From: Al’s Fastball: ASB-Villard Earns Bid to ISC II Tournament of Champions
Archive for the ‘Tournaments’ Category
ASB-Villard (MN) Earns Bid to ISC II Tournament of Champions
Tuesday, June 14th, 2005Japan’s coach says team looking forward to ISF Jr Men’s ch’ship
Tuesday, June 14th, 2005“Just do the best they canâ€
By Pat Healey
Marketing and Media Consultant
ISF 2005 JR. MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
SUMMERSIDE – Team Japan is looking forward to the ISF 2005 Junior Men’s World Softball Championship June 24 to July 3 in Summerside. Head Coach Yoshihiro Umeshita said his team’s management and athletes are excited to be heading overseas to Summerside. “We’re very pleased and honored that the Japan Junior Men’s Team is participating in the Junior Men’s World Championship in PEI,†said Umeshita.
Japan will arrive on P.E.I. June 21 and have scheduled some pre-championship training practices June 21, 22 and 23 through the City of Summerside scheduling coordinator, Paul Gallant. Umeshita said he is hoping his roster of 16 players will play to the best of their abilities and that results will follow. “We are sure our players will do their best to compete with the great players from the participating countries,†he added. Japan plays Denmark on the championship’s opening day June 24 at 12 p.m. before playing their only night game at Monday June 27 against Venezuela at 8 p.m. He believes each game at the World Softball Championship will be a learning experience and give his team exposure to a higher-caliber of ball then they have seen back home in Japan. “All the games will be a fair fight with an exchange of friendship during the World Championship.â€
#26 Saskatoon Merchants top # 9 Saskatoon Black Sox for ISC World Berth
Monday, June 13th, 2005Wisconsin State Tournament Sends Two to ISC II
Sunday, June 12th, 2005Three Minnesota teams ISC-II Bound
Sunday, June 12th, 2005Page Brake & Castlewood Qualify for ISC World
Sunday, June 12th, 2005Team Canada looking for ‘balance’ at Jr. Men’s World Championship
Thursday, June 9th, 2005By Pat Healey Marketing and Media Consultant
ISF 2005 JR. MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP http://www.2005worldsoftball.com
PORT ALBERNI, B.C. The Canadian Junior Men’s softball team is looking for ‘balance’ when it selects the 17 players to represent Canada at the ISF 2005 Jr. Men’s World Softball Championship June 24 to July 3 in Summerside. Coach Kelly McGiffin of Port Alberni, British Columbia, said the 30 players selected to the team’s five day tryout camp in Kitchener, Ontario starting June 10 was based on evaluations from each province’s Canada Games coaches. “We’ll select the 17 that we’re going to take to the Worlds then fly to CFB Greenwood, N.S. and train there,†McGiffin said. “We’ll be playing a number of exhibition games in St. Croix.†The father of three boys, Aaron, Morgan and Rob, said the team has 10 pitchers trying out, and hopes to take four or five top performers from camp with the team to the Worlds. “We’re trying to get the best balance possible with strong defense and pitching,†he added during a phone interview recently. “The team will really have a balanced approach.â€
The team will be holding a selection camp June 10-15 in Kitchener, Ont., and then the trimmed roster of 17 will head to Greenwood, N.S. for a five-day training camp from June 16-21 before driving over to P.E.I. He noted the team would be playing an exhibition doubleheader against the Charlottetown Razzy’s Roadhouse Fawcetts June 21 at Central Field in Charlottetown at 7 and 9 p.m. They will then watch the Fawcetts play a doubleheader June 22 against New Zealand in Charlottetown. “We’ll see how one of our competitors play and take the day off,†McGiffin added.
When asked why Team Canada is late picking their team, considering teams such as Denmark, Australia and U.S.A have been together for the past year, McGiffin said it was hard with 2005 being a Canada Games year as well. “It’s a tough question, but mainly because of timing,†McGiffin explained. “The players play with their club teams and tryout for their respective Canada Games squads so it’s difficult to put together a schedule where you’re not doing a pick and play.†McGiffin said the Canadian coaching staff was poised at having a team last year, but the Canada Games factor played into their plans. “We had a choice to pick the team last year and have them playing in the spring, but they (the players) grow,†he added. “It was really hard to choose, so we decided to compact it all into one camp.
There’s pros and cons to doing the selection last year and now.†He said the 30 players trying out go in knowing nobody is a lock to make the team, meaning each and every player will have to work hard just to make the team. A factor adding to the decision-making is the early date for a softball championship on the East Coast. “It’s different to with the early date as the season is just getting going in late June,†McGiffin said. “I think you will see a really competitive camp as all players will have to make the team and there’s no givens.†He said Canadian management scouted players and went on recommendations from the players’ Canada Games coaches. They then compared the players to fellow competitors at the 2004 Canadian Midget Boys Fast Pitch Nationals co-hosted by the City of Summerside and Town of Alberton. “When it comes down to it, it will be a tough decision for us the coaching staff, which is good,†said McGiffin. “I believe all the players have a real legitimate chance to make the team. “The first day or two they’ll be nervous, but then they should settle down and get mentally focused and by the end of the week should have had a good camp.â€
P.E.I.’s Jeremy MacKinnon is the lone Islander trying out for the team. —–
Pat Healey MARKETING AND MEDIA CONSULTANT
ISF 2005 JR MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS mailto:phealey@2005worldsoftball.com
ISC #16 Bar on the Avenue Makes Its Case for Spot in Top 10
Thursday, June 9th, 2005The ink is barely dry on the ISC’s June 2005 rankings, and the #16 ranked The Bar on the Avenue is already making a case for a big move upward. The Bar actually fell a couple of spots from #14 in the preseason ranking, but make a strong statement at the Grafmeier Tournament at Kimberly, WI last weekend, winning the tournament, and in the process, knocking off the following teams ranked above them:
#2 – The Farm
#6 – IS Knights
#10 – Heflin St. Louise
#12 – Quad City
#15 – Townline
It certainly cannot be said that The Bar is ducking any of the competition, playing mostly Top 20 teams enroute to their 18-9 record. This past weekend, they were led by pitchers Colin McKenzie and Mike Roberts, and hitters Josh Johnson, Jon Zipperer, Trent Noe, and Dan Wall in the middle of their batting order. The Bar will be back in action later this month, at Eau Claire.
From Al’s Fastball: Bar on the Avenue wins Grafmeier Tourney in Kimberly
ISC #23 JRW & Associates Gain Pacific NW ISC II Berth at Chissus Memorial
Wednesday, June 8th, 2005JRW & Associates Gain Pacific NW ISC II Berth at Chissus Memorial
Renton, WA – ISC II 23rd ranked JRW & Associates of Yakima, WA won three straight games in the elimination round for a first place finish at the 33rd Annual Chissus Memorial tournament on Sunday June 5. The ten team Chissus Memorial served as the ISC II qualifier for Washington, Oregon and British Columbia.
JRW & Associates has accepted a berth to the 2005 ISC II Tournament of Champions (ToC) in Chippewa Falls on August 13th-20th.
Not Ranked Runner-up Regal Homes of Everett, who JRW defeated 6-3 in the finals, was a surprise finalist to the championship game. Regal, typically not a traveling team, is not expected to accept the ISC II berth. The third place team, 48th ranked Bucknell Park, playing under the sponsorship of Morgan Transfer, very likely will consider accepting the second berth. (In the absence of an ISC II Travel League in 2005, this qualifier provided the two berths for the Pacific NW).
In the elimination round, JRW beat not ranked Interbay Door of Seattle 6-3 and 48th ranked Morgan Transfer (Bucknell Park) 7-2 to reach the Championship game. Most Valuable Pitcher Dave Drotzmann (JRW) pitched back to back victories with 21 K’s in the two games and allowed only two earned runs. Most Valuable Player Mike Parham (JRW) had a 2 RBI single in the 3 run 6th inning to close out the victory over Morgan Transfer which gave JRW & Associates a berth to the ToC. Mike finished with a .786 BA – See stats below.
In the championship victory over Regal Homes, Pitcher Matt Barnes (JRW), returning from a two year absence from fastpitch softball, struck out 12 and didn’t walk any. Although the pesky Regal team got 11 hits, Matt stranded eight of them, ending 4 of the 7 innings with strikeouts.
JRW’s only loss in the tournament was in pool play on Saturday to 45th ranked Bodle Chiropractic 2-3 in a game with two International Tie-Breaker (ITB) innings. Norm Pipke (BC) of British Columbia struck out 9 in that victory. Bodle lost to eventual runner-up Regal Homes in the first round of elimination play on Sunday.
Game One (Sat)
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 022 360 1 – 14 19 1
N/R Interbay Door, Seattle 400 301 0 – 8 13 1
Matt Barnes, Dave Drotzmann 5th (WP) and Troy Grow; Kevin Rasmussen (LP) and Steve Morrison.
Highlights: HR: Steve Drissel (JRW) Solo
SS Mike Parham (JRW) 4-4, 4 R; DH Dave Drotzmann (JRW) 3-5, 4 RBI; LF Steve Drissel (JRW) 4-4, 2R, 3 RBI; CF Tim Fischer (JRW) 2-4, 2 RBI.
JRW rallied from a seven run tie by scoring 6 runs in the top of the 6th inning. The inning was highlighted by a 2 RBI double by P Dave Drotzmann (JRW), an RBI single by CF Tim Fischer (JRW) and an RBI triple by LF Steve Drissel (JRW).
Game Two (Sat)
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 001 001 000 – 2 6 2
# 45 Bodle Chiropractic, Seattle 101 000 001 – 3 4 1
Dave Drotzmann (LP) and Troy Grow; Norm Pipke (WP) and Link Hawley
Highlights: SS Mike Parham (JRW) 2-4; CF Tim Fischer (JRW) 3-4; LF Steve Drissel (JRW) 2 RBI
Pitching: Dave Drotzman (JRW) 9 IP, 1 ER, 2 W, 9 K’s
Norm Pipke (BC) 9 IP, 2 ER, 3 W, 9 K’s
In the bottom of the 9th with ITB runner Cal Nehren (BC) on second and one out; an unsuccessful bunt attempt blocked the catcher (JRW) and Nehren stole third. The next batter (BC) hit a slow grounder which was errored on an attempt to throw home.
Game Three (Sat)
N/R Rascals Casino, Seattle 100 00 – 1 4 3
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 318 3x – 15 11 1
Duey Christensen (LP) and Nate Collins: Travis Kraft (WP), Dave Drotzmann 5th and Bob Harris
Highlights: HR: Tim Fischer (JRW) Grand Slam; Bob Harris (JRW) 3 Run HR
LF Bob Harris (JRW) 1-3, 2 R, 3 RBI; DH Dave Drotzmann (JRW) 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI; CF Tim Fischer (JRW) 2-3, 2 R, 4 RBI
LF Bob Harris’ (JRW) 3 Run HR in the 3rd and CF Tim Fischer’s (JRW) Grand Slam in the same inning capped a 15 run outburst by JRW & Associates. Pitcher Travis Kraft (JRW), after allowing only four singles, pulled a groin muscle in the 5th with no outs and a walked runner on first. Relief pitcher Dave Drotzmann (JRW) ended the game on four pitches – a 6U — 6-3 DP and a ground out, 6-3.
Game Four (Sun) – Single Elimination Round Starts
N/R Interbay Door, Seattle 000 201 0 – 3 5 1
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 031 002 x – 6 9 2
Kevin Rasmussen (LP) and Steve Morrison; Dave Drotzmann (WP) and Troy Grow;
Highlights: HR: 3B Mike Parham (JRW) 2 Run in the 2nd
RF Steve Allen (JRW) 1-1, 1 R, 1 RBI; SS Mike Parham (JRW) 3-3, 2 R, 3 RBI
Pitching: Dave Drotzmann (JRW) 7 IP, 2 ER, 12 SO, 2 W
After Interbay closed to one run down, JRW scored the clinching runs in B6 on 3 singles, RF Steve Drissel’s (JRW) Sac fly and an OF error.
Game Five (Sun)
Morgan Transfer, Lacey, WA 010 001 0 – 2 4 4
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 011 113 x – 7 9 3
Kory Knight (LP), Trevor Knight 5th and Josh Baumgardner; Dave Drotzmann (WP) and Troy Grow.
Highlights: 2B Don Cawthron (JRW) 2-4, 2 R; Mike Parham (JRW) 2-3, 1 R, 2 RBI.
Most Valuable Player Mike Parham (JRW) had a 2 RBI single in the 3 run 6th inning to close out the victory over Morgan Transfer. Mike finished with a .786 BA.
Game Six (Sun) Championship Game
N/R Regal Homes, Everett 101 010 0 – 3 11 2
# 23 JRW & Associates, Yakima 010 401 x – 6 11 1
Matt Barnes (WP) and Troy Grow; Jerry Rizzuto (LP) and Isiah Piquette
Highlights: 3B Casey Johnson (JRW) 2-3, 1 RBI; CF Tim Fischer (JRW) 1-3, 2 R, 1 RBI; RF Steve Drissel (JRW) 1-3, 1 RBI; Don Cawthron 1-4, 2 RBI
Pitching: Matt Barnes (JRW) 7 IP, 2 ER, 2W, 13 K’s
JRW Tournament All-Stars
Most Valuable Pitcher – Dave Drotzmann (JRW) 3-1, 27 IP, 3 ER, 6 W, 34 K, 0.778 ERA
Most Valuable Player – 3B Mike Parham (JRW) 11-14, .786, 7 Runs, 5 RBI, 1 HR, 3 SB, 1 W
All-Star – CF Tim Fischer (JRW) 8-20, .400, 8 Runs, 8 RBI, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 SB
All-Star – OF Steve Drissel (JRW) 6-16, .375, 6 Runs, 8 RBI, 1 3B, 1 HR, 1 SB, 1 Sac
Many, many thanks to Tournament Director Joe Bodle who handled lots of adversity in putting on another quality event. A pitching shortage for one team had Joe switching teams and fields even before the tournament started. The change away from the traditional Memorial Day weekend for the Chissus tournament left Joe in a dogfight over field use at the Liberty Complex. The Complex had to be cleared on Sunday by noon for Sally League Co-Ed play. Five of Sunday’s nine games for the Chissus Memorial were played at the Renton Hi School ball fields.