Gil Read to be inducted into Softball Canada Hall of Fame next week

Softball Ontario News Release - Hall of Fame inductees
Five Ontario Nominees will be Inducted to Softball Canada Hall of Fame

Softball Canada is pleased to announce that Phyllis Bomberry (Athlete), Don Bracey (Official), Gil Read (Builder), the 1949 Tip Top Tailors (Team) and Darren Zack (Athlete) will be inducted into the Softball Canada Hall of Fame in recognition for their contribution and excellence in the sport of softball across the country.

These five inductees will join the select group of Canadians who have had this honour bestowed upon them at the Induction ceremony which will be held Saturday, November 14th, 2009. The ceremony is held in conjunction with Softball Canada’s Annual Meeting in Ottawa, Ontario, which will take place from November 12-14.

Phyllis Bomberry (Athlete – Ontario), born in 1943 in Oshweken, Ontario, grew up playing softball in a time when there were no Canadian Championships, and once they were created, it was very difficult for women’s teams to qualify. Phyllis played in several world-class tournaments, most notably the Bulova Watch Tournament at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto where she had three (3) first-place finishes and two (2) second-place finishes. From 1967 to 1970, Phyllis was by far one of the best players in the country. In 1967, she won a Canadian Championship and was named All-Star Catcher, also collecting Top Batter and Most Valuable Player awards. The following year, she won her second straight Canadian Championship and once again was named All-Star catcher. In 1969, Phyllis became the first woman to win the Tom Longboat award (created in 1951) annually awarded to the most outstanding First Nations athlete. That same year, she won a Gold medal at the first Canada Games.

Don Bracey (Official – Ontario), an official from Oshawa, Ontario, has made many contributions to the sport of softball in addition to his many years of officiating. His umpiring career began in 1980 and he quickly made an impact at the local, provincial and national level, umpiring at numerous Provincial and National Championships. He was granted Level V status in 1989 at the Canadian Senior Men’s Championships. At the International level, he worked the 1992 (where he worked the plate during the Gold medal game) and 2004 ISF Women’s World Championships. In addition to his hard work on the field, Don was also very involved in the administration side of officiating, serving as a member of the Officiating Development Committee ODC and working as Umpire in Chief at various Canadian Championships. He mentored many officials as a Master Instructor and Evaluator, and his greatest impact on the Softball Canada Umpire Program was when he created and maintained the Softball Canada Umpire Case Book.

Gil Read (Builder – Ontario), a long-time coach from the Ottawa region, led three teams to the Canadian Championships in 1993, 1995 and 1999 and also coached Team Ontario to Gold medals at the 1997, 2001 and 2005 Canada Summer Games. Gil was a member of Softball Ontario’s Coaching Committee from 1995 to 2002, also served on Softball Canada’s Coaching Committee and was a Softball Canada Master Course Conductor from 1994 to 2006. In addition to all his contributions to the coaching community, Gil also served as a member of Softball Canada’s Initiation Committee, and was Canada’s Team Leader at the 2003 ISF Junior Women’s World Championship, at the 2003 Women’s Olympic Team Qualifier and at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Gil suddenly passed away in 2007.

The 1949 Tip Top Tailors (Team – Ontario) are the only Canadian team ever to win an ASA Championship, which at the time was considered the World Softball Championship for Men’s Fastpitch. 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the Championship win, and four members are still alive (Ray Pulfer, Bill “Babe” Gresko, Pat McCullagh, and Len Gaull). In the late 40’s and early 50’s, softball would attract thousands of fans in the Toronto area.

Darren Zack (Athlete – Ontario), born in Garden River, Ontario in 1960, was the top pitcher in Canadian Fastpitch from 1992 to 2002. He is a great ambassador of the game, and is treated as a legend whenever he appears at a Canadian ballpark, a certain sign of the respect that he has earned in the softball community. Zack has participated in numerous Canadian Championships, winning Gold medals in 1993, 1995 and 1996 and a Silver medal in 1992. His National awards include Top Pitcher in 1992, Top Player in the Championship Round in 1993, All-Star Pitcher and Top Player of the Championship Round in 1995, and Most Valuable Player and Top Pitcher of the Qualifying Round in 1996. Darren also represented Canada at numerous International events from 1991 to 2004, winning a Gold medal at the 1992 ISF World Championship, a Silver medal at the 1996 ISF World Championship, and three Gold medals at the Pan American Games (1991, 1995 and 1999).

Softball Canada news

Mike Branchaud reports on some information from Softball Canada.

- The 2010 Junior Mens Canadian championship will be played in St. Croix, NS from Aug 2-8. Both Owen Sound and Napanee have expressed interest in submitting a bid for the 2011 event.

- The 2009 AGM for Softball Canada will take place November 12-14 in Ottawa.

- Several motions have been put forward from the Provincial Offices which could affect Midget and Junior age changes, as well as changes to Canadian Championships, including the possiblity of competition at the Intermediate level.

ISC Announcement

With several ISC World teams folding it looks like there will be changes for the tourneys in Midland, MI this year. Stay tuned to see what happens. This notice was posted on Al's Fastball.

from Ken Hackmeister, ISC Executive Director
With the recent influx of notices of teams ceasing operations for 2010, the ISC is taking steps to ensure that the ISC World Tournament remains a healthy and viable event that has appeal for teams, fans, host cities and the ISC. Any proposed changes will require approval by both the ISC Executive Committee and then the full ISC Board of Directors. Our goal is to have this process completed and announced in the next five weeks. Without going into specifics, some or all of the following may be impacted:

- PRAWN rules for 2010
- Out of Region fees
- Berth allocations to our five regions for Qualifying tournaments
- Team rankings
- Structure of both the ISC World Tournament and the ISC II Tournamentof Champions

Because of the above, we suggest that teams take the above into consideration in discussions with prospective players until everyone knows exactly what changes will be implemented. We are committed to making an announcement as quickly as possible.

Kyle Jamieson hired as pitching coach at University of Arkansas

Thanks to the anonymous reader that passed this article on. And congrats to KJ on the new job. Based on Kyle's play in the GOFL this year, maybe he could be their hitting coach too?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - University of Arkansas head softball coach Mike Larabee has announced the hiring of Kyle Jamieson to his staff. Jamieson spent the previous three seasons as the associate head coach at Syracuse University and will work with the Razorback pitching staff and catchers. John Sisemore has also been added to the staff as a volunteer assistant coach.

"I am extremely excited to have Kyle Jamieson on board as our pitching and catching coach," head coach Mike Larabee said. "Kyle is, without a doubt, one of the top pitching coaches in the nation. He is a great communicator, teacher and has a great track record as a college pitching coach. Kyle understands the importance of being able to master the rise, drop and change-up and how important it is to change planes. Also, one of Kyle's strengths is his ability to call a great game. He was also an outstanding pitcher in men's fastpitch and his ability to demonstrate what he teaches gives him instant credibility."

Regarded as one of the nation's premiere pitching coaches, Jamieson's coaching made an immediate impact during his initial season at Syracuse. Inheriting a staff with a 4.88 ERA from the season before, Jamieson guided his pitching staff to a 3.35 ERA during his first year. During his tenure, Jamieson cut Syracuse's team ERA in half as the staff finished the 2009 season with a 2.42 ERA.

Under Jamieson's watch, Syracuse pitcher Jenna Caira was named the 2009 Big East Rookie of the Year and a member of the all-conference third team. Caira finished her freshman season with a 16-11 record, 2.33 ERA and 192 strikeouts in 186.1 innings. She also posted 16 complete games, six shutouts, two no-hitters and held opponents to a .216 batting average.

Prior to his stint at Syracuse, Jamieson was an assistant coach at Bowling Green where the Falcons led the Mid-American Athletic Conference (MAC) in team ERA on three occasions. In his first two seasons at BGSU, Jamieson coached the MAC Tournament MVP and MAC Pitcher of the Year. In his final season, the 2006 MAC Pitcher of the Year came from the Bowling Green staff.

Also joining the Razorback softball staff, Sisemore enters the program with various coaching credentials and experiences. A former assistant at Farmington High School, Sisemore has also served as the coach of 12U and 14U traveling teams and as a hitting instructor for several levels of competition.

"Coach Sisemore will be involved with all areas of coaching in our program," Larabee said. "His passion and enthusiasm for the game of softball is tremendous. He is a student of the game and it was evident right from the get-go that he would be a great addition to our staff. His familiarity with the Northwest Arkansas area is also a huge bonus."

Sisemore, a recipient of the Northwest Arkansas Business Entrepreneur Award, is currently enrolled at the University of Arkansas where he is working toward a bachelor's of science degree in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science.

The Razorback softball team continues its fall season with a Sept. 26 doubleheader against Tulsa at Bogle Park. For more information, log on to ArkanasRazorbacks.com.

Blast from the past: KJ wins World Juniors in New Zealand

Kyle Jamieson was the premier midget-aged pitcher in the area back in the early 90s. Here is a story about him being part of the Team Canada winning squad at the ISF World Juniors in 1993.

Softball world knows K.J. now
Team Canada KOs Kiwi war call
Wayne Scanlan. The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ont.: Feb 25, 1993.

Nobody was out and the bases were loaded with obnoxious Kiwis when the call came for K.J. from Stittsville.

Ringing in Kyle Jamieson's ears was a Maori chant from a couple of thousand Auckland spectators, the second most menacing chant K.J. heard last Sunday. The scariest was from Team Kiwi before the world junior softball championship final even began -- an in-your-dugout Maori Haka , the pregame intimidation ritual that works better than Kate Smith.

Team Canada deflected the psych job with an impromptu huddle and chant of its own. But huddles weren't much help to Jamieson now, with the bases full, the crowd in his head, the defending champs' Nos. 4 and 5 hitters due up and Canada ahead 2-1 in the seventh inning of a scheduled seven-rounder.

"I was shaking, says K.J. "There weren't much legs in me then."

Kyle fanned the first batter and couldn't tell you how he recorded the second out. He does remember the No. 6 hitter delivering a bloop single on a grooved 3-2 pitch, scoring two. K.J. made him earn it, he wasn't about to walk in the tying run of a world championship.

When these teenagers from Sooke, B.C. to St. John's, Nfld. would stay up that entire night laughing and crying and singing O Canada until their voices surrendered and hotel patrons complained, they would talk about Rob Giesbrecht of Landmark, Man., headed for the hardball training camp of the Minnesota Twins after hitting .600 worth of softballs in Auckland; about Rob O'Brien of St. John's pitching 13 heroic innings on championship Sunday -- Canada beat Japan 3-2 that same afternoon to reach the final -- and they would talk about Kyle Jamieson controlling his rage to face another batter after the go-ahead run crossed the plate.

"I could barely grip the ball, I was so mad at myself", says Kyle.

He got enough of a grip to record a final strikeout and when he reached the dugout, he couldn't believe what he found there. Hope. The lead was lost but the damage was minimal. Canada had three outs left.

Three outs were enough to score the tying run in the bottom of the 7th. In the extra 8th, with Canada down to its last pitcher, big Kris Gillis worked a walk and then lumbered home on Shane Newson's triple that rolled all the way to the fence. Canucks 4, Kiwis 3. For the first time, the world junior title belonged to Canada.

Kyle Jamieson was the first to greet Gillis.

"It took so long, I thought he would never cross the plate", says Kyle. Nearly 15,000 kilometres from the Ottawa Valley leagues, K.J. and the rest of the Canadians danced around the bases in Auckland, waving their country's flag and singing the Canadian anthem they would soon wear out.

The first chance he could, K.J. phoned the Stittsville man who had coached him 10 of his 11 years of fastball. Ray Jamieson.

"Dad", screamed K.J., "we won the whole damn thing."

K.J. is back in Stittsville today and the marks barely show from two days of pinching himself. He's soft-spoken and polite, but the Popeye forearms suggest why no New Zealander pursued him during a round-robin brawl. And when it comes to baring arms, the hurler lists noticeably to the starboard side.

There's been an addition to his left ear that his mother, Lois, hopes is merely a championship fad -- a diamond-studded earring that all six Ontario-based players wore in solidarity. Emotions run high at these junior world gatherings, especially the golden ones. When Team Canada parted in Vancouver Monday, K.J. felt like he was saying goodbye to family. The family reunites at the Canada Summer Games in Kamloops, B.C.

Among the collectables laid out like treasures from the greatest three weeks of an 18-year-old's life, two Canada hats rest on the Jamieson's kitchen counter. Inscribed by teammates inside K.J.'s game hat is a message out of Bull Durham: "Give them the gas, Meat!"

The other Team Canada hat a boy carted halfway around the planet to give to his dad. Inside it reads: "Thanks for all your help and support over the years. You deserve this hat as much as I do. Love, Kyle."

Last July, after Ray Jamieson arranged for Kyle's midget 56er's to face senior players in Ottawa-Carleton, before K.J. wowed the coaches at a national tryout camp and before K.J. worked three days a week in an RCMP gym developing a drop pitch to go with a killer rise and fastball, Ray Jamieson made a prediction.

"This is the year, said Ray, "that the world is going to find out about you, Kyle.

Good call, Ray.

I wonder if K.J. still has the earring ;)

Stittsville News article

Stittsville News article posted online today re: the 56ers winning the GOFL crown.

We are the champions
October 26, 2009
BY John Curry
The Stittsville 56ers are champs.

The Stittsville entry in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League has grabbed the league’s playoff championship for the second consecutive year, capturing the 14C Consulting Trophy emblematic of this playoff title.

It wasn’t easy, though, as the 56ers went down to a fifth and deciding game in the playoff championship series against the Quyon Combat Flyers before emerging with the overall victory.

It happened on Tuesday, Oct. 6 when the Stittsville 56ers scored a 3-2 win over Quyon playing right at the Quyon fairgrounds to win the playoff championship. This deciding game was played right on the heels of the fourth game of the series which the 56ers won by a 6-0 score.

In the deciding game, Stittsville struck early, scoring two runs in the first inning thanks to a two run homer by Dan Jessiman, his third home run of the championship series. Darren Featherstone had single and was on base when Dan Jessiman blasted the ball out of the park.
The 56ers then scored another run in the second inning, going up 3-0. Scott Herriot slammed a double which drove in Dan Bradley.

Dan Bradley was the winning pitcher in this game for the 56ers.

Quyon came back to score a run in the third inning, cutting the Stittsville lead to 3-1. In the sixth inning, Quyon scored again, making it a 3-2 score. However, Stittsville hung on and chalked up a 3-2 win and the league’s playoff championship.

Game four of the series had started on Monday, Oct. 5 in Quyon. Rain had delayed the start of the game that night but it did get going, only to run into a rain delay. Play did eventually resume but then it was postponed as the rain returned, making the field unplayable. It was 0-0 in the third inning when the game was halted, to be continued the next evening, Tuesday, Oct. 6. When it did resume, Stittsville ended up striking for six runs and bringing about the fifth and deciding playoff game right after the completion of this game.

Darren Featherstone and Dan Jessiman both had home runs for Stittsville in this rain-delayed game while Dan Bradley hurled a complete game shutout.

This playoff championship victory completed a most successful season for the Stittsville 56ers in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League. In the 20 game regular season, the 56ers had 17 wins against only one loss and two ties.

In the playoffs, leading up to the championship series against Quyon, the 56ers defeated Greely DNTW Eagles in two straight games in the quarter-finals and then eliminated the Manotick Lomor Printers squad in three straight games in semi-final action.

Stittsville pitcher Dan Bradley was strong in the playoffs, chalking up six victories against only two losses.

In the playoffs, John Craig of Stittsville batted .615 while teammate Darren Featherstone had a .571 batting average. Ryan Bond of Stittsville had a .538 batting average in the playoffs while Scott Herriot batted at a .412 clip.

In the fan voting for 2009 all-stars in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League, a number of Stittsville players made either the first or second team. The fan voting was done through the league’s website.

Dan Bradley of Stittsville was voted as the all-star starting pitcher on the first team while Stittsville shortstop Scott Herriot was voted as the first team shortshop.

Making the second all-star team in this fan voting were four Stittsville players: catcher Dan Jessiman, first baseman Scott Jessiman, third baseman John Craig and outfielder Darren Featherstone.

Fall ball wrap up

from Ivan Taylor

After a successful regular season, the Fall Ball Playoffs were held this past weekend at Garneau Park in Orleans.

The format was 1 (Blue) vs 4 (Green) and 2 (Black) vs 3 (Red) for the 1 o'clock games and then the winners played for the "gold" and losers played for the "bronze" in the 3 o'clock games.

Convenors Derek Martin and Jeremy Grimes who are hoping to expand to six teams next year.

FALL BALL 2 FINAL STANDINGS - REGULAR SEASON

Blue 5-3 = 10
Black 4-3-1 = 9
Red 4-3-1 = 9
Green 1-5-2 = 4

Playoff results

Red Team led by Chad Hargrove with a one hitter won the first semi-final game 3-0 win over the Black Team. Joel Langford hit a solo homerun in the first inning and Chad Hargrove hit a homerun off the top of the fence with Joel Langford aboard later in the game. Hargrove had a perfect game going into the sixth inning before he gave finally up a walk. Black Team stranded two runners in the sixth and three runners in the seventh. Nick Bowman took the loss for Black Team with relief from Kevin Wilson.

Green Team beat Blue Team 6-4 in the other semi-final. Will Lowe got the win for Green Team and Derek Bergeron took the loss in relief of Justin Sabourin for the Blue Team.

Red Team won 2-1 over Green Team to take a well-played Championship Game. Chad Hargrove again pitched the complete game win for Red Team and Will Lowe pitched in a losing effort for Green Team.

Black Team beat Blue Team 9-7 to take third place. Kevin Wilson got the win with relief from Nick Bowman. Derek Martin took the loss for Blue Team with relief from a number of players on Blue Team including Andrew Bruce, Justin Sabourin and Derek Bergeron.

Derek Martin won the homerun derby while his 16 year-old brother Josh Martin was runner-up.

Team Rosters

Red: Jeremy Grimes
Chad Hargrove-P
Jon Grimes-P
Andy Dunn-P
Brian Friesen
Joel Langford
Jordan Adams
Scott Adams
Ryan Magladry
Scott Toonders
Tyler Nuttall
Derek Dumont

Green: Ryan Naylor
Jason Naylor-P
Will Lowe-P
Derek Barber-P
Devan Coburn
Brendan Spears
Kevin Spears
Dan Feldberg
Paul Toonders
Travis Valois
Corey Valois
Mike Kupjetz
Martin Desjardin

Blue: Derek Martin
Derick Bulley-P
Derek Bergeron-P
Justin Sabourin-P
Kevin Shonfield
Josh Martin
Andrew Bruce
Tyler Borris
Marcel Mondoux
Kevin Ayott
Tony Pugleise
Dan Gallant

Black: Dan Frayne
Nick Bowman-P
Kevin Wilson-P
Ivan Taylor-P
Alex Fysh
Joe Pross
Justin Mcrae
Pat Tardif
Phil Humniek
Matt Vllineuve

Softball Canada Homerun Sports Umpire of the Year Award

Press release from Softball Ontario / Al's Fastball

Softball Ontario congratulates Richard Coleman for receiving the 2009 Softball Canada HomeRun Sports Umpire of the Year.

The Softball Canada HomeRun Sports Umpire of the Year Award is awarded annually to a Softball Canada Umpire that best exemplifies the characteristics of good sportsmanship, involved in the Umpire development, a positive Umpire role model and an educator and evaluator. This individual must not only have the above characteristics but truly show a love for the game of Softball and betterment of umpires from the local level to across Canada.

Dick Coleman started umpiring in 1988 and has taken on a number of roles in various capacities every year since then. Prior to becoming Softball Ontario’s Fast Pitch Umpire-in-Chief for Zone 10 and Softball Ontario’s Slo-Pitch Umpire-in-Chief for Zone 8, in 2004, Dick was the Umpire-in-Chief for the very active Orleans Amateur Softball Ontario Association (OAFA). Dick still holds this position to date. The Orleans fastball community hosts two or more provincials tournaments a year and Dick has been involved in almost every event, either as a working umpire or as the Umpire-in-Chief.

Dick was instrumental in the 90’s for lobbying with the OAFA to establish equitable pay rates for OAFA umpires and the scheduler. Furthermore, he drafted a Code of Conduct for the guidance of the OAFA umpires and provided a pre-season exam and rules review meeting to promote better appreciation and understanding for the rules of the game.

Mr. Coleman has officiated at numerous Provincial Championships and Eliminations Tournaments, both in Fast Pitch and Slo-Pitch, too many to list by year and category. As much as Dick enjoys being on the diamond, he equally enjoysbeing an Softball Ontario Umpire Instructor and Softball Ontario Umpire Evaluator, Dick provides honest constructor feedback and in a very positive atmosphere with the intent to help umpires learn and grow.

Though Dick has many strengths, he is best known for his interest indeveloping they young (and new) official.

In summary, Mr. Coleman is not one to shy away from responsibilities. He has served as a local UIC, Zone DUIC, Zone UIC and a Director within the Eastern Ontario Umpire Association. Dick was recognized by in 2003 by his peers and bestowed the honour of Softball Ontario’s Zone Umpire-in-Chief of the Year. In the same year, Dick was inducted into Softball Canada’s Indicator Club for his contributions to the softball community.

In 2008, Dick was awarded the Softball Ontario Slo-Pitch Jim Bradford Memorial for achievements in Umpire Education and Mentoring for the province of Ontario. Softball Ontario Umpire number #2096 approaches each tasked with a commitment and pride. Dick is more interested in the development of other officials and Softball Ontario than his own personal gain.

In his conduct, dedication and presentation, he is a great role model for new and experienced umpires alike. Mostly recently, Dick has contributed as a member of Softball Ontario’s Active 2010 “Respect My Game” task force. This program is geared to reducing abusive situations in the game of Softball through awareness and education.

One of Mr. Coleman’s greatest accomplishments is that he is umpiring with his grandson Ayden in Orleans, ON. Dick feels that he needs to pass “the torch” onto those below him in the ranks and has turned down appointments to Canadian Championships as he thought others were more deserving.

As you can see Dick lifestyle always includes Softball (Fast Pitch and Slo-Pitch). Dick strives to treat players, coaches and fellow Umpires fairly and he is very consistent when dealing with all parties on the diamond. Dick loves the game of Softball and does his utmost to ensure that the game is played and officiated fairly. His dedication to Softball Ontario and Softball Canada Program has ensured the game of softball is alive and well in eastern Ontario.

Please join Softball Ontario in congratulating Dick for his excellence in the game of Softball and receiving the 2009 Softball Canada’s HomeRun Sports Umpire of theYear.

For more information about the Softball Canada HomeRun Sports Umpire of the Year, please visit Softball Canada’s webpage at www.softball.ca or for information on the Softball Ontario Umpire Program visit www.softballontario.ca.

Last Weekend of Regular Season for Ottawa U Fastpitch Team

from Scott Searle

The end of the regular season has come for the University of Ottawa Fastpitch team.

On Saturday, the Gee-Gees faced the University of Toronto Blues, with Jillian Taylor pitching 9 strike-outs. After scoring 5 runs within the first three innings, the Gee-Gees started another rally with Vanessa Homiak hitting a double, followed by a triple from Jenna Flannigan and singles from Laura Skiperis and Mallory Watson to close up a 7-1 game.

The second game was tight, with the Gee-Gees holding a 2-0 advantage until the 7th inning, when the Blues came to tie it. The Gee-Gees were unable to score another run on an international tie breaker before the Blues in an extra-inning, leaving the score of the second game 3-2 for the Blues.

On Sunday, the Gee-Gees played against the University of Guelph Gryphons at Pierre Rocque Park in Orleans. The Gryphons were ahead with 1-0 until Mallory Watson hit a single, bringing two runs for the Gee-Gees in the fifth inning. The small lead was not enough, as the Gryphons scored two runs in the 7th inning.

The next game, the Gee-Gees sought to reclaim their victory during the second game, but only Jenna Flannigan was able to score as she stole home base in the fourth inning. The Gee-Gees lost 8-1, but looks to capture the gold medal at the annual OIWFA Championships in London, Ontario this weekend.

www.geegeesfastball.ca

Team Canada Cornwall wins silver in Australia at Masters Games

from Jason Woodside

Unfortunately, Cornwall couldn't keep up their hitting momentum in the Gold medal game against the strong hitting New Zealand team and lost the game 7-0. In this game, the Cornwall pitching staff gave up their first home run of the tournament in the first inning as NZ got on the scoresheet early and never looked back.

So, Cornwall brings home the Silver medals.

Team Canada Cornwall in Gold medal game at Masters' Games in Australia

from Jason Woodside

Cornwall finished in 3rd position after the round robin. The playoff format was #1 (Krushers - New Zealand) vs #2 (Rollyview - Alberta) and #3 (Team Canada - Cornwall) vs #4 (Animals - Australia).

Krushers beat Rollyview to go straight to gold medal game scheduled for 9AM Sunday. Cornwall beat Animals 8-1.

Cornwall then played Rollyview with the loser taking the bronze and the winner moving on to the gold medal game. Cornwall beat Rollyview 7-0, with Jason Smith throwing a 1-hitter.

So, Cornwall will be playing New Zealand in the Gold medal final.

Team Canada Cornwall Masters team

from Jason Woodside

Just wanted to send an update for the team from Cornwall that is participating in the 2009 World Masters in Sydney, Australia. Team is playing in 35+ Competitive division.

After 8 games in 4 days, team is sitting with 6-2 record. (only losses were on day 1, we're blaming jet lag). Four more preliminary round games to go, 2 on Thurs and 2 on Friday (note: I received this on Wednesday, but it went into my SPAM folder so I missed it until now).

We're using a Facebook page to post scores for friends and family back home: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/2009-World-Masters-Games-Team-Canada-Cornwall-Fastball/177292199828?ref=ts

The team roster:
Mike Crawford
Sam Forbes
Thorin Gault
Tom Hutchingame
Bryan Lamarche
Dan Loney
Frank Marceau
Jim Martell
Steve McGillis
Brian O'Neill
Pat Quinn
Graeme Simpson
Jason Smith
Jason Woodside

Scores:
Game 1: Krushers (New Zealand) 6 - Cornwall 1
Game 2: Tweed Phantoms (Aus) 5 - Cornwall 1
Game 3: Cornwall 8 - Animals (Aus) 3
Game 4: Cornwall 7 - Midwest Masters (Aus) 0
Game 5: Cornwall 7 - Melbourne Warriors (Aus) 0
Game 6: Cornwall 16 - NAMSA Nites (Aus) 1
Game 7: Cornwall 13 - Rebels (Aus) 1
Game 8: Cornwall 7 - Giants Sydney (Aus) 5

Further update from Facebook: We finished in 3rd place and won our semi final game Saturday morning 8 to 1 against the The Australian Animals. This puts us in the medal round. We play at 5pm tonight to qualify for the finals. We are guaranteed a bronze medal, but are aiming for gold!

Blast from the Past - Carp Valley Pride

I can remember back in the early 90s when the Carp Valley Pride had their Senior team - it was a pretty big deal to watch these guys play. There were some large crowds that went to the fairgrounds to watch the challenge matches.

Playing for Pride: New Zealanders' play speaks volumes on the diamond;
Don Campbell - The Ottawa Citizen - May 9, 1990

Eric Wilson and Ross Wallace figured the tough part about playing in Carp this summer would be facing opposing pitchers and hitters.

These two New Zealand imports for the first edition of the Carp Valley Pride didn't expect problems with the language after moving from the predominantly English-speaking Hutt Valley back home to the Ottawa Valley.

At least not until the pair taught at a softball clinic for West Carleton six- and seven-year-olds last week. "Ross and I were telling the kids how to hold the bat, how to grip the ball, stuff like that," related Wilson, the pitching expert. "At the end of it, we asked the kids if they had any questions.

"One stood up and said: 'Do you guys always talk like that? We couldn't understand a word you said.' "

Fortunately for Wilson and Wallace -- or Big Ross Wallace as he is referred to in team press releases -- they have no such trouble getting their point across on the diamond.

The pair are touted as what the Pride, a team combining forces of the former Turpin Pontiacs and Stittsville Canadians, need to win an International Softball Congress world title.

That quest begins when Eastern Ontario's only senior softball team open a series of cash challenges at the Carp Fairgrounds against Bernwood Contractors and continues Saturday against Thetford Mines with a 2 p.m. doubleheader.

"That kind of pressure on you is tough," said Wilson, who pitched for ISC champions in 1985 and '86 in Seattle. "We haven't started so we don't know a whole lot about our chances.

"But I talked with a friend from back home who plays in Waterloo (Ontario). He felt this would be a great team when the two teams combined forces."

Since it's winter in New Zealand when it's summer here and vice versa, the Carp pair are just two of maybe 100 fellow countrymen who opt for North America summers and softball.

All of them have little idea what an off-season is. The season back home ended in late March and they have to be back for October to get ready for the 1990-91 campaign.

All are in high demand. One, they're willing. Two, it broadens the player pool wherever they go. It's not like a Carp stealing Manotick's best two players in order to make one super team as opposed to two better-than-average clubs.

Wallace and Wilson were recruited by Carp Valley teammate Donnie Cox, whose work with Mitel took him to New Zealand for the winter.

"They had other offers. What we got was one of the top hitters in the New Zealand league and one of their top pitchers," said Cox.

"Really it's a good way to see the world," said Wilson, who figures he makes 100 pitching appearances over a 12-month period. "You don't put too many dollars away doing it. But then it's not costing you anything really to see other parts of the world."

Back home, Wallace led the Hutt Valley (near Wellington) League in home runs with 27 and batted .396. Wilson, meanwhile, fashioned a 1.96 ERA and teams with Kingston's Michael Finn for what could be the best right-left pitching combo in the province.

"The New Zealanders improve at twice the rate of our guys," said Valley Pride president Jim Taylor. "We have high expectations and feel fortunate to have them.

"I'm hoping before they go back, we can come up with some kind of agreement that will ensure them back next year, too."

Ross Wallace ended up staying here and is currently married to a local girl, Sandra Lathem - her brother Geoff and dad Warren look after the diamonds in Carp.

GOFL All-Star teams 2009

Congratulations to the players voted to the 2009 All-Star teams for the Greater Ottawa Fastball League, as elected by the team representatives.

Click on the link for each player to view their stats at the GOFL.ca website.


First Team:


Pitcher: Dan Bradley, Stittsville 56ers
Catcher: Joe McCleary, Quyon COMBAT Flyers
1st Base: Anil Hayne, Greely DNTW Eagles
2nd Base: Joel Langford, Orleans Gators (unanimous)
3rd Base: Nick Armitage, Quyon COMBAT Flyers
Shortstop: Scott Herriot, Stittsville 56ers
Designated Player: Will Mood, Ottawa Blitz
Outfielders: Dan Jessiman, Stittsville 56ers (unanimous); Don Cox, Manotick Lomor Printers; Darren Featherstone, Stittsville 56ers


Second Team:

Pitcher: Drew Hathway, Quyon COMBAT Flyers
Catcher: Dave Tubman, Ottawa Team Easton
1st Base: Derick Bulley, Ottawa Blitz; Scott Jessiman, Stittsville 56ers (tie)
2nd Base: Andrew Bruce, Ottawa Blitz
3rd Base: Kyle Gourgon, Ottawa Team Easton; John Craig, Stittsville 56ers (tie)
Shortstop: Kevin McGuire, Carp I4C Victory
Designated Player: Kyle Jamieson, Stittsville 56ers
Outfielders: Calvin Medynski, Manotick Lomor Printers; Cory Morrison, Ottawa Team Easton; Ryan Bond, Stittsville 56ers

Fastball memorabilia

from Dave Birnie, Masters softball guru

Looking for a good home for 2 rare / hard to find items.

One is a framed event poster ( 24 x 16 ) from the 1975 Canadian Softball Championships held in Oshawa, Ontario. The other is a framed poster/photo ( 28 x 18 ) of the 1995 World & Canadian Champions, the Toronto Gators. The photo was taken moments after the Gators won the 1995 ISC World Championship in Sioux City IA.

These 2 items would look good in a Hall of Fame or as part of someone's fastball/ softball memorabilia collection.

These items might have a greater sentimental value to someone other then me. If you are interested in either of these items send me an e-mail with a short note stating why you are interested in the item.

If there is more then one person interested in an item I will select the person who I think has the best reason for wanting the item. If you are interested let me know by November 30th at the latest. If you are selected you will need to make arrangements to pick up your item from me in Stoney Creek, Ontario.

Click the following link to view these 2 items.
http://www.eteamz.com/omf/index.cfm?subsite=1069572#news4764843