Cap tip, Blair Setford
Excerpted from Press Release at the ISF website:
MEN’S TOURNEY BEING DISCUSSED
Although not yet finalized, significant talks are being held regarding an international men’s fast pitch tournament that would take place early next year. The ISF XIII Men’s World Championship will take place from March 1-10, 2013, so this event – proposed for January – would gave many of the participants an on-field tune-up for the premier event less than two months later. ISF President Don Porter expressed optimism and said, “I’m pleased that there has been a big demand for another high-level international men’s fast pitch softball tournament, so we’re trying to facilitate that.” He said that the talks are centered on staging the tournament in the United States and that, as a result, domestic participation would be welcomed too. “We hope to finalize something soon,” he said. “We have to because at this point it would only be six months’ preparation time.” The ISF is working with the Amateur Softball Association of America to jointly present the event.
dave says
alex linares throws one of the best tournaments ive been to in flordia in january there were 48 teams from all over the world why not use his tournament as the tune up.
Kevin says
Already have the AAU in January. Don’t ruin it.
reggie says
They only problem we ever saw at the AAU International was the pitching rule. It allowed basically all the latin teams to dictate how guys pitched. ISC pitching was rarely allowed because if the latin teams(or at times a few others) wanted to pitch ISF – that ruled
Seems they should either just say ‘ISF pitching’ from the start or allow each team to pitch the way they want.
There is rarely a choice for the US and Canadian teams IF they play the latin teams.
If Alex runs a tourney the week before and brings in ISF teams, he will have trouble getting teams from the US and Canada. If that is what he wants – so be it. Perhaps Canada and US send their national teams. US has already committed to the AAU International – so they will either be playing both or dropping the AAU.
I bet the players I talked with on the US Team will be thrilled. I doubt they play both – man – US players would have to take off about 12 days total to play in both. I suspect they were going down to practice a few days – but for nearly 2 weeks – I know for certain several guys cant get away for that long.
Alex Linares says
Pitchers that are used to throw ISC will be allow to pitch ISC every time they pitch… The same for those who preffer ISF style.. There will be no advantage or disavantage this time.
Four games guarantee
Free t-shirts at registration time
Gate tickets at half the price you have paid every year.
Trophies, medals plus CASH $$$ for final four teams..
Play Ball in January…..