{"id":4124,"date":"2010-05-26T08:12:27","date_gmt":"2010-05-26T15:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/morningbrief\/?p=4124"},"modified":"2010-05-25T08:28:45","modified_gmt":"2010-05-25T15:28:45","slug":"darren-zack-enters-the-2010-isc-hall-of-fame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/morningbrief\/?p=4124","title":{"rendered":"Darren Zack enters the 2010 ISC Hall of Fame"},"content":{"rendered":"

Story by Bob Otto\/OttoinFocus<\/strong>
\n\"\"<\/a>
\n(click banner for original news story at OttoinFocus)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll play until I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t anymore. What would a summer be without playing ball, eh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Darren Zack<\/p>\n

GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION, CANADA \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The big man \u00e2\u20ac\u201c all 6-feet-4 and some 270 pounds \u00e2\u20ac\u201c stands poised on the pitching rubber 46-feet away from his catcher. Charlie Hendricks squats, flashes his fingers, and spots his glove up and on the outside corner.<\/p>\n

Darren Zack winds up, leaps, and unleashes a rise ball, a white, violently spinning blur. A split-second later \u00e2\u20ac\u201c about the time it takes for a human to blink \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the ball explodes into Hendricks glove right where he spotted it.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Strike three!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d bellows the umpire, thrusting his right arm in the air. This scene played out over and over in the mid to late 1990s when Hendricks caught Zack.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Memories? Hendricks has a few.<\/p>\n

There was the time they teamed up as battery mates with the Toronto Gators against the New Zealand national team in Innerkip, Ontario. Rabid fastball fans packed the stands. And Zack was like a thoroughbred eager to burst from the starting gate.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nDarren Zack during the 1995 ISC World Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa, where he set several individual pitching records. Photo By BOB OTTO<\/em><\/p>\n

\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153In our pregame huddle, Darren spoke out and said to us, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcguys, take a look around. If the atmosphere and this crowd doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get you up for this game, then something is wrong,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hendricks said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I had the pleasure of catching him and everything worked. He was overpowering and definitely in the zone.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For four decades Zack has been in the zone. Especially when it comes to the ISC World Tournament. What he has accomplished can be described in a word: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Incredible.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Wins? Third best all-time with 54. Only Michael White\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 70, and Peter Meredith\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 61, out pace him.<\/p>\n

World Championships? Zack has four to his credit. Two with the Gators in1993 and 1995. And one each with the Tampa Smokers (1998) and the Decatur Pride (2000).<\/p>\n

And four times he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been crowned the ISC\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Most Outstanding Pitcher in his 18-years of World Tournament play. And you can add nine ISC All-World honors to this impressive list of accomplishments.
\n
\nHALL OF FAMER<\/strong><\/p>\n

So it comes as little surprise to many that Zack will receive the highest honor the ISC can bestow on its many gifted athletes. In August, Zack will be inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the 2010 ISC World Tournament in Midland, Michigan.<\/p>\n

Zack, in his humble way says, <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s such a great honor. Just being involved with those top caliber players and teams was great.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Like all great pitchers, Zack had the physical tools \u00e2\u20ac\u201c speed, great movement on his pitches, and precise control. But it was his confidence that put him at the top of the game, said Brian Paton, who was a teammate with Zack on several top Canadian and U.S. ball clubs.<\/p>\n

\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Darren always believed in himself,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Paton. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153His confidence level was very high. His mental approach to the game was a key factor in his success.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Paton recalls some great ISC World Tournaments over their 10-year stretch together.<\/p>\n

But there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s one that stands out in particular. Go back in time to 1993 and the ISC World Tournament in Kimberly, Wisconsin. The Gators drop to the loser\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bracket and face a rough road ahead if they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re to win the title.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We had to win three games on Sunday,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Paton said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153and Darren dominated that day like no other against the best hitters in the world. When we beat National Health Care Discount (Sioux City, Iowa) twice to win it, he was a true dominating force.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\n
\nCHECK THE RECORD BOOK<\/strong><\/p>\n

And Zack has dominated like no other pitcher during that brief window of time when pitchers are at the top of their game. A look in the ISC World Championship Guide on pages 99-101 confirms Zack\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s greatness.<\/p>\n

His name appears in every category of individual pitching records: Perfect games (1), most no hit games (2), most consecutive wins (15), no-hit games, (2). And this is just on page 99.<\/p>\n

But three of his records really stand out.<\/p>\n

The scene: The 1995 ISC World Tournament in Sioux City. The Gators drop to the losers bracket in the 48-team double knock out after losing, 3-2, to the South Surrey (B.C) Ravens in their opening game. And that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s when Zack rose to the challenge. He led the Gators on an improbable 11-game win streak \u00e2\u20ac\u201c culminating with 8-0, and 3-0 shutouts over Larry Miller Toyota and Peter Meredith.<\/p>\n

Of those 11 games, Zack won 10 and finished with an 0.10 ERA and 10-0 record. Great feats, certainly. But there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s more. Zack didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t allow any runs in 69 2\/3 innings, while striking out 150 batters in 73 2\/3 innings. The wins, the scoreless innings, and the strikeouts set incredible ISC World Tournament records.<\/p>\n

BEST EVER, POSSIBLY<\/strong><\/p>\n

For this some dared to tread on arguable ground, declaring Zack, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the greatest pitcher of all time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A pitching legacy never to be duplicated.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

But Zack brushes aside such plaudits, instead lavishing praise on his teammates.<\/p>\n

\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We had great defense and it was hard for a ball to drop in,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They were diving in the holes and making the plays. The Gators was an amazing team to play for and it would have been hard to set those records if it weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t for my teammates.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But stardom didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t come overnight for Zack. His was more a steady climb. And he had some mentoring help along the way.<\/p>\n

MENTORS, LATO AND ALGAR<\/strong><\/p>\n

He says pitcher Reno Lato taught him how to grip the ball, how to snap and twist his wrist to get the spin on the riser and the downward bite on the drop. And Loren Algar, who pitched with Zack for Ashland, Ohio ESS in 1987, took over where Lato left off.<\/p>\n

\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Loren taught me the change curve, the rise, drop, change drop,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zack said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pretty much everything came from him.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But long before Lato and Algar came on the scene to fine-tune his pitches, Zack got his start in the game as a 14-year-old with the Garden River Braves in 1974. A native of the Ojibway tribe, Zack grew up and lives on the Garden River First Nation Reservation near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario province. He began his fastball career at first and third base.<\/p>\n

But all the while he yearned to pitch. And he kept practicing on the sidelines, biding his time, waiting his turn.<\/p>\n

EAST COAST TRIPS<\/strong><\/p>\n

And at 19 he finally got his chance to toe the rubber. He continued to improve and in 1983 the Boston Belmont Merchants came calling. He played three seasons for teams in Boston and Connecticut, including Wellesley Trucking.<\/p>\n

Then in 1987 he joined Ashland ESS. And at the ISC World Tournament in Saskatoon, Canada, Denny Bruckert got his first glimpse of Zack. Bruckert was managing United Van Lines of St. Louis.<\/p>\n

\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We just happened to meet ESS in the very first game,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Bruckert (2008 Hall of Fame manager). \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We were lucky with a late home run to beat him 2-1, but I could see that Darren was going to be a great one.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Zack also had a stint with the Vancouver Magicians (1990-1992) of the Norwest League, while also spending two seasons pitching in New Zealand. He says both experiences helped elevate his career.<\/p>\n

\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Norwest League was a great league, the best,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153All the teams had great hitters. And pitching in New Zealand was awesome and the next step for me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

OLDER, BUT STILL TOUGH<\/strong><\/p>\n

In his long career, Zack\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s made a few stops along the way \u00e2\u20ac\u201c including one summer with the Decatur Pride. A summer in which he teamed up with Michael White. A summer that finished with Decatur winning the 2000 ISC World Tournament in St. Joseph, Missouri.<\/p>\n

Both Zack and White had turned 40, and some thought that Zack had seen his better days. But Bruckert said he knew better. That Zack had plenty of zip left in his arm. And he proved it.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Darren was by far the best pitcher that 2000 season,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bruckert said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153In all my years of managing, I have never seen two great pitchers feed off each other like Zack and White. They rooted for each other and backed each other. The whole team fed off them.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nAnd when it came to winning the ISC championship, Zack knocked off the Broken Bow Travelers, 3-1, in the winners bracket final \u00e2\u20ac\u201c tossing a one hitter. Then he showed his gracious side.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153After the game, Darren came into the huddle and the first words out of his mouth were for Michael to lead us to the title in the final game,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bruckert said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Many great pitchers might have (complained) at not getting the ball, but not Darren.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

NO OVER INFLATED EGOS<\/strong><\/p>\n

White went on to hurl four innings against the Travelers and then handed the ball to Zack. And after dealing with White\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s frenzy of drop balls, Broken Bow suddenly had to face Zack\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s riser.<\/p>\n

\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Michael said that they only had one time left through the lineup and they wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be able to adjust,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bruckert said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s exactly what happened. Darren struck out almost every batter those last three innings and we had the title. Never have I witnessed two great pitchers that had that kind of respect for each other.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Zack was named the tournament\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Most Outstanding Pitcher and first team All-World with a 3-0 record, while White (3-0) was named second team All-World.<\/p>\n

A FAN FAVORITE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Zack enjoys superstar status in a sport little known outside its small, but loyal following. In every tournament, in every game, he draws a crowd. His fans beseech him to pose for pictures and sign autographs. And he never refuses anyone, said Hendricks.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He is the greatest ambassador for fastpitch that I have ever seen,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I marvel at the time he takes with fans and how much they love to be around him.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s one incident that Hendricks has never forgotten. It happened at the Canadian National Championship in 1995. Zack was signing autographs when a woman came up to him carrying her son. He was about six or seven and had a physical disability, Hendricks said.<\/p>\n

FOR MY LITTLE BOY<\/strong><\/p>\n

The mother politely held up her program and asked Darren to sign it for her little boy. But he did much more than sign the boy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s program.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Darren talked to the boy and called him pal,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hendricks said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Then he took off his hat and put it on the boy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head and said, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dchere you go pal.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 The mother and boy were overwhelmed with emotion. The smile on that boy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face was so special. I will never forget it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Over the years, Zack has played for some outstanding managers. But three stand out above all others: Jack Fireman (sponsor) and Terry Baytor of the Gators, and Bruckert.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153They knew how to deal with talent,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zack said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They knew how to utilize talent and keep everybody happy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

And as for pitchers, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s battled against some great ones. White, of course. Brad Underwood, certainly. But the pitcher that commanded Zack\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s attention was Peter Meredith.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Meredith was just amazing,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He threw so hard on the left and right side of the plate and made the ball move.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

GETS EVEN WITH MEREDITH<\/strong>
\nHe remembers losing some close games of the 1-0, 2-1, variety to Meredith. But then the tables turned and he started evening the score.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153When I got that first win, then I knew I could compete,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zack said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I started putting the ball on the corners with juice instead of trying to throw it by hitters. Being able to spot the ball is it. If you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hit spots, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to get pounded by the good hitters.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The years have slipped by for Zack. He turns 50 on August 9th. And his riser and drop don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quite devastate hitters as they once did. Last year marked a first in which he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t pitch in the World Tournament. Instead, he opted to pitch for the Ohsweken, Ontario, Redmen in the ISC II Tournament of Champions.<\/p>\n

Some great pitchers might trip over their egos, thinking it beneath them to drop down from the World Tournament and pitch in the ISC II.<\/p>\n

But not Zack.<\/p>\n

The game is all about having fun and competing, he said. And he showed that he still had some gas left in his arm as he compiled a 3-1 record in 33 2\/3 innings, while striking out 42, along with a respectable 2.08 ERA.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153In the ISC II, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about 20 teams that could win it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s competitive. It was great and I had fun.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

GATORS HONOR ZACK<\/strong>
\nCome August, Paton will journey from Canada to Midland for Zack\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Hall of Fame induction. But Paton won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t travel alone. He says that 10 or 12 of Zack\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s former Gators\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 teammates will be on hand for the ceremony.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is so well deserved,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Paton said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not only for his dominance, but he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the most humble teammate anyone could have. You could be the lead off hitter or the guy who doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get to play much, Darren treats everyone the same and that makes this recognition so special.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The ISC will present Zack with his Hall of Fame plaque and he will take his place amongst the ISC\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s greatest of all time. But don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t expect him to retire anytime soon.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll play until I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t anymore,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What would a summer be without playing ball, eh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Story by Bob Otto\/OttoinFocus (click banner for original news story at OttoinFocus) \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll play until I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t anymore. What would a summer be without playing ball, eh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Darren Zack GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION, CANADA \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The big man \u00e2\u20ac\u201c all 6-feet-4 and some 270 pounds \u00e2\u20ac\u201c stands poised on the pitching rubber 46-feet away […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/morningbrief\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4124"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/morningbrief\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/morningbrief\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/morningbrief\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/morningbrief\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4124"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/morningbrief\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4124\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/morningbrief\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/morningbrief\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/morningbrief\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}