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Clash of the Titans – Ten of ISC II’s Top 25 at Niagara Last Weekend

Tuesday, June 7th, 2005

The west coast does not (yet) have teams in the ISC II’s Top 25, with many of the top teams based in Ontario, Canada, the midwest and back east. For readers interested in seeing how the rest of of the continent’s ISC II teams stack up, over the past weekend, the Niagara Snappers hosted 12 teams, including 10 teams in the Top 35. The results give readers their first real look at how many teams who could be headed to the 2005 ISC II Tournament of Champions in Chippewa Falls are shaping up.

Top dog Tavistock was shorted-handed in the pitching department on the weekend, missing both Rob Oliver and Fred Follings, and were knocked off by the ISC II’s hottest team, the Niagara Snappers. The Snappers won the event, beating another team rising in the rankings,
Ashland, OH Merchants. ISC II commish Blair Setford had his Mississauga Arrow teams in the thick of it, knocking off two top-10 ranked teams before bowing out in the quarter finals, and provides this inside look from the tournament:

“This was a real good test for a lot of teams to see where they stand against the top competition in the ISC II,” said Setford. “Unlike in the ISC division, where the top 3 teams seem to be separated from the rest of the pack, you could throw a blanket over the top 25 or even 30 teams in ISC II and we saw that this weekend as no one managed to go 3-0 in the round robin. Only two of the 12 teams failed to win a game and one of them lost three one-run games, so that just speaks further to the closeness of the competition.”

Click here for the complete recap on the Niagara Snapper Shootout.(Editor’s note: Not only the Snappers are on the move up in the rankings. Blair Setford’s own Mississagua Arrows, currently #34 knocked off the #5 and #7 teams in the tournament.)

On June 18, 2005, California area ISC II teams will vie for a bid in the ISC II Tournament of Champions at Santa Fe Springs, CA.

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Maddy’s Monday Night Photos from Stockton, CA

Wednesday, June 1st, 2005

We are pleased to share Maddy’s “Monday Night Photos” from the ASA Class “C” National Qualifying Tournament at Louis Park, Stockton, CA, May 28-29, 2005. (OK, OK, it’s not Monday, but it was a holiday, right?)

Click Here to View Photo Galleries

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ISCII #4 Gladstone Whips Vie for bid to 2005 ISC II

Wednesday, June 1st, 2005

The Gladstone Whips, of Manitoba, Canada, a “Final Four” team from last year’s ISC II Tournament of Champions will be among the 8 teams competing for a bid to the 2005 ISC II Tournament of Champions in Chippewa Falls, WI this coming weeekend. The Whips hold down the #4 spot in the recently released June 1 rankings, just behind three Ontario province teams, Tavistock, Harriston and Norwich.

From Al’s Fastball List: Progress for Portage field Set

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World championship a true “family affair” for New Zealand’s Telfer

Wednesday, June 1st, 2005

By Pat Healey Marketing and Media Consultant ISF 2005 JR. MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP http://www.2005worldsoftball.com

[INVERCARGILL, NEW ZEALAND] The ISF 2005 Jr. Men’s World Softball Championship will be a true family affair for New Zealand’s Mathew Telfer. Mathew will be following in the footsteps of brothers Michael (1997) and Chris (2001) when he suits up for New Zealand at the championship June 24 to July 3 in Summerside. “We are both really looking forward to it, especially since we have not been to PEI before,” said Karen Telfer, Mathew’s mom. “We’re also hoping to get time to have a look around if we can in between games.” This year’s World Championship will be Karen’s third and her husband Colin’s fourth. The Telfer’s have grown up in the sport of softball, continuing the family sport hood as Karen and Colin both played the sport. Now all six kids are involved in sports in one way or another. “We all love the game as Mum and Dad played and kept it going as a family sport,” Mathew said. “We’re also quite involved in coaching, grounds and other softball committees. A lot of hard work and training goes into it.” Mathew is thrilled to continue the past traditions set by his older brothers, which included Michael’s trip to Newfoundland and Labrador. “It has always been a goal since I was 10yrs old when Michael made the team for 1997 World Championship,” Mathew added. “We worked it out then that Chris and I would both be the right ages then to make the New Zealand Under-19 teams, so that has always been my goal. I’m thrilled that I have made it.”

Mathew does have one advantage over his brothers though. He made the Under 16 boys team that traveled to Australia in 2002, where he took home MVP honors for New Zealand. “It has always been my goal to make a World Series and it has all fallen into place,” Mathew said. “It’s a bonus to keep up the tradition, and my brothers kept a bit of pressure on me.” The Verdon College student said that it would be a privilege to wear the New Zealand colours during the championship. “It’s awesome that the three of us have all made the WS for that age group,” said Mathew, 18. “It’s a real privilege to carry on the tradition. Mathew is keeping his work in family too as he is doing his drain-laying apprenticeship with the family-owned Telfer Drain-laying in his hometown, which has a population of about 50,000. “The history of our achieved sportsman is pretty blimin good actually, softball has done well in the past,” Karen added.

Karen and Colin both support their children’s endeavors in the sport, although to continue their sport they have to travel north many a times from their city of Invercargill, in the South Land region. They have three girls coming up through the sport of softball. Alice is 16 while twins Joanna and Katie are 12-years-old. “We’re extremely proud of the children’s achievements and have also been so lucky to be able to follow them around the world,” said Karen. “With having a large family I guess it’s pretty awesome to see that they have all done so well,” said Karen. “It makes it hard for the other three girls coming up behind though doesn’t it. Karen and Colin are both from sporting families, so that may have helped get the five kids into the sport. But with being so involved in sports, they have not much time for anything else. “You are right about the spare time and spare money!” Karen explained. “Other things just go on the back boiler and you do what you can for them. They are all involved in many other sports and they just love having a go at most things. But there is a limit!! ”

Pat Healey
MARKETING AND MEDIA CONSULTANT
ISF 2005 JR MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
mailto:phealey@2005worldsoftball.com

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Santa Rosa Storm just misses landing National Tourney berth

Wednesday, June 1st, 2005

Storm loses two one-run games on final day to finish third at National Qualifier in Stockton, CA

A three-year development program aimed at landing a berth in the 2005 Class C National Tournament may finally be paying off for Gary Dower, major sponsor of the Santa Rosa, CA, Storm men’s fastpitch team. The Storm finished a surprising third in the National Qualifier in Stockton after defeating Country Club Villa of San Jose, 8-1; Pride of San Juan, 7-5; and Elk Grove Fastpitch, 5-4 in nine innings before losing 9-8 to eventual champion McLaughlin Air of Stockton and The Rounders of Southern California, 4-3. Dower, who plays third base and occasionally pitches for the Storm, sponsors two teams in Santa Rosa¹s Tuesday Night League, The Farm, whose lineup includes a number of up-and-coming young stars of the game, and the older and more established IDM (It Doesn’t Matter) team.

The top players off the two teams play in the tougher Wednesday Night League as The Storm, and that team competes in the Pacific Coast Travel League along with McLaughlin Air, A-1 Tank, West Coast Financial, Bonanza Air, Native Americans, Neilson Realty Gamblers, Italian Athletic Club, Pride of San Juan, Oroville Braves, Romie¹s Angels, King Real Estate, Elk Grove, South Stockton Outlaws, Mission II, Country Club Villa, Rez Sox (out of Gardnerville, NV), Dry Creek Chiefs of Santa Rosa, Gaines Liquors, Al’s Roofing, Bay Area Hi Reach, Mel’s Plumbing, and two more Santa Rosa League teams, Quality Fence and Wally’s Bail Bonds.

The Storm currently rests in a tie for ninth place in the point standings with Elk Grove. A-1 Tank, McLaughlin Air, IAC, King Real Estate and West Coast Financial are the top five teams. At Stockton, the Storm got quality pitching from lefthander Jim Vargas, who pitched the Storm¹s first 27 innings before finally tiring against McLaughlin Air. He was 3-0 with a 3.37 ERA. As a team, the Storm hit .359, led by Giuliano (Jewells) Valesi (.600), Rick Kane (.500), Mike Mathewson (.429), Jim¹s son, Mike Vargas (.412), Brian Osborn (.389), Rick Faccini (.375), Gary Dower (.333), Jim Vargas (.300) and Tony Lopez (.278). Valesi, who played only on Sunday, was retired only one time in going 5-for-6 against McLaughlin Air and the Rounders. Kane, the season leader with 30 RBI and 17 runs scored, had nine hits and Osborn drove in six runs.

Game 1: Storm 8, Country Club Villa 1 (1-0)

Country Club Villa, always one of the top hitting teams in Northern California, was shut out until the sixth inning by Vargas, who scattered eight hits, walked one and struck out four. Faccini doubled across a run in the second inning, Kane hit a two-run homer in the third, and Lopez singled across one run and Jim Vargas doubled in two more in the fourth to make it 6-0. The Storm added two runs in the seventh on singles by Mike Vargas and Brian Osborn and an RBI double by Tom Dower. The Storm had 12 hits. (more…)

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June 1 ISC II Rankings Released

Wednesday, June 1st, 2005

The latest set of ISC II rankings have been released, replacing the earlier “Preseason” rankings.

The rankings are significant, as they will form the basis for seeding teams in the fourth annual ISC II Tournament of Champions which will be played August 14-19 at Casper Park in Chippewa Falls, WI. The tournament will feature 40 teams from across North America playing a four-game round robin schedule in eight pools of five teams each. The top three teams from each pool advance to a single elimination playoff bracket.

Smully’s Tavistock Merchants Remain top ISC II June 1 Rankings

June 1, 2005

Tavistock, ON Smully’s Tavistock Merchants remain atop the ISC II Rankings with the two-time defending champion Harriston, ON Mercury’s, the consensus number two.

Oswego, NY McKie’s Sports moved up seven places from #12 to #5, impressing the ranking committee with a strong showing in Erie after qualifying for the ISC II Tournament of Champions as the representative from the Northeast area.

Palermo, ON Athletics also break into the top 10 at #9, up from #14, as the veteran club brought home a solid third place showing at the tough Waterloo May Two-Four Blast tournament.

Making a big move in the rankings is the Niagara, ON Snappers club, moving up 10 spots from #28 to #18. The Snappers are playing in the ISC Travel League of Eastern Canada and have held their own against ISC clubs like the Kitchener Twins and Innerkip Eagles.

Rochester, NY Bombers climbed 17 places from #44 to #27 on the strength of a tournament win in New Jersey.

Falling out of the top 10 were Fargo, ND Chub’s Pub Wizards, Lloydminster, AB Scope Dodgers and Wilkes-Barre, PA Keating’s Fitness Center.

A total of 48 teams received at least one vote from the 12-person panel.

The top 10 teams are:
1. Tavistock, ON Merchants
2. Harriston, ON Mercurys
3. Norwich, ON Razorbacks
4. Gladstone, MB Whips
5. Oswego, NY McKie’s Sports
6. Kanata, ON Team Easton
7. Perkasie, PA KMV Rise
8. Galesville, WI Wilber Lime
9. Palermo, ON Athletics
10. Appleton, WI The Bar of Appleton

To view the full list, please see the ISC II section of the ISC website. (Editor’s note: The full list will be posted in the next couple days)

For more information, please contact:

Blair Setford
ISC II Commissioner
Email: blairjs@rogers.com
Phone: 1.800.268.9374 x 8803

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Rounders “Sleepless in Stockton”

Tuesday, May 31st, 2005

Rounders Find Spark Enroute to Nationals Berth and Second Place Finish at National Qualifier at Stockton, CA

The Rounders finished their 2004 Alliance season by winning three of the last four Alliance tournaments played. They made it to the title game four times, winning all four.

In 2005, however, they have struggled to find their mark, failing to make it to the championship game in four Alliance tournaments thus far. Though holding down third place, something was missing. So the team hoped they could find the answer on their road trip to the National Qualifier in Stockton over the Memorial Day weekend.

A first game loss in which they could muster only three hits didn’t exactly inspire confidence, as they headed into the loser’s bracket, one game away from elimination, but a 17 run outburst in their second game set the stage for a long, productive weekend that resulted in a second place finish, with the Rounders claiming one of two National Tournament berths for the ASA “C” Nationals, back in Stockton over the Labor Day weekend. It didn’t come easily, especially against a strong field of teams that included the likes of Northern California’s McLaughlin Air, A-1 Tank, Santa Rosa Storm and the San Juan Pride, and Central California’s Mixed Company and the Painters. By the end of the day on Sunday, the Rounders had played 8 games, and seemingly spent every waking moment of their weekend at Louis Park in Stockton. The Rounders left town “Sleepless in Stockton”, but having found their spark, and hopeful, when they return for the National tournament three months from now.

The team found success in a variety of places and players, with everyone contributing to the turnaround. Certainly among them were Gerald Pyle, the 27 year old pitcher-DH who clubbed five home runs and picked up 2 wins on the mound, and Linnell Culver, who had three home runs, and seemed to be on base all weekend long. Both Pyle and Culver had a two-home run game, producing runs that proved crucial to the Rounders’ survival in the loser’s bracket. Veteran pitcher Mitch Mendenhall found his mark, and pitched three outstanding games on Sunday, winning all three, including the loser’s bracket final that clinched a national tournmament berth for the Rounders. We provide the following recap of the Rounders’ eventful weekend.

(Editor’s note: If any other teams, including the champions, McLaughlin has info from your games, please send it to us for posting; email us at info@fastpitchwest.com. Click here to view photo galleries from the weekend. Credit David Echeveste of Santana Concrete for coming up with the “Sleepless” headline to this story.)

Game 1: A-1 Tank 5, Rounders 1 (0-1)

As the first place team in the Northern California travel league, A-1 Tank was one of the favorites for this tournament. A-1 lived up to the billing, shutting down the Rounders offense. A-1 Tank lefty Rich Rivera, and his unorthodox delivery stymied the Rounders, holding them to just one hit through the first six innings, a first inning double by Mark Villalobos. (Rivera keeps the ball hidden until late in his delivery, and comes off to the left side of the rubber as he releases the ball) A-1 Tank scored a run in the first on a solo home run by Ardu Panisotto, another in the second on a solo homer by Don Meyers, and two more in the third on singles by Craig Daruk, Shawn Ching and Erin Linnell.

Villalobos added another hit in the seventh, and Gerald Pyle singled him in for the only run for the Rounders in this one-sided affair. Mitch Mendenhall went the distance, holding a strong A-1 offense to five runs, while Rivera picked up the win in the 3 hit gem. To make matters worse, Rounder catcher Donald Younger suffered a dislocated thumb in the game. (more…)

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McLaughlins Air Wins C National Qualifier

Monday, May 30th, 2005

Al’s Fastball: McLaughlins Air Wins C National Qualifier

BY HERB DOWER

Stockton, CA

McLaughlin’s Air (Stockton, CA) finished undefeated to capture the Amateur Softball Association’s Men’s Class C Fastpitch National Qualifier held in Stockton, CA May 28-29.

McLaughlin’s reached the championship game with a come-from-behind 9-8 win over the Storm of Santa Rosa, CA, scoring three unearned runs on two dropped fly balls to the outfield in the sixth inning that erased an 8-6 deficit. Dropped into the loser’s Bracket, the Storm lost 4-3 to the Rounders. The win by the Rounders gave them a second place finish and enabled them to join McLaughlin’s in securing berths in the C Nationals to be held in Stockton. The Rounders forfeited the championship game, giving McLaughlin’s the championship.

The Storm finish third, defeating Country Club Villa 8-1, Pride of San Juan 7-5 and Elk Grove 5-4 in 9 innings to reach the winner’s bracket finals against McLaughlin’s Air. Jim Vargas pitched and won all three games for the Santa Rosa entry.

Unofficial results:

WINNER’S BRACKET
Stockton Outlaws d. Native Americans (Santa Rosa)
Elk Grove d. Mel’s Plumbing (Stockton)
Gaines Liquors (Stockton) d. Neilson Realty Gamblers (Sacramento)
Country Club Villa (San Jose) def. Mission II (Stockton)
Oroville Braves def. Savala Painters (Long Beach), 7-5
Italian Athletic Club (Stockton) def. Bad Dogs
West Coast Financial (Sacramento) def. Party Time

SECOND ROUND
KHT Pumpers def. Stockton Outlaws
Elk Grove def. Warriors
San Juan def. Gaines Liquors
Santa Rosa Storm def. Country Club Villa, 8-1
McLaughlin Air def. Oroville Braves
A-1 Tank def. Rounders
IAC def. Al’s Roofing
Mixed Company def. West Coast Financial
THIRD ROUND
Elk Grove def. KHT Pumpers
Santa Rosa Storm def. San Juan, 7-5
McLaughlin Air def. A-1 Tank
Mixed Company def. IAC
SEMIFINALS
Santa Rosa Storm def. Elk Grove, 5-4 (9 innings)
McLaughlin Air def. Mixed Company.
WINNER’S BRACKET FINALS
McLaughlin Air def. Santa Rosa Storm 9-8.

LOSER’S BRACKET
Gaines Liquors def. Bad Dogs
Party Time def, Country Club Villa
Native Americans def. Oroville Braves
Rounders def. Mel’s Plumbing 17-3
Al’s Roofing def. Neilson Gamblers
West Coast Financial def, Mission II, 10-9
Second Round
Savala Painters def. Warriors
Party Time def. Gaines Liquors
Rounders def. Native Americans 19-15 in extra innings
West Coast Financial def. Al’s Roofing
Third Round
Savala Painters def. IAC 9-4
A-1 Tank def. Party Time 8-3
Rounders def. San Juan
West Coast Financial def, KHT Pumpers 13-7
Fourth Round
A-1 Tank def. Savala Painters 4-2
Rounders def. West Coast Financial 8-5
Fifth Round
A-1 Tank def. Elk Grove 8-0
Rounders def. Mixed Company
Elk Grove and Mixed Company tied for 5th place
Sixth Round
Rounders def, A-1 Tank 5-3
A-1 Tank finished in 4th place.
Loser’s Bracket finals
Rounders 4, Santa Rosa Storm 3
Santa Rosa Storm finished in 3rd place.

Herb Dower
Mailto:dower@sonic.net

Posted in ASA, So Cal, Tournaments | No Comments »

Long Beach Black Sox 2-2 at Boatnik , OR

Monday, May 30th, 2005

Read about the Long Beach Black Sox trip to the Boatnik Tournament at Grants Pass, Oregon.

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Memorial Weekend in Austin Texas

Thursday, May 26th, 2005

From Al’s Fastball List: Memorial Weekend in Austin Texas – 28-29 May, 2005

Austin Texas

28-29 May, 2005

The stage is set for The Castro Concrete J.A.C. Invitational and
ISC II Tournament Of Champions Qualifier for TX,La,Okl,and Ark. (more…)

Posted in ISC, ISC-II, Tournaments | No Comments »

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