(Nick Underhill of the Vancouver Grey Sox, who will be in action at the Vancouver Challenge this weekend)
Click Nick for the Schedule of Games.
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Archive for July, 2008
Schedule for the Vancouver Challenge
Friday, July 25th, 2008World’s best convene at Vancouver
Friday, July 25th, 2008From The Province:
The Province
Friday » July 25 » 2008
World’s best convene at Vancouver fastpitch tournament
Event hosted by the tough Grey Sox squadSome of the top men’s softball teams in the world will be at South Memorial Park this weekend for the seventh annual Vancouver Challenge Men’s Fastpitch Tournament.
The tournament is hosted by the Vancouver Grey Sox, the defending Canadian champions and a team that’s ranked at No. 9 in the world by the International Softball Congress.
The Grey Sox, 29-6 this season, are coming off a four-game Super Series sweep of Portland DeMarini last weekend and are gearing up for the ISC World Championship Aug. 9-16 in Kimberly, Wis.
They’re headed to the Canadian Championship in Saskatoon Aug. 24-31.
This weekend’s tournament could feature a “Hall of Fame” matchup of two of the sport’s best pitchers. Victoria’s Mike Piechnik, now 47, is still dominant. He’s the owner of a 13-1 record with the Grey Sox this season, and could end up facing Darren Zack, a future Hall of Famer who’s hurling for Alberta’s Horse Lake Thunder, the 11th-ranked club by the ISC.
The eight-team tournament includes Portland DeMarini, the Bakersfield Lumberkings, Pueblo Bandits, Camrose Fury, Vernon and the Vancouver South Hill Giants.
Leading the Grey Sox at the plate are Canadian national team infielder/outfielder Rob Giesbrecht of Manitoba, national team pitcher/infielder Derek Mayson of North Vancouver, outfielder Brian Abrey of Richmond and catcher Kevin Rasmussen from Seattle.
Besides Zack, the Thunder have former Canadian national team pitcher Sean Whitten and Karl Gollan, a New Zealander pitcher who was the 2007 ISC MVP.
The tourney starts at 6:30 p.m. today. Play begins at 8 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday with the final set for 2 p.m. on Sunday.
South Memorial Park is on 41st Ave. between Fraser and Knight streets. Admission is $5 per day or $10 for a tournament pass.
The schedule is at www.vancouvergreysox.com.
© The Vancouver Province 2008. Copyright © 2008 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
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Top teams in Ashland for two weekend series
Thursday, July 24th, 2008From the:
(click logo for original story)
July 23, 2008
By DOUG HAIDET
T-G Sports WriterA bit of happenstance will be happening around Ashland’s once-bustling softball fields this weekend.
For the only time this summer Ashland’s International Softball Congress men’s fast-pitch teams will be in town, as the Ashland Mets and Ashland Stockpack will combine with the Midland (Mich.) Explorers for a six-game superseries Saturday and Sunday.
Unrelated to the ISC competition, there also will be seven other teams converging on Ashland for an Ohio ASA Class C State Fastpitch Tournament.
The whole thing should kick up memories of softball summers past in Ashland.
“It just happened that we were both playing in town the same weekend,” Ashland Mets coach Kevin Scott said. “The games we’re playing are just games to get us ready for the (ISC) World Tournament (Aug. 10-16 in Kimberly, Wisc.).”
Scott said the Mets, who have roughly a 15-12 record, have traveled out of state every other weekend, going as far as Chicago last weekend and into Michigan the weekend before that. Trotting onto the home dirt against Ashland Stockpack (coached by Chad Honaker and Jim Saffle, and formerly known as Ashland Merchants), as well as the team from Midland, will be a treat for performers and fans alike.
“Midland has been a top 10 team in the world for most of the past 25 years,” said Scott, who said the Mets are 2-4 against the Michigan squad this summer. “They’re one of the oldest fast-pitch groups who have been able to stay together all this time.”
The current Ashland Mets roster includes Scott, coach Craig Scott, Luke Reymer, Martin Humphries, Sean Zaborowski, Tom Botkins, Tyler Sammy, Luke Painter, Justin Blair Jr., Brian Culler and Joe Massie.
“(Such ISC competition in Ashland) is something that hasn’t happened for the last 10 years,” said Stockpack coach Jim Saffle, who has been involved with men’s fast-pitch in town for more than two decades.
Saffle said Ashland Stockpack has played roughly 17 games and is preparing for the ISC II’s Tournament of Champions in Appleton, Wisc., Aug. 10-13. The team’s roster includes Tyron McKinney, Jeff VanHooser, Barry VanHooser, Jim Yates, Shane Flinner, Chad Honaker, Trevor Urban, Rick Yoder, Brad Yoder, Shane Queer, Jason Whitley, Junior Rodriguez, Scott Robinson and Nick McCurry.
And while those local teams are locking up, the double-elimination Class C State tournament will be featured in town the same two days. That tournament is made up of out-of-town teams West Liberty, Chillicothe, Findlay, Westerville and Columbus Jack Daniels, along with Buffalo Wild Wings and Akron squads that feature Ashland players.
“There used to be 30 or 40 teams in this,” said ASA District 6 commissioner Dave Honaker, “now it’s down to seven. But there are still some teams who like to play.
“This weekend will definitely bring some of the top fast-pitch teams to town, so we’ve got a solid schedule together.”
n Contact Doug Haidet, sports writer, at 419-281-0581, ext. 245, or dhaidet@times-gazette.com.
International
Softball Congress SuperseriesSATURDAY
BROOKSIDE MAIN
n Midland Explorers vs. Ashland Mets, 7 p.m.
n Midland Explorers vs. Ashland Stockpack, 9 p.m.
CAHN GROVE
n Ashland Mets vs. Ashland Stockpack, 4 p.m.
SUNDAY
BROOKSIDE MAIN
n Ashland Mets vs. Midland Explorers, 9 a.m.
n Ashland Stockpack vs. Midland Explorers, 11 a.m.
n Ashland Stockpack vs. Ashland Mets, 1 p.m.
Class C State
TournamentSATURDAY
BROOKSIDE MAIN
n Buffalo Wild Wings (Ashland) vs. West Liberty, 9 a.m.
n Findlay vs. Westerville, 10:30 a.m.
BROOKSIDE WEST
n Chillicothe vs. Akron, 9 a.m.
n Columbus Jack Daniels vs. winner of Chillicothe/Akron game, 10:30 a.m.
Note: Listed games are first-round games in the double-elimination tournament. Additional state tournament games with those same teams will be played Saturday at Brookside Main (noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m.) and Brookside West (noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m.) following the first round.
SUNDAY
BROOKSIDE WEST
n Finals of the Class C Tournament will be held at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
NB select softball squad tuning up for 2009 North American Championships
Thursday, July 24th, 2008From the Miramichi Leader:
By Blake Lynch
Published July 23, 2008
Copyright Miramichi Leader
SOFTBALL— Rejean Legere has a task ahead of him. He’s the head coach of the New Brunswick midget fast pitch softball team. He has 35-40 midget aged players registered and over the course of the next year it will be his task to bring that number down to 17 who will represent New Brunswick on a new international stage.
The squad is preparing for the North American Men’s Under-19 Fast Pitch Championships that will be held July 20, 2009 in Summerside, P.E.I. The tournament was created by Softball Canada in response to boys softball being cut from the Canada Games program.
“It was unfortunate that the boys program was cut,†said Legere. “However this tournament looks like it will be an even bigger venue to showcase elite midget level fast pitch softball.â€
The event will feature a team from every Canadian province with the exception of Yukon and the Northwest Territories, as well as three or four U.S.-based teams and two or three teams from Mexico.
Playing within the Miramichi Tim Horton’s Men’s Fast Pitch League he hopes to give the players every opportunity to showcase why they deserve a spot on the final New Brunswick roster. The league consisting of older men’s teams has proven to be a tough challenge for the midget aged squad. The calibre of pitching they see on a regular basis from the likes of Jimmy Keenan, Trevor Ryan, and Brandon Gorman will give them a taste of what they can expect from top teams they will face.
As Softball New Brunswick looks to develop and bring back their programs to the glory of past years the players today are in need of competition and Legere said he is thankful he has a league at his disposal to get some innings in.
“Without the Miramichi Tim Horton’s League they’re be no one and no where for us to play,†Legere admitted. “The support from the league and the people of Miramichi has been very promising and we look forward to working with them over the the next few years as we develop this team.â€
Part of that development will see the squad participate in the 2008 Midget Eastern Canadian Championships the Nelson Softball Association will host later this fall from Aug. 21-24. There are a number of local Miramichi boys looking for a spot on the squad and participating in this tournament. Follow the team and look for future articles highlighting their progress and details of of their development as this national event draws closer.
2009 AAU Int’l Tournament
Monday, July 21st, 2008
AAU International 2009 International Men Fastpitch Tournament
January 22 – 25, 2009
Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex
Entry Fee $500
Deadline November 2,2008
** Reminder ** This is a first come first serve tournament.
For more information contact: Alex Linares
407-828-5602
alex@aausports.org
Alex Linares
Amateur Athletic Union Of The United States, Inc.
Sports Manager
Panama & Puerto Rico Liaison
International Events
407- 934 – 7200
407- 934 – 7242 (fax)
alex@aausports.org
www.aausports.org
Patsy’s Grabs Walsh Title
Monday, July 21st, 2008From:
Patsy’s hooks Rivershark Twins — this time
By Tim Shoemaker | Special to The Morning Call
July 21, 2008They’re sure to meet again, but NYC team wins Madl/Walsh title.
On Saturday in the round-robin portion of the ninth annual Tom Madl/Bob Walsh men’s fastpitch softball Memorial Classic, Don Scott of the Kitchener (Ontario) Rivershark Twins pitched a perfect game against Patsy’s of New York City.
On Sunday afternoon in the Madl/Walsh Classic championship at Patriots Park, Scott was not quite as fortunate.
Scott came on in relief in the seventh inning and allowed a double to Omar Moraga and a single to Frank DeGroat — back-to-back hits which produced the game-winning run in Patsy’s 3-2 victory.
Patsy’s, ranked No. 2 in the world, and the Rivershark Twins, No. 4, play each other on a regular basis over the course of the season and take turns beating each other. They will probably meet in two more tournaments this year, including the ASA Men’s Major Fastpitch tournament July 31-Aug. 3 and the the ISC World Tournament Aug. 10-16.
”He’s [Scott] a very, very good pitcher,” Patsy’s manager Roger Schnorrbusch said. ”We have a bunch of guys who bear down. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. Today, we won.”
”[Saturday], we got them. Today, they got us,” said Riversharks sponsor/general manager Bob Nydick, a Villanova business professor who lives in Ambler. ”We’ve battled them for years. We probably have beaten them as much as they beat us.”
Patsy’s lost three times in the tournament’s round-robin portion, but got hot on Sunday and won twice to reach the championship game.
Todd Martin of the Rivershark Twins and Gerald Muizelaar of Patsy’s each threw three scoreless innings, but Patsy’s scored first in the top of the fourth when Brad Rona walked, went to second on a wild pitch, to third on a sacrifice fly, and scored when Martin threw high to home on a short grounder in front of the pitcher’s circle.
With two outs and none on base in the bottom of the fourth, the Twins strung together five consecutive hits off of Muizelaar. Steve Mullaley singled in Ian Fehrman and Dan Loney singled in Mullaley, but the rally ended when Patsy’s left fielder Daniel Milne threw out Blair Ezekiel, who tried to score on Blake Miller’s single.
Schnorrbusch replaced Muizelaar with Adam Folkard, who pitched three scoreless innings to record the victory.
Patsy’s tied the game in the fifth when Thomas Makea doubled in Jeff Holk, who reached on a fielder’s choice. They scored the game-winner in the seventh when DeGroat singled in Moraga.
”It shows a lot of character that the guys can put away losses on late Friday night and Saturday night, and come back Sunday in 95-degree weather,” Schnorrbusch said. ”That’s what it takes to win.”
Patsy’s 000 110 1 — 3 6 1
Rivershark Twins 000 200 0 — 2 6 2Muizelaar, Folkard (5) and DeGroat. Martin, Scott (7) and Shannon. W: Folkard. L: Scott.
Tim Shoemaker is a freelance writer.
Vancouver Grey Sox Sweep at Portland
Monday, July 21st, 2008
[Vancouver, BC] – The Vancouver Grey Sox travelled south to Portland, Oregon this past weekend for a four game super series vs. Portland DeMarini. The Grey Sox pitching staff was bolstered by the addition of Travis Price for the weekend. We wish to thank Paul Lybeck from the Fargo, ND MinnDak Millers organization for assisting us and permitting Travis to join the Grey Sox for this series. As well we used this weekend as an opportunity to bring along pitcher Scott Lieph from the Sooke, BC Midget program to garner some open level mens experience. The Grey Sox swept the series which brings their seasonal record to 29 – 6. Results from the games played are enclosed below.
Next action for the Grey Sox is this upcoming weekend, July 25 -27 when along with the South Hill Sports Association the team will host the 7th Annual Vancouver Challenge Tournament.
The host Grey Sox (ISC ranked #9) will be joined by past Vancouver Challenge participants the Horse Lake, AB Thunder (ISC ranked #11) and Portland, OR DeMarini (ISC ranked #30). The first time attendees at this year’s event include the Pueblo, CO Bandits (ISC ranked #24), Bakersfield, CA Taylor Farms Lumberkings (ISC II ranked # 1), Camrose, AB Fury (unranked), Vernon, BC DC Arrows (unranked) and the Vancouver South Hill Giants (unranked).
Action commences Friday July 25th with the opening game scheduled for 6:30 pm, and a second game that evening set for 8:15 pm. Saturday has a full slate of games commencing at 8:00 am with the last game of the day scheduled to start at 9:00 pm. Sunday action again commences at 8:00 am with the Championship final set for 2:00 pm. All games will be played at South Memorial Park in Vancouver (41st Avenue East between Knight and Fraser streets in Vancouver). Gate admission for the weekend is $5.00 per day or $10.00 for a tournament pass, Seniors $3.00 per day or $6.00 for a tournament pass, 12 and under are free.
Larry Kancs
President
Vancouver Grey Sox
www.vancouvergreysox.com
Game 1 played Saturday July 19 – 7:00 pm PDT
Vancouver Grey Sox 3 – Portland DeMarini 1
WP – Mike Piechnik
LP – Matias Tessore
Game 2 played Saturday July 19 – 9:00 pm PDT
Vancouver Grey Sox 7 – Portland DeMarini 2
WP – Travis Price
LP – Matt Barnes
Rob Giesbrecht led the Grey Sox offense with a 3 for 4 performance including a home run.
Game 3 played Sunday July 20 – 9:00 am PDT
Vancouver Grey Sox 8 – Portland DeMarini 2
WP – Scott Lieph
LP – Matias Tessore
Trevor Johnstone was for 2 for 3 and a walk, and Rob Giesbrecht was 2 for 4 to lead the Grey Sox attack.
Game 4 played Sunday July 20 – 11:00 am PDT
Vancouver Grey Sox 4 – Portland DeMarini 1
WP – Travis Price with relief from Mike Piechnik (7)
LP – Matt Barnes
Andrew Medwedrich was 2 for 3 for the Grey Sox offense.
Former ISC Player Gary “P.K.” Kershner Inducted into Washington County Sports Hall of Fame
Sunday, July 20th, 2008From:
County Hall inducts nine
July 20, 2008
By DAN KAUFFMAN (kauffman@herald-mail.com)FUNKSTOWN – It’s been eight months since former St. James athletic director and football coach Charles “Chick” Meehan coached the 207th and final game of a successful career that spanned 34 years.
Meehan was one of nine honorees inducted into the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday at New Dimensions Restaurant. Meehan was joined by Donna Aycoth, Terry Bailey, Gary “P.K.” Kershner, Joe Snyder, Jim Gossard and three “Pioneer” members: Charles Boyer, J. Vincent Jamison and John “Ike” Powers.
* Kershner, a shortstop, played baseball at South Hagerstown and earned a scholarship to Murray State University, where he made the All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team twice. After graduating in 1963, he went on to star in fastpitch softball around the Washington area, reaching the International Softball Conference World Tournament, and was indicted into the Greater Washington Fast-Pitch Hall of Fame in 1986.
“I probably was always a defensive ballplayer,” Kershner said. “I loved the game, and the transition (from baseball to fastpitch softball) was pretty easy.
“I tried some semipro baseball, that didn’t pan out, but softball, what a game, a super, super game. I played against a lot of world champions.”
Peninsula Merchants Take Two from DC Trojans
Sunday, July 20th, 2008Thanks to Jim Heath for this information.
PENINSULA MERCHANTS SWEEP DOUBLEHEADER FROM DC TROJANS 17-3, 10-0
HAMPTON, VA.- – Joe Hineline was 5-for-6 with eight RBIs and picked up the win in game two striking out 11 as the Peninsula Merchants swept a doubleheader from the D.C. Trojans 17- 3 and 10-0 on Saturday night.
In the opener, Hineline broke open a 2-all tie in the second with a grand slam and he followed with a two-run single in the third as he was 2-for-3 with six RBIs. Zack Warne picked up the win allowing two hits and striking out five in four innings. Richie Pfaff had a pair of home runs, a two-run shot in the first and a three-run shot in the third.
The nightcap saw Hineline earn the victory throwing a three-hitter and striking out 11. At the plate he was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and a pair of doubles. Warne was 2-for-2 with three runs scored, three RBIs and a two-run home run in the fourth.
Peninsula now travels to the final Mid Atlantic Fastpitch Travel League weekend next Saturday in Lancaster, Pa.
Jim Heath
Media Director
Peninsula Merchants
Argentinian Men’s National Team Takes on Midland Explorers
Saturday, July 19th, 2008From the Saginaw News via MLive.com
The Argentinian men’s national fastpitch softball team pays a visit to Mid-Michigan and the Midland Explorers
Posted by Greg Mancina | The Saginaw News July 19, 2008 21:42PMMIDLAND — Julio Gamarci is a 34-year-old lawyer from Argentina who is spending his vacation without a cell phone, an IPod, a pager or a computer.
David A. Sommers | The Saginaw NewsArgentina National team pitcher Pablo Segui winds up during a game against the Midland Explorers.“Even if the Pope is calling me, I’m out,” said Gamarci, a catcher for the Argentinian national men’s fastpitch softball team.
The South Americans have spent most of the month of July making a swing through the midwest and Ontario, Canada, playing 16 games in tournaments and against world-class teams.
Today, the blue-and-white clad Argentinians play their last game of the trip, a nine-inning contest against the Midland Explorers at 10 a.m. in Midland’s Currie Stadium.
On Friday, the national team beat a team in Munger 11-2 in front of more than 700 fans, who were as impressed with their visitors as the Argentinians were with their counterparts.
“They were real, real nice guests,” said Del Benson, who put together the game in Munger and also is a coach for the Explorers. “You talk about building relationships, they represented their country very well.”
“It was remarkable how they made us feel,” Gamarci said. “It was like family.”
David A. Sommers | The Saginaw NewsMidland Explorers pitcher Grand Patterson delivers during a game against the Argentina National team.The reception was just as warm, but not quite as raucous, on Saturday, when Argentina and Midland split a pair of 6-1 decisions at Currie Stadium. However, fewer than 50 fans showed up to watch.
“They’re good, especially with their pitching,” said Explorers first baseman Kyle Beane, who worked with Gamarci to bring the South American team to Midland. “That’s probably a top six or seven team in the world.”
While the Explorers prepare for some upcoming national and world tournaments, Argentina was getting in some work during their country’s winter months. Gamarci said about a half dozen of their pitchers actually play on club teams in the United States.
The team will play later this year and then get serious about preparations for the International Softball Federation World Championships in 2009.
“The sport is small in Argentina but making these trips helps develop the program,” said Gamarci, one of a few South Americans fluent in English.
“The Explorers are always good, that’s why we come here. We know they’ll show up with a good level. … That’s the idea, it’s not always to win or lose, it’s the process.”
Gamarci said he and his teammates try to learn as much about the game as possible so the Argentina team can improve on its past performances. They were eighth in the last world championships three years ago, while fifth is their best showing, coming at the 1992 tournament in Manilla, Phillipines.
“Now, we’re trying to get ourselves on the podium,” Gamarci said.
Grant Patterson gave Argentina a little lesson in the first game, allowing one run on two hits with 10 strikeouts in seven innings. Dan Skillings had three hits, including a home run, and three RBIs.
David A. Sommers | The Saginaw NewsMidland Explorers Dan Skillings is congratulated by his teammates after his third inning homerun against the Argentina National team.Jose Guerrinieri then allowed one run on four hits with eight strikeouts for Argentina, while Gustavo Guerrinieri had two home runs and three RBIs.
Argentina leaves mid-Michigan today for Chicago, where they will catch a flight home on Friday.
“We got to see a lot of sights and play a lot of ball,” Gamarci said. “This has been great.”
Greg Mancina is a sports writer for The Saginaw News. You may contact him at 776-9670.
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