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.
Editor’s note: Word of the “rule change” discussed below has yet to really filter through to North America, but having watched Adam pitch, one has to wonder what impact that this will have on American and Canadian pitchers who essentially throw much the same way …
Editor’s update, Saturday, November 20, 2010:
Discussion on the issue going on over at the Sask Jr. Dbacks board.
From ABC Grandstand Sport in Australia – click here for original story.
By Tim Gavel and staff
Updated November 19, 2010 12:50:00
International career over? The rule change means Adam Folkard may never represent Australia again. (Getty Images: Chris Skelton, file photo)
The international career of one of Australia’s top male softballers hangs in the balance after the sport’s governing body changed the rules due to his dominance.
Adam Folkard was one of Australia’s stars in the Steelers’ International Softball Federation (ISF) World Championship victory over New Zealand last year.
Folkard was so dominant that he pitched a no-hitter to end the Black Sox’ reign as world champions.
Responding to concerns from rival countries that Folkard’s pitching was limiting the role of batters, the ISF changed the pitching rules.
The rule change only affects international softball, meaning the ACT-born pitcher can still play for his club team in the US but, as a result, Folkard has been effectively been stopped from playing for Australia.
He is not only the most dominant pitcher in softball but also one of the fastest, with recorded delivery speeds of 130 kilometres an hour.
In essence, the key to Folkard’s success has been his ability to disguise his delivery rather than his speed.
The new rules effectively prevent pitchers from shielding the ball from the sight of batters, and they appear to be a deliberate attempt to blunt Folkard’s influence on the sport.
The pitcher himself has played down the notion the rule is solely to lessen his impact from the mound.
“There’s a fair few people overseas, especially in American clubs in the club league there, that all pitch the same way as well,” he told Grandstand.
“People say it’s because I was dominant at the worlds but I had a good game just like they could have had a good game.
“There’s no use punishing someone for having one good game. It’s unnecessary and it’s not that big an advantage to pitch the style that they’re banning.”
But Australian men’s head coach Bob Harrow said there was no doubt in his mind that the rules were modified to rein in Folkard’s dominance.
“There is a lot of pitchers in the world pitching like he does now, and it’s going to hurt a lot of people,” he said.
“Let’s face it, in our Australian squad there are three others that are probably going to be affected too, just in certain areas they haven’t been calling [the foul] yet.”
Harrow said inconsistencies in how the rules are enforced could be damaging for the sport, despite the changes being made to make games more entertaining to watch.
“The bottom line is I don’t think even the umpires are completely aware about how the rules should be called yet,” he said.
“I had a meeting with the umpires last night on the phone and they’re starting to take a look now because they’re going to lose a lot of ballplayers like Adam Folkard and we just can’t afford that.
“They say they want to see a lot more runs in a game – when you get 17-15 scores, nobody wants to see that in men’s softball.”
Folkard was selected in the Australian team to play New Zealand and Argentina in Canberra in December, but he has pulled out and his international career is now in jeopardy.
He said he did not want to embarrass himself on the international stage by fouling out for his action.
“There’s no point being in the team and taking up a spot when I won’t be able to pitch,” Folkard said.
“Obviously it wasn’t an easy decision to make but it’s one I had to make.
“It’s an honour playing for Australia. It’d be pretty cool if things could get sorted out and we could get back to the way things used to be.”
The Australian Softball Federation is hoping the international body changes its mind on the rule change.
Some reader commentary posted to our Facebook page after the jump.
David Jett Shame on the ISF!
Friday at 2:34pm ·
Tyson Barkman dis-like…..
Friday at 3:11pm ·
Kyle Beane Well, since there are so many elite pitchers out there, it’s good that they’re taking steps to get rid of some…..the game’s going down faster and faster and the people at the top aren’t helping it.
Friday at 3:40pm ·
Ronnie Rupp Harkens back to when MLB lowered the pitching mound because Bob Gibson was ” too dominate” Making up rules to keep somebody from beating you? Because you can’t hit him??? Tough luck you can’t hit him! It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. If you can’t hit Folkard or anybody else for that matter, go play slo- pitch. I promise you, no pitcher will dominate you there.
Friday at 3:53pm · ·
Steve Thurmer They can ‘t be serious.
Friday at 4:39pm ·
Marv Razor If hiding the ball is the issue that is just wrong. What needs to be changed is the hop. The hop is what has changed pitching not hiding the ball. The great will be great with or without the hop. The hop is the area that needs a rule change.
Friday at 4:53pm ·
Thomas Svane Hansen dis-like…
Friday at 5:09pm ·
Jason Wright Does anyone have clarification on the rule change?
Friday at 7:38pm ·
Sean Cleary WOW!….dis-like…
Yesterday at 5:55am ·
John Limon BOO WOO so you can’t hit what you can’t see. That’s what seperates our GREAT game from silly ball . Tell me if I’m wrong but isn’t that why they call our sport FASTPITCH . Best Wishes Adam , sorry to hear you can’t repersent your Country . What a shame.
Yesterday at 6:07am ·
Tommy Flores This really is not intended to madness by the international softball federation, and they resemble dinosaurs instead of going forward or going in reverse are equal to those of the federation of Venezuela in softball
Yesterday at 6:45am ·
Anthony Beaumont What a bullshit rule, pitching is the name of the game. People who make those decisions don’t respect the game at all!!! Change it back! Greetz from Holland
Yesterday at 7:58am ·
Gary Anderson if this does come about, it is sheer madness on the part of the decision maker’s and appears to be a kneejerk reaction to someone’s whining—
Yesterday at 10:05am ·
Bernie Lopez I always wonder about people who come up with stupid rules to continuously thwart the game of fastpitch, i.e., the IOC banning softball from the Olympics, etc. And now they want to lessen the ability of one of fastpitch’s greatest treasures by changing his pitching technique. Shame on you rule makers. May I suggest you take up slowpitch. Earl Hicks is in heaven looking down slowly shaking his head.
Event: Maccabi USA Softball Invitational
Date: Dec. 11, 2010
Location: El Dorado Park, Long Beach CA
Proceeds and charitable donations to benefit the Charlotte Blackburn Memorial Fund.
Here’s where friends can participate (Click here)
Instructions to donate:
Once the personal fields have been filled in click the field in memory of and type in the “Charlotte Blackburn Memorial Fund”.. They’ll send you a tax deductible receipt. With our many thanks..
Kenny Schwartz
Maccabi USA Softball