Live scoreboard at the official ISF website.
Editor’s note: It does not auto-refresh, so you need to click refresh to see upates. (refresh, of course, being those two little arrows on your browser that make the page re-load)
Want more than the line score? Click here to get the links to Al Doran’s text play-by-play.
(Al Doran, fastball’s “go to” guy for all of the information on the XII World Championships, sitting right by home plate)
Game of the day on Wednesday? That would have to be the 8:30pm game in Pool A between Great Britain and the USA. The USA has won four in a row after an opening night shellacking at the hands of New Zealand. Great Britain started slow, dropping their first two, including a one run loss to the Philippines that they wish they could have back, but has won three in a row since then, with the tournament’s biggest upset to date, the win over Japan Monday night. They showed some intestinal fortitude Tuesday with a come-from-behind win over Mexico Tuesday, after Mexico took a lead with a 4 run 5th inning.
The Great Britain v. USA game Wednesday has big medal round implications. Want to sneak peek to see who the two play Thursday? I’ll save you the trip:
UNITED STATES VS MEXICO
GREAT BRITAIN VS BOTSWANA
Let’s cut to the chase – New Zealand has been taking batting practice all week, waiting for the playoffs to begin, with the top spot locked up. Second place — and with it the all important “double life” is decided Wednesday night at 8:30pm. If Great Britain wins, then they will have beaten the other two teams who would have at least 2 losses, and would grab the 2 spot and double life, with the USA and Japan in 3rd and 4th.
A couple of people told me last fall that “Great Britain is a better team than people realize” . They have already proven that, most notably with the win over Japan. But they could take European softball to a whole new level with a win over their former colony Wednesday night.
If the USA wins, then 2nd is theirs and 3rd and 4th could be up for grabs amongst three or four teams, with Japan and Great Britain the favorites. But Great Britain’s lingering concern is that the opening day loss to the Philippines could come back to haunt them.
* Great Britain is 3-2 with games remaining against the USA and Botswana. Likely result, either 5-2 or 4-3. Great Britain beat Japan but lost to the Philippines.
* Japan, at 3-2, has the worst of it, playing New Zealand Thursday, after Denmark on Wednesday. Barring an upset of epic proportions, Japan finishes 4-3, or 3-4 if they stumble against Denmark. Japan beat the Philippines but lost to Great Britain.
* The Phillipines are 2-3, but play Botswana and Denmark, so likely 4-3 or 3-4. The Phillipines beat Great Britain but lost to Japan.
* Denmark is 2-3, with Japan and the Philippines left. Likely result is 3-4, or 2-5. Win out would put them at 4-3, but their hill appears the toughest to climb.
Pool A? The biggest game – other than Canada’s win over Australia was Tuesday night when Canada fought off Venezuela. Canada finishes with South Africa and Puerto Rico and should run the table, Australia holding the 2 spot and double life, while the South American countries, Venezuela and Argentina appear poised to grab the 3 and 4 spots. Venezuela has the easier road, playing the same two teams Wednesday and Thurdsay as Canada, just in reverse order, Puerto Rico and South Africa. Should Venezuela win out, they would finish pool play at 5-2. Argentina, on the other hand, still has to play Australia, and then a gimme versus Indonesia. Argentina could finish 3-4 and still get into the medal round. For Venezuela fans dreaming about Argentina upsetting Australia, and both clubs finishing 5-2 – remember that the Aussies drilled Venezuela on opening day, 7-0. The double lifes are going to Canada and Australia.
Have a different view? Email me, jim (at) fastpitchwest (dot) com
Click here to view past ISF World Champions
From THE STARPHOENIX
BY KATHRYN WILLMS
JULY 22, 2009
It was quiet morning at the ballpark on Tuesday as the United States and Botswana took the field for the first game of the day. Fans settled in for a long day of ball, coffees in hand, chatting among themselves. Two hours later, the same crowd was on the edge of their seats as a 0-4 Botswana team took its best shot at upsetting the 3-1 Americans. A morning round-robin formality had morphed into an epic battle between David and Goliath.
The United States were the first to get on the board. Shortstop Don Garvey got his team’s first hit, a single, and then utilized his speed to round the bases in quick succession before stealing home. Botswana responded in the top of the third by loading the bases but pitcher Travis Price struck out the final batter to save his team’s lead. After another inning stalemate, Adam LaLonde was walked to first then hit home by a Kyle Magnusson single. Botswana launched its attack in the sixth. Gomolemo Tshelametsi hit a single to get on base and was brought home on a double by Obusitswe Lekgothu. Lekgothu would, in turn, swiftly steal third but U.S. closer Paul Koert delivered two easy outs at first and struck out a final batter to stem the Botswana tide. Botswana couldn’t manage the tying run in the seventh, leaving one batter on base at the close of the game. The Botswana team out-hit the Americans 3-2.
“Because we have been scouting on how these guys play and hit, we decided it’s not about striking out guys,” said Botswana’s starting pitcher Tony Moyo, who allowed two hits and struck out five. “Let’s hit the spots and play a defensive game. If we get guys on base, let’s turn it into runs.”
The only people not surprised at the tight contest were the Botswana players. Moyo confirms what everyone at Bob Van Impe came to realize on Tuesday morning: Botswana came to compete.
“The U.S. team, Denmark, Mexico, Philippines, Great Britain,” said Moyo, “they were actually teams that we had targeted to play brilliantly against. With five losses down, things haven’t gone our way. This game we said let’s go full out. We have nothing to lose.”
Botswana may have the worst record of the tournament — now 0-5 — but a careful review of their its round-robin games shows Moyo’s optimistic take is far from misplaced. All tournament, the Botswana team has kept games close, flashing potential on both sides of the plate and refusing to roll over in the face of even the most intimidating opponents. It lost to Denmark 4-1, Japan 9-4, Mexico 7-0 and New Zealand 10-0.
Winning pitcher Travis Price, who allowed three hits while striking out nine in six innings pitched, was giving props after the game, clearly relieved that the U.S. escaped its flat play to earn a win.
“We never take any team lightly,” he said. “Their starting pitcher kept us off balance. We played solid defence but they hung around. They’re a decent team.”
Botswana is refashioning itself as a spoiler for the remaining games of the round-robin. It takes on the Philippines today and Great Britain Thursday, two teams with long-shot playoff aspirations.
“Nobody should get it easy,” said Moyo. “A win for us will just justify that we qualified to come here.”
kwillms@sp.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
(Saskatoon,SK) – The Canadian Senior Men’s National Team showed a lot of character withanother come-from-behind victory against a tough opponent, as they came back from a 4-3 deficit to edge Venezuela 5-4. After Canada took 2-0 and 3-2 leads,Venezuela came back to take the lead and the momentum going into the sixth.Canada scored a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to regain the lead, andheld on for the victory in front of a raucous crowd.
Earlyin the game, Venezuela starting pitcher John Garcia and Canadian starter SeanWhitten (Maddox Cove, NL) shut down the opposing hitters, retiring the side inorder in each of the first two innings. In the top of the third, Jeff Ellsworth(St. Lawrence, PEI) registered the first hit of the game, lashing a single toright field. After being sacrificed to second on a bunt by Sean O’Brien (St.John’s, NL) and advancing to third on an illegal pitch, Ellsworth came in toscore on an infield single by Ryan Wolfe (Melbourne, ON), beating the throw ofthe shortstop. Keith Mackintosh (Melfort, SK) then hit a single to centerfieldto place runners on the corners, and Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON) drove in a runwith a single through the right side past a diving second baseman, givingCanada a 2-0 lead.
Keepingup with Canada every step of the way, Venezuela scored two runs to tie thegame, both scoring on a homerun just over the fence in straightaway centerfieldby Rafael Flores. Canada broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth. Ryan Wolfeand Keith Mackintosh hit back-to-back singles before Fehrman ripped a single tothe right side of the infield, allowing Wolfe to score from second and givingCanada a 3-2 lead.
Afterpitching four solid innings, Whitten was relieved by Todd Martin (Bracebridge,ON) in the bottom of the fifth. Martin surrendered three straight singles asVenezuela produced two runs to take a 4-3 lead, which lead to Martin beingreplaced by Trevor Ethier (Saskatoon, SK), who struck out two batters to getout of the inning.
Inthe top of the sixth, Stephen Mullaley (Freshwater, NL) hit a fly ball toshallow centerfield, and the centerfielder seemed to have made a great divingcatch, but the ball popped out on the landing as Mullaley reached second on thedouble. Jeff Ellsworth then sacrificed Mullaley to third, and Sean O’Brien hita single to centerfield to push Mullaley to the plate to tie the game. With RobGiesbrecht (Landmark, MB) pinch-running for O’Brien, Dale Levy (St. Mary’s, ON)drilled a pinch-hit double to right that was misplayed by the right fielder,allowing Giesbrecht to score all the way from first, giving Canada the 5-4lead.
Afterthe first Venezuelan struck out in the bottom of the sixth, Joe Vilchez hustledinto second for a double, and was replaced by a pinch-runner, who moved up tothird on an illegal pitch. Ethier was able to force the next hitter to groundout to first without allowing the runner to score, followed by a huge strikeoutmuch to the delight of all of the fans in attendance. Ethier kept the momentumin the bottom of the seventh, striking out a hitter and forcing a ground outright back to him to end a very tight ballgame.
SeanWhitten pitched four solid innings for Canada, allowing two runs on only twohits with seven strikeouts. Todd Martin allowed two runs on three hits withoutrecording an out, while Trevor Ethier allowed only one hit over three inningsand struck out five. At the plate, Ryan Wolfe, Keith Mackintosh and Ian Fehrmanall collected two hits for Canada, while Stephen Mullaley, Jeff Ellsworth, SeanO’Brien and Dale Levy each added one.
Withthe win, Canada sits atop the Pool B standings with a 5-0 record, and will takeon South Africa (1-4) at 3:30pm on Wednesday.
Inother Day 5 action, the United States edged Botswana 2-1, Puerto Rico outscoredSouth Africa 16-7, New Zealand defeated Denmark 16-0, Argentina nipped theCzech Republic 2-1, Great Britain trimmed Mexico 7-6, Australia beat Indonesia10-0 and Japan defeated the Philippines by a score of 5-0.
Forgame results and tournament standings, please visit the tournament website at http://www.2009worldmensfastpitch.com/
Formore information, please contact:
GillesLeBlanc
Manager– Marketing and Communications
SoftballCanada
(613)797-7171
gleblanc@softball.ca
(click logo to visit the official ISF XII World Championships website)
Digital clock shows local Saskatoon time.
Day 5 schedule:
JULY 21, 2009
33 11:30AM UNITED STATES 2, BOTSWANA 1
Click here for details at Al’s Fastball
34 1:00PM PUERTO RICO 16, SOUTH AFRICA 7
Click here for details at Al’s Fastball
35 1:30PM NEW ZEALAND 16, DENMARK 0
Click here for details at Al’s Fastball
36 3:00PM ARGENTINA 2, CZECH REPUBLIC 1
Click here for details at Al’s Fastball
37 3:30PM GREAT BRITAIN 7, MEXICO 6
Click here for details at Al’s Fastball
38 5:30PM AUSTRALIA 10, INDONESIA 0
Click here for details at Al’s Fastball
39 6:30PM CANADA 5, VENEZUELA 4
Click here for details at Al’s Fastball
40 8:30PM JAPAN 5, PHILIPPINES 0
Click here for details at Al’s Fastball
Follow all the action on Al’s Fastball. Al Doran is in Saskatoon, has the best seat in the house and is posting play-by-play updates throughout the tournament. Click logo below to go to his website, then click the links on the left hand side for each game.
Click here to see the view of the playing field that Al Doran enjoys.
Previous scores after the jump. (more…)
(click logo to visit the official ISF XII World Championships website)
Pool A
New Zealand 4-0
United States 3-1
Great Britain 2-2
Japan 2-2
Philippines 2-2
Denmark 2-2
Mexico 1-3
Botswana 0-4
Pool B
Canada 4-0
Australia 3-1
Venezuela 3-1
Argentina 2-2
Czech Republic 2-2
Puerto Rico 1-3
South Africa 1-3
Indonesia 0-4
(Top 4 teams from each pool qualify for the medal round)
(click logo to visit the official ISF XII World Championships website)
Digital clock shows local Saskatoon time.
Day 4 schedule:
MONDAY, JULY 20
25 11:30AM AUSTRALIA 11, SOUTH AFRICA 2
Click here for scores
26 1:00PM DENMARK 6, MEXICO 4
Click here for scores
27 1:30PM UNITED STATES 9, PHILIPPINES 4
Click here for scores
28 3:00PM GREAT BRITAIN 4, JAPAN 3
Click here for scores
29 3:30PM ARGENTINA 8 , PUERTO RICO 6
Click here for scores
30 5:30PM NEW ZEALAND 10, BOTSWANA 0
Click here for scores
31 6:30PM CANADA 9, INDONESIA 0
Click here for scores
32 8:30PM VENEZUELA 9, CZECH REPUBLIC 2
Click here for scores
Follow all the action on Al’s Fastball. Al Doran is in Saskatoon, has the best seat in the house and is posting play-by-play updates throughout the tournament. Click logo below to go to his website, then click the links on the left hand side for each game.
Click here to see the view of the playing field that Al Doran enjoys.
Previous scores after the jump. (more…)
Blu Boys nip Brits in world softball tiff
The Philippine Star | 07/19/2009 8:29 AM
SASKATOON, Canada – The Philippines erupted for all of its runs in the fourth inning in a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Great Britain on the opening day of the XII International Softball Federation men’s world championship Friday at the Bob Van Impe Stadium inside the Godon Howe Park here.
Down 1-0 after three completed innings, the Blu Boys went to work in decisive fourth period, bombarding losing pitcher James Arby with four hits, including a pair of perfectly executed sacrifice bunts.
The first of such surprise plays, coming from a signal from coach Zacky Bacarisas to Jasper Cabrera, put two Filipinos on first and second, including Orlando Binarao who earlier singled.
Arby then filled the bags after yielding a single to Manolito Binarao, Orlando’s younger brother, in the next play, paving the way for an Oscar Bradshaw double – a line drive that sailed over the head of the British shortstop and sending all three Filipino runners scampering across the plate.
Another sacrifice play, this time, coming from Isidro Abello, saw Bradshaw following Orlando Binarao, Cabrera and Manolito Binarao home. Bradshaw earlier advanced to third on a passed ball.
“Alam ako hindi nila inaasahan yung sacrifice plays, kasi maaga pa naman. Kaya lang kailangan nating umiskor at maaring madagdagan pa ang runs nila,†Bacarisas later said of his ploys.
Sensing the victory up under their sleeves, fastball throwing Rogelio Rojas then starved the Englishmen from there on in taking his first victory although coach Bacarisas’ boys needed a defensive hereoics from Apol Rosales at the bottom of the seventh and final frame.
With two runners on, the last coming when a fielded ball hit Rosales’ foot, the RP third baseman quickly recovered the leather and caught the speeding runner on second, ending the tight contest to the delight of a sizeable Filipinos crowd in the gallery.
Amateur Softball Association-Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier congratulated the boys from a job well done in a telephone call from Manila.
“Congratulations, keep up the good work. You just showed the world what kind of softball we play in the Philippines and what kind of player we are. Continue doing honors for the country, “ Lhuiller said in a message relayed through delegation head Kiko Diaz.
The Philippines plays Mexico next on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) before meeting defending champion New Zealand Sunday, former winner the United States Monday, Japan Tuesday, Botswana Wednesday and Denmark Thursday in Pool A elimination play.
The New Zealand Black Sox came into the 2009 ISF World Championship as three time and reigning world champions. Team USA came into tournament as four time world champions, but whose last gold medal came more than twenty years ago, and who got bumped off the medal stand altogether in 2004.
The Black Sox performed their traditional “Haka” before the game, perhaps thinking of two teammates not able to suit up for the tournament. One, a veteran, Paul Algar, stuck in limbo – left off the Team USA roster, but refused in his quest to join his beloved Black Sox, and the other, a youngster, Thomas Enoka, whose entry onto the world stage was delayed for four years by injury.
Friday night’s “Haka” was different than the one performed at the World Fastball Invitational just two weeks ago at Monkton. That one was to say goodbye to an old friend and teammate, another veteran named Paul – Wahlford, who ironically found himself back on the Black Sox roster due to Enoka’s injury.
(photo courtesy of Al Doran’s Facebook)
This Haka, performed for the fans in Saskatoon was more of the traditional warrior’s yell, one that would be followed by a first inning outburst by the Black Sox offence that would set the tone for the start of this XII World Championship, as if to say, “we are world champions and have no intention of surrendering our title.”
The two teams met in one of two opening night marquee games, following opening ceremonies. The games fell behind schedule, but the many fans got home early just the same, leaving after New Zealand left its footprints around the basepaths, and on the backs of Team USA in the top of the first inning.
In three words “One and done”. Twelve runs. Ten Hits. A Home run. A triple. A double. Seven singles. The Black Sox sent seventeen men to the plate, nearly batting around twice. Their eighth hitter got up twice.
New Zealand – T1
Thomas Makea, double
Nathan Nukunu, single, RBI, 1-0 NZ
Jarrad Martin, single
Travis Wilson, 1 out
Donny Hale, single, 2 RBI. 3-0 NZ
Brad Rona, home run. 3 RBI. 6-0 NZ
Pat Shannon, fly out
Rhys Casley, walk, stolen base
Daniel Milne, single, RBI. 7-0 NZ
USA pitching change. Terry Luster replaces Paul Koert
Thomas Makea, walk
Nathan Nukunuku, single
USA error, 1 run. 8-0 NZ
Jarrad Martin, triple, 2 RBI. 10-0 NZ
Travis Wilson, single, RBI. 11-0 NZ
USA error. Wilson to 3b, Hale, out (2 outs)
Brad Rona, single, RBI. 12-0 NZ
Pat Shannon, reaches on Team USA error
Rhys Casley, strikeout (3 outs)
Twelve Runs, ten hits, three errors.
An early night for many fans. A long one for Team USA.
Nine days remain in the XII ISF World Championships.
(click logo to visit the official ISF XII World Championships website)
BY KATHRYN WILLMS
Two days before the International Softball Federation men’s world championship begins in Saskatoon and the only thing rounding the bases at Bob Van Impe Stadium on Wednesday is a tractor. After this week’s downpour, a pumper truck has been brought in to suck up the water.
A quick-dry compound absorbs the rest. The shale is then evened out, leaving the sun to finish the job.
When the roar of the tractor cuts out, there is silence. But listen closely.
A distant crack of a bat filters into the stadium. Behind Bob Van Impe Stadium is a maze of lush fields, where exhibition games have begun. Instructions ring out in various accents, fans congregate along the sidelines in clusters of lawn chairs. Kids play catch as players flex their bats, their white pants a mess of grass stains and dirt.
GAMES START FRIDAY
The championship doesn’t start until Friday, but the softball world has arrived in Saskatoon.
Inside the organizers’ trailer, it’s what hasn’t arrived that’s making news.
On Wednesday morning, Canada changed its laws, requiring a visa to admit travelers from the Czech Republic and Mexico. While the Czech team touched down before the law took effect, officials scrambled to ensure the Mexican team was granted entry.
And where is the Indonesian team?
Gary Armstrong, executive director for the event, just laughs. There’s always something.
After their long plane rides, the teams are on deck. Saskatoon is making a good impression.
“Today we’ve got sunshine and two games lined up,” says South African pitcher Monte Sadler. “As far as preparation goes that should be more than adequate.”
Sadler says the team is especially looking forward to playing Australia.
“We’re big rivals in rugby and cricket,” he says. “We’ve got to take it through on the softball field as well.”
The Great Britain team includes players from all over the world, including Saskatoon StarPhoenix reporter Dave Hutton.
Three-year national team veteran James Chalmers is an Australian who lives in Denmark and plays for Great Britain. He gets a little grief for his shifting affiliations.
“There’s always some snide remarks from the Australians,” he says.
FANS PLAY FAVOURITES
The British team, which finished fourth at the recent Grey Sox tournament in Vancouver, touched down in Saskatoon on Tuesday. While Vancouver certainly made an impression — Chalmers is trying to convince his wife they should move there — his time in Saskatoon has already provided a highlight.
“We went to Walmart,” he says with a laugh. “We got some blue shorts that fit every one.”
The fields and the bullpens aren’t the only place to find ballplayers. Lorette and Stan Halliwell, who play senior slow pitch two mornings a week, are on hand to check out the Americans. The Halliwells attended the 2002 women’s worlds and were particularly taken by the Japanese team.
“They were just warming up and they were throwing the ball so fast, you couldn’t see it,” Lorette says. “It was really cool to watch.”
Ron Matheson, a native of Miramachi, N.B., who has retired in Saskatoon, is also here at the ballpark, sizing up the Americans, but has already decided who he is rooting for.
“I’m going to go with our home team; Canada and Australia to be in the finals,” Matheson says. “But you never know. Anything can happen in softball. Nobody’s unbeatable.”
Matheson, who played competitive ball with military teams, plans to make it out to as many games as possible at worlds.
“If people don’t come out here and see this,” he says, “there’s something wrong.”
kwillms@sp.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix