Editor's Note This week's Throwback Thursday features snippets of the July 1997 edition of Bob Tomlinson's Fastpitch Chronicle, "the" men's fastpitch newspaper of record before the internet. Still working on a way to scan the newspaper-sized pages, but for this post, we've photographed a few articles from that issue. The familiar Page One Banner of everyone's favorite, … [Read more...]
Throwback Thursday – Fastpitch Bulletin – Oct 1985 – The “Pay ‘n Pak Issue”
Editor's Note This week's Throwback Thursday features the October 1985 edition of Ray Andersen's Fastpitch Bulletin. Call this one the "Pay 'n Pak" issue, the World and National Champions of 1985. On the front cover is a photo of Pay 'n Pak manager Tom Wagner, whose Seattle Washington based team became the first to win both the ISC World Tournament and ASA National … [Read more...]
Throwback Thursday – Long Beach Nitehawks Media Guide 1986
Editor's Note This week's Throwback Thursday takes our time machine back to 1986, 38 years ago, to the Long Beach Nitehawks Media Guide. The guide was retrieved from the keepsakes of ISC Hall of Famer, Long Beach manager and franchise owner, Irvin "Red" Meairs. When not on the diamond, Red was my mother's mailman; when on it, beloved by all. Red was also the man that … [Read more...]
Best Knuckleball in Fastpitch
Editor's note: We've updated this post to add another nominee for "Best Knuckleball in Fastpitch"" Blair Setford says: "Sean Cleary" Feel free to add your comments below, or on Twitter (X). Editor's nominees: Sabate and Terkelson of the AWP Lumberjacks Who has the best knuckleball in fastpitch? I'll start, and nominate two members of the AWP Lumberjacks, … [Read more...]
Update to our Throwback Thursday – Fastpitch Bulletin – January 1983 – Mark Smith
Editor's Note An update to yesterday's "Throwback Thursday" piece. Be sure to see Bob Otto's profile of Mark Smith below. The front page of the January 1983 edition of Ray Anderson's "Fastpitch Bulletin" (below) mentions Canadian great, Mark Smith returning to Canada, after a two year stint pitching in California with the Camarillo Kings, during which time, Mark led the … [Read more...]
Throwback Thursday – Fastpitch Bulletin – January 1983
Editor's Note This one from the way-way back machine, pre-internet days. Before Fastpitchwest, there was Al's Fastball; before Al's Fastball there was (Bob Tomlinson's) Fastpitch Chronicle; and before the Fastpitch Chronicle, there was the Fastpitch Bulletin, by Ray Anderson (with ace reporter Betty Stoudt). Ran across this single (front) page while cleaning out some … [Read more...]
Editor’s Deja Vu
This story caught my eye and left me smiling. I had a similar experience years ago with an opposing player being the Good Samaritan. First, this story: Editor's Story: A good number of years ago, I had just started playing travel ball, and was driving to a tournament at the softball complex at Lake Elsinore, California. (Not to be confused with the minor league … [Read more...]