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By John Kennett
jkennett (at) mdn.net

For the past two years, the Midland Explorers have been pointing to the upcoming International Softball Congress World Tournament in August in Midland.

Recently, the Explorers added two vital pieces in pitcher Frank Cox and outfielder Mark Coleman, which should make them a much more competitive team.

Cox played last year with Madison’s The Farm Tavern and helped lead them to a sixth place finish at the ISC World Tournament. After The Farm disbanded this past winter, Cox was looking for a new home — and Midland became a perfect fit for the pitcher who has been on teams that have won four ISC World Tournaments.

“I considered going back to Owen Sound,” said Cox. “I’ve played against the Explorers my whole career. Midland has always been a class organization. I’m excited to be a part of them. You have to appreciate what they’ve done with a limited budget.”

Having started playing softball at the age of 12, Cox has been a member of five Canadian national championship teams, two Amateur Softball Association national championship teams, pitched four no-hitters at ISC World Tournaments and is 13th on the all-time list of wins at the ISC World Tournament.

With those numbers, Explorers’ manager Clint Beane believes the addition of Cox gives the Explorers a solid-shot at winning the ISC Championship this coming August 13-21 at Emerson Park in Midland.

“Frank is a top-notch pitcher,” said Beane. “We’re looking forward to him joining us. With Frank, our pitching staff will keep us in contention, and our defense is pretty solid. We’re leaning in the right direction.”

Having faced Cox many times over the years, Beane realizes that he is getting a pitcher who will never beat himself.

“He never gives you a gift,” said Beane. “He is just very tough mentally on the mound. He is not going to give you a second or third chance.”

Combined with holdovers Brian Urquhart and Mike Joseph, the Explorers have a pitching staff that gives Beane plenty of flexibility.

“I’m feeling real good (about the pitching staff),” said Beane. “All three of them understand that whoever has the hot hand will get the ball. At last year’s ISC, Brian got going real well. For Frank, the end of the year has been his best times the last couple of years.”

Cox and Urquhart played together on the Halifax team that won the 2004 Canadian national championship.

“I’ve known Brian for years,” said Cox from his home on Prince Edward Island. “He’s a good kid. We’ve roomed together at a couple of national camps. Brian is quite talented.”

This spring, Cox will be moving from Prince Edward Island to Sudbury, Ont., as he takes a new position as a sales rep.

Coleman, the other addition to the Explorers’ line-up, brings a left-handed bat to the line-up after having played last season with the St. Thomas Evergreen Centennials. At the ISC World Tournament, Coleman batted .333 as the Centennials took 14th.

“Mark is a good, defensive outfielder who will either play leftfield or centerfield,” said Beane. “He always hit well against us when he played with St. Thomas.”