Archive for March, 2006

Tribute to Legends Dinner for Greg Sepulveda and Ed Klecker

Friday, March 17th, 2006

As we’ve noted here in the Morning Brief, the ISC’s chairman of streaming media, and SoCal pitcher David Blackburn is heading up the “Tribute to Legends” dinner tonight, Saturday, March 18, 2006, in Long Beach, California, to honor two local greats, Ed Klecker and Greg Sepulveda, who are to be inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 2006. Approximately 15 fellow Hall of Famers will be among those on hand to honor Ed and Greg. For more details, contact daveb (at) virtvent.com

Bios below. (PDF files, requires Adobe Reader)

Click here for bio of Ed Klecker
.

Click here for bio of Greg Sepulveda.

For a text version of the bios (more…)

Mike Groves in Hospital

Friday, March 17th, 2006

From Al’s Fastball:
Mike Groves in Hospital

Some of you may have heard, but Mike Groves has been hospitalized for the past week in an Arlington, VA hospital. He’s been diagnosed with a disease called Sarcoidosis which manifested in his lungs, caused one to collapse, and has resulted in surgery and blood transfusions over the past few days. I’ve had quite a few messages from him, his spirits are high (I can tell because his notes are getting longer and the vocabulary more robust), and his outlook is positive. He told me that the biopsy that has been done show he does not have cancer. If you’d like to send him an email ( falcon(at)fedlock.com ), he’s trying to catch up when he can. He can’t talk on the phone, but is retrieving his voice messages. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he is recovering. Kyle kbeane8(at)yahoo.com

Editor’s Note: As our regular readers know, Michael is a favorite of ours here at Fastpitchwest.com. He contributes some of the more thoughtful and passionate posts to Al’s Fastball and elsewhere, which always make for good reading. He is someone who appreciates the character of the people involved in the game of mens’ fastball, and exhibits plenty in his own approach to the game. We send along our best wishes to him for a speedy recovery, and ask that you take a moment to drop him a line as well.

Orillia Riversharks Introduce Themselves

Friday, March 17th, 2006

From Al’s Fastball: Orillia Riversharks Introduce Themselves

An Introduction to the ISC World’s Newest Team for 2006, from Peter Porcelli

So let’s start with answering a question…..Just What the heck is a Rivershark? It is an oxymoron, that’s what it is. If you were expecting a physical description, start with pitching. Frank Cox, Robbie O’Brien and Mike White, that’s right Michael White, The (Gulp) “Great White” will comprise our pitching staff. That’s right, nobody has beaten me to the “Great White” Pun. When you think of it, why did it take so long for that comparison to come up? If anyone has left opposing teams in a pool of blood throughout his career, Michael defines the term, “Menacing!”

That leaves Frank Cox as the “Bull Shark.” The bull shark, incidentally, has recorded the highest accumulations for documented “Hits” or Physical attacks on Humans. Kinda makes a batter think a bit when he steps in the box against Frankie and his half-smirk, half grimace.

That means we can turn to Robbie O’Brien as the “Hammerhead.” A hammerhead Shark has those two ends of the hammer, a dual threat. In this case Robbie represents a double threat to his opponents both hitting as DH and throwing, as in “Against you!!!” No other pitchers of the two aforementioned will step in to hit this year.

Editor’s note: Don’t stop here! There is a lot more …..click link above for the whole story.

Unofficially: NorCal League Play Rained Out

Friday, March 17th, 2006

We have it from a good source (one of the teams involved) that the NorCal Travel League’s first “Pacific Coast Tournament” at Stockton this weekend, March 18-19, 2006 has been rained out. Please note that this is “unofficial”. We have requested official confirmation from the League office, and will update this post when we receive it. In the meantime, if you are a player or fan of the league, suggest you get in touch with your team.

Update: It is official. Next league weekend, April 1-2, 2006. Watch for more info.

2006 Townline (No Shoots) Roster and Schedule

Tuesday, March 14th, 2006

What do you get when you combine Wisconsin with Australia, New Zealand and Argentina? Townline, WI. Here’s a preview for the squad that finished an impressive 7th in last year’s ISC World Tournament.

From Al’s Fastball: 2006 Townline Roster and Schedule

On behalf of the Townline Fastpitch team (no Shoots this year!) of Green Bay, WI I will release there roster and schedule. They are coming off a 7th place finish in the ISC World Tournament and look to improve on that as manager Craig Watermolen feels he’s put together an outstanding offensive team. Click link above for Roster and Schedule.

Vancouver Grey Sox extend agreement with Rick Smith through the 2007 season

Tuesday, March 14th, 2006

From Al’s Fastball:

Vancouver Grey Sox extend agreement with Rick Smith through the 2007 season

“The Vancouver Grey Sox are pleased to announce an extension of their agreement with pitcher Rick Smith which will now carry through the 2007 softball season. Smith a resident of Duncan, BC was coming off a fine 2005 season in a Grey Sox uniform and is being counted upon as one of the keys for the club as it attempts to qualify and compete at the 2006 ISC World Tournament and the Softball Canada National Championship. Having Smith in the fold beyond 2006 it is felt reinforces the Grey Sox commitment to the sport and to providing a top level senior mens program in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.”

Click link above for the whole story.

Editor’s notes: In 2005, the Grey Sox did not compete in the ISC World Tournament in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, but Rick Smith did, as a member of So Cal’s Team Rainey. Smith had an outstanding tournament, tying an ISC World Tournament record with 20 strikeouts in one game, and 13 in another, a tough 1-0 loss to the eventual third place finishers, the Hallman Twins, a game in which Hallman pitcher Todd Martin set the record with 20 strikeouts, on the day before Smitty got his 20-spot. Smith was named the Most Valuable Pitcher at the 2005 Rose Cup Tournament in Portland Oregon, leading Vancouver to their first Rose Cup title.

Tribute to Legends Dinner for Greg Sepulveda and Ed Klecker This Saturday Night, March 18

Monday, March 13th, 2006

The Tribute to Legends Dinner to soon-to-be-hall-of-famers Greg Sepulveda and Ed Klecker is this Saturday, March 18, 2006, at 6pm in Long Beach. If you missed last Friday’s deadline to send in your money to attend, there are tickets still available. Email event organizer, David Blackburn at daveb (at) virtvent.com for further details. Tickets include dinner and drinks.

It’s a great chance to get together with old friends and to pay homage to these legends of the game.

NorCal Pacific Coast Tournament Series Gets Underway March 18-19, 2006

Monday, March 13th, 2006

The Pacific Coast Tournament Series gets underway in Stockton, CA on March 18, 2006. The Northern California Travel League will play round robin games on Saturday, followed by a Single Elimination on Sunday.

Click link below for full schedule of games for the weekend..

Two teams from Sledgehammer’s California Top 10 will be competing, # 3 ranked A-1 Tank, and #6 ranked River City Rockers, though the two will not see each other during Saturday’s round robin play. The Tank will take on Bonanza Air, the Painters, and Oroville, while the Rockers will tackle the West Coast Cardinals, IAC (Italian Athletic Club), and the Lugnuts.

The Tournament Series includes competition at both the A/B level as well as class “C”. 8 teams will compete in the A/B division:

1. Rockers
2. Cardinals
3. IAC
4. Lugnuts
5. A-1 Tank
6. Bonanza Air
7. Painters
8. Oroville

Four teams will compete in the “C” division:

1. Fat City
2. Elk Grove
3. Warriors
4. Bruddah’s

Raymar Takes it to “Level One”

Monday, March 13th, 2006

During the off season, early reports were that the long-running Raymar franchise had folded operations. The team struggled a bit in 2005, adjusting to the “A/B” division, after a remarkable run to a 3rd place finish in the ASA “C” Nationals, among 70 teams earned them a “bump up”. But with 18 other “C” teams in California getting a similar bump for 2006, I am pleased to report that Raymar is back for the 2006 season, sponsored by “Level One“, and will compete in the So Cal ASA A/B league and other tournaments.

Visit the team’s own website for more information, by clicking this link. including information on the founding of the team, more than 30 (thirty) years ago:

Raymar Fastpitch was founded by Joe “Slappy” Rosales at the Boy’s club in Santa Ana in 1969. Raymar Fastpitch consisted of mostly family and close friends. Joe “Slappy” Rosales took some time off in 2002 to spend time with his family. Now he’s back bringing his 3 sons with him has rejuvenated his passion for the game.

Las Vegas Spring Swing Moved to June 9-11

Monday, March 13th, 2006

Due to schedule conflict with the Red Rock Tournament and competition from Little League for fields, the Las Vegas Spring Swing Tournament for 2006 has been moved to the weekend of June 9-11, 2006. For more info, contact David Bell, dvbell22 (at) cox.net.