Team Ontario Canada Games 2017 Men's U21 Coaches announced

Congratulations to the men appointed to coach Team Ontario at the 2017 Canada Games. The names will likely be familiar to players and fans in our area, especially Ottawa resident and uOttawa women's team coach, (and blog reader) Scott Searle.

The OASA has appointed the coaching staff for Team Ontario which will compete in the 2017 U21 Male Softball competition at the Canada Games in Winnipeg. Player evaluations will begin this summer. The coaching staff is comprised of:

George Ryder - Head Coach

George is currently an assistant coach for the Softball Canada Junior Men’s Team competing in Whitehorse this summer. As head coach of the Jarvis Junior Men’s Fastball Team his team won the Softball Canada Junior Men’s Championship in 2002 and 2003. In 2009 and 2013 George served as an assistant coach with the OASA Team Ontario and captured the gold medal each year.

Doug Charlton - Assistant Coach

Doug is the current Master Pitching Instructor for CanPitch with Softball Ontario He was an assistant coach with the OASA Team Ontario that won the gold medal in 2013 at the North American Championship. Doug was a senior men’s pitcher successfully pitching throughout North America in major tournaments.

Scott Searle - Assistant Coach

Scott is currently the chairman of the Softball Ontario Coaching Committee. He is an assistant coach with the Scarborough Force Senior Men’s Fastball Team, the 2013 OASA Senior Men’s Champions and the Softball Canada Senior Men’s Silver Medalist. Scott is currently in the final phase of achieving his NCCP Level 4 certification.

Mike Crawford - Assistant Coach

In 2013 Mike was a pitcher with the Toronto Gators when they won the gold medal at the World Masters’ Championships. Mike has been a tremendous international senior men’s pitcher throughout his career, starting in 1990 when his team won Softball Canada Senior Men’s Championships with the Owen Sound Tiremen and later with the Toronto Gators. Mike represented Canada at the 1993 and 2003 Pan American Championships.

Submitted by:

Gary Wren

OASA Team Ontario Chair

7th Annual Gil Read Memorial Tournament

I am looking forward once again to "The Gil" this summer. Over the last six events it has become the premier men's fastball tournament in eastern Ontario and it improves every year. Here is the info on this year's event, from organizing committee member Al Read.


7th Annual Gil Read Memorial Tournament 

The 7th Annual Gil Read Memorial Men’s Fastpitch tournament will be held once again at the Carp Fair Grounds in Carp, Ontario the weekend of July 25th, 26th and 27th, 2014.

The first 12 teams will be accepted with entry fee set at $450. This is an Open class tournament without restriction.

Prize money will be handed out as follows (Based on a 12 team format):

• 1st Place $1,800.00
• 2nd Place $700.00
• 3rd place tie - $250 each 

Last year’s winners were the Lake Simcoe Lightning.

Fantastic beer garden with the best burgers around, all in support of the Gil Read Memorial Foundation.

Contact Info
Al Read
aread@solowaywright.com
wk 613-782-3204
hm 613-435-3199

GOFL annual meeting

The Greater Ottawa Fastball League held its annual meeting back on February 5th. Here is what was discussed:

Attendees:

Adam Brown (WC Electric)

Tony Macdonald (Kanata)

John Craig (Stittsville)

Dan Bradley (Stittsville)

Adam Fleming (I4C Victory)

Kevin McGuire (I4C Victory)

Cory Morrison (Kars)

Ted Mecalfe (EOUA)

Dave Norris (EOUA)

Unable to attend:

Shawn Laframboise (Quyon)

Derick Bulley (Blitz)

Umpires:

• Ted and Dave will share Umpire in Chief duties for the league. George Findley remains as scheduler.
• Rules were reviewed (see below on special league rules). No changes from Softball Canada.
• Letter of Understanding to be signed by each team. Rates remain the same, $46 per man per game for doubleheaders, $52 per man per game for singles. May 1st 50% of regular season fees due, June 15th balance of regular season fees, July 15th Playoff Deposit. Cheques payable to Eastern Ontario Umpires Association.
• For weather cancellations, George needs to be contacted by no later than 5:30pm. This is the home team’s call.
• Adam to correspond with George to “close off” the accounting for 2013 season.
• Micksburg will continue to schedule their own umpires through the Upper Valley.

Teams and nights:

• WC Electric: Fitzroy Harbour - Tuesdays, potentially a Friday or two
• Stittsville 56ers: Stittsville on Wednesday
• Kars Aces: Manotick on Wednesday 
• Blitz: Manotick on Wednesday **BLITZ HAVE WITHDRAWN**
• I4C Victory: looking at moving diamonds. (Now confirmed as Manotick on Wednesdays)
• Kanata Pirates: replacing Barrhaven ‘franchise’; looking at diamond time in Kanata area on Thursdays. TMac to confirm.
• Micksburg Twins: Micksburg – fairly flexible on nights.
• Quyon Flyers: Quyon on Thursdays. 

Scheduling:

• Adam has volunteered again to create the schedule. Teams were asked to forward any special scheduling requests to Adam.
• Some doubleheaders will be scheduled whenever practical.
• Micksburg offered to host a ‘showcase day’ on a Saturday with multiple teams. Date to be determined by Jamey.
• Regular season will start the second week of May, with the regular season schedule running for 13 - 14 weeks. Rainout make ups and playoffs to follow.
• Teams will play each team three times (21 games if 8 team league, 18 games if 7 team league).
• Playoff format continues:
• If seven teams, 1st place team to be awarded bye to final weekend showdown. Team may decline the bye, and it would go to the next team down the standings and could be waived down to the next team, etc. Playoff series: best of five, 2nd vs. 7th, 3rd vs. 6th, 4th vs. 5th. To be completed during August.
• If eight teams, 1st vs 8th, 2nd vs 7th, 3rd vs 6th, 4th vs 5th, best of five.
• Final Weekend Showdown: four team double knockout tournament, with top seed playing lowest seed in one of the first round games. Two games on Friday September 12, remainder of the tournament on Saturday September 13. Sunday September 14and/or the following weekend will be the rain date. Stittsville will host the FWS.

Operations:

• Each team will continue submit a line up card at the plate meeting to the umpire & their opponent.
• Game cancellation: as per before if a team needs to cancel a game (for any reason other than weather), 24 hours notice should be given to the opposing team’s representative. If a visiting team fails to show up with enough players or cancels too late to notify the umpires, then the visiting team will pay for the officials’ fees. If diamond fees are going to be charged to the home team, the offending team will have to pay for the make up diamond rental fee.
• Rain shortened games: for games to count in the standings for regular season four (or three and half) innings are completed. Games not "official" will need to be replayed at a later date. For playoffs, same as before, the game will resume at a later date from the point at which the game was delayed.
• Game stories can be sent as soon as possible to Adam so the fitzroyfastball blog can be updated. Report should at a minimum include the score, the winning and losing pitcher and any home runs hit.
• For the regular season, each team is responsible for their own expenses, including by not limited to diamond fees, umpire costs, balls, etc. (see exceptions below re: playoffs).
• Regular season tie-breaking: 1) points (2 for a win, 1 for a tie) 2) wins 3) head-to-head 4) run differential in head to head 5) coin flip
• Playoff extra innings: if a playoff game is tied, the ‘international rule’ shall being in the 8th inning.
• To be eligible for playoffs, a player must have participated in six league games for his team. In addition, if this player wants to pitch in the playoffs, he must have thrown 18 innings during the regular season. To have this rule waived due to injury or other reasons, the requesting team can ask for a vote of the other team captains to allow playoff participation.
• The cost sharing formula for playoffs will continue. For the playoffs series, if there are an odd number of games (3 or 5), teams shall split umpiring and diamond costs for the final game.
• For the FWS, all teams shall share equally in the umpiring costs; the host team will pay for the diamonds and retain all profits from such things as Pepsi sales; each team will supply one new ball for each FWS game.
• Playoff winner fund: $500 with 7 teams or $600 with 8 teams to the FWS winner and $200 to the FWS finalist. The I4C Trophy will be awarded to the playoff champion.
• Jamey will look into ordering softballs through his contact and advise.
• Flem will look into obtaining insurance coverage through the OASA for all interested teams (with help from Rosey).

League special rules:

• “8 man rule”: in order to continue to ensure minimal defaults, teams will be permitted to start games with 8 players. There will be no “auto-out”. If the ninth player shows up late (or a lucky fan is found), then the team can insert this player in the ninth position in the line-up. However, if a team has only 9 players and one is ejected, the team will then forfeit the game. If a team has 9 players, and there is an injury and the player cannot continue, the team may still play with 8, but then the auto-out will apply.
• “Mercy rule”: will continue as 7 after 5.
• “2 out catcher rule”: optional.
• “Discipline”: Same as previous years: first ejection player at a minimum receives a “yellow card” - next ejection automatically results in one game suspension, minimum. Each ejection will result in an umpire’s report and a team’s report. Suspension could be given for any ejection depending on severity. In the past few years this has not been a problem with the GOFL and hopefully that will continue.
• “Bat rule”: The GOFL will continue with the ISF / ISC bat rule. Any bat with the ISF stamp or ASA 2004 or 2008 stamp would be legal. As per Ted, the 2013 stamp is for slow pitch only.
• "Injury substitution" rule: If a team has used all substitutes on the bench, and a player in the lineup cannot continue due to injury, one of the previously substituted players can return to the game in his place, even if he is not "re-entering" as per the rules. This applies in an injury situation only.
• Other Softball Canada rules apply.
• There are no restrictions on team rosters (any player, junior, senior, etc. can play). Once a player participates in the league for one team, he cannot play for another team that season.

Teams from eastern Ontario to enter ISC Worlds in 2014

With the ISC World Tournament in Kitchener in August 2014, there may be two area teams represented at the "worlds" from eastern Ontario.

While several area players have participated in the ISC Worlds in recent years, no area-based club team has entered since the Quyon Flyers in 2011 in Quad Cities who finished 22nd.

More to follow with details with this year's entries as they are released.

The thrill of (Caveman) victory and the agony of a bad haircut

It's been a while since we checked in on the life of the Caveman and Fitzroy Junior, so here goes:

Winner, winner, chicken dinner
This past weekend, the Caveman contributed his team to victory in the Novice B House League final game, to earn them the championship banner. It was a long way from the team he was on last year that didn't win a single league game and he never scored a single goal. It's fun to watch the young kids develop their skills - and it certainly was exciting to see the Caveman score two, including one on a breakway, in the final. With hockey just about over (one last tournament to go), it's now on to hopefully similar success on the softball diamond.

Nice salad
Last week, the Caveman was at the receiving end of an extremely bad haircut from a discount chain, and was told by his older sibling Fitzroy Junior: "It looks like you are wearing a hair toupee." Cruel, but accurate.

Cutting out the middleman
Recently the Caveman and Fitzroy Junior were discussing what they would do if they had a magic crayon. (Apparently, it's a 'thing' in the Minecraft online game.) Fitzroy Junior said he would use the magic crayon to draw a bunch of money, so he could buy some tasty food. Caveman, much more pragmatic said "Why wouldn't you just draw the food?" Good idea to cut out the middleman!

Valentine's Day
Last month at Valentine's Day, the kids in Caveman's grade three class exchanged cards. One little girl, who he is adamant is NOT his girlfriend, gave the Caveman a card that read "Thanks for making peeps smiel! (sic)." I guess he makes "peeps smiel" at school as well as his family and blog readers.

CANPitch clinics make a big difference

West Carleton minor softball is currently holding our third consecutive CANpitch clinic for youngsters interested in learning how to pitch softball. Our first session was this past Thursday in Carp.

We are hosting this through Softball Ontario and this year, for 20 spots, we had 33 kids ask to sign up. Great interest for an excellent program. Those of you involved in minor softball, who have not in the past, should consider working with Softball Ontario to get a clinic in your area. It's made a big difference for many of our players, giving them the mechanics on how to pitch properly and the confidence to throw strikes.

The first year we decided to host, organizers in West Carleton were worried that we wouldn't get enough interest. We did get enough "takers" and held a session in 2012. A couple of years later, other parents/players have seen the improvements made to those that have taken the training, and now we have a waiting list.

We have some great instructors in eastern Ontario that can instruct. To get involved with hosting a Softball Ontario CANpitch clinic, contact Softball Ontario.

Some young unidentified hooligan practices his CANpitch technique. Photo credit: Jamey Mick

West Carleton minor softball sign up on Saturday March 22

Saturday March 22 is "in-person" sign up day for minor softball in West Carleton. Registration is taking place from 10am to noon at the following community centres:

Fitzroy Harbour Community Centre
Constance & Buckham's Bay Community Centre
Kinburn Community Centre
Huntley (Carp) Community Centre
Dunrobin Community Centre

Get your boys or girls ages 5 to 18 signed up to play! More info at www.wcminorsoftball.ca.

Harbour Ball registration open

The Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League (aka 'Harbour Ball') is a recreational men's fastball league in the rural west end of Ottawa.

The league expanded to 10 teams last year and plays on Wednesday and Thursday nights at the Fitzroy Harbour diamonds.

It's a fun league where interesting things sometimes happen.

To sign up, call or text Brendan at 613-229-6838. (We just got the Internet recently in Fitzroy so we don't have a website for the league yet.)

Trend Arlington Men's Fastball League Registration

The Trend-Arlington Fastball League in Nepean is looking for players for the 2014 season. The long-standing league had four teams last season and plays on Monday and Wednesday nights.

To learn more about the league and to find out how to register, visit www.tafastball.ca.

Glen Cairn Men's Fastball League registration still open

GCMFL REGISTER NOW ONLINE -> registration.gcmfl.com

The Glen Cairn Men's Fastball League will be holding 2 in-person registration dates at Don Cherry's in Kanata as follows:

• Friday Mar 21st from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
• Sunday March 30th (check www.GCMFL.com) for times 

2014 Fees
New Player: $150
Return Player (previously played in the GCMFL): $175

Protected Player Deadline
Players must be registered by March 31st, 2014 to be eligible to be protected.

Captain's Meeting and Player Draft
Captains meeting and player draft is Sunday April 6th, 2014 at Don Cherry's.

Season Start
The first games of the season will take place on Monday May 5th, 2014 (pending field conditions).

Game nights are Monday through Wednesday at the A.Y. Jackson High School diamond on Abbeyhill Rd. in the Glen Cairn neighbourhood of Kanata. 

Playoff start in late August.

Tournament
The league tournament will take place on June 20-22, 2014 at the Carp diamonds.

See you on the diamond!

REGISTER NOW ONLINE -> registration.gcmfl.com

Williamsburg 11th Annual Tournament - May 23-25

from Lyle Schell

Williamsburg, ON
11th Annual "Casey at Bat" Fastball Tournament. We have had a great run over the past decade.

This year's information:
May 23,24,25. 2014

$400.00 entry
1st place- $1000
2nd place- $600
Loser of semis - $200

Prize money is based on 8 teams.

No restriction on players, unlimited defense.

Chicken BBQ Saturday, followed by a live band Saturday evening.

Refreshment gardens open ALL weekend.

Cheques made payable to:
Williamsburg Fastball
4303 Pinkus Dr
PO box 122
Williamsburg On
K0C 2H0

Lyle Schell
613-857-3707
613-535-9949

Info on last year's tourney.

Elkland Open teams finalized

The Elkland Open Tournament, first held in 2013, will feature 12 top level teams in the 2014 version, to be held July 18-20.

As per Al's Fastball, the teams participating will be:


Hill United Chiefs
NY Gremlins
PA Power
Hallman Twins
Scarborough Force
Bloomington Stix
Circle Tap
NY Swashbucklers
The Bar Buzz
Toronto Gators
Chicago NY
Elkland Thunderbellies


Great to see that some of the top players in the world will get a chance to experience the top flight facilities in Elkland, PA...and maybe the Moose too.

Blitz folding

Unfortunately, the Manotick Blitz have announced that they are folding. In existence for 12 years and members of the Greater Ottawa Fastball League since 2006, the team was experiencing some player issues and made the difficult decision to cease operations.

With the folding of the "Blitzos", the GOFL is back to seven teams: Quyon Flyers, Fitzroy Harbour West Carleton Electric, Stittsville 56ers, I4C Victory, Kars Aces, Micksburg Twins and the newly re-branded Kanata Pirates.

Minor Softball Registration time

Local minor softball organizations are in the process of ramping up for the 2014 season. See below for a list of local organizations offering fastpitch softball for kids. Many of these have in person registration days in the next few weeks and/or online registration.

If I have missed any, let me know.

West Carleton Minor Softball Association (home of Fitzroy Junior and the Caveman!)
Stittsville Minor Softball Association
Richmond / Munster Minor Softball Association
Orleans Amateur Fastball Association
Upper Ottawa Valley Minor Softball
McNab / Braeside Minor Ball (Facebook page)
Athens Minor Softball
Augusta Minor Softball
Barrhaven Children's Softball
Gloucester South Youth Softball Association
Kenmore Softball Association
Rideau Osgoode Minor Softball Association
Greely Softball Association
Vars Softball
Cornwall Kinsmen Minor Girls Recreational Softball

Also check out the listing on the Softball Ontario site for our zone.

North American Softball Tournament Directory

Announcing Launch of North American Softball Tournament Directory

from Liam Dwyer

"mySoftballTournament", a new Softball Tournament Directory was launched online earlier this year. 

This site was designed to bring tournament organizers and players / coaches together.   It offers tools necessary to easily create and promote a softball tournament.   As well it facilitates an easy method for softball coaches and teams to find tournaments that match their team, and instantly view the complete details of the tournament. 

Creating and posting tournaments is free and easy.  Enter the complete details of the tournament, including location, age groups, divisions, and a rich-text additional details box.  With a couple of clicks your tournament is instantly available to thousands of viewers.  It can also be easily shared on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Google+) with the click of a button. 

Finding a tournament is just as easy.  Searches can be performed by location, division, gender and age group.   Once you find a tournament, you can easily find all the details including a Google Maps location of the ball park.

Complete details available at: https://www.mysoftballtournament.com

Blitz seek players

The Manotick Blitz of the Greater Ottawa Fastball League are looking for position players for the 2014 season. If you are interested in playing in eastern Ontario's best men's fastpitch softball league, contact Derick at dbulley@hotmail.com.