From GoErie.com website.
From staff reports
Six of the world’s top-ranked softball teams will converge on Erie this weekend to take part in a fastpitch tournament in preparation for this August’s national and world championships.
Erie’s Bill Hillhouse put together a world-class eight-team field that includes the top-ranked Kitchener (Ontario) Riversharks among a field of other top-flight teams and individuals. Hillhouse pitches for the Gremlins of Clifton Park, N.Y.
Saturday’s first round at the Hess Avenue fields starts at 9 a.m. and will feature two pools of round-robin play. Six teams will advance to Sunday’s final rounds starting at 8:30 a.m.
Admission is free.
Listeners can tune in to the broadcasts at the Ballparkradio website, free of charge.
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Some of the top players to watch include the following:
– Adam Folkard, Jarvis Travelers, pitcher: Led the Australian national team to the 2010 world title with a no-hitter over New Zealand in the final game of the ISC World Championships.
– Brad Rona, Jarvis Travelers, third base: The co-captain of three-time ISC world champion New Zealand led the Black Sox with 13 hits and a .464 average in the 2009 World Cup.
– Rhys Casley, New York Gremlins, second base: The co-captain of the New Zealand national team is a three-time ISC all-world selection and veteran for the 2009 national runner-up Gremlins.
– Sean Cleary, Blue Light Construction, pitcher: The Newfoundland native is considered by tournament coordinator Bill Hillhouse to be a promising up-and-comer.
Tournament schedule
At Hess Avenue fields
Saturday’s games
– 9 a.m. — Blue Lake Construction vs No. 4 New York Gremlins; No. 3 Chicago/New York Dominican vs. Budweiser All Stars
– 11 a.m. — No. 6 Midland Explorers vs New York; Chicago/New York vs. No. 8 Albaugh, Inc.
– 1 p.m. — No. 1 Kitchener Riversharks Twins vs. All Stars; Midland vs. No. 2 Jarvis Travelers
– 4 p.m. — Kitchener vs. Albaugh; Jarvis vs. Blue Lake
– 6 p.m. — Kitchener vs. Chicago/New York; Albaugh vs. All Stars
– 8 p.m. — New York vs. Jarvis; Midland vs. Blue Lake
Sunday’s games
– 8:30 a.m. — B3 vs. A2; A3 vs. B2
– 10:30 a.m. — A1 vs. B2/A3 winner; B1 vs. A2/B3 winner
– 12:30 p.m. — Championship
Kyle Smith/Ballparkradio will broadcast Erie Tournament on live streaming audio to a worldwide audience. Kyle will be joined in the booth by Bill Hillhouse and Derek Pukash — at least when their team, the NY Gremlins, isn’t playing. Hillhouse will wear a third hat as well, serving as the tournament director.
Ballparkradio’s lead play-by-play man, Kyle Smith, will be in Erie PA on July 31-August 1, 2010 to bring you live streaming broadcasts from the Erie Tournament.