The Canada Maccabi Fastball team, which recently won the gold medal at the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel, was honoured prior to the Sept 8 Toronto Blue Jays game against the Minnesota Twins.
Twins Canadian all-star Justin Morneau posed with the team and friends for photos – click here to see a group shot.
The team was primarily comprised of members of the North York Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Fastball League, along with Ryan Freedman, Tom Berube and others.
WC Electric at ElklandShare (from Ivan Taylor’s Facebook)
West Carleton Electric went 2 and 2 at Elkland to finish tied for 7th of 17 teams.
Game 1: Reading, PA Rise Fastpitch 7 West Carleton Electric 0
Bud Hanlon took the loss with relief from Stittsville pick up Darren Featherstone as WC Electric struggled offensively. Mike Smith was the winning pitcher for the eventual 3rd place finishers allowing only three hits.
Game 2: West Carleton Electric 10 Williamsport, PA Beverage Barn 9
The Electric at one point had a 8-2 lead and seemed to be in control, but the scrappy Williamsport team came back to tie the game 8-8 in the top of the sixth. The Electric scored two in the bottom of the sixth and held the Bevies to one in the bottom of the final inningf or the one run win. Matt Greer had a home run in this one for WC. Jeff Cavanagh made a game saving diving catch in right field to preserve the win in the seventh inning. Bud Hanlon had the win on the slab in this game, in relief of 16-year-old rookie Andy Barber.
Game 3: West Carleton Electric 5 Allentown, PA First Kings 4
WC spotted their opponents four runs in the first inning with some defensive miscues, but came back to win the game. Darren Featherstone had the complete game win for the Electric. Key hits came from Neil Murphy and Joe McCleary.
Game 4: Elkland, PA Thunderbellys 5 West Carleton Electric 2 (8 innings)
The win in the third game set up an exciting Sunday night showdown in the main stadium between the Electric and the hometown Elkland team.
In front of a vocal crowd guesstimated at about 500, Bud Hanlon (known to Elkland locals as “the Gorilla”) pitched very well with a two hitter over the regulation seven innings until giving up two hits and a walk which accounted for three runs in the top of the eighth. Jeff Van Hooser, a pick up from Ashland Stockpack started the game for Elkland, giving way to Paul Algar, a former New Zealand national team pitcher, who was the eventual winner.
The Electric scored two runs in the third inning on an Adam Brown RBI single and a passed ball which scored Andy Barber, chasing Van Hooser from the game. In the next inning, with Paul Algar chucking, Jeremy Cook had an incredible catch in right field for Elkland, stealing a triple from Joe McCleary that would have scored Matt Greer from second.
Elkland overcame the 2 run deficit by making their two hits in regulation count – a Dave Butler solo home run, followed two innings later by a Bob Kizer RBI single that scored Butler who had reached on WC’s only error of the game.
The Bellys’ scored three in the eighth. The pinch runner they sent to second base for the international rule was a 62 year old dude that was faster than the Bellys’ catcher. The old dude advanced to third on a passed ball. Big Bud struck out the first two batters of the inning. Then Billy Sherman, whose dad had died earlier in the day, came to the plate with a pinch hit opportunity. Sherman worked a full count and walked to put runners on the corners. Then Cook re-entered the game to run for Sherman. The next hitter, Jamie Miller slapped the ball off hand deep between second and third, and with the only possibly play at first, the speedy Miller beat the throw and was safe as the old dude scored. Ryan Morgan then doubled to score two more runs and push the lead to 5-2. A Tom Dexter single threatened to put the game further out of reach, but Hanlon was able to get the final out of the inning putting WC at bat.
The Electric had Trevor Barton at second to start the inning. Darren Featherstone led off at the plate against Paul Algar and ripped a line drive down third base, that had triple written all over it – but it was caught by Tom Dexter and thrown over to second to double off Barton. Matt Greer then doubled to give WC some life. The next batter, Jeff Cavanagh drove a hard liner to centre, but it was caught to end the game.
The Quad Cities, through the eyes of Maddy. Click banner above to view gallery.
Editor’s Note: After perusing Maddy’s shots, I have to say congratulations on finding so many wonderful details that make the town interesting!!
Items like Grumpy’s Saloon, memorial stones, streetlamps, statues – all of this is detail that I missed in the hustle and bustle of getting from hotel to park to meeting to ball game.
It’s phenomenal that Maddy is about to find the time to photograph this extra flavour and add to everyone’s memory collection, particularly when you consider the pure volume of shots taken at the ToC.
Well done!
The 2009 Intermediate A&B Eastern Canadian Fastball Championships are being held in Shubenacadie on September 11th – 13th
HOST Bud Light Fastball Club
NS Halifax 67’s
NS Sydney Cardinals
NS Blackburn Transport
ONT Morpeth Magic
NB Fredericton Twins
PEI Arsenault Sawmill Jacks
Both the Bud Lights Fastball Club & Halifax 67’s compete in the Metro Fastpitch League, which has given the HRM a place to play, watch & rebuild the great sport of fastball!
Blackburn Transport recently competed in the International Softball Congress II Tournament of Champions in Illinois.
The Fredericton Twins are a member of the Maritime Fastball League which sent 3 entries to this years Senior National Championships(Brookfield Elks, Glace Bay Mets & PEI Fawcetts) This new circuit has made great strides to re-establish the local fastball scene.
Rounding out the field will be the always tough Sydney Cardinals & a young speedy Arsenault Sawmill Jacks Team from the PEI fastball factory!
Gerry Tully
Sales & Logistics
Canadian Gold Seafood Company
(902)873-3796 or (902)225-5722
Teams with ISC II connections won three ASA championships this past weekend.
In the ASA A division, ISC II alumnus Marshall, MI Rice Creek Lightning took the crown at Rotary Park in Decatur, IL. The hometown Decatur Pride, who finished tied for fifth at the ToC, repeated that finish in ASA A.
Wilkes Barre, PA Keating’s Fitness, won the B title, storming back through the loser’s bracket. Keating’s also recently won the Elkland “B” Tournament. Salt Lake City, UT Innovative Communications finished third. Bakersfield, CA Silver Hawks, with some of the Brideport Braves on the roster, finished tied for fifth while Sun Valley, CA A-1 Rude Pac and St. Paul, MN Angels finished tied for ninth.
Back in Decatur at the ASA C East tournament, Blue Lake Builders from Adamstown, PA romped to victory with several members of Pennsylvania Power on the roster. Teutopolis, IL Wessel’s Coors Light finished tied for 5th, on the heels of a 2-2 performance at the ToC which included an upset of the #1-ranked Waterdown Hammer.
Congratulations to all the winners.
Courtesy Al’s Fastball
Goderich Labour Day
Friday Night
Shakespeare Falcons 4 Goderich Orioles 2
Orangeville Kings 5 Blyth Barons 2
Shedden Mission 3 Goderich Gators 1
Brussels Tigers 5 Harwood Corners 2
Exeter Braves 7 Norwich Storm 6
Arthur Merchants 7 Woodstock Kelseys 4Saturday
Continuation of the 1st round, winners to the A side, losers to the B-side
Keady Hawks 9, Belmore Stingers 4
Hickson Reds 7, Innerkip Juniors 1
Mitchell Mets 5, Windsor Photo 0
Cambridge Reds 7, Mt.Elgin Mets 0
Straffordville Black Sox 5, Morpeth Magic 3
Kitchener Selects 7, Goderich Grizzlies 0
Kitchener Outlaws 6, Windsor Forest Glade 0
Mississauga Ale Stars 9, Zurich Rangers 0Start of Round 2
B-Division, Winners to the BA, Losers to the BB side
Blyth Barons 5, Goderich Orioles 0
Harwood Corners 3, Goderich Gators 1
Woodstock Kelseys 9, Norwich Storm 6
Innerkip Jr’s 6, Belmore Jr Stingers 0
Zurich Rangers 8, Windsor Forest Glade 1
Goderich Grizzlies 11, Morpeth Magic 5
Windsor Photo and Mt.Elgin finish the 2nd round at 9:30am SundayRound 2, A-division
Orangeville Kings 3, Shakespeare Falcons 2
Shedden Mission 4, Brussels Tigers 1
Arthur Merchants 8, Exeter Braves 1
Hickson Reds 11, Keady Hawks 0
Kitchener Outlaws 2, Mississauga Ale Stars 1
Kitchener Selects 4, Straffordville Black Sox 2
Mitchell Mets and the Cambridge Reds finish off rd 2 at 9:30am Sunday, Quarterfinals start at 11am Sunday for all Divisions Sunday at 9:30am.Sunday
B-Division, Windsor Photo 14, Mt.Elgin Metss 6
A-Division, Mitchell Mets 4, Cambridge Reds 0
End of Round 2, all losers eliminated from this point on.
BB Division
Norwich Storm 7, Goderich Gators 0
Belmore Jr. Stingers 3, Windsor Forest Glade 1
Morpeth Magic 8, Mt.Elgin Mets 1Semi Final, Norwich Storm 3, Goderich Orioles 0
Semi Final 2, Belmore Stingers vs Morpeth Magic, 9am Monday, BB- Final at 12pm.BA Division
Woodstock Kelseys 5, Harwood Corners 2
Innerkip Jr’s 4, Zurich Rangers 0
Windsor Photo 6, Goderich Grizzlies 1
Semi Final, Blyth Barons 6, Woodstock Kelseys 2
Semi Final 2, Innerkip Jr’s vs Windsor Photo, 9am Monday, Final at 12pmAB Division
Brussels Tigers 7, Exeter Braves 4
Mississauga Ale Stars 6, keady hawks 2
Cambridge Reds 3, Straffordville Sox 0
Semi final, Shakespeare Falcons 8, Brussels Tigers 1
Semi Final #2, Mississauga Ale Stars vs Cambridge Reds at 10:30am, Final goes at 1:30pmAA Division
Shedden Mission 4, Arthur Merchants 1
Hickson Reds 2, Kitchener Outlaws 0
Mitchell Mets 1, Kitchener Selects 0, 9 innings
Semi Final, Shedden Mission 7, Orangeville Kings 2
Semi Final #2, Hickson Reds vs Mitchell Mets at 10:30am Sunday, Final goes at 1:30pmMonday
BB Division
Semi Final, Morpeth 4, Belmore 1
Final, Morpeth 2, Norwich 0BA Division
Semi Final, Windsor Photo 4, Innerkip Jr’s 1
Final, Blyth Barons 7, Windsor Photo 0AB Division
Semi Final, Cambridge reds 3, Mississauga Ale Stars 2
Final, Shakespeare Falcons 6, Cambridge Reds 1AA Division
Semi Final, Hickson Reds 2, Mitchell Mets 1
Final, Hickson Reds 3, Shedden Mission 0
Click here for Maddy’s Photos Gallery, “Opening Ceremonies”
Click here for Maddy’s Photos Gallery, “Around the Ballpark”.
“It is in a bittersweet mood that I finished the task of reviewing and uploading all the photos for the 2009 ISC II – Tournament of Champions. Bittwersweet because it signifies the end of the fastpitch season for me. No more standing in the field and sharing it with the very talented athletes who play this great game called fastpitch. No more smelling the sweet smell of grass as I stand too close to the foul line to get just the right shot. No more chattering with the managers and players as they return to their positions on the field. But all is not lost, as this will all repeat itself next year. Until then I hope you join me in re-visiting, through my photos, the wonderful tournament called the ISC II.
I have uploaded two more galleries: the first gallery is of the photos taken during the Opening Ceremonies (2009 ISC II – Opening Ceremonies) and the second gallery has photos taken around the ballpark of the fans, players and staff (2009 ISC II – Around the Ballpark). My thanks to everyone who each year make this tournament an unforgettable experience for me. From Blair Setford who each year gives me access so I can photograph this great tournament. To the game controllers who always happily accept the task of babysitting my equipment and keep me in stitches with their stories and jokes. To the players whose athletic prowess challenge me each and every game as I try to capture with photographs what they do so easily and with such talent. And last but not least, the umpires, for who I feel a close kinship; sort of brothers in arms you might say, sharing the field game after game but never playing in it. ”
-Maddy
(Photo of Maddy, not by Maddy)
cbcsports.ca producer Lance Winn, who does play by play for Ballpark Radio, tackles the thorny question of the differences between ISC and ISC II. Click this link to watch this thought-provoking piece.
Courtesy of Ivan Taylor’s Facebook:
Today at 7:10pm
txt msg update from Spud Morrison & Moe Laframboise
Team Easton evened their GOFL semi-final series with Quyon Flyers on Thursday night with 2-1 win on the road.
Cory Costello had the win on the slab for Easton with a 17k performance. Drew Hathway had the loss for Quyon, allowing only one hit. Unfortunately for Quyon, that one hit was a Jamey Mick two run shot in the seventh.
The series is now tied 1-1 with game 3 set for Stittsville on Tuesday at 8:30.
more to follow
Courtesy of Ivan Taylor’s Facebook:
Quyon wins game 1 semi-finals over Easton – UPDATED
from Moe Laframboise
The Quyon COMBAT Flyers finally ended their lengthy slump at Alexander Grove Park with a 4-1 win over Ottawa Team Easton Tuesday night.
Drew Hathway took the win for Quyon while Brad Porter took the loss, both going the distance for their respective clubs.
The pitchers duel saw neither team reach third base until the sixth inning where Quyon opened the scoring. Nick Armitage got things going for the Flyers with a 1-out walk. Matt ‘Cooney’ Greer then came to the plate and continued his torrid hot-streak vs. Porter, stroking a moon shot over the left field fence to give Quyon a 2-0 lead.
Easton answered back in the bottom half of the inning. Dave Tubman came to the plate with 1-out. After working the count like he always does so well, Tubby won the battle by knocking a solo-bomb off the scoreboard in right field.
In the seventh inning, Luke ‘Hammer’ Young hit a 1-out triple to the gap in left-centre. After battling for a walk, Easton conceded second base to Dennis McCleary, putting two in scoring position. Shawn Laframboise then hit a two RBI single up the middle to put the game at 4-1.
Hathway struck out the first two batters in the bottom half before surrendering a walk to Lukas Kamps. He was then able to induce a pop-up to second base from Porter to end the game.
Game two goes Thursday night in Quyon at 7:30.
Pitching
Drew Hathway (W) – 7IP R ER 3H 2BB 13K
Brad Porter (L) – 7IP 4R 4ER 7H 3BB 11K
COMBAT
Shawn Laframboise 2/4 2RBI, 2B
Matt Greer 1/4 2RBI, HR
Joe McCleary 1/2 BB
Nick Armitage 1/3 R, BB
Steve McCord 1/3
Luke Young 1/3 R, 3B
EASTON
Dave Tubman 1/3 HR
Cory Morrison 1/3 2B
Kevin Chevrier 1/3
August 29-30, 2009
Sudbury, Ontario
WYEVALE TRIBE WIN FIRST NORTHERN ONTARIO ISC II QUALIFIER
SUDBURY NORTH STARS COME UP SHORT
Mother Nature did not co-operate this past weekend as the first ever Northern Ontario ISC II Qualifier was reduced to a one day affair. Originally the four teams were to play a single round robin on Saturday followed by a single elimination round on Sunday for a 9-game tournament but as the weather has been all summer long, this could not be accomplished. Saturday was a complete wash-out and therefore, the tournament chairperson decided to make it a one-day double knockout. After 15 hours and six games, Wyevale Tribe were the first-ever winners.
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