|
"W32/Mydoom@MM
generates emails with a spoofed From: field, so incoming messages may
appear to be from people you know."
Translation: If you get one with our
name attached on it, it's not us - we're using McAfee Anti-Virus
protection, which we heartily recommend to you. |
News Wire
(A collection of miscellaneous news items hot off the "news wire")
 | Fastpitchwest to Serve as
Temporary Home to Al's Fastball |
As many of you know, the archive for
Al's Fastball's emails has been down off and on since last week, due
to hard drive crashes. Escribe is hard at work with the
repairs, but in the meantime, Fastpitchwest is pleased to provide a
temporary home for Al's Fastball Archive.
Regular subscribers to Al's Fastball
emails (including yours truly) will receive an email notification
when the Escribe site is up and running again. In the
meantime, you can find the emails archived at the following page:
Here is the announcement from Al Doran
regarding the temporary archive:
Al Doran
aldoran@pmihrm.com
Wed Jun 30 22:21:49 EDT 2004
Thanks to Jim Flanagan, we have a temporary site to post our Fastball News to.
Go to:
http://www.fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball.htm
As for eScribe, we have not heard from them in several days, and they
predicted at that time they would be up the next day. That has not
happened. I can only assume they are having more difficulties than
anticipated installing their new server.
To make life more difficult, the jerks at aol.com are still blocking most
of the email we try to send to our subscribers there.
We check http://escribe.com/ almost every hour as that is where we should see the first signs of life
from eScribe when it comes back up.
But for now, keep sending your softball news to
mailto:fastball at pmihrm.com and we will send it out to our list AND post it at Jim's site http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball.htm Cheers,
Al
Als Fastball List
*Email: fastball at pmihrm.com
http://www.alsfastball.com/
http://www.ISCfastball.com/
NEWS: http://www.escribe.com/sports/alsfastball/
TEMP: http://www.fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball.htm |
|
Las Vegas Fall Classic Renamed Keith
Bayne Memorial, to be held in October, not June 2004 |
[Las Vegas, NV - 5/26/04] - David Bell
has announced that the "Fall Classic" set for October 30-31, 2004 in
Las Vegas will be renamed the
"Keith Bayne Memorial" tournament,
in honor of former teammate Keith Bayne, who passed away last year.
The tournament will benefit the family of Keith Bayne.
The "Fall Classic" has been a mainstay of the fastpitch schedule for
the past several years, providing a great opportunity for out of
state teams to gather for that one last "fix" of fastpitch before
putting the gloves away for the winter.
The Keith Bayne tournament was
originally scheduled for June 18-20, 2004, but teams expressed
reluctance to play in the desert heat of Las Vegas in June, when
temperatures can hit 100 degrees, so the June event was dropped in
favor of the renamed Fall Classic. Teams interested in the
October tournament can
Email David
Bell
|
|
NAFA's #2, Co-Founder Jim Williamson
Steps Down After More Than A Decade of Service to the Organization
and Men's Fastpitch |
[Yakima WA - 5/6/04] - Fastpitchwest has
learned that NAFA's longtime "#2" man, First Vice President Jim
"Bob" Williamson has stepped down from his positions at the North
American Fastpitch Association. Williamson was a co-founder of
NAFA, started as a grass-roots organization with Pat Bucknell, who
announced his own retirement from NAFA at last year's World Series.
At that time, Bucknell turned the reins over the Benjie Hedgecock,
who now heads the organization. Jim held the positions of NAFA First
VP, Western Zone Director, Classification Chairman and Chair of
All-World Selections. Williamson is well known in fastpitch circles
earning a reputation as the hands-on operations man, heading up
difficult tasks such as classification, rules and scorekeeping.
Williamson is also credited with developing a novel "point system"
for selection of All Tournament players that is still in use today.
In a conversation with Fastpitchwest
Thursday, Jim Williamson stated:
"The decision to leave NAFA is
largely due to an expanded Consulting Assignment in the
Architectural/Engineering field which limits available time for
softball. As much as I would like to believe that NAFA would fold if
I left, my ego will be severely bruised, because NAFA will continue
and may get stronger under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer
Benjie Hedgecock of Dayton, Oregon. Benjie was the Tournament
Director for the highly successful NAFA World Series held in Salem,
Ore in 2002.
I have known Benjie for 15 years and he has the leadership skills to
make NAFA an even greater organization. TV coverage of the World
Series and the upgrade of the umpiring staff are two major
Directions that Benjie has emphasized. NAFA still has a strong slate
of Vice-Presidents like Bob Nydick and Loren Lathrop and Directors
like Ronn Kopp and Mike Clark (as a few examples).
Fastpitch softball is still my first love and I'll be around to help
wherever I can. My Email remains the same and I welcome being copied
on any issues that are concerns of players or coaches and I will
continue to respond and to make recommendations on Classification.
I will continue to sponsor and coach my Under 23 Jr Men's team and
assist with the coaching of the Portland DeMarini team."
(Editor's note: I had the privilege to
serve with Jim Williamson during a two year tenure as So Cal
Director, legal counsel, and later webmaster, until my own
resignation in 2003. Fastpitchwest salutes the dedication and
service of one of mens fastpitch's hardest workers and greatest
advocates.)
|
| Bob Walsh Tournament Controversy
The following comments were posted to Al
Doran's mailing list website this month concerning the controversy over
the Bob Walsh tournament. In short, the tournament has
declined to include two Pennsylvania teams, the Quaker Riversharks and
Keatings Fitness to the tournament held in Allentown, PA.
 |
The Saga of the Bob Walsh Memorial
Classic Tournament,
Robert Nydick" <robert.nydick@villanova.edu> (by way of Al Doran, Fri,
9 Apr 2004 11:22:15 |
|
Saga of the Walsh (not) Reponse,
Tgbisc15@aol.com (by way of Al Doran, Wed, 14
Apr 2004 20:42:54 |
|
Bob Walsh Saga - Response to both
parties, wbseipel@juno.com
(by way of Al Doran, Thu, 15 Apr 2004 13:16:37 |
|
FW: Saga of Walsh Response
- by Steve Ray, Ray,
Steven G." <Steven.Ray@cardinal.com>(by way of Al Doran, Thu, 15 Apr
2004 13:16:37 |
|
RE: Saja of the Walsh (not)
Reponse - by Mike Smith,
Mike Smith <number8@fast.net> (by way of Al Doran,
Thu, 15 Apr 2004 13:16:37 |
|
Quaker Riversharks and the Walsh
- by Michael Rohrer,
michael rohrer <mikerohrer@hotmail.com>(by way of Al
Doran, Thu, 15 Apr 2004 13:17:19 |
|
Response to Walsh Tournament Committee,
BATT Paul <PAUL.BATT@essroc.com> (by way of Al
Doran, Thu, 15 Apr 2004 20:04:06
|
|
|
Purchasing of World Championship videos
of TV games
[Christchurch, New Zealand 2/17/04] - Softball New Zealand
will be selling VHS videos of all the games televised at the World
Championships. We are just working through the cost of such a production
and also talking with TVNZ and SKY over using news footage on the back
of the finals tape. As soon as details are finalised they will be posted
on the Softball New Zealand website.
Kind regards, |
Hadyn Smith
CEO
Email:
snz@softball.org.nz
Softball New Zealand
http://www.softball.org.nz
|
Don't be
"Doomed"! (Please Use Anti-Virus Protection) |
[Los Alamitos, CA - 1/30/04] - Today, we echo some words of wisdom
posted by Al Doran at Al's Fastball:
"We are receiving up to 20 MyDoom worms an hour and
the worst of the attack is due to start on February 1. PLEASE
update your computer today with the latest Anti Virus software available
AND do a full scan of your computer as you may already have the worm
sleeping on your pc. If it wakes up on February 1st and you do not have
the protection you are going to be dead in the water for some time,
especially if you have the MyDoom B virus. It will block you from going
to
Norton, McAfee, etc for a fix. Practice safe computing and update
your AV software every day!"
Editor's Note: We use McAfee Real Time
Anti-Virus protection here at fastpitchwest and update it religiously,
in addition to McAfee firewall protection. This latest
virus, like some of the others, gets into a user's address book and
sends out emails to everyone in it with the virus, often "forging" (or
"spoofing" as some call it) header information, which makes it appear
that the email is coming from one of the members of the unprotected
address books. We're in a lot of your address books, so if you see
one with our name on it, know that it's not us.
We strongly recommend you subscribe to one of the
services (McAfee, Norton, etc). It's about $30-40 a year, but
considering what you have invested in your computer, and the risk to
your files, it's money you can't afford NOT to spend. With the
latest "Doom" virus circulating, which by all reports is the worst ever,
we suggest you take advantage of the free scans available and run one
today. Remember however, that the free scan will tell whether you
have a virus or not. It will not protect you from that next
incoming email. 'nuff said.
Don't wait - or it may be too late. You'll end up
working on your computer next week, instead of taking batting practice
that you know you need ;-) Going to lunch? Let it run while you're
gone.
Free scan is available at:
http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?cid=9059
Here is a short summary of the virus from McAfee:
W32/Mydoom@MM is a High-Outbreak Risk mass-mailing worm flooding email
servers worldwide. When run, the worm steals email addresses from the
infected machine and also automatically generates random email addresses
for propagation. This email generation engine is similar to technologies
spammers use to generate addresses for spam email campaigns.
W32/Mydoom@MM generates emails with a spoofed From: field, so incoming
messages may appear to be from people you know. Furthermore, the
subject line and message body are both randomly generated by the worm.
W32/Mydoom@MM also attempts to open a port on an infected PC, allowing a
remote hacker to gain control of the system. (Installing a firewall such
as McAfee Personal Firewall Plus can prevent this activity.)
Want to know more about the "MyDoom" virus and how to
protect against it? Here is what the experts at McAfee says about it:
http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=helpCenter&hcName=mydoom&cid=9547
|
Christmas
Arrives Early in Goleta, CA
[Goleta, CA -
12/24/03] - Those of you who read this month's
Personality Profile, of Phil
Hiromerides recall that he and his wife Pam were expecting a Christmas
baby. We are pleased to let you know that Pam Hiromerides gave
birth to a beautiful 6lbs 15 oz girl on 12/21/03 at 12:53 pm. She is
Fiona Elizabeth Hiromerides. Future Team USA player?
|
|
C-Mac Signs with Victoria
Giving Travelers Trio of Aces |
[Victoria, B.C. 12/24/03] -
Traveller's Inn pleased to announce the signing pitcher Collin MacKenzie
to their 2004 roster with Korrey Gareau and Rick Smith. Jeff Hurford,
former National team member will also be returning for the 2004 season
to provide leadership in the outfield as well as the dressing room. We
will have more roster signings after the Christmas break.
Happy Holidays
Mark Mackereth, Field Manager
Traveller's Inn Fastball Club
mailto:markmack15@shaw.ca
| Maccabi USA Softball to Defend Pan Am Gold Medal
in Santiago, Chile |
[Santiago, Chile - 12/23/03] - David
Blackburn of Venice, CA was selected as Head Coach, and as Pitcher of
the Maccabi USA Fastpitch Softball Team, set to compete at the 10th
Pan American Maccabi Games in Santiago, Chile. The Opening Ceremonies
will be on December 28, 2003 and the Closing ceremonies are scheduled
for January 4, 2004. According to Ron Carner, head of the United
States Delegation, the overall USA Team, sponsored by Maccabi USA /
Sports For Israel, is sending its largest delegation ever, to this
multi-sport international competition.
This marks the 8th time that David Blackburn will pitch for Maccabi
USA
in an International Softball Federation tournament, played under the
auspices of Maccabi World Union. This includes four Maccabi USA tours
of Israel in 1985, 1989, 1993, and 1997 for the 12th – 15th World
Maccabiah Games Softball tournaments. In addition David pitched in the
6th, 8th, and 9th Pan American Maccabiah Games Softball events: in
1987 at Caracas, Venezuela; in 1995 at Buenos Aires, Argentina; and in
1999 at Mexico City, Mexico.
Blackburn stated “We will be challenged by several very strong teams
in defending the Softball Gold medal the we won with Maccabi USA at
the 9th Pan American Maccabiah Games, at Mexico City, MX in 1999.
Argentina will be very strong with Alan Rozenblum pitching, and Josh
McKinlay, a newcomer to Maccabi Canada squad is a very strong pitcher
in his early 20’s.”
Also leading Team USA on the field will be centerfielder, and speedy
leadoff hitter Dan Winnick, of Walnut Creek, CA. This former College
Baseball Player was introduced to Fastpitch Softball through the
Maccabi USA program. Winnick made his mark on the West Coast Fastpitch
Circuit when he earned the Most Valuable Player Award at the July 2003
Ron Ortega Memorial Tournament in San Diego. After spending a year
with Fedlock Falcons in 2001, Winnick played the last two seasons as
the lead-off hitter for Clyde Bennet’s SOCAL Bucks in the 2002 and
2003 ISC World Tournaments
The other 10 members of the Maccabi USA Fastpitch Club include:
Dennis Biales New York, NY
Alfred Cohen Highland Park, IL
Glen Davis San Francisco, CA
Seth Novoselsky Elk Grove Village, IL
Scott Rosen Pittsburgh, PA
Peter Orman Waterford, MI
Dan Shaltiel Riverwoods, IL
Mike Goldman Harrison, NY
Fred Cohen Deerfield, IL
Jordan Metzl New York, NY
The other five softball teams will be representing: Maccabi Canada;
Argentina’s Hakoaj; Venezuela’s Hebraica; Mexico’s Centro Deportivo
Israelita; and the host team, Chile’s Estadio Israelita Maccabi.
More than 600 United States Jewish athletes, medical professionals,
coaches, staff, and sponsors from over 32 states will join more than
2,000 athletes from 19 other countries including Canada, Mexico,
Brazil, Argentina, Great Britain, South Africa, Hungary, Australia,
and Israel. The Pan American Maccabi Games, sponsored by Maccabi World
Union, are a quadrennial international competition for Jewish Athletes
from the Americas, and other invited countries.
Ron Carner, General Chairman of the Maccabi USA team, and the Maccabi
Organizing Committee said, “Putting the Pan Maccabi Games in
perspective with other international sporting events, the Maccabi
field will make this event larger than the Winter Olympics.”
Carner is thrilled to see the support the United States delegation is
providing to this event, and credits the large delegation to one of
support for World Jewry, during this most challenging time for Jews
around the globe. The dual theme for the Pan American Maccabiah Games
is “Now More Than Ever” and “If Not Now, When?”
“This important time gives Maccabi World Union an opportunity to bring
together Jewish sportsmen to stand in solidarity,” Carner said. “Due
to the turmoil caused by the violence in Israel and the anti-Israel
and anti-Semitism throughout certain parts of the world, what better
way to show their strength, solidarity, and concern, than for Jewish
athletes, and family members to come together.”
The 600-member United States Delegation is typically the size of the
one that attends the quadrennial World Maccabiah Games in Israel, the
fifth largest international athletic
event in the world.
Sports on the menu for this year’s Pan American Maccabi games include
baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, golf, gymnastics,
judo, karate, soccer, fastpitch softball, squash, swimming, table
tennis, tennis, half marathon, volleyball, and water polo. Men’s and
Women’s teams for selected sports are organized in categories of Open,
Masters, Juniors, and Youth.
Carner, a leader in the Maccabi USA/Sports For Israel organization
since 1987, and currently one of three Vice-Presidents for Maccabi
World Union, welcomed the opportunity to lead this year’s talented
United States team to Chile.
“Chile and all of South America offer a unique opportunity to meet our
Latin American Jewish brethren, whose ancestors came from the same
towns and villages that ours came from” Carner said. “The only
difference is that ours went straight across the Atlantic, and theirs
made a left. Often during the past games, in conversation with the
South Americans, we find out that some of their parents, and
grandparents came from the same towns as ours.”
Carner described the uniqueness of the athletic competition to unite
Jews from around the World. “No one does what we at Maccabi World
Union do at an International Level,” he said. “The games are very
competitive, and the Gold Medals are nice, but the experience is why
we do this. Hopefully, the experience engenders Jewish solidarity, and
identity.”
As the games progress, results will be posted at
www.maccabiusa.com
The Maccabi USA Spoorts for Israel office
is located at :
1926 Arch Street, 4R,
Philadelphia, PA 19103.
215-561-6900
|
Portland De Marini Merchants Prepares for 2004
|
[12/19/03-Portland, OR] - Coming off of
its "Sweet 16" finish in its first ever ISC World Tournament in 2003, the
Portland DeMarini squad is looking forward to the 2004 season. Hard
hitting 3rd Basemen, Dean Waltier, from Seattle, Washington, has committed
to the team after a one year stint in California. Kevin Rasumussen, a
valuable catcher for us during ISC's last year, will return for the full
season. A few other key returnees include: Rob Gerhke (1st Team ISC
selection), Rob Broberg, Kevin MacEachern, Sean McGovern & Brian Ree.
Our pitching staff and full roster will be
announced very soon. We are enthused with our talks thus far.
The Portland DeMarini Rose Cup is scheduled
for June 26-27, 2004 at Delta Park. Much more on the tournament right
after the first of the year. We have had a lot of inquiries concerning
the 2004 event. It sounds like many of last years participants and a few
new teams are ready to commit. Thanks for your e-mails and kind words
about the tournament. Again, much more in the near future....
We are very proud to have DeMarini as a
sponsor again next year. The DeMarini 2004 FF-2 and DeMarini "Vexxum"
will be the official team bats.
Happy Holidays!!
Tom Ree
Portland DeMarini
ree1837@comcast.net
|
Vancouver Grey Sox ink Kevin Schellenberg -
[12/18/03]
|
The Vancouver Grey Sox are pleased to announce that Kevin Schellenberg of
Squamish, B.C., has committed to our program for 2004. Kevin is a quick,
right-handed middle infielder/outfielder. Just 23 years of age and coming
off his last season of Junior eligibility, "Shelly" has already made the
Canadian National Team. Field manager Al Mitchell is very pleased with the
addition of Schellenberg to the Grey Sox roster. Mitchell says Kevin is
expected to be a key player who will see a lot of time at shortstop, will
add speed and versatility to the batting line-up, and will mesh well with
his new teammates.
Schellenberg comments that he really enjoyed playing with the Grey Sox at
the Canadian Nationals in Owen Sound in 2003, after spending the season
with his hometown Squamish (50 miles north of Vancouver) squad in the
Norwest League. Kevin added: "I think it's a good fit. There are a great
bunch of guys on the Grey Sox. We have a lot of young players who are in
the National Team progam, including Nick Underhill (pitcher), and I
think we will be a
force to be reckoned with over the next several years."
The Grey Sox finished 3rd at the
Canadian Nationals in 2003 and successfully defended our Norwest League
title. We will play in the Norwest League again in 2004, and will likely
announce our full schedule and roster early in the New Year.
Conrad Margolis,
Vancouver Grey Sox
conradmargolis@telus.net
|
