A couple favours to ask....

Two things:

1) I haven't exactly been hustling up the funds on this, but I do have a pretty good 'stache on the go. (Caveman quote from the other morning: "Daddy, the su-man-chu is lookin' good, Daddy!")

If you haven't donated to anyone yet for Movember and would like to, I'd appreciate any donation. Here is my site.

2) I know these, uh...acquaintances of mine....that go to the Vanier Cup every year. It's the Canadian University Football championship. This year it is in Quebec City, so that guarantees a good time. Anyway these, uh....guys I know.....they have this kinda stupid fan website on Facebook and they are looking for "likes". Feel free to click the thumbs up on their site to help them get over 25 likes so they can get a customized URL before they leave on Friday.

from Softball Canada

"Felicitations" to Mathieu Roy who will do an excellent job representing softball. He's definitely one of the best players in the nation and we are fortunate in our area to see him at a few tournaments every year.

Softball Athlete Mathieu Roy Named to CIBC Team Next

(Ottawa, ON) Softball Canada is pleased to announce Mathieu Roy (St. Gervais, QC) has been selected to represent the sport of softball on CIBC Team Next.

Mathieu Roy is one of the 67 amateur athletes from across Canada who will receive from CIBC $15,000 in funding over three years as well as invaluable life skills and sport mentorship from eight of our nation’s finest high performance athletes.

The CIBC Team Next mentors include: Josh Cassidy, Mark de Jonge, Stephanie Dixon, Kara Lang, Kyle Shewfelt, Mary Spencer, Bruny Surin and Simon Whitfield.

Roy first represented Canada at the international level as a member of Canada’s Junior Men’s National Team that won bronze at the 2005 International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Men’s World Championship and has been involved with the Men’s National Team program since 2011. He was a key member of Canada’s Gold medal team at the 2012 Pan American Championship and most recently competed at the 2013 ISF Men’s World Championship held in New Zealand, where Canada finished fifth.

The CIBC Team Next athletes were unveiled in a special ceremony on Monday, November 18 amid much fanfare at Ryerson University’s Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto. CIBC Chief Operating Officer Richard Nesbitt, the Honourable Bal Gosal, Canada’s Minister of State (Sport) and the Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport for the Government of Ontario were on hand for the event, along with pre-event entertainment from PACHI, the official mascot of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, and freestyle soccer demonstrations.

CIBC is the Lead Partner of the 2015 Games and recently joined the Canadian Paralympic Committee as a Premier Partner. CIBC designed the CIBC Team Next program in partnership with AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, and the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario to create a lasting sports legacy in Canada. To be considered for the program, the athletes had to be nominated by their national sport organizations.

The CIBC Team Next program provides:

• $15,000 in funding over three years;
• Annual workshops and advice on personal finances, post-secondary and career planning, sport leadership skills, media training and public speaking;
• Exclusive access to the CIBC Team Next idea sharing forum;
• Community support and networking opportunities through the local CIBC branches and employees in their home community; and,
• Preferred CIBC products and services.

Why 67?

CIBC wanted to honour the year of Canada’s birth, 1867, which is also the same year that the bank was founded.

Each of the 51 sports and disciplines in the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games are being represented.

For the official press release please click here.

For further information:

Media contact: Caroline Van Hasselt, Director, External Communications and Media Relations, 416-784-6699, or caroline.vanhasselt@cibc.com.

Softball Canada to add Masters Canadians in 2014

Softball Canada is looking at adding a special Masters Division to help celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the Sr Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship in Charlottetown, PEI from August 28 - 31, 2014.

The following will be proposed at the upcoming Softball Canada Annual General Meeting in Yellowknife, NWT.

2014 Masters Canadian Fast Pitch Championship

Charlottetown, PEI

Aug 28-31, 2014

Age:  40 plus or turning 40 in 2014 – 1974 or earlier birth date, no exceptions

Eligibility:  Players have to be registered with their home province,  Provincial/Territorial Associations to sign off on roster. No imports

Format: Teams will play a minimum of 4 round robin games plus playoffs

·         Championship game to be played Sunday prior to Sr Men’s Gold Medal game

·         Softball Canada special operating rules will govern play

·         Games will commence Thursday

Prizes:  Gold, silver and bronze medals;  Championship plaque / trophy

For more information contact Mike Branchaud at mbranchaud@softball.ca or 613-523-3386 x3103

Jim Bradford - Neil Cane invitational fastball tournament

The Jim Bradford - Neil Cane invitational fastball tournament will be held June 6-8, 2014 in Cobourg, ON.

There are two 8-team tournaments - one with "Major" open level, another for Masters / Intermediate B/C and Junior teams.

Entry fee is $450. 4-game guarantee.

For more information or to enter, contact:
Steve Bedard
sjbgolf (at) hotmail.com
905-885-0821 

Toronto Gators announce their 2014 lineup

The Toronto Gators, back for ISC play in 2014, have announced their line up via Al's Fastball and it includes area fastballer Joel Langford. Check out the full lineup here.

Mini Elvis

For your amusement, Caveman as Elvis.

Softball Ontario seeks applicants fro CANpitch program

SOFTBALL ONTARIO SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR CANPITCH PROGRAM Toronto, ON- Softball Ontario's CANpitch Committee has a great opportunity for those of you with a passion for pitching and the desire to help young pitchers develop their skills.  The CANpitch Committee is currently recruiting for the following positions within our program:

• Master Pitching Instructor (2) Positions- 1 representing the Men"s fast pitch game of Softball and 1 representing the Women's fast pitch game of Softball)
• Regional Pitching Instructor(s) (Open)

The primary role of the Master Pitching Instructor is to train, evaluate, support and mentor the Regional Pitching Instructor(s) within Ontario. In addition, shall play a key role in assisting Softball Canada with the design of the CANpitch national pitching program.

The primary role of the Regional Pitching Instructor is to be the pitching expert in their region in Ontario and to be responsible for delivery of the six-week training session for both players and coaches. The Regional Pitching Instructor will also support and mentor pitching coaches within their region in Ontario. They shall play a key role in assisting Softball Ontario with the delivery and implementation of the CANpitch program.  Softball Ontario currently has seventeen (17) Regional Pitching Instructors, and is looking to expand our reach even further and ensure that CANpitch Clinics will be available in all regions of Ontario.

If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, please view the job descriptions below or online (Regional Pitching Instructor / Master Pitching Instructor) and send your softball pitching resume and cover letter by fax to 416-426-7368 or email to ssutton@softballontario.ca by November 22, 2013 by 4:30 pm.

Alternatively, if you know someone who would be an ideal candidate for one of the available positions, please pass along this email.

REGIONAL PITCHING INSTRUCTOR

The primary role of Softball Ontario’s Regional Pitching Instructor (RPI) is to be the pitching expert in their host location within Ontario. Regional Pitching Instructors will receive instruction and support from Softball Ontario’s two Master Pitching Instructors (MPIs) through mentoring and professional development opportunities. Regional Pitching Instructors will deliver the CANpitch Program throughout Ontario.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must complete a Softball Ontario Volunteer Application form
• Must sign a Confidential Agreement
•  Must have a Vulnerable Sector Screening complete and receive approval from Softball Ontario’s Screening Task Force

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Commit to a minimum of two (2) years to the program
• Deliver at least one 6-week training session to participants at the grassroots level (ages 6-12)
• Submit a Police Records Check to Softball Ontario prior to working with participants
• Attend a bi-annual training session hosted by Softball Ontario
• Communicate on a regular basis with MPI and Softball Ontario about CANpitch
• Provide feedback about the Program in regards to format, content and delivery
• Provide recommendations for revisions to Softball Canada through Softball Ontario and the MPIs
• Assist Softball Ontario and MPIs in writing an annual report for Softball Canada providing data about the program and summarizing the feedback from participants, parents and coaches regarding CANpitch
• Promote CANpitch to local softball associations in their area

Experience in pitching a requirement; coaching experience is an asset.

Each Regional Pitching Instructor will be compensated for their time at a reasonable hourly rate. Expenses such as meals, mileage and accommodations, if necessary, will also be covered at both the Regional Pitching Instructor training sessions and regular 6-week training session that they will be delivering.

Those who are interested in becoming a Softball Ontario Regional Fast Pitch Pitching Instructor please send in a letter of interest along with a letter outlining your fast pitch pitching experience to ssutton@softballontario.ca or fax (416) 426-7368 by November 22, 2013 by 4:30 pm.

Regional Pitching Instructor Training is tentatively scheduled for January 2014.

MASTER PITCHING INSTRUCTOR

The Master Pitching Instructor is responsible to both Softball Canada and Softball Ontario. The primary role of the Master Pitching Instructor (MPI) is to work with Softball Ontario and train, evaluate, support and mentor the Regional Pitching Instructor(s) (RPI) within Ontario. In addition, the MPI shall play a key role in assisting Softball Canada with the design and implementation of the national pitching program and to provide feedback about the program. T

Qualifications to become Softball Ontario Master Pitching Instructor include:

•  Must complete a Softball Ontario Volunteer Application form
•  Must sign a Confidential Agreement
• Must have a Vulnerable Sector Screening complete and receive approval from Softball Ontario’s Screening Task Force

The ideal candidate should have the following qualities:

• Demonstrated a commitment to pitching instruction
• Have strong communication skills
• Have strong leadership ability
• Be a positive role model
• Experience in pitching a requirement; coaching experience is an asset.

The Master Pitching Instructor Duties and Responsibilities include (but not limited to):

• To be accountable and responsible to both Softball Canada and Softball Ontario.
• Attend all national meetings and conference calls held by Softball Canada regarding the CANpitch Program.
• To help organize and deliver training sessions for the Regional Pitching Instructors in collaboration with Softball Ontario.
• Agree to submit a Police Records Check to Softball Ontario prior to attending any training sessions with athletes.
• To train, evaluate and mentor Regional Pitching Instructors according to Softball Canada’s guidelines.
• Act as a liaison between Softball Canada and Softball Ontario by enduring communication with the Softball Ontario office in regards to any Softball Canada meeting.
• This may require the MPI to prepare a report to give Softball Ontario
• To communicate regularly with the RPIs and Softball Ontario.
• Host RPI Training and/or professional development session when needed or scheduled by the Softball Ontario office.
• To perhaps be responsible for delivery of training sessions for players and coaches, if necessary.
• To assist in developing resource material for the CANpitch program.
• To assist Softball Ontario in writing an annual report for Softball Canada providing data about the program and summarizing the feedback from players, coaches, fellow Master Pitching Instructor, and all Regional Pitching Instructors regarding the CANpitch program.
• To annually evaluate the CANpitch program in regards to format, content and delivery and provide recommendations for revisions to Softball Canada.

Those who are interested in becoming a Softball Ontario Master Pitching Instructor please send in a letter of interest along with a letter outlining your fast pitch pitching experience to ssutton@softballontario.ca or fax (416) 426-7368 by November 22, 2013 by 4:30 pm.

Softball Ontario seeks a chairman for CanPITCH Committee

SOFTBALL ONTARIO SEEKS A CHAIRMAN FOR ITS CANpitch COMMITTEE!
TORONTO, ONTARIO – Softball Ontario is now accepting applications for the position of Softball Ontario CANpitch Committee Chairman.  The successful candidate will take a leadership role in Softball Ontario’s CANpitch Program.  CANpitch is a national pitching program created to provide a standardized curriculum based on Softball’s Long Term Player Development framework.  This program introduces the skill of windmill pitching to children and youth.

To help Softball Ontario in making this program a success, we are looking for a Chairman who will take on the task of attending and governing all Pitching Committee meetings and overseeing operations in conjunction with committee members and the Softball Ontario’s Technical Program Coordinator to ensure assigned tasks are completed by their deadlines. Knowledge and experience in windmill pitching is a requirement.
Highlights of the Qualifications and Responsibilities of the Softball Ontario Pitching Chairman include:

Qualifications:

• Good communication and administrative skills
• Must sign Softball Ontario’s Confidentiality Agreement
• Must Complete a Softball Ontario Volunteer Application
• Must be approved by the Softball Ontario Board of Directors

Responsibilities:

• Minimum of 2 years commitment to the program
• Schedule, establish an agenda and chair committee meetings
• Delegate duties as required to committee members and follow up on the completion of these duties
• Communicate closely with the Master Pitching Instructors, Softball Ontario Technical Program Coordinator and Board of Directors
• Determine Softball Ontario’s Pitching Program budget (with assistance of committee members)
• Submit reports to, and attend the Board of Directors’ semi-annual meetings
• Assist in writing an annual report for Softball Canada providing data about the program and summarizing the feedback from players, coaches, Master Pitching Instructors and Regional Pitching Instructors regarding the CANpitch Program
• Assign Regional Master/Regional Pitching Instructors to scheduled CANpitch sessions in conjunction the Softball Ontario Technical Program Coordinator

Click here  for a copy of Softball Ontario’s CANpitch Committee Chairman.

How to Apply
All interested candidates are asked to apply in writing, expressing their interest in a cover letter along with a detailed resume outlining your softball, pitching and coaching background and qualifications for this position. Applications should be received by the Softball Ontario office no later than November 22 , 2013 at 4:30 pm.
Softball Ontario is confident that this cutting edge program will be a huge success and will produce future pitching stars of tomorrow.

Email your resume to Steph Sutton at ssutton@softballontario.ca or fax it to (416) 426- 7368, for consideration.