Archive for November, 2006

Another Candle on Vin’s Birthday Cake

Wednesday, November 29th, 2006

We send along our birthday greetings to Hall of Fame Baseball announcer, Vin Scully. 79 and still going strong. Fifty-six (56) years behind the mike for the Dodgers. Remarkable. Happy Birthday, Vin.

For a bit more on his illustrious career, click here.
(He is an honorary member of the Ballparkradio broadcast crew)

There are many, many audio clips of Vin Scully’s fine work. Click here to listen to one of my favorites from a game I was lucky enough to see in person, between the Dodgers and the Yankees in June 2004. It’s a large file, so please be patient while it download to play.

Certainly another game that often comes to mind when thinking of Vin’s best work was his call of Kirk Gibson’s home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

“And, he (relief pitcher Dennis Eckersley) walked him (pinch-hitter Mike Davis)… and look who’s comin’ up!

(36 seconds of crowd cheering)

“All year long, they looked to him to light the fire, and all year long, he answered the demands, until he was physically unable to start tonight— with two bad legs: The bad left hamstring, and the swollen right knee. And, with two out, you talk about a roll of the dice…this is it. If he hits the ball on the ground, I would imagine he would be running 50 percent to first base. So, the Dodgers trying to catch lightning right now!

“Fouled away.

“He was, you know, complaining about the fact that, with the left knee bothering him, he can’t push off. Well, now, he can’t push off and he can’t land…4-3 A’s, two out, ninth inning, not a bad opening act!

“Mike Davis, by the way, has stolen 7 out of 10, if you’re wondering about Lasorda throwing the dice again. 0-and-1.

“Fouled away again…0-and-2 to Gibson, the infield is back, with two out and Davis at first. Now Gibson, during the year, not necessarily in this spot, but he was a threat to bunt. No way tonight, no wheels.

“No balls, two strikes, two out.

“Little nubber… foul—and, it had to be an effort to run that far. Gibson was so banged up, he was not introduced; he did not come out onto the field before the game. … It’s one thing to favor one leg, but you can’t favor two. 0-and-2 to Gibson.

“Ball one. And, a throw down to first, Davis just did get back. Good play by Ron Hassey using Gibson as a screen; he took a shot at the runner, and Mike Davis didn’t see it for that split-second and that made it close.

“There goes Davis, and it’s fouled away! So, Mike Davis, who had stolen 7 out of 10, and carrying the tying run, was on the move.

“Gibson, shaking his left leg, making it quiver, like a horse trying to get rid of a troublesome fly. 2-and-2! Tony LaRussa is one out away from win number one…two balls and two strikes, with two out.

“There he goes! Wa-a-ay outside, he’s stolen it!…So, Mike Davis, the tying run, is at second base with two out. Now, the Dodgers don’t need the muscle of Gibson, as much as a base hit, and on deck is the lead-off man, Steve Sax. 3-and-2. Sax waiting on deck, but the game right now is at the plate.

“High fly ball into right field, she i-i-i-is… gone!!

(67 seconds of cheering)

“In a year that has been so improbable… the impossible has happened!

“And, now, the only question was, could he make it around the base paths unassisted?!

“You know, I said it once before, a few days ago, that Kirk Gibson was not the Most Valuable Player; that the Most Valuable Player for the Dodgers was Tinkerbell. But, tonight, I think Tinkerbell backed off for Kirk Gibson. And, look at Eckersley —shocked to his toes!

“They are going wild at Dodger Stadium. No one wants to leave!”

“Dennis Eckersley allowed five home runs all year. We’ll be back.”

So Cal Bombers 2007 Palm Springs Classic

Friday, November 24th, 2006

From Al’s Fastball

Bomber’s P.S. Classic – May 18-20, 2007

The Casa Trejo So Cal Bombers would like to announce our 2nd annual “So Cal Palm Springs Classic”to be held May 18,19,20 in the beautiful city of Palm Springs, California. We will play Friday night (IF TEAMS CAN ACCOMMODATE) and end by 2 p.m. on Sunday so out of area teams can get to there flights. We are looking to field a 8 to 12 team field this year with a “CASH” payout to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams, to be determined by the number of teams entered. Entry fee for 2007 is $400.00. The 2006 teams were Circle Tap, Pueblo Bandits, Portland DeMarini, Team Rainey, LumberKings and So Cal.

We are getting a group rate from the Ramada Inn and will post Rates and info soon. There is an Airport in Palm Springs and Ontario Airport is about 75 miles away and LAX is about 100 miles away. Palm Springs airport handles flights from Canada as well as all other major cities. The City of Palm Springs is perfect for family fun (shopping,dining,water park, amusement park,skating,etc.) as well as adult activities(Golf,lots of Golf,Casino’s,Dining and a fantastic night life downtown)

The Ramada Resort is being remodeled and will be ready the first of the year, it has a large pool and pool side area for the teams and there families as well as a breakfast and lunch restaurant. They also have one of the finest Sea Food Dining restaurant’s in the area. We are looking into having a Beer Tent for the players this year as well as a snack shack for all the fans to enjoy. We would like to invite all the interested teams to please contact: Ralph Trejo Jr either by e-mail trejotribe@aol.com or by phone at (909)-841-0462 or visit our web site at Click here: SO CAL BOMBERS Home Page To find out about our tournament.

This tournament will be a ISC Qualifier for the US West Region Teams, one ISC BERTH AND one ISC II BERTH for teams that are eligible only. Roy Stout will once again be in charge of the ISC umpires and officiating.

Thank You Ralph Jr.
Trejotribe@aol.com

Grey Sox Invite Opponents to Vancouver

Friday, November 24th, 2006


VANCOUVER, BC – The Vancouver Grey Sox Open Level Mens FP Club are seeking interest from possible opponents who are willing to travel to Vancouver, BC to play a 4 game super series during the upcoming 2007 season. Openings currently exist for weekends in June and July, with games to be played at South Memorial Park in Vancouver. In exchange for a team’s willingness to travel to Canada’s West Coast the Grey Sox organization is prepared to subsidize travel and accommodation expenses.

We kindly ask that interested parties make contact with our organization via email at vancouverchallenge@hotmail.com

Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox

6th Annual Vancouver Challenge – July 27-29, 2007

Friday, November 24th, 2006


VANCOUVER, BC – The Vancouver Grey Sox and South Hill Sports Association are pleased to officially announce that the 6th Annual Vancouver Challenge Mens Open FP Tournament will be held July 27 – 29, 2007 at South Memorial Park (The Hill), in Vancouver.

The event in the past has attracted good quality teams, providing an excellent tune up prior to the ISC World Tournament, and the Softball Canada Nationals. Past tournament champions include: 2006 – Vancouver Grey Sox, 2005 – Broken Bow NY Spirit, 2004 – Victoria Travellers Inn, 2003 – Vancouver Grey Sox, 2002 – Victoria Fine Line.

TOURNAMENT DETAILS

Vancouver Challenge Dates – July 27 – 29, 2007
Class – Mens Open
Pitching Rule: ISC
Entry Fee: $350 (Cdn Funds)
Number of Games: 4 guaranteed
Number of Teams: 8 teams
Prize Money: $2,800.00 (Cdn Funds) – * based upon 8 teams competing
1st Place: $1,400
2nd Place: $ 700
3rd Place: $ 350
4th Place: $ 350

* Note prize money will be adjusted accordingly if fewer than 8 teams.

Interested teams are invited to make contact with our organization at the following: vancouverchallenge@hotmail.com

Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox

So Cal Bombers sign Rodriguez & Lalonde

Thursday, November 23rd, 2006

From Al’s Fastball

YUCAIPA, CA – The So Cal Bombers are pleased to announce the signings of Landy Rodriguez and Adam Lalonde for the 2007 season. Rodriguez is a current, and Lalonde a former, member of the USA National team and played last season with the NY Patsy club in the ISC World Tournament.

At the recent Pan Am Qualifier event, Rodriguez hit .294 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI, while leading the USA team with a .725 slugging percentage. He also hit .500 in the WT with a homerun and 2 RBI.

Lalonde is one of the games fastest players and has a combined average of .282 over the past two WT with 5 HR’s, and is widely regarded as one of the best defensive CF’s in softball. Adam is very familiar with many of the Bombers players and management, having helped them win a NAFA WT in 2004.

Head Coach Kelly McGiffin said he’s excited about these two additions and the Bomber’s roster as a whole.

“Going into the off season, one of our main goals was to add some hitters to the middle of our order and this really tops off that accomplishment. We’ve added key components like Potskin, Santillano and Crawford; and these additions really solidify our attack. Landy provides us another bat to complement the heart of the order and makes for a strong and deep offensive lineup.

Adding Lalonde to the top of our order allows us to use Ghostkeeper’s bat in other spots further solidifying the overall lineup. And with Lalonde and Pinocchio, it gives us what may be the two fastest men in softball.

Defensively we are very solid up the middle with deep catching (Ghostkeeper, Box & Rodriguez); great speed and gloves at middle infield (Butler and Pinocchio) and of course in CF (Lalonde). And our corners in both the outfield and infield are solid with any combination of Rodriguez, Mendibles, Devine, Porto, Santillano, Crawford, Parra and Potskin.

These two players give us great experience at the highest level and individuals that we think add value on and off the field.”

So Cal’s ownership, staff and players welcome Landy and Adam to the Bombers and look forward to a great 2007 season.

Cesar Rodriguez – So Cal Bombers
cesarrodriguez@sbcglobal.net

Three In, Three Out of AAU

Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006

Three new teams have been added to the list, replacing three others that dropped out. That means a single spot remains open.

For complete list of teams, click link at right: (more…)

Tri County Blinds of Santa Barbara Captures Young Bucks Tournament

Sunday, November 19th, 2006

Veterans Clayte Robinson and Russ Arellanes Lead the Way

Thanks to Clyde Bennett for this report:

With Clayte Robinson pitching all 5 wins TriCounty Blinds of Santa Barbara won the tournament. Hitting star was Russ Arellanes former player of Santa Barbara Instant Replay days.

Final results:
1. Tri County Santa Barbara 5-2
2. Latin Heat LA 5-3
3.Hustlers Burbank 3-1
4.Amigos LA 3-2
5.Those Guys Long Beach 2-2
5. Chickens Ridgecrest 2-2
5. FOG Santa Barbara 2-2
9. Ducky Boys Hollywood 2-2
10.So Cal Masters 1-3
10. Quicksilver Palmdale 1-3
12. Docs Palmdale 0-4

One interesting note was the return of pitcher John Newton of the Ridgecrest Chickens. John returns to the fastpitch circle after a long absence.

Tournament Scores (more…)

Sledgehammer”s Rumor Central Tops 60,000 Page Views in 2006

Thursday, November 16th, 2006

Sledgehammer22’s “Rumor Central”Among Fastball’s Favorites

A Note from the Sledgehammer22:

To all the Forum faithful. The 2006 Rumor Central topped 60,000 views recently, shattering last year’s total. It has been a great year filled with the most BS I’ve heard in a while. Since there has already been a 2007 Rumor Central started, I will think of a new page to bring to the table in hopes of stirring the pot and providing some laughs. Have a nice holiday season and good luck in 07.

Sledgehammer22

Editor’s note: We invite all readers to visit the Fastpitchwest Forum. You can post your own comments by registering as a member. Just an anonymous handle and password will do it. But you need not be a member to read the posts of others. Drop by anytime you like.

While we’re on the subject of the Forum, we should also tip our cap to the folks in the Illinois section, which has become one of the busiest at Fastpitchwest, in a short period of time, with daily postings on men’s fastbal in Illinois and the midwest.

Kimberly WI to Host ISC World Tournament in 2008

Thursday, November 16th, 2006

ISC II Tournament of Champions Looking at Appleton, WI

From Al’s Fastball

The Kimberly Recreation Association (KRA) and the International Softball Congress (ISC) announce that the 2008 ISC World Fastpitch Softball Tournament will be held at Sunset Park in Kimberly, Wisconsin from August 10 -16, 2008.

The tournament will be hosted by the Kimberly Recreation Association for a record 11th time, and feature 32 of the top men’s fastpitch softball teams from throughout the world.

Kimberly is home to the ISC Hall of Fame, and activities to be conducted in conjunction with the World Tournament include: the 2008 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Bridge to the Future Youth Softball Clinic, and the Boys Under19 Tournament.

As additional Tournament details become available, they will be posted on the KRA Website at www.1kra.com

Negotiations to have the 2008 ISC II Tournament of Champions at Memorial Park in Appleton, Wisconsin are ongoing.

Editor’s note: Some great memories come to mind when thinking of Kimberly…..1975, the 10th (and final) World title won by Red Meairs’ legendary Long Beach Nitehawks, with Bob Todd pitching…..1989, the first ISC World Tournament I had the opportunity to pitch in….those wheelbarrows full of beer going up and down the aisles packed with fans. 2008 should be a another great one there….

AAU Tourney at 31 teams, with just one spot left!

Monday, November 13th, 2006

So Cal’s Latin Heat Among the Latest Teams to Enter AAU International Tournament

Three more teams added to the mix, running the total to 31 with just one slot left.

Latin Heat (California)
Mac’s Marauders (NY)
Orlando Kings (FL)

The tournament started 8 years ago with just 8 teams, and has been growing ever since. The last couple of years, it’s been a field of 28, so 2007 will be the largest field of teams yet!

For more information, click here.

For complete list of teams, click link at right: (more…)