Archive for September, 2006

Micksburg wins UOVMFL playoff title for third year in a row

Friday, September 29th, 2006

Micksburg, ON
UOVMFL: http://ca.geocities.com/fitzroyfastball/UOVMFL.htm

The Micksburg Twins won the Upper Ottawa Valley Men’s Fastball League playoff final series with a 4-1 series win in the best-of-seven series over the Pontiac Royals from Bryson, Quebec. All games were very close, with the largest margin of victory being a 3 run win by Micksburg in the final game.

This is the third consecutive playoff title for the Twins in UOVMFL play, who also won the regular season title. Micksburg also finished tied for third at the Tournament of Champions for ISC II teams in Kitchener this summer.

Micksburg was led by ToC MVP Corey Costello, who threw four shutouts in his four wins, allowing only two runs and eleven hits in the 36 innings of work over five complete games in the final. Costello also had two no-hitters.

Veteran lefty Len Burger threw very well for Pontiac before going down to a knee injury. Burger lost the first game despite throwing a two hitter and won the second game in eight innings with a one hitter. Darren Featherstone and Mark Wright also threw for the Royals.

Game four was a hitless game, as Micksburg scored their two runs on a sacrifice fly and a bases-loaded walk.

The only home run of the series was hit by Corey Costello, a solo shot that won the first game of the series by a 1-0 score.

There was some controversy in the series, with allegations of pitchers deliberately throwing at batters, and even a player getting involved with fans. See the links below for stories on each game. The series was plagued by rain as three games had to be postponed.

Pontiac had previously beaten the Shawville, QC Athletics in the semi-finals 3 games to 1 in the best-of-five.

The Upper Ottawa Valley League was down to three teams this season after Beachburg, ON NRTCo dropped out in June. Fitzroy Harbour, ON WC Electric and Quyon, QC Junior Flyers played an affiliate schedule with the league. There has been discussions of a possible team from Cobden, ON joining the league for 2007.

Game Results in the finals:

Game 1 at Micksburg
Micksburg 1 Pontiac 0
WP – Costello (no-hitter); LP – Burger (two-hitter).
Game winning solo HR: Corey Costello
Game 1 story

Game 2 at Bryson
Pontiac 2 Micksburg 1 (8 innings)
WP – Burger (one-hitter); LP – Costello (two-hitter).
Game winning RBI: Chad Milne
Game 2 story

Game 3 at Bryson
Micksburg 2 Pontiac 0
WP – Costello (four-hitter); LP – Burger with relief from Featherstone.
Game winning RBI: Kevin Humphries
Game 3 story

Game 4 at Micksburg
Micksburg 2 Pontiac 0
WP – Costello (no-hitter); LP – Burger with relief from Featherstone (combined no-hitter).
Game winning RBI: Jerry McIntyre
Game 4 story

Game 5 at Micksburg
Micksburg 3 Pontiac 0
WP – Costello (five-hitter); LP – Featherstone with relief from Wright.
Game winning RBI: Barry McIntyre
Game 5 story

Posted in 2006 ISC II ToC, General, Ontario | Comments Closed

Bruce Bierman Named I.S.C. Umpire-in-Chief; Rick Havercroft to be UIC for ISC-II T of C

Monday, September 25th, 2006

From the ISCfastpitch website, via Al’s Fastball

Ken Hackmeister, Executive Director of the International Softball Congress, today announced that Bruce Bierman of Ayr, Ontario, has been appointed ISC Umpire-in-Chief. Bierman will replace Ron Brinkman who has resigned the position.

In another move, Hackmeister announced that Rick Havercroft of Saginaw, Michigan, will replace Bierman as Umpire-in-Chief for ISC – II.

Les Novak will remain in the position as Deputy UIC as well as Chairman of the ISC Umpire Committee.

Both Bierman and Havercroft have extensive umpiring experience to bring to their new assignments for the I.S.C.

(more…)

Posted in 2007 ISC II ToC, General | Comments Closed

Bridgeport Defends SPMFL Title

Monday, September 18th, 2006

The Bridgeport Braves, the South Perth Men’s Fastball League (SPMFL) regular season champs and the defending league champs, successfully defended their championship – but they did it the hard way Sunday, winning five consecutive games up the loser’s side of the 16-team bracket in the playoff tournament in Mitchell Sept. 15-17. They defeated the previously unbeaten Elmira Cubs twice in the final, 4-3 and then in the sudden-death final 3-1. Top pitcher award winner, lefthander Todd Winkworth, pitched three consecutive wins Sunday, a 4-3 eight-inning triumph over the Elmira Jrs, a 3-1 victory over the Sebringville Sting, and the first win over the Cubs before running out of gas. Veteran Jim Schnarr earned the save in their initial win over Elmira, then he pitched the complete-game victory in the final. MVP Mike Kelly, also of Bridgeport, was tremendous offensively and defensively, shining with the glove throughout the day along with
fellow middle infielder Jay Schnarr. It was a special birthday for the 41-year-old Kelly, who started the Braves’ roll with a game-winning RBI over the Elmira Jrs in the bottom of the eighth inning, rallying the club from a 3-0 deficit. Kelly went a stellar 9-for-14 in the five games Sunday.

1st – Bridgeport
2nd – Elmira Cubs
3rd – Sebringville
4th – Elmira Jrs.

Sunday results

25 – Elmira Jrs 6, Moorefield 1
WP – Luke Hiller LP – Mel Ross HR – Ben Wideman (Elmira)

26 – Bridgeport 7, Mitchell 6
WP – Don Harris SV – Jim Schnarr LP – Garnet Kraemer HRs – Jeff Pauli
(Mitchell), Jodie Schnarr, Don Harris (Bridgeport)

27 – Elmira Cubs 2, Sebringville 1
WP – Casey Halstead LP – Don Scott

28 – Bridgeport 4, Elmira Jrs 3 (8-inn)
WP – Todd Winkworth LP – Dan Martin (in relief of Jon Hiller) HR – Don
Ha rris (Bridgeport)

29 – Bridgeport 3, Sebringville 1
WP – Todd Winkworth LP – Don Stebbings

30 – Bridgeport 4, Elmira Cubs 3
WP – Todd Winkworth SV – Jim Schnarr LP – Casey Halstead (in relief of
Ryan French)

31 – Bridgeport 3, Elmira Cubs 1
WP – Jim Schnarr LP – Casey Halstead

MVP – Mike Kelly, Bridgeport
Top Pitcher – Todd Winkworth, Bridgeport
Regular Season Champions – Bridgeport Braves
SPMFL Playoff Champions – Bridgeport Braves
Journal-Argus award for longtime service, dedication – Jon Bailey
(formerly of St. Pauls Generals)
Doug Smith umpire award – Jim Heckman

Posted in General | Comments Closed

Elmira Cubs & Sebringville Sting still unbeaten in South Perth league tourney

Sunday, September 17th, 2006

Two unbeaten teams remain in the South Perth Men’s Fastball League tournament in Mitchell this weekend, with Sebringville Sting and Elmira Cubs set to square off at 11 a.m. Sunday for a chance to reach the league final.
Other teams still alive, albeit with only one life after a loss earlier in the tournament, are the Elmira Jrs., Moorefield, Mitchell and Bridgeport. The Jrs take on Moorefield Sunday at 9 a.m., as does the Mets against Braves, the defending league champs.

Results from Saturday were:
(more…)

Posted in General, Leagues, Ontario | Comments Closed

South Perth league playoff tourney in Mitchell, ON

Saturday, September 16th, 2006

Opening night of the double-knockout South Perth Men’s Fastball League (SPMFL) playoff tournament in Mitchell Friday night saw relatively few surprises, with the higher seeded teams winning their first round contests.

Top-seeded Bridgeport and defending league champion opened with a 7-3 win over Linwood, while third-seeded Sebringville got a complete-game shutout from Don Stebbings and five-RBI from veteran catcher Randy Wicke in their 5-0 win over Shakespeare Colts.

Ryan French threw a two-hitter in leading the Elmira Cubs to a 7-1 win over St. Marys Gunners, while Elora Wellington Brewers got a pitching win from Mike Pinder, plus a two-run home run, in a 5-1 win over Monkton. Sixth-seeded Shakespeare Falcons got a complete-game shutout performance from Fred Follings in a 4-0 win over the Tavistock Merchants, who captured the International Softball Congress (ISC) II title last month in Kitchener.

The only blemish, more or less, was 9th-seeded Elmira Jrs. edging 8th-seeded Moorefield 4-1.

Games continue Saturday at 10 a.m., but Harriston Mercurys won’t be playing the host Mitchell Mets as the Mercurys had to withdraw due to a lack of players. Mitchell will earn a bye to the second round, Saturday at 2 p.m. against the winner of the other 10 a.m. game, Hickson vs. Milverton.
(more…)

Posted in General, Leagues, Ontario | Comments Closed

Rise tourney in Allentown, PA

Thursday, September 14th, 2006

Editor’s note: This looks like a real great opportunity to see where you stack up about a month before the ToC – and play at one of the legendary fields on the Atlantic seaboard as Allentown has a great fastball heritage. The Rise, CPI, Ashland and TNT have all been up to Ontario in the past couple of years – it would be nice to have four Ontario teams return the favour.

Perkasie, PA Rise are planning a top caliber ISC II tournament July 20-22, 2007 just outside Allentown, PA at Lyons Park.

Entry Fee will be $350 with the winner taking $1500 and 2nd taking $500. 8 teams with 2 divisons of 4. Guarantee of 3 games.

Canadian Teams will not play until Saturday to help on travel. We are hoping to bring in 4 Ontario teams to go along with the Rise, CPI, Ashland, and South Lebanon.

Next year we will expand the tournament to more teams if this year is succesful.

For more info, please contact Steve Moore: stevo714(at)verizon.net.

Click for more info on accommodations. (more…)

Posted in General, Tournaments | Comments Closed

Fastball in the Bahamas!

Thursday, September 14th, 2006

Here is one that you won’t want to miss ! This tournament is being hosted by the Bahamas Texaco Pirates team that has competed in the last several AAU International Tournaments in Orlando, Florida, and this year travelled to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada for their very first ISC World Tournament. Come see where their pitcher and all star Edney “The Heat” Bethel learned to play fastball. Want to play fastball on your own private island?

Click here to view Photo 1
Click here to view Photo 2
Click here to view Photo 3

Bring your glove, bring your bat, bring your snorkel. Whatever you do, bring your team to this one!

Man-o-war Pirates Fastball Tournament
Where: Man-o-war cay Abaco Bahamas
When; May 24th – May 26th 2007
Entry fee; $250.00 deadline february 1st 2007
Format: Round Robin with 4 game guarantee
Rules: No snorkeling between innings 😉

Contact
Haziel Mcdonald
Man-o-war cay
Abaco Bahamas PO
AB 2290
phone contact; [242]365-6436 cell [242]359-6449
e-mail: hcsmcdonald@coralwave.com or
work e-mail: whyworry@coralwave.com
Flight info and accomodation info please contact Haziel Mcdonald.

Posted in General, Tournaments | Comments Closed

Niagara Snappers claim second straight GHFL title

Sunday, September 10th, 2006

Congratulations to the Niagara Snappers, defending their GHFL championship, winning five games on Sunday to claim the Janet Greatrix Memorial Championship Cup.

Dan Duemo is named the recipient of the Gord Newman Memorial GHFL Playoff MVP Award for the second consecutive year.

September 8-10 GHFL Playoff Tournament scores – click to get all the scores. (more…)

Posted in General, Leagues, Ontario | Comments Closed

Final Order of Finish for 2006 ISC II T of C

Thursday, September 7th, 2006

1 Tavistock, ON Merchants (7-1)
2 Palermo, ON Athletics (6-3)
T3 Micksburg, ON Twins (6-2)
T3 Perkasie, PA Rise (5-2)
T5 Ashland, OH Merchants (4-3)
T5 Port Elgin, ON Blue Devils (5-2)
T5 South Lebanon, PA TNT (4-2)
T5 Kitchener ON Phoenix Outlaws (5-1)
T9 Alvinston, ON Indians (4-1)
T9 Mitchell, ON Mets (3-2)
T9 Harriston, ON Mercury’s (4-2)
T9 Bridgeport, ON PROforma Braves (3-2)
T9 Elmira, ON Cubs (3-2)
T9 Elora, ON Wellington Brewers (3-3)
T9 Bakersfield, CA California LumberKings (3-3)
T9 Reading, PA Bob Hoffman’s Garage (3-4)
T17 Thomson, IL Area Merchants (2-3)
T17 Waterdown, ON Hammer (3-2)
T17 Marshall, MI Rice Creek Lighting (3-2)
T17 Glencoe, ON Astros (3-2)
T17 Denver, CO Colorado Rage (3-2)
T17 Ottawa, ON Team Easton Thunder (2-3)
T17 Oswego, NY Cutro Professional Inspections (2-3)
T17 Hermann, MO Black Gold (3-2)
25 Toronto, ON Champion Indians (1-4)
26 Kingston, ON Cowboys (1-3)
26 Stittsville, ON 56ers (1-3)
26 Orrville, OH Orr Park Knights (1-3)
26 Millington, MI Up-to-Date Painting (1-3)
26 Grande Prairie, AB Pride (1-3)
31 Sydney, NS Cardinals (0-4)
31 Yakima, WA JRW & Associates (0-4)
31 Harrisburg, PA PA Power (0-4)
31 Orangeville, ON Resolve Kings (0-4)
31 Fitzroy Harbour, ON West Carleton Electric (0-4)

Posted in 2006 ISC II ToC, Rankings, Teams, Tournaments | Comments Closed

Costello steals the show in Micksburg victory

Saturday, September 2nd, 2006

From Al’s Fastball:

Costello steals the show in Micksburg victory
Take 1-0 lead in fastball final
by STEPHEN UHLER Local Sports – Friday, September 01, 2006

The Micksburg Twins have taken the lead in the Upper Ottawa Valley Men’s Fastball League finals against the Campbell’s Bay Royals, thanks to pitcher Corey Costello.

A fourth-inning home run hit by Costello ended his pitching duel with Lenny Burger, and proved to be the game winner, as Micksburg chalked up a 1-0 victory to take the opening game in the best-of-seven series. (more…)

Posted in Leagues | Comments Closed