{"id":9667,"date":"2011-04-06T14:25:57","date_gmt":"2011-04-06T21:25:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/?p=9667"},"modified":"2011-04-06T15:01:11","modified_gmt":"2011-04-06T22:01:11","slug":"midland-explorers-april-2011-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/?p=9667","title":{"rendered":"Midland Explorers – April 2011 Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the Midland Explorers Booster Club<\/strong><\/p>\n

Midland Explorers Booster Club
\nExcellence in Fastpitch Softball since 1987<\/em>
\nP.O. Box 1311 Midland, MI 48641-1311<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\nIt looks like winter has finally moved out and Spring is on the horizon, which means another summer of Midland Explorers softball. The 2010 season was one of the biggest in the team\u2019s history as the Explorers Booster Club hosted the ISC World Tournament at Emerson Park and Redcoats Complex. The City of Midland and softball fans from all over the country turned out for the tournament and made it one of the best ever. 2010 was the Explorers 25th year of Major-level Fastpitch.<\/p>\n

Highlights of the season were a 10th place finish at the ISC World Tournament and a 5th place finish at the ASA Major National. A mid-season win over eventual ISC World Champion Jarvis Travelers showed that the team was still a force to be reckoned with, but the bats cooled off towards the end of the season, and a strong pitching staff just wasn\u2019t enough to push the team to the top. The Explorers hosted the Midland Special Olympics Dawgs softball team and the 2011 game will be the 4th year in a row for this event.<\/p>\n

2010 ISC World Tournament\u2026\u2026and beyond<\/strong>
\nThe 2010 ISC World Tournament was played last August, and by all accounts \u2013 players, teams, fans, and media \u2013 it was one of the best ever. Emerson Park\/Currie Stadium is the perfect venue for Fastpitch softball and almost 20,000 fans turned out to see games during the week. <\/p>\n

I\u2019m happy to share news with our supporters and fans that the Explorers Booster Club is in negotiations with the ISC to bring the tournament back in 2012; we\u2019re hopeful for an official announcement within the next month. In 2010, Midland proved that it still had claim to the title of \u2018Softball Capital of the World\u2019 and we\u2019re looking forward to 2012 to continue that tradition and make it even bigger and better.<\/p>\n

Fundraising<\/strong>
\nAs always, fundraising remains a priority, and it is our hope that you will continue to support the team with your donation.<\/p>\n

** Your contribution to the team is tax-deductible \u2013 our 501c3 (non-profit) license # is 38-2656547.<\/p>\n

Your support of the team is one of the reasons we are able to continue the tradition of the Dow AC\u2019s and Midland McArdles and keep top-level men\u2019s Fastpitch alive and well in Midland. We thank you for your annual support \u2013 every year, we receive feedback that our model and program is one of the top in the sport, and being able to maintain the Explorers for 25 years is a positive testimony to the Midland community. <\/p>\n

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\n2011 MIDLAND EXPLORERS BOOSTER CLUB DONATION FORM<\/p>\n

Name:\t\t\t\t______________________________<\/p>\n

Email Address:\t\t\t______________________________<\/p>\n

Amount:\t\t\t\t______________________________<\/p>\n

Would you like a receipt?\t\tYes _____\t\tNo _____<\/p>\n

2011 Schedule and Roster
\nJune 17\tMidland, Michigan \t\t\tJune 25\tKitchener, Ontario
\nJuly 15\tTavistock, Ontario \t\t\tJuly 29\t\tErie, Pennsylvania
\nAugust 4\tSouth Bend, IN – ASA National\tAugust 12\tQuad Cities, IA – ISC World<\/p>\n

As you can see, the schedule has become shorter and more condensed than past years; many teams are keeping their weekends heavily slanted towards the end of the year and we are preparing ourselves to make our annual strong runs at the ASA and ISC Tournaments.<\/p>\n

Manager Clint Beane<\/strong> \u2013 who has led the team since 2002 \u2013 is stepping down. With (5) top-10 finishes at the ISC World Tournament and (3) top-5 finishes at the ASA Major, \u2018Chet\u2019 has done a great job leading the team and representing the Explorer program. The Booster Club is extremely grateful for his dedication, time and energy. Taking over will be Gregg Sauve<\/strong>, who moves from the first base coaching box to the manager role. A fixture in Midland softball for 30 years, Gregg brings great experience and ability to this role. Former Explorer and long-time standout infielder Dave O\u2019Keefe will also be joining the coaching staff.<\/p>\n

Grant Patterson<\/strong> returns to the team after 2 years with the Kitchener Rivershark Twins. Grant has moved into the elite level of pitchers in the sport and will give the team a chance to beat anyone the team faces. Outfielder Dale Levy returns after a 15-year absence, a feared power hitter, and still retaining one of the strongest outfield arms the game has ever seen. Newcomer Gregg Garrity is a 2-time All-World hitter, and one of the top pitcher\/hitter combos in the game.<\/p>\n

In 2011, the team is thrilled to include three of the Midland\u2019s top young players<\/strong>: Shea Bryant begins his 3rd season with the team and Catlin Porter and Jason Hoisington will also be with the team full-time.<\/p>\n

Pitchers:<\/strong> Grant Patterson, Toronto ON. Gregg Garrity, Toronto ON. Mike Joseph, Canton MI.
\nCatchers: <\/strong> Steve Roberts, Reese MI. John Zeiger, Queensville ON.
\nInfielders:<\/strong> Kyle Beane, Lapeer MI. Steve Horning, Canton MI. Eddy Ketelhut, Canton MI. Rowan Lam, Glencoe ON. Jason Hoisington, Midland MI.
\nOutfielders:<\/strong> Todd Moore, Clio MI. Shea Bryant, Midland MI. Dan Loney, Cornwall ON. Dale Levy, St. Mary’s ON. Catlin Porter, Midland MI.
\nStaff<\/strong>: Gregg Sauve, Manager, Midland MI. Dave O\u2019Keefe, Coach, Midland MI. Don Walter, Scorekeeper, Midland MI.<\/p>\n

See you at the park this summer!<\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/p>\n

Kyle Beane
\nPresident, Midland Explorers Booster Club
\n(810) 813-5178\tkbeane8 (at) yahoo.com<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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