{"id":10809,"date":"2011-05-20T18:01:41","date_gmt":"2011-05-21T01:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/?p=10809"},"modified":"2011-05-20T23:46:55","modified_gmt":"2011-05-21T06:46:55","slug":"2011-21st-annual-best-of-the-west-tournament-schedule-and-info-june-4-5-2011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/?p=10809","title":{"rendered":"21st Annual Best of the West Tournament – Schedule and Info – June 4-5, 2011"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor’s note<\/strong>: <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dave Blackburn, shown here at the 2010 AAU.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reflecting on Dave Blackburn’s near fatal traffic accident last August, and his courageous — and continuing — battle back, it gives me great pleasure to tell you this announcement and schedule comes directly from Dave. He will be in Santa Barbara on June 4-5, heading up the longest running men’s open fastpitch tournament in California, now in its 21st year, with Dave in charge for the last 13. (this year will be his 14th year) <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Note that you can get all 2011 Best of the West information by using
\nthe “drop down” menus at top of this or any page. Mouse over the word “Tournament” and let the menus for Best of the West and 2011 “drop down”.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From Best of the West Tournament Director Dave Blackburn: <\/strong>
\n

\"Elings<\/a>
Elings Park, in Sunny Santa Barbara California, home of the Best of the West Men's Open Fastpitch Tournament.(click to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\n2011 21st Annual Best of the West Tournament
\nElings Park, Santa Barbara, June 4 & 5<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n

Eight strong ball clubs will converge on the central California coastal resort city of Santa Barbara for the 21st Annual \u201cBest of The West\u201d Men\u2019s Fastpitch Softball Tournament. <\/p>\n

The longest running Open Tournament held in California returns to fields 1 & 2 of the softball complex at Elings Park on June 4 \u2013 5. Each team will play a 3 game Round Robin schedule on Saturday June 4, and all 8 teams will qualify for a single elimination playoff bracket on Sunday June 5. <\/p>\n

A berth in the 2011 ISC World Tournament will be handed out to the top finishing ISC Western Region ball club, using only their 2011 ISC submitted rosters. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is probably the most talented gathering of teams that we have fielded in our 20 previous years of running this Tournament,\u201d said Dave Blackburn, Best of The West Tournament Director. \u201cWe will be showcasing the skills of lots of former ISC All-World players, and some who are even probable future ISC Hall of Fame inductees.\u201d <\/p>\n

The field will be lead by the defending \u201cBest of The West\u201d Champions and ISC World Tournament contender California Athletics of Salinas. The A\u2019s feature flame throwing Canadian National Team pitcher Sean Whitten, a 2nd team ISC All-World selection in 2009. Argentina\u2019s pitching phenomenon Lucas Mata, and USA National Team pitcher Travis Price joins Whitten on the A\u2019s staff. Hard hitting Canadian Catcher \/ DH \/ 1B Darren Box is also a 3 time ISC All-World selection (01, 02, 03), as well as being named ISC World Tournament MVP (01). Five time ISC All-World selection Todd Budke, who lead the 2009 ISC World Tournament in batting average (.583), is also on the California A\u2019s ISC roster, and is a deep threat against any pitcher. <\/p>\n

The Italian Athletic Club (IAC) team out of Stockton, CA will also be very tough, and they feature young up and coming Canadian pitching star Tyson Barkman. Veteran hurler Matt Barnes backs up Barkman in the circle for IAC. <\/p>\n

The Bakersfield Silverhawks boast Canadian Rob Schweyer as their top hurler, and young Canadian pitcher Andrew Putnam as his back-up. Hard Hitter Jeremy Tracy can also pitch, and the pickup of Canadian veteran Glenn Ormsby should help the Silverhawks offensive attack<\/p>\n

The balance of the field is quite evenly matched, which should make for some great ball games. <\/p>\n

Clyde Bennet is serving as the Umpire-in-Chief. <\/p>\n

Jim Flanagan and Robert Hernandez are assistant Tournament Directors. <\/p>\n

Paul Castillo and crew will be handling concessions at the park.<\/p>\n

Fred Hanker, whose Bakersfield tournament reports were so popular, will be on hand with his iPad for game by game reports.<\/p>\n

Ballparkradio will be broadcasting selected games in streaming audio. (Watch for a schedule of broadcasts, coming soon)<\/p>\n

Click here to view Maddy’s Photos from last year’s Best of the West.<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Pools<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nPOOL A
\nCalifornia A\u2019s
\nLiberty Fastpitch
\nThose Guys
\nBakersfield Silverhawks <\/p>\n

POOL B
\nCalifornia Builders
\nPala Braves
\nMaccabi USA
\nItalian Athletic Club
\n<\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n