Eastern Ontario Fastball Blog

A blog dedicated to news about the Greater Ottawa Fastball League and other happenings in the world of fastball / fastpitch softball in eastern Ontario and western Quebec, with occasional stories featuring Mrs Fitzroy Fastball, Fitzroy Fastball Junior and the Caveman. If you have info to send on, send me an email at fastball[at]fitzroyharbour.com. Follow @fitzroyfastball on Twitter.

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Thursday, September 06, 2012

Story about the ISC Legends in Cornwall paper

Legends of the game By Tony Muma, Cornwall Standard Freeholder

Brian O’Neill and Jim Martell, both from Cornwall, are savouring their most recent fastball conquest but have their aspirations set even bigger and better next season.

Both O’Neill and Martell —who play in the Cornwall District Men’s Fastball League — helped the Cobourg Force Legends win it all at the 2012 International Softball Congress Legends (ISC) Men’s 50-plus fastpitch tournament in Midland, Michigan.

The ISC’s featured teams competing in under-21, over 21 and 50-plus age categories from Argentina, The Czech Republic, Colombia, Venezuela and all over the US.

“It was very high-level baseball,” said O’Neill.

“It was a world-class tournament, it was amazing,” added Martell.

Martell was a utility player on first base while O’Neill played centrefield.

Martell was even fortunate enough to score the game-winning run in the semifinals.

Both O’Neill and Martell fondly recalled details from the semifinal game against the Ohio Battery.

The game went a full nine innings and there was redemption involved.

“Ohio had beaten us last year in the worlds, they had two of the best pitchers in the world,” O’Neill said.

“It was a great game. Those guys went head to head with our pitcher, Darren Zack. It was just great baseball.”

Martell scored what would eventually become the winning run when all was said and done, as the Force Legends walked away with a 2-0 win and moved on to the final. Martell even cracked his expensive new aluminum bat at the handle in the process. [Note: I am thinking if it is aluminum it probably isn't that new!]

The championship game pitted the Force Legends against a California-based team and was a back and forth affair, according to both men.

”The championship game went seven innings,” O’Neill said.

”We eventually won 3-2 but we didn’t come back in that game until the seventh inning. It was just real good ball,” Martell added.

While winning was sweet, the men have their sights set on participating in the World Masters Games — an international multi-sport event not unlike the Olympics but for athletes that are age 35 and over.

Since the Masters Games and ISC will be held at the same time, the men said their choice is tough but obvious.

”There’s all sports represented there, from 35-year-old baseball players to 80-year-old javelin throwers,” O’Neill said.

”It’s advertised as the largest sporting event in the world, bar none,” Martell added.

O’Neill and Martell hope to field a squad for the Masters Games that includes six players from Cornwall and six from Toronto, including standout players Darren Zack and Wayne Wells.

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