Reprinted with permission from the Woodstock Sentinel Review.
By Cory Smith
Sports reporter
HICKSON — While their Oxford County rivals compete under the glaring spotlight of defending champions, the Hickson Reds will have no such distraction.
Prior to the 2007 season, the Reds weren’t even on the ISC II radar. By July 6, the Reds were ranked 29th. It was a modest but important blip on the fastball screen for the Reds as they prepare for the world championships in Kitchener.
Of course, that means the Reds will face the toughest competition in Pool F, beginning Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. against the No. 12 Port Elgin Blue Devils.
The Reds move on to face the Ashland Merchants in their second game, Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. In their third round-robin game Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., Hickson plays the Ottawa Team Easton, ranked sixth as of July 6.
The Reds close the prelims with a date against the No. 23 Waterdown Hammer Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Hickson sits in the middle of the Smith/Egli division of the South Perth Men’s Fastball League, but has fared reasonably well in tournament play thus far.
The Reds went 3-2 at the Canada East Softball Congress II qualifier in June, outlasting the Ingersoll Crush and Innerkip Orioles of the Tri-County Men’s Fastball League.
Their biggest highlight was a win over the second-ranked Elora Brewers. Mark VanVliet pitched a strong game to pick up the victory and the Reds hurler will be a main component for the club next week.
Led by hometown manager Al Harmer, the Reds are truly a local team, boasting 13 players from Oxford County.