES SPORTS EDITOR
It’s rare that any three-time defending world champions can walk down the streets of their hometowns without creating a stir. Yet the New Zealand Black Sox men’s fastball team might be bigger celebrities abroad than at home.
While the national team plays to packed houses in Canada and the U. S., fastball is far off the mainstream radar in New Zealand.
“The softball people at home recognize our players, but they’re the only ones, which is an unfortunate thing we have to deal with at home,” Kiwi team manager Wayne Small said prior to his side’s exhibition doubleheader with the Owen Sound Verge Senior Selects.
“Fastball has been in the decline, much like in Canada. We’re competing against cricket, which is a big national sport in New Zealand, and touch rugby, which is becoming more and more popular. Softball New Zealand is trying to develop new strategies to build the game.”
The New Zealand national team is playing 14 exhibition games in Ontario in preparation for the 2009 International Softball Federation world championship July 17 to 26 in Saskatoon.
The Ontario tour is a necessity for the Kiwis because it’s currently winter in New Zealand.
“We’ve had five of our boys playing offshore in Japan and the States during your ball season, and the rest of the boys have elected to stay at home and train,” said Small.
New Zealand will be challenged in Saskatoon by Canada, the U. S., Australia and Japan.
“Everyone wants to knock you off when you’re at the top but we look at it as our motivation to maintain our world ranking,” said Small. “We’re going there to win it and not defend it. Hopefully about 4:30 (p. m.) on the 26th of July, we’ll have the answer that we’re after.”
The Kiwi side is led by former Major League Baseball prospect Travis Wilson, a second baseman who spent time in the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds organizations.
There’s also first-baseman Jarrad Martin, who is a stalwart with the Broken Bow Gremlins. Centrefielder Thomas Makea and young left-fielder Ben Enoka also help power the offense.
The Kiwis hit five home runs off the Selects in a five-inning 12-2 win in yesterday’s opener.
Wilson led the attack with a two-run homer and five RBIs. Patrick Shannon also had a two-run homer for New Zealand while Donnie Hale, Nathan Nukunuku and Rhys Casley added solo shots.
Marty Grant earned the win while Andy Skelton, Jamie Simpson and Andrew Scott all pitched for Owen Sound. Skelton was two-for-two for Owen Sound with a two-run homer. Game 2 details were unavailable.
South African Side Heads for Saskatoon
July 10th, 2009SA softball squad heads for Canada
(click banner for original news story)
TOMMY Kgomo, coach of the national softball team Simunye, says they intend using the International Softball Federation’s World Series in Saskatoon, Canada, next week to improve their world ranking.
The South Africans are ranked 15th and can move to the 10th spot if they reach the semifinal stage of the showpiece.
The event kicks off on July 17 and the final will be played 11 days later in Saskatoon. In their final preparations for the event, Simunye won two of three friendly matches against Botswana last weekend.
“ We have been playing well in our preparatory matches and I don’t see why we should struggle in Canada,†Kgomo said yesterday. “We have been in this tournament before and we know what will be required of us to deliver.â€
Simunye will be led by veteran campaigners such as Tyran Young, Moses “Vasna†Molaba, Greg Barrette and Anthony Carr. – Matome Lebea
Boys of Summer Tournament – Without Circle Tap
July 10th, 2009
Circle Tap tournament goes on without Circle Tap team
Andrew Pekarek
Press-Gazette correspondent
DENMARK — It’s going to be a bittersweet weekend for Darren Derricks.
The owner of the Circle Tap bar in Denmark this weekend is hosting the 10th annual Boys of Summer open fastpitch softball tournament, which features 12 teams made up of some the best players from around the world.
But Circle Tap won’t be one of them.
The local squad isn’t playing anywhere this summer, dismantling because of high costs to field a team and limited interest by younger players to join it.
Circle Tap’s biggest rival, Townline of Green Bay, also isn’t playing this season.
“The sport is definitely declining,” Derricks said. “But hopefully, somehow it turns around.”
Besides being the team’s main sponsor, Derricks, 37, also played 13 years for Circle Tap. He plans on bringing the team back next year, but this season, he’s just a spectator.
“This will be the tough one because it’s our home tournament,” he said.
Circle Tap began playing in 1994, quickly going from a local team to a world power and winning the American Softball Association national championship in 2006.
“When we started, it was completely local,” said Dean Kane, who was a player and coach. “When we finally finished, we were probably half local and half out of the area, which at the elite level is actually a pretty local team.”
Kane, 34, began playing fastpitch softball when he was 14 for lower-level teams in Denmark, but said there aren’t many teams or leagues like that in the area anymore to develop younger players.
“A lot of them are just going to play slowpitch and coed (softball) because it’s just a lot easier game,” Kane said.
Chris DeLarwelle, 41, who played for Circle Tap since 2002 and will be playing for The Farm of Madison at this weekend’s tournament, doesn’t see a lot of younger baseball players adapting to fast-pitch, either.
“Our sport’s dying because too many people find it too difficult and they quit,” DeLarwelle said. “That’s why guys my age can still play, because no one’s pushing us out of the game.
“It’s a good sport for a lot of kids who are midlevel baseball players to come over to fastpitch and refine their skills there and become very good, but I don’t know if kids are willing to put the time in anymore.”
Bryan Hansen, 25, was the second youngest player on Circle Tap’s roster the last two seasons and one of the few who is sticking with the sport after playing baseball at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Hansen will be playing this weekend for The Bar of Green Bay, which along with The Bar of Appleton, give the tournament some local flavor.
“A lot of guys that make the transition from baseball to fastpitch are not really prepared to strike out as much,” Hansen said. “It’s a faster game, and you’re playing against people from Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, that grow up playing the sport.
“The U.S. is just so far behind developing pitchers and players because we start so late.”
Fans will get a taste of the international style of play because the Argentina national team will be at the tournament again this year.
The team was a big draw last year, according to Derricks, and features pitcher Juan Pottoluccio, who played for Circle Tap.
The tournament also will feature elite squads from six states and one from Canada.
Those squads also need a sponsor that is willing to pay for travel and other expenses, which is hard to come by with the current economy.
“You may see guys staying closer to home and playing on lower-level teams,” Kane said about the effects of elite teams possibly folding. “It could revive the game at the local level, not only here, but everywhere.”
“It’s a double-edge sword,” said DeLarwelle, who will also play for the U.S. national team next week at the International Softball Federation World Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. “If you don’t have people willing to spend the money, you’re not going to get the best competition.”
Additional Facts
Boys of Summer kicks off tonight
The Boys of Summer men’s fastpitch softball tournament starts at 6 p.m. today, and the championship game will be at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Games will be played at Circle Tap and Denmark Memorial Park.