BY CHRISTINE RIVET, RECORD STAFF

KITCHENER — Another day, another pair of elite ball teams drop off the face of the Earth.

International men’s fastball absorbed another pitch in the ribs, as the world’s No. 2 and No. 3 ranked club teams, Nebraska-based Broken Bow Patsy’s and Saskatoon Aspen Interiors, were put into mothballs recently.

That leaves the two-time defending International Softball Congress champion Kitchener Rivershark Twins standing atop the shrinking mountain that is senior men’s fastpitch.

Since last season, five of the world’s top eight teams have folded, including perennial powerhouse, the Farm Tavern of Madison, Wis.

Even the stodgy ISC stood up and took notice late last season, throwing the gates open at the world tournament to intermediate teams because of a shortage of senior-level clubs.

The R-Twins will stay the course, though as they plan to compete at six major tournaments this season, including the Canadian championship in Charlottetown in late August.

The Kitchener club will make a pair of local appearances, at their own Legends tournament on June 25-27, at Kitchener’s Peter Hallman Ball Yard, and at the nearby Tavistock Rocks weekend on July 16-18.

As the world’s elite (read: moneyed) teams dry up faster than the beer tent at closing time, it is either the best thing or the worst thing to happen to the game. Depends on your take.

On one hand, it levels the playing field for the also-rans as Patsy’s and Saskatoon’s players presumably will now be dispersed throughout North America’s remaining teams.

On the other, those elite clubs left standing, like the Rivershark Twins, have fewer worthy opponents.

“You just want to see good competition out there so anytime a good team folds, that hurts,” said R-Twins coach Larry Lynch.

And don’t expect the R-Twins to gobble up fastball castaways like Aussie aces Adam Folkard (Broken Bow) and Andrew Kirkpatrick (Saskatoon).

The R-Twins already have their full complement of the ISC-allowed six all-world players.

“As far as I know, our roster is set,” said Lynch. “We are pretty happy with it.”

crivet (at) therecord.com

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