Well, here it is. The last Morning Brief post. Post number 4,943. The final chapter for our daily news blog on men’s fastpitch. We thank all of our readers, many of whom have been with us since that first post back on March 1, 2004. We have enjoyed it, more than you could know.
-Jim Flanagan
Editor, Morning Brief
Cap tip Scott Standerfer via Blair Setford
By BOB FALLSTROM – H&R Community News Editor
Larry Moffett, 61, of Moweaqua, is still playing competitive softball. He’s third baseman and designated hitter for the Decatur Pride. Moffett said he was meant to play softball, after all, his mother and father met at a softball game. (Herald & Review/Kelly J. Huff)
He can run. He can hit. He can throw. He can field.
Larry Moffett thinks he was destined to play fastpitch softball. And he’s not going to stop.
The Decatur Pride third baseman and designated hitter will be 62 on Feb. 25.
“My dad and mother met at a softball game in Elwin.” Moffett pointed out. “My dad, ‘Lefty,’ an outfielder played until he was 50.”
How long will Moffett keep playing? “My eyes are still 20-20, I’m blessed,” he said. “My body will tell me when to quit. I have a passion for playing, I love the competition and the camaraderie. I’m sort of an ambassador for fastpitch softball. I tell everybody to keep playing.”
Reunion for men’s softball league: A reunion for Men’s Fastpitch softball is planned. Players who played in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s are invited to join fellow players for a night of music and memories. Begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, The Gents Organization, 1462 Art Townsend Drive, San Bernardino. Cost: Information: Chris Laguna, 909-991-6251 or Johnny Guillen Jr., 909-772-2727.
Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_16700573#ixzz16K3SYOKR
* Please note * All future updates are being posted here:
http://www.fastpitchwest.com/?p=4607
Dave Blackburn is at the Kaiser hospital in Los Angeles, and can see visitors, and receive mail. You can send your letters or cards to:
Kaiser Permanent Los Angeles Medical Center
4867 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles,CA 90027
(323) 783-4011
At this time Dave is in room 6541
(click to enlarge) (Photo by Tom Mc Conville, courtesy of Ron Rupp)
Latest Update (28) on Thanksgiving day, November 25, 2010 from me
I had a chance to visit Dave at Kaiser hospital last night and am pleased to tell you that he is getting great attention and care from his nursing staff and continues to mend. Considering the situation back in August, his progress to date has been remarkable.
One of the first things I noticed in his room were all of the cards, letters and photos from family and friends taped to the wall in his room. When you consider that his world for past three months has consisted of four walls, those kind of things mean a great deal to Dave, and give him the strength to endure the long process ahead.
He has an iPad near his bed, a gift from his Maccabi teammates, though he is still learning how to use it, and with his hands still healing, it may be a while before he is able to send e-mails, though I think he is able to receive and read them, or have them read to him. He’s in pain and discomfort from time to time, but it was reassuring to see him and hear that familiar voice. On this Thanksgiving day, I am grateful for friends like Dave, and to know that all of you are making a difference for him.
If any of you in the Southern California area have been considering a visit to see Dave, I am sure he would appreciate it. The hospital is easy to get to, just North of the 101, near Vermont and Sunset. (exit Vermont, and go a mile or two north (towards the mountains) to Sunset, turn left, and the hospital is on your immediate right. Due to construction at the hospital, it is easiest to park at the “4715 Sunset” building parking, and walk over to the “4867 Sunset” building where Dave is staying. The hospital takes up the entire block, but the parking driveway for the “4715 Sunset” building is on your immediate right as soon as you make the left turn from Vermont to Sunset. (Bring your drivers license, as they will ask you for it to get a visitor pass).
If any of you would like to record a message to be relayed to Dave, you can leave it on the Fastpitchwest voicemail, 562-726-3004, and I will play it for him at one of my next visits.
Likewise, if any of you would like to video a greeting for Dave, and send me the file, I will play it at one of my visits. Email to: jim (at) fastpitchwest.com
Map of/to Kaiser Hospital:
There is now a website set up for Dave Blackburn. Click here to view.
Note that you can sign up for email updates, and post notes in Dave’s guestbook as well.
We’ve tucked our earlier updates below the jump. (Rather than multiple postings, we’ll keep it all here in one, so that people with the link can return to it easily)
Editor’s note: We’ve set up an email address for friends wishing to pass along a note to Dave and/or Ronnie:
Yourfastballfriends (at) fastpitchwest.com
(Send your email to that address, and we’ll pass the notes along to them. We’ve already mailed off a good size batch from many of you who took the time to write, something I am sure will lift their spirits, so keep those cards and letters coming)
If you are on Facebook, you can post a note here. (and we’ll pass it along)
-Jim
Here is the list of the 40 teams for the 2011 AAU International Tournament:
By country:
Canada
Blackburn Transport
Mexico
Cobourg Force
Elmira Erb Electric Expos
Softball Canada
Hill United
Hooligans of Niagara
Niagara Fury
Canada
Millwood Countrymen
Kitchener Outlaws
Mexico
Petroleros de Mexico
Tijuana Fastpitch Mexico
USA
Chicago/New York
CPI
Dominicana U.S.
Florida Fastpitch
Houston Carnage
Illinois Pirates
Italian Athletic Club
Maccabi USA (Red )
Memphis Firebirds
Miami
Minnesota Angels
NY / PA Metropolitans
Ohio Battery
Oklahoma Fastpitch
SC Tornados
Team Minnesota
Virgin Islands Eagles
Washington DC Metros
Venezuela
Aragua Venezuela
Brewers de Venezuela
Capitalinos de Caracas
Combatientes Fastpitch Venezuela
El Dorado Venezuela
Gigantes de Venezuela
La Raza Venezuela
Lanzeros Venezuela
Los Socios
Sopotocientos
Sureño Soy
From the Long Beach Black Sox website:
Sox manager Fred Hanker today released the updated Sox single season pitching and hitting records. In 2010 Ryan Webb added his name to the list as he set 2 new records. His K/BB ratio of 8.6 to 1 and his 11.60 K’s per game both were new records. Sox ace Ron Rupp and Randy Clay hold 5 single season pitching records each…. Rupp’s most impressive records are his 22 wins in 2009 and his 1.46 ERA in 2007. Randy Clay has held all 5 of his records since 2004. Clay’s most impressive records being 203 innings and 40 games pitched in 2004. Chuck Vranich holds 4 records including an impressive 28 complete games.
Fred Hanker the manager and founder of The Sox holds 11 Sox single season records. Six of his records have stood since 2004 including games (70), at bats (196), runs (67), hits (90), home runs (12) and total bases (167). Todd Budke holds 2 single season records both set in 2009 when he had 30 walks and a .587 on base % breaking both records held previously by Fred Hanker. Andy Martinez with 65 singles and Dan Fleming with 12 stolen bases hold the other 2 records. Todd Budke also set the single season record for hits by a pitcher with 57 in 2009 breaking the previous record held by Ron Rupp.
Click link above for more details.
The California A’s and Bakersfield Silverhawks will be hosting the 2nd Annual California Classic in Santee, CA. The tournament will be held at the Sportplex USA Complex on June 18-19. More information will follow.
Teams interested can contact:
David Weldin
davidw (at) expressinsurance.com
or Chris McGehee
garageworks (at) bak.rr.com
Click here for original story in Bayside Bulletin/Redlands Times
22 Nov, 2010 12:00 AM
REDLANDS Softball Association players Guy Covacin, 25, Shaun Goffer, 22, and Andrew Blackshaw, 19, have been selected in the 2011 Queensland Patriots open men’s softball team and an Australian men’s softball squad to compete in an international test series in December.
The Queensland Patriots will train towards the premier Australian open men’s softball tournament, the John Reid Shield, to be held in February also at Redlands.
The three men have also been identified among the country’s top 28 players with selection in a squad to challenge Argentina and New Zealand in the 2010 Men’s International Fastpitch Softball Test Series in Canberra on December 8-10.
Julian Jemmott, 19, Josh King, 22, Jason Nathan, 34, and Luke Van de Greind, 29, of Redlands Softball Association have also earned selection in the 2011 Queensland Patriots team.
* Redlands players Amanda Torrington, Ngamoko Hiku, Aperira Stone, Jade Wall and Stacey Webber earned selection in the Queensland starting line-up for the opening round of the 2010/2011 Gilley’s Shield open national women’s softball tournament played in NSW at the weekend .
SHANE HURNDELL | 22nd November 2010
When Canadian Tyrel Majeski arrived in Hawke’s Bay at the start of the premier men’s softball season, he had a simple goal.
“To improve as a ball player,” explained Majeski after his Maraenui Pumas side had beaten Dodgers 5-2 in Saturday’s feature clash at Akina Park, Hastings.
It’s fair to say Majeski has definitely made progress. His in-park error-assisted home run with two runners on base is proof. “That’s my first home run in the Bay … I’m loving it here,” said Majeski.
His homer came in the sixth inning when fellow Canadian and first baseman Bryn Redhead and designated runner Ryan Whitelock were also on base. Pumas were leading 2-1 at that stage and Majeski was fortunate Dodgers outfielder Jude David couldn’t glove his hit and as he went to retrieve the ball he stood on the top of it forcing it to move towards the outfield fence.
Until then Dodgers had defended well and led 1-0 until the fifth inning after first baseman Luke Herrick scored on a pass ball in the fourth. Pumas equalised in the fifth when Junior Black Sox player Horowai Puketapu scored on a pass ball.
Pamas short stop Vinnie Wildermoth gave his side the lead when he scampered home from second base on an error from his Dodgers counterpart Corey Tamati.
Majeski, 19, is eager to face as many top pitchers as possible while in the Bay and he is looking forward to this weekend’s Lion Red North Island Classic in Hastings which has attracted several of the country’s top pitchers.
“I’m looking forward to that experience,” added Majeski who started playing as a 4-year-old in Canada.
Dodgers player-coach Joachim Paul ended the scoring in the seventh inning when he was hit home by pitcher Manaaki Mita.
Dodgers out hit Pumas 4-3. Black Sox extended squad member Josh Gettins hit a three bagger for Dodgers and first baseman Luke Herrick a double. Pumas pitcher Regan Manley took 17 strikeouts – 11 more than Mita.
Dodgers under-18s secured the lead in Hawke’s Bay’s premier women’s competition with a 5-1 win against Taradale at Akina Park, Hastings on Saturday.
Four runs in the second inning were the key to Dodgers win. They scored their other run in the fifth inning while Taradale’s only run came in the third when third base player Whitney Nohokau hit short stop Renee England home.
Outfielders Jaydean Strickland and Jade Hoskin-Hindmarsh both collected two hits for Dodgers while England produced two for Taradale. England impressed, stealing two bases.
Thirteen-year-old Dodgers pitcher Courtney Gettins conceded five hits while her experienced Taradale counterpart Kay Lorimer conceded nine.
Editor’s note: We’ve bumped this one back up to the top to share a photo of the 2000 Sharks, courtesy of a member of that National Championship squad, Kary Moore.
(click image to enlarge)
Braden leads ‘perfect’ blend of inductees
By Scott Linesburgh, The Record, Stockton, Calif.
Nov. 15–There’s something perfect about this year’s induction class into the Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame.
Oakland Athletics pitcher Dallas Braden, the Stagg High graduate who threw a perfect game this season, will be one of six individuals who will be inducted Wednesday at the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium, along with the Macfarlane family. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m.
Softball player Candace Harper, Pacific football coach and athletic director Jack “Moose” Myers, track coach Merv Smith, contributor-coach Dean Janssen, contributor Don Schrader and the 2000 San Joaquin Sharks men’s fast-pitch softball team are also being honored.
Tom Stubbs, a member of the hall of fame’s board of directors and the treasurer, said the organization is pleased with the quality of this year’s class.
“I think it’s just a fantastic group,” Stubbs said. “There’s a great mix of outstanding players, coaches and contributors. It’s a fine class.”
…
San Joaquin Sharks
The Sharks won the “B” fastpitch title in a 68-team tournament in Springfield, Mo. in 2000. They beat the Thunder of Albany, MO, 5-1 in the title game. Among their notable players were Keith Fry, Todd Garcia, David Boggiano, Jeff Hines and Bobby Smith.
Contact reporter Scott Linesburgh at (209) 546-8281 or slinesburgh (at) recordnet.com.
Visit his blog at recordnet.com/sportsblog
Click logo above for complete story.