FastpitchWest is an online publication, produced
by Jim Flanagan in Southern California. The publication of FastpitchWest
began in 1998, with the hope of helping to promote the game, teams and
players of fastpitch, particularly those in Southern California and the West.
In doing so, we pay appropriate homage to some of the people who have been, for
the longest time, the "keepers of the flame", ensuring that we in the world of
fastpitch get our requisite dose of information about the exploits of our
favorite players and teams: the late Ray Anderson, whose "Fastpitch Bulletins"
still occupy an honored corner of my garage, and his top writer, the late Betty
Stout who covered the game for years during the 1970's and '80's. Bob
Tomlinson, picked up the torch, and published the
Fastpitch Chronicle serving as
the "bible" of information for fastpitch for years (and now publishes it online)
Many times, I have had people ask or write to
find out what is happening with fastpitch "out West". Perhaps FastpitchWest
will answer some of those questions. We hope that you find it to be informative
and enjoyable. (Kind of like a good letter from Wayne Fisher)
We in Southern California -- and here at Fastpitchwest have been fortunate to have the number one fastpitch writer and
fastpitch photographer (so chosen by the ISC) in
Bob Otto. His days as a fastpitch pitcher helps him capture the game of
today with a great sense of observation, sharp wit, and keen sense of humor.
Like the late-great L.A. Times sportswriter Jim Murray, Bob Otto helps us see a
little deeper into the people that he writes about, so that we have a better
sense of who they are when we look across the diamond at them, or down from the
bleachers. Otto is the featured columnist here at FastpitchWest, and provides
many of the photos posted here, taken with that well-travelled 300 mm lense of
his.
The Internet has opened a door for the sport of
fastpitch to reach a greater number of people, and to promote the game, no
matter the geography. No longer do we need to beg for space in the local
newspapers, often so hard to come by. While not everyone has a computer, or
access to the internet, computers, web-sites, and email are becoming more
commonplace, especially at our jobs, giving us a network that ties our community
together. No longer do tournament directors have to mail out flyers or spend
hours on the phone, waiting and wondering... they can promote their events
online, or email hundreds of people in an instant. Al Doran is pioneering the use of
the Internet technology with his daily missives via email to over 1,200 people,
and growing. His companion website,
Al's
Fastball is among the most frequently visited sites in the nation.
When Al traveled to the ISC World Tournament, he brought us all along,
by posting emails with details of every single game. Al Doran's archive of
the day's emails from all around the world have become the "Holy Grail" of Men's
Fastpitch, , or "Fastball" as our Canadian brethren call the game.
When Fastpitchwest first went online in
1998, fastpitch pitcher and internet aficionado
David Blackburn talked of the day when we might be able to listen to World
or National tournament games via Real Audio over the net. In 2001, he and
broadcast partner Ron Chambers made that dream a reality, giving thousands of fastpitch fans 'round the world to listen in to fastpitch games being broadcast
on the internet. Now, the advent of "streaming video" is upon us, and who knows
what the next generation of technology will bring. If it seems at times that
the doors to television have not been open to fastpitch, the coming era of "Webcast"
games may make the point moot. How fortunate we are to be able to witness this
rapid development. At the heart of it all, is the Internet, which ties our
community together.
It is especially encouraging to me to see
players and fans of all ages logging on. If anyone has the impression that it
is just the younger generation logging on, our emails would tell you
otherwise. The window to our game is wide open -- and not just to the people who
now play the game. Fastpitch can benefit from this connection we all now have,
if we are open to its possibilities, which are endless.
We encourage you to share your favorite
fastpitch websites with your friends. Let people like Al Doran, Bob Tomlinson,
Iren Hodge, and David Blackburn know that you appreciate their efforts to keep
us informed. Appreciate the efforts of organizers like Pat Bucknell and Jim
Williamson of
NAFA, Ken Hackmeister of the
ISC
who make it all possible for the rest of us, and Chuck Vranich, who toiled for a
decade at the helm of the SCFA in Southern California, providing the leadership
needed, Dick Grove and Iren Hodge who ran California's top fastpitch league, the CCASA and
covered it all at their own website
"TheHodgie.com".
New fastpitch websites are springing up as fast as you can say "Google".
While nothing will ever replace the thrill and
enjoyment of seeing a fastpitch game in person, the Internet does give us an
opportunity to more closely follow our favorite teams, wherever they may be, or
learn about the people that make up our sport. The Internet is no longer just
for "techies", but offers each of us a wider and wider reaching view of the
world of fastpitch. Instead of waiting days or weeks for results of
tournaments, including the ISC World, NAFA World Series and ASA National tourneys, we are
but a click or two away from getting all the details of the games of that very
day. Digital photography has opened the window wider still, allowing
fastpitch players and fans to get a close up look at games being played across
the state, across the nation, or even across "the pond".
Our goal here at fastpitchwest is to provide
you with news and information about your favorite teams and players, to help you
get to know them a bit better, to publicize tournaments and other games, and
give you a place to find out the latest results. We strive to
provide a familiar place for members of the fastpitch community to get together
and take in "the game".
As we head into the new season -- and this next
millenium, we look forward to FASTPITCH played and watched with passion, and
with love of the game. Above all, we enjoy the game -- for what it is -- the
finest amateur sport around.
Jim Flanagan
Editor, Fastpitch
West
