Briefly

Some miscellaneous notes from around town:
▪ Sorry to report that Long Beach Black Sox centerfielder John Otte will miss the rest of the season with a torn abdominal muscle. Johnny O. sustained the injury in the Santa Fe Springs tournament a couple weeks ago. He continued playing, but later X-rays revealed a tear. He is scheduled for a MRI today to find out more. Tough break for the Sox, as John was a key part of their early success with his great outfield play and hustle. John started the season with a bang, hitting 2 home runs on opening night at the Norwalk tournament, giving the Sox the momentum that carried them to a 4th place finish in a tough field of teams that included three "A/B" teams. Best wishes to John for a speedy recovery.
▪  If that wasn't enough bad news Fred Hanker, the Sox will lose another player, outfielder Mario Echeverria, who is relocating to Idaho later this month. A first-year fastpitch player, Mario had taken to the game quickly and added some solid punch to the Black Sox lineup. If any of you know of a team in Idaho, Mario will hit the free agent wire shortly. See the note posted at our "Northwest" section of the Forum
▪ Speaking of free agents, before you start feeling too sorry for the Black Sox, player-manager Fred Hanker has moved quickly to reload, adding two well known players to his roster. Well known to pitchers in particular, due to the havoc they have wreaked in the past. One has been MIA for the past year or two, while the other has been seen playing regularly in local tournaments. Stay tuned, as we'll post their names as soon as the ink on their contracts is dry.
▪ With two more tournament weekends in the So Cal ASA Alliance before the May 22 roster deadline, we may see more roster moves before things are set in concrete. The rule for 2004 reads: "Until May 22 players can move from Southern California ASA team to Southern California ASA team....The weekend of May 22 – 23 all Championship rosters will be frozen for the remainder of Championship play and players will be required to play for the team they play for the weekend of May 22 – 23 for the remainder of the season." See 2004 Championship Roster Information at the So Cal ASA site for the full text of the roster rules.
▪ Errata: In our story on the "March Madness" tournament, we reported on Keith Barker's amazing five (5) home run weekend, noting that it equaled the record set by Edge's Rick McCarthy and the Rounders' Tom Morton. A closer look at the record book reveals that McCarthy is still the sole holder of the So Cal ASA Alliance record for homers in a weekend with six (6). McCarthy hit five of those in a row, during Saturday games, another record. A reader pointed out that Dean Clark of Damn Yankees hit five in a weekend, in the May 17-18, 2003 event at Lancaster last year. Morton appears to hold the record for Championship round homers, hitting all five of his on a Sunday. None of this takes anything away from Barker's performance, which was remarkable. Whether it's McCarthy with six, or Barker, Clark and Morton with five, it's pretty select company and an amazing accomplishment. By the way, Barker and McCarthy are teammates on this year's Edge squad, with Barker batting leadoff. Pitchers beware.
▪ Pitcher's nightmare: the reader that brought the error to our attention also noted that McCarthy, Barker and Thomas all played together on the old L.A. Doughboys team. (The L.A. Doughboys were the 2000 National Champions in modified fastpitch, with pitcher Rob Scheller [Circle Tap in 2003-4] on the mound. No wonder.)
▪ Rounders get a scare: Donald Jewett of the Rounders is on the mend, with a hairline fracture of his (non-pitching) wrist. Donald was hit by a pitch in the Rounder's Saturday game against So Cal Fear, and missed Sunday's championship round. The "news" is that the HBP didn't cause the fracture. That one turned out to be a bruise/sprain. But while doctors were looking at the X-rays, they found the hairline fracture on the other side of the wrist, which was already on the mend. Jewett was the Rounders MVP in their Palm Springs tournament win earlier this month.
▪ More from the DL: Some good news for Santana's Eddie Echeveste -- his broken ankle will not require surgery after all, and he's expect to be out of a cast by the end of April. Eddie was injured blocking the plate in a game against the Rounders in Palm Springs earlier this month. As many of you know, Eddie has endured a couple of lengthy stints on the DL following shoulder surgery, so we are pleased to report that this injury is not as bad as first thought.

Shades of Jerry West

On first blush, one might not see that Jerry West and Team Rainey's pitcher Tony Peeples have a lot in common. One is a retired NBA player-turned exec, making a living in Memphis, the other, a longtime fixture in California fastpitch circles. But they do share something in common. Their silhouettes both grace sports logos. Jerry "Mr. Clutch" West has long been the familiar basketball player silhouette alongside the words "NBA". Now Tony Peeples ("Peeps") finds himself as part of our new logo:



Those of you who have been visiting Fastpitchwest for some time (or had to face him in the batter's box) probably recognize that familiar delivery of his in our new logo. Perhaps you noticed that the silhouette was adapted from that original photo of Tony that has graced our front page for so long. It's that same pitch captured at the NAFA "AAA" World Series in Salem, Oregon in 2002, a tournament in which he won 6 games. When we asked for permission to use his likeness in our logo, it was for the same reason as when we posted his photo to our website. We think he is a great representative of fastpitch, and in particular, fastpitch on the West Coast. (the "West" in FastpitchWEST, if you will). He has pitched for Team USA, and pitched teams to more than one National Championship. He now pitches on one of the West Coast's top teams, Team Rainey, after Team Lyons ended their run with the 2003 NAFA "AAA" World Series title. But our decision goes beyond that. We find him to exemplify so much that is good about the game. The little things that sometimes go unnoticed, but are important nonetheless. Last year, for example, amidst the celebration of that NAFA World Series title, he found time to chat with a local kid from Chippewa Falls learning to pitch, and share a few tips, and later, signed a photo taken of the two with some words of encouragement. We hope the new logo (now on T-shirts as of this month) will help promote the game, and foster its growth among players old and young. Shades of Jerry West.
(Incidentally, some of you have already noticed  that the familiar photo of Tony is no longer in use on the front page of our website. Gone yes, but certainly not forgotten. Enshrined in our logo, you might say. We're going to rotate photos of more of you on the front page from time to time, taken from games played throughout the season. You can follow the photo directly to the story behind it by clicking the photo. For those of you who became accustomed to seeing Tony's photo, and miss it, remember that he is still pitching, so we expect he will grace our cover again at some point this season.)

This and That

Some miscellaneous notes from around town:
▪ Rumor has it that Mike Ryan, former catcher and sponsor of the Bullet Transportation team (1995-1998) will be back in uniform this weekend for the Edge. Mike's 1998 team finished 3rd in the nation in the NAFA "AA" tournament in Hutchinson, KS, where the tournament coincidentally returns this year. We haven't seen Mike 'round the diamond too much of late, though he did drive out to Palm Springs earlier this month. Mike was a key part of the Bullet team's success, but perhaps even better known as the gregarious Irishman who adds life to any party. Mike's tournament playing days go back to the 1993 Pioneer Days Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he debuted with the Vista Bombers. Good to have you back, Mike.
▪ When Mike learned that we had mentioned him here in "Morning Brief", he shared this thought:
As Steve Martin said in the 1979 comedy classic, “The Jerk”: Scene: Navin Johnson runs to the delivery truck to accept delivery of the new phone book: Navin, excitedly: THE NEW PHONE BOOK’S HERE, THE NEW PHONE BOOK’S HERE!” As Navin calms himself and stops jumping up and down he looks into the camera: Navin: This is the kind of spontaneous publicity that MAKES people. Things are going to start happening to me now.
Well, it's nice to see his sense of humor is intact. Now, let's see about those knees ;-)
▪ Dave Meltz was in good form Wednesday night in Artesia, striking out 14 in 7 innings against the L.B. Black Sox, but had to settle for a 3-3 tie. An on-call chiropractor should be required when Meltz pitches, for all the hitters that he corkscrews into the ground with that change-up.
▪ Fred Hanker hit a towering 3 run homer in the right-center gap, while Dwayne Fowler drove in 3 for the Gypsters, a team made up of Captain Dan's and former Genesis/Ringer players.
▪ A moment of silence was shared before the Black Sox-Gypsters game for Dewey Thompson.
▪ Pitchers, fielders and hitters enjoy the DeBeer 212 leather cover, cork-center ball used in Artesia. No bruises or welts on Thursday mornings, and for infielders, no trip to the dentist.
▪ Did anyone notice that the leather covered, cork center Dudleys in use in Palm Springs at the far diamonds 5&6? We thought they were extinct...
▪ David Bell's "Spring Swing" Tournament was like a mini-national tournament, with 18 teams arriving from ten (10) different states, including some coming all the way from the Midwest (IA, IN, IL). For all the times that local teams complain about playing the same teams over and over, surprisingly few from California took advantage of the collection of out-of-state teams, even though they were among the closest to Las Vegas
▪ Even the Rounders, who previously made it a staple of their schedule, winning it in 2001 and 2002 and finishing 2nd in 2003, skipped the tournament this year. Last year's lower division winner over the Rounders, DC Current, of Indiana finished 2nd themselves this year.
▪ San Diego Fastpitch's Jay Crawley was seen holding the hardware for DC Current in Vegas in 2003, to join some of his old Indiana buddies; not sure if he played for them this year (Jay?)
▪ David Bell's next Las Vegas tournament is on tap for June 18-19, 2004, a Memorial event to raise funds for the family of former Las Vegas Hitmen, Keith Bayne.
▪ Voters in the latest "Final 4 Pick 'em" poll are going with the top finishers from Palm Springs: Raymar, the Rounders, San Diego and Edge (so far). But the So Cal ASA Alliance, like the NCAA hoops tournament is always full of surprises. If the poll favorites for this weekend's (fastpitch) March Madness think the pre-tourney picks guarantee anything, they need only speak with Florida or Michigan State. Oh, and you'll need to reach them at the airport, as they're on their way home, as lower seeded teams advance.

Go n'éirí an t-ádh leat

Go n'éirí an t-ádh leat

May those who love us love us
And those who don't love us
May God turn their hearts,
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.

--Irish Prayer

On a day like today, perhaps you're wondering if they play fastpitch in Ireland. (Then again, maybe you're having a Guiness and not worrying about much of anything) Regardless, the answer is "yes". Click here for more information: Irish Softball Association - Mens Fastpitch Softball 2004. You might say they are just discovering the game there. Of course there is Guernsey, which is almost Ireland, where they've been playing fastpitch for 60 years.  I don't know if Ireland will have a fastpitch team ready in time for the Commonwealth games, but we tip our cap to Joe O'Reilly for working to establish fastpitch in the Emerald Isle and say "Go n'éirí an t-ádh leat! (Gaelic for "Good Luck"). Happy St. Paddy's Day to all of you. Here's to green in your beer and loved ones near. Be safe.

Let the Madness Begin

Now that the NCAA has announced its 65 team selections for its annual hoops tournament, Raymar's own version of "March Madness" can't be far behind. The "Dance" gets underway Thursday, while Raymar's will begin Saturday morning, March 20, 2004. The Men-Behind-Closed-Doors tabbed Duke, Kentucky, St. Joe's and Stanford as their final four picks. Anyone care to bet they'll be wrong on one or two of these? I suspect so. FPW voters left Raymar "on the bubble" last time around, tabbing them fifth in the "Palm Springs Final 4" poll, based, no doubt, on their 0-2 showing in Norwalk a couple of weeks prior. Raymar response to the voters was a 6 win performance at Palm Springs to finish second overall and tie the first place Rounders in points. Like Gonzaga, I am betting that the prognosticators don't look past them in the upcoming March Madness tournament. They'll be the host, and among the teams looking to dethrone last year's March Madness champions. To all of you So Cal fastpitch fans, here is your chance to get out and see the locals play. Games will be at Little Lake Park in Santa Fe Springs, CA. Games usually run all day Saturday and most of Sunday. I can almost smell the carne asada now. (Watch this page for schedule information.)

Riches Revealed

For the many of us who were able to attend the memorial services for Dewey Thompson yesterday, the eulogies delivered by his teammates Dwayne Fowler and Bruce Wilber were both touching and moving. For those of you who were unable to attend, due to work and family commitments, Dwayne and Bruce have been kind enough to permit us to post them in the Forum. I find them as remarkable to read today as they were to hear yesterday. (Click "Forum" hyperlink) We invite any of you to add your own thoughts about Dewey at the Forum, as we will be forwarding them to the Thompson family shortly. Click hyperlink to visit: In Memory of Dewey Thompson.

A Bittersweet Opening Day

Baseball has its opening day the first week in April. For fastpitch, as long as I can remember, the season has kicked off the first weekend in March. It always seems like a suitable birthday present for me, something coincidentally shared with my manager Ron Kirby, and former manager Manny Echeveste, who celebrates his, two days prior. I remember many played to on-again-off-again rain at Joe Rodgers Field in Long Beach. In recent years, those rainy days contrasted with the warm, balmy weather of Palm Springs. As I walked from my car Saturday for an early morning game at DeMuth Park, the San Jacinto Mountains provided a spectacular backdrop beyond the centerfield fence. The outfield grass was neatly cropped and the infield dirt as smooth as a pool table. I remarked to my wife Maddy that I don't think the fields had ever looked any better. The morning air was still crisp, and I could hear the distant chatter of players on the field. Spotting familiar faces, I heard the "hey's" and "how are you's"'; reaching in my bag, I retrieved my trusty old piece of leather; and sat down in the dugout among friends. "My fortieth season", I thought to myself. "How fortunate I am". How fortunate, indeed.

By now, most of the fastpitch community has heard the news of the tragic passing of Dwight "Dewey" Thompson, who collapsed of an apparent heart attack while playing third base for the So Cal Masters in their game against us, the Rounders. The games underway at the time were stopped, out of respect, and because they no longer seemed as important as the people around us. Later, the games resumed, perhaps because we couldn't imagine him not playing, and needing the respite from our thoughts. The sense of support that I saw in the eyes of the fastpitch family gathered around him that morning was overwhelming. As we struggle with the loss of a friend, we are reminded how fortunate we are. To have known him, and to have the support of this fraternity of friends.

(We honor Dewey at: In Memory of Dewey Thompson  and invite you to share your thoughts at the Forum)

Who'll Stop the Rain?

Who'll Stop the Rain?

Long as I remember
The rain been comin' down.
Clouds of myst'ry pourin'
Confusion on the ground.
Good men through the ages,
Tryin' to find the sun;
And I wonder,
Still I wonder,
Who'll stop the rain.

-John Fogerty

The Artesia City League is a great place for So Cal teams to get their work in during the week, including the likes of Travis Price and Team Rainey, Captain Dans, Raymar, the Lakewood Jets and the Long Beach Black Sox. No truth to the rumor that the league is moving to a domed facility, though that might be one way to get games in amidst all the rain we've been getting the past three weeks in "sunny" Southern California. It's pouring again tonight, and looks like Wednesday night could be washed out. The troops are getting antsy to play, especially with the So Cal ASA travel league starting this weekend, and everyone a rusty. I suppose we shouldn't complain too loudly though, as the folks East of us would probably be happy to trade our weather for theirs. An email I received from a fastpitch friend in Illinois tonight brought that point home succintly. I mentioned that the weatherman was predicting 82 degree weather for our travel league this weekend in Palm Springs. He fired back that it was also going to be 82 in Illinois this weekend -- 40 on Saturday and 42 on Sunday. 'nuff said.

Lords of the Rings

Now that the Oscars have recognized the many accomplishments of the film "Lord of the Rings", we thought it appropriate to recognize our own "Lords of the Rings", i.e.  National Champions for 2003 who are now halfway through their reign. (click blue hyperlink to see list). And while we're at it, the award for the "Best Performance in a Leading Role" in 2003 went to:
lordoftherings.doc