Elkland tournament information

Tournament details for the three events to be held in Elkland, PA are now available.

2015 9th Annual Molly Sherman Memorial Tournament
Dates – May 23-24
Entry Fee - $300
Team Limit: 14 teams
3 game guarantee
Payouts – 1st – $1,000, 2nd – $500, 3rd - $150, 4th - $150
ESA Pitching List and ESA Prawn/Player Restriction (4 per Team) in effect

2015 22nd Annual Elkland First Weekend Tournament
Dates – Aug 28-30
Entry Fee - $300
Team Limit: 16 teams
Double Elimination
Payouts – 1st – $1,000, 2nd – $500, 3rd - $300
ESA Pitching List and ESA Prawn/Player Restriction (4 per Team) in effect

2015 63rd Annual Elkland Labor Day Tournament – The Durk Sherman Classic
Dates – Sept 4-7
Entry Fee - $300
Team Limit: 24 teams
3 game guarantee
Payouts – 1st – $2,450, 2nd – $1,100, 3rd - $500, 4th - $300, 5th - $75, 6th - $75
2 ISC 2016 World Tournament bids available. 1 for US East, 1 for Canada East

Blackburn Men's Fastball League registration dates set

The 2015 BMFL registration will be held at the Blackburn Arms on Monday, March 2, 2015 and Thursday, March 5, 2015 from 7 pm to 9 pm. The registration fees have been set at $250, however there is an early bird registration fee of $230. In order to be eligible for the early bird registration fee of $230, Nick Bowman, Derek Bergeron, Mike Brownhill or Matt Bowman must have received full payment by March 5, 2015 at 9 pm. Those of you who are unable to make the registration dates can mail a cheque or send an e-mail money transfer to Matt Bowman. Should you be interested in paying by e-mail money transfer, please contact Matt (matthew.bowman03@gmail.com) and CC (Nick_Bowman22@hotmail.com) for further instructions. If you do choose to send an EMT please set the password as BMFL2015.

GOFL star is a two-sport athlete

In the summer, he's a GOFL all star outfielder. In the winter, he's a featured goaltender in the Stittsville Town League.  See below for a clip from this week's Stittsville News.

GOFL adds team, changes playoff format

At the annual Greater Ottawa Fastball League winter meeting on Thursday night, the Ottawa Valley As were accepted unanimously as the eighth league team for the 2015 season. Ottawa Valley will primarily play home games in Carp, with some possible dates as well in McNab and Pakenham.

The As join the existing seven teams from the 2014 season: Fitzroy Harbour West Carleton Electric, Quyon Flyers, Micksburg Twins, Stittsville 56ers, Kanata Pirates (playing out of Carp), I4C Victory and Kars Aces  (both playing out of Manotick).

Each team will play an 18 game season, followed by a new playoff format, with series play leading to a champion, replacing the Final Weekend Showdown tournament format used since 2011.

GOFL regular season play starts the week of May 11.

The Greater Ottawa Fastball League is the premier league for men’s fastpitch softball in eastern Ontario and western Quebec.

Softball Ontario Performance Centre - this weekend in Napanee

from Scott Searle

Two of the best players in Canadian history will be working at the Softball Ontario Performance Centre in Napanee this weekend (February 28 & March 1).  Athletes will get an opportunity to work with Jen Yee and Dave Hoffman.

If you are a coach or athlete in Eastern Ontario, this is a great chance to see two of Canada's best teach. They will both be leading sessions on hitting and will be available for autographs and pictures after.

To register, visit Registration - Softball Ontario.

Dave has over 30 years of playing experience and won the ISC World Championships in 1993 with the Toronto Gators. He also won the 1995 Pan-American Games with Team Canada and led Team Ontario to two Gold Medals at the Canada Summer Games.

Jen is one of the most feared hitters in the world and led Canada with a .348 Batting Average at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijng. Yee will be representing Team Canada this summer at the Pan-Am Games in Toronto.

This is an opportunity not to be missed for Eastern Ontario.

Broker4Tickets offering discount for Sens vs Sabres, March 6

A special discount for blog readers from Broker4Tickets:

Broker4Tickets are offering a great group deal for the Ottawa Senators Friday night game – March 6^th vs. the Buffalo Sabres.  

We are hoping to get some groups out for this game and if you use the promo code Buffalo10 you will get $10.00 off each ticket so your all in price will be $25.00 per ticket, all taxes and fees included if you buy four or more tickets.  The website price is $35 per ticket for the 300 level seats.  We also have a few 100 Level seats available as well and you will also receive $10 off each ticket in the 100 level.

To purchase your tickets click here Buffalo at Ottawa – March 6^th

Once again the promo code is Buffalo10, feel free to pass this along to anyone who may be interested in this great deal!

Please have a look at our exciting new YouTube video , we would like to hear your feedback and comments!

Softball Ontario Performance Centre accepting registrations

You can now sign up for the last 2 weekends at the Softball Performance Centre!

 

As part of Softball’s Long Term Player Development, Softball Ontario (PWSA, OASA and ORSA) will continue to offer the Softball Performance Centre Program in 2014/2015 offering continuous all-inclusive training to U14, U16 and U18 (new category) female and male softball players at three (3) Softball Performance Centres across Ontario.
 
What is a Softball Performance Centre?
Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centres will provide a clear training pathway to the sport's high performance system of skill development as delivered by:

•  Team Ontario Coaching Staff (Male and Female)
• Selected Developmental Team Ontario Pool Coaching Staff
• Strength and Conditioning Experts
• Nutritionists
• Sport Psychologists
• Video Analysis- Dartfish Specialists
• CANpitch Regional Pitching Instructors

What is new at the Softball Performance Centre?

• More hands on time with Softball Performance Centre Staff- Head Coaches and Developmental Coach/athlete ratio 8-1
• Increase your exposure time to the Coaching Staff of Team Ontario which can only increase your recommendation for Team Ontario invites
• Invitations to selected athletes to one of Team Ontario Softball Performance Centre Camp (Female and Male)
• New Sport Science Experts include: Athletic Therapists, Performance Recovery Experts
• New to the Softball Performance Centre Staff: High Performance Athletes (Female/Male) from Team Canada/Team Ontario

What are the dates of the Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centres?

The Softball Ontario Performance Centres will offer continuous training on two (2) weekends:

February 28-March 1, 2015- 3^th weekend
March 7-8 2015 – 4^th weekend 

Where are the locations of Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centres?

St Thomas, ON – Click here to register if you are interested in attending this Softball Performance Centre

GTA, ON- Click here to register if you are interested in attending this Softball Performance Centre

Napanee, ON- Click here to register if you are interested in attending this Softball Performance Centre

How much does it cost to attend a Softball Ontario's Softball Performance Centre?
 

$164.62 including HST for 2 weekends (2 days each weekend)

 

 Who can attend the Softball Performance Centre?
 

U14 female/male softball players (born in 2000 or 2001)

U16 female/male softball players (born in 1998 or 1999)

U18 female/male softball players (born in 1996 or 1997)

  
 How does the Softball Ontario Softball Performance Centres work?

Each Softball Performance Centre will welcome softball players to have an assessment of their current softball performance skills and overall fitness testing scores according to Team Canada’s Softball National standards.  This provides an opportunity for softball players to learn new fundamentals skills, refine their current skill set (hitting, throwing, catching, and fielding).  Also, Softball Performance Athletes will be introduced to all the technical, tactical, mental and physical/fitness components of the game over 2 weekends.

What are softball players provided while at the Softball Performance Centre?
 

• A Player Evaluation identifying their strengths and areas of their game which requires improvement based on the benchmarks for an athlete at their given age (U14, U16 or U18)
• Softball Performance Centre T-shirt
• U14 or U16 or U18 Players Guide
• Dartfish Video
• Snacks will be provided both days (Saturday and Sunday)

If you have any questions about Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centres, please contact Steph Sutton via email ssutton@softballontario.ca or by phone 416-426-7150.

Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centres are supported by the Ontario Government.

Axemen to host a tournament in Kingston - UPDATED

The Kingston Axemen Men's fastball team is hosting a tournament on June 5-7 in Kingston.

Entry fee is $425. Looking for a minimum of eight teams.

Contact: Brad (brad.macdonald99@yahoo.ca) or Daryl (dmd1960@gmail.com).

Details as per Al's Fastball:

DATE: JUNE 5-7

LOCATION: KEELEY RD BALL PARK, 15 MIN NORTH OF KINGSTON, ON

3 GAME GUARANTEE, BASED ON 8 TEAM TOURNAMENT, 2 DIV OF 4 TEAMS, 1^ST PLACE TEAM EARNS A BYE TO THE SEMI FINAL GAME.

ENTRY FEE: $425 CA

PLEASE MAKE CHEQUE PAYABLE TO KINGSTON AXEMEN – MAIL TO : DARYL MACDONALD, 618 LITTLE CREEK RD, NAPANEE, ON. K7R3K8 OR SEND ETRANSFER TO : dmd1960@gmail.com

PRIZE $ AS FOLLOWS:

$50/WIN IN ROUND ROBIN, $50 FOR 1^ST PLACE IN DIVISION, $50 FOR QTR FINAL WINNERS, $200 FOR SEMI FINAL WINNERS, $250 TO FINALIST AND $600 TO CHAMPION.

WE ARE GATHERING HOTEL INFORMATION AND WILL BE RELEASED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

CONTACTS: BRAD MACDONALD email: brad.macdonald99@yahoo.ca Cell: 613-583-2128

               DARYL MACDONALD email: dmd1960@gmail.com Cell: 613-483-8087

Sioux City Ghosts fastball from Iowa - 1930s/40s history

Check out this site for an interesting story about a team of black guys that were a barnstorming fastball team from Iowa in the 1930s and 40s.

(Hat tip to the @FastballNews Twitter account.)

Softball Great Britain seeks players for Men's National team

Great Britain Men's Fastpitch National Team is looking for players for the International Softball Federation event in 2015.

If you have a UK passport or parents born in the UK and interested in playing for GB at the ISF Men's Worlds this summer email norman.ames@gielissen.nl or sfullan@ntlworld.com.

Players wanted: Fitzroy Young Gunz women's team seeking players

The Fitzroy Young Gunz of the Canada's Capital Women's Fastball League is seeking players for the 2015 season.

They play twice a week, with home games in Fitzroy Harbour.

If you are interested in playing in the top women's fastpitch league in the Ottawa area, please contact Margaret at 613-447-6108 or through the league Facebook page.

Pickering Men's League fastball tournament

Pickering Men's Fastball Tournament - Friday June 19th and Saturday June 20th. Each team will have one game Friday night and two games Saturday, with the top 4 teams advancing to the semis at 6 pm and the finals at 8 pm.

Entry fee is $350 per team.

Looking for up to 16 teams.

For more information, contact Dave Northern:
dave.northern1@gmail.com
905-706-7873 cell
905-420-0628 home

Tournament in Fort Washington, Maryland on July 4/5

Check out Al's Fastball for info on the 10th Annual Rick Holley Classice in Fort Washington, Maryland on July 4-5. Entry is $500 and champions payout of $3000.

New Look to the Softball Ontario Website

TORONTO - Softball Ontario is proud to announce that the new website is now available. The goal is to ensure that information can be accessed easily and efficiently by the user.

New features include program menus, which give the site organization, links to Softball and sport related links. All forms and resources are placed in the headings across the top to make it easier to find and finally on our homepage, a slideshow that highlights upcoming events and news to keep everyone up to date.

The website features all programs that Softball Ontario has to offer which include but are not limited to: Umpires, House League Services, Coaching and Scorekeeping. Clinic and event information is available under each program page.

Softball Ontario has joined in the similarity of web site layout to Softball Canada and Softball Saskatchewan. Softball Ontario encourages you to visit the website and give any feedback.

Click here to visit the new website: softballontario.ca

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the respective Program Co-ordinator or email info@softballontario.ca.

George Findley to umpire at 2015 ISF Tournament in Saskatoon

Congratulations to Greater Ottawa Fastball League umpire George Findley on being named to the list of umpires for the 2015 International Softball Federation Men's fastpitch tournament in Saskatoon this summer, as per the announcement today.

George is one of three Canadian officials named to the crew. Also named are Serge Laflamme from Quebec City who has worked some tournaments in the past in the Ottawa area and Terry Richter from Alberta.

Olean, NY tournament announced

At the Elkland Labour Day tournament last year, "Web" Williams was promoting a new tournament to be hosted in Olean, NY - about 1.5 hr south of Buffalo. Details have now been posted on Al's Fastball as per below:

015 APPLEBEE’S - OLEAN FASTPITCH TOURNAMENT

FORNESS PARK                    OLEAN, NY 14702

JUNE 13/14

$350 ENTRY FEE

Payout -  1^st - $1000, 2^nd - $600, 3^rd/4^th - $200

(payout is contingent on the number of teams that are entered)

THE ELKLAND PITCHING LIST WILL BE ENFORCED FOR THE TOURNAMENT – NO OPEN/MAJOR PITCHING

YOU ARE ALLOWED 3 PRAWN POSITION PLAYERS PER TEAM

CALL TERRY “WEB” WILLIAMS FOR INFORMATION 716-790-1268 OR email john.dry@parks.ny.gov

Possible tournament in Kingston?

from Al's Fastball

The Kingston Axemen are considering hosting a men's fastpitch tournament in early June (likely the June 5,6,7 weekend) due to the lack of early tournaments before the ISC qualifier in June. We would be looking for minimum 8 teams. If any teams are interested please contact Brad (brad.macdonald99@hotmail.ca) or daryl (dmd1960@gmail.com). Tournament details to follow if enough teams express an interest. Entry fee $425. Payouts TBD.

 

Fastball in the news

Some recent news items about fastball. I "tweeted" these out from @fitzroyfastball, but if you aren't on Twitter, here is some info you might be interested in:

Australians living the Canadian winter and loving it (Summerside Journal-Pioneer)

 

Quick to make a mark - Nathan Nukunuku (E-Tangata - New Zealand)

Fastpitch World Media  (Facebook)

This site features interviews with men's fastball's top players. Recently featured guys include Mathieu Roy, Tyron Bartorillo, Brandon Horn and Brad Ezekiel. 

Jim Bradford - Neil Cane Invitational Tournament in Cobourg June 12-14

The Jim Bradford / Neil Cane Invitation Tournament will be held at the Cobourg Legion Fields on June 12 - 14.

Organizers are looking for 8 intermediate men's teams and 8 masters men's teams. No information is currently available for entry fee or prize money - for more information, contact Scott Tuttle at scotttuttle9944@hotmail.com or 905-396-4181.

UPDATE: So more info now available on Al's Fastball.

Caveman's report card

Regular blog readers likely know I have two sons - Fitzroy Junior is my eldest at 12 and the Caveman just turned 10. 

When most of my friends in fastball see me and talk about the non-fastball stories on this blog, they usually refer to the Caveman stories and how much they enjoy them. (And I really appreciate the feedback.)

It's not that I love the Caveman any more than Fitzroy Junior. It's just that while Fitzroy Junior is an easy-going kid, intelligent, well-adjusted, and a pleasure to be around, he's not as unintentionally humorous as his younger brother. Few people are, really.

Just a way of comparison, they both recently scored goals for their house league hockey teams. When Fitzroy Junior scored for his peewee team, he gave a quick arm pump, high-fived his line mates and lined up at centre ice.  When the Caveman scored for his atom team recently, there was a diving "celly". Then as he was skating back to centre ice with some music was playing over the public address system, he began a butt-wiggling dance on the left wing with his back to the crowd, perfectly timed to the beat, cracking up every single parent in the stands. (Who all of course look at me at the same time, and I just shrug and say "He gets that from his mother.")

It's not that he's hamming it up for those in attendance - that's just how he acts all day every day, the perfect combination of natural funniness and a naïveté / lack of self-conciousness that allows him to do what he feels without being embarrassed.  

All these stories in the blog about the Caveman are true. I am not creative enough to make them up. Sure, sometimes the scenarios are "edited" a bit for publication, but they are true stories. 

I share the Caveman stories verbally with family, co-workers and "non-softball" friends. Quite frequently the responses are "Man, what a kid. You should be writing this stuff down." Which of course, I am on this blog.

And of course, the Caveman is not really aware that I have effectively been documenting his childhood online for these last six years since this first story about him turned out to be so popular.. He has asked me a few times when he comes to the ball diamond with me during season "How do all these guys know me, Daddy?"  I am not sure how he'll react when he finds out sometime in the future the extent to which I have been writing and sharing this stuff on the Inter-web.

Anyway, the Caveman is a not just a source of laughs. He's actually a really good student (as is his brother). So, in fairness to me spilling the beans on the all the crazy stuff he's done and said since 2009, I am going to give him some proper recognition based on his recent Grade 4 report card that came home this week. Actual quotes, with his real name replaced with "Caveman", below:

[Caveman] is having a wonderful year. He continues to shine in all areas of the curriculum. He is an excellent role model to his peers, as he continues to go above and beyond with all his work.....[Caveman's] focus and participation is exemplary of a student both engrossed in his learning and ready for success. [Caveman] has an outgoing personality and is well liked by all his classmates. He is always looking for ways to help his teacher and classmates. 

Can't say I ever had report card comments like that.

8th Annual Gil Read Memorial Tournament

The 8th 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 17th, 18th and 19th, 2015.

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

Based on 12 teams, prize money will be awarded as follows:

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

Last year’s winners were the Micksburg Twins (2014 summary here).

Fantastic beer garden with the best burgers around, and good crowds on hand, all in support of the Gil Read Memorial Foundation.

To register your team please contact:

Adam Brown
fastball{at}fitzroyharbour.com
613-623-8867 (home)
613-720-3575 (cell: text or call)

or

Cory Morrison
cmorrison{at}printersplus.net
613-614-7349 (cell: text or call)

Past champions of the Gil Read Memorial:

2014 Micksburg Twins
2013 Lake Simcoe Lightning
2012 Toronto Gators
2011 Quebec Seniors
2010 Quyon Flyers
2009 Ottawa Team Easton
2008 Ottawa Easton Thunder

Kingston Axemen to compete in the Men's Senior circuit

The Kingston Axemen will be competing on the Senior circuit this summer. As per Twitter, the Napanee Express men's senior team will be no more, and Kingston Axemen will be the new team, looking to play in ISC Worlds this August.

Jim Bradford / Neil Cane Tournament in Cobourg shut down - UPDATE: It's back on

The Jim Bradford / Neil Cane Tournament in Cobourg, an event attended by several different teams from eastern Ontario over the past 24 years will not be held this year, as per this posting on Al's Fastball by organizer Steve Bedard.

UPDATE: It's back on - Cobourg minor ball is going to run it on June 12-14, as per Al's Fastball.