Local Men's Fastball leagues round up for the upcoming season (Updated again)

A brief round up of men's fastball leagues in eastern Ontario for the upcoming season.

Greater Ottawa Fastball League will have seven teams returning from last year, plus an eighth affiliated team from Kemptville playing a single game against each of the regular members.

Blackburn Men's Fastball League in the east end of Ottawa will have eight teams returning this season, and are still looking for a few more players.

Glen Cairn Men's Fastball League, which plays in Kanata in the west-end of Ottawa, has nine teams again this season. The Kars Juniors are no longer in the league, but the Osgoode U19 Midgets have joined. The Glen's tourney is slated for June 8-10 in Carp.

Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League will once again have eight teams competing in "Harbour Ball". The Fitzroy tournament is pegged as June 22-24 in Fitzroy Harbour.

Carp Men's Fastball League continues with four teams, playing on Tuesday nights at the Carp Fairgrounds.

Shawville Men's Fastpitch League has expanded from four to five teams and has all teams sponsored this year. This West Quebec league will host their second tournament since the league was revived, with this year's edition planned for September 14-16.

North Leeds Men's Fastball League south of Ottawa has added a team in North Augusta and expanded from seven to eight teams.

Ashton Men's Fastball League will continue with four teams and play Thursday nights.

Micksburg Men's Fastball League was started up last season with four teams and it appears will continue again this year with the same number.

Bancroft Men's Fastball League re-formed last year after many years of being dormant. They had four teams in 2017 and hopefully will again this season. They were also talking about hosting a tournament with a date to be determined.

UPDATE #2: Kingston Men's Fastball League which was a merger of the old KMFL and Loughborough League is back this season after last year's success. Last year they had ten teams in two divisions. This season they will have an eight team league.

UPDATE #1: New Edinburgh Men's Fastball League at Stanley Park in downtown Ottawa, which is admittedly a bit of a mystery, had four teams last season. This season they are down to three teams, but will continue with league play on Wednesday nights.

There is also an "oldtimers" men's fastball league in the South Grenville area - anybody have any info on that league?

There is an eight team league in the southern suburbs of Ottawa, Barrhaven Men's Fastpitch Association that's been around since 2000. However, they use an orthodox pitching rule (i.e. no windmill) - not sure if we really should call them a fastball league or not.

Did I miss any local men's fastball leagues in the summary above? If so, let me and the blog readers know at fastball[at]fitzroyharbour.com.

Season preview for "The Glen"

from Eric Colvin

The Glen Cairn Men's Fastball League (GCMFL) or better known as "The Glen" returns for yet another season of fastball with nine teams for 2018. Established in 1971 and one of Ottawa's longest running sports leagues with games held at A.Y Jackson High School in Kanata. The GCMFL is proud to offer a full regular season schedule, mid-season tournament and playoffs to all of its members.

We are excited to support and mentor the next generation of fastball in our community by welcoming another youth fastball team to our league. Following in the footsteps of the Stittsville 56'ers Midgets and the Kars Midgets/Junior Aces, this year we welcome the Rideau-Osgoode Midgets.

North Leeds league adds a team

from Terry McCann
The North Leeds Men's Fastball League has added a team this season and will feature eight squads.

The league plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a 14 game schedule starting May 24 and ending July 26, followed by playoffs.

North Augusta is the new team, joining returning teams from Athens, Greenbush, Lyn, Seeley's Bay, Westport and two teams from Eastons Corners.

Shawville League expands to five teams

The Shawville Men's Fastball League has expanded from four to five teams this season after conducting their player draft last night.

The West Quebec league plans on playing Tuesdays, with some Friday night games. They also plan on hosting another tournament after last year's successful event.

Death of Gayla Weatherall

Gayla Weatherall from Constance Bay has died today after suffering a heart attack earlier this week.

West Carleton Softball, the West Carleton Outdoor Hockey League and the Constance & Buckham's Bay Community Association have lost a great volunteer. Condolences to her husband Brent (Chico) and her son Jaxon.

Blackburn League seeks players

The Blackburn Men’s Fastball League is looking for players 18+. All skill levels and positions required. Each team plays 1-2 games per week at the Blackburn Arena Diamond. 21 game regular season with a minimum of 2 playoff games.

Interested players are encouraged to contact Derek Bergeron for any questions: Bergeronderek[@]gmail.com

Softball Coaching course coming to Stittsville

Stittsville Minor Softball Association will be offering the Softball Ontario "Competition - Introduction" coaching course. This course is open to all coaches interested, and is held over two weekends.

Weekend 1 -  9am to 5pm on Saturday April 21st and Sunday April 22nd, at the Goulbourn Recreation complex
Weekend 2 -  9am to 5pm on Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th , at the Goulbourn Recreation complex

GRC address is 1500 Shea Road, Stittsville ON K2S 0B2

Weekend 1  - $285.00
Weekend 2  - $170.00

The Costs includes the Softball Ontario Coach Fee, Classroom & Gym rental and lunch.

Reminder. Once you have completed the weekends, you can apply to the “Quest for Gold” program, which is funding to support coaches who have completed these workshops.

Visit - http://coachesontario.ca/qfg/ for more information to get reimbursement for the program.

To register

http://www.stittsvillesoftball.org/site/

- Click Register On Line at the top of the page.
- If you are already a member with the SMSA, log into your account.
– If you are not a member of the SMSA, you will need to create an account.
- click “register to Play/Participate
- choose the registrant – Register Now
- Click Weekend 1 coaching Certification clinic.

For more information, contact Al Read at aread@solowaywright.com.

John Dry named to USA Softball Men's National Team coaching pool

John Dry, of Olean, New York has been named to the USA Softball Men's National Team Coaching Pool.

John has been a longtime member of the NY Bombers men's team and has also played with the Elkland Thunderbellys in the past. John is a fixture at the Elkland Labour Day tournament and has also played in the Gil Read Tournament.

I can say from personal experience that John is a great mentor and teacher when it comes to hitting in fastpitch.

Congrats JD.

Coverage here.

Scott Searle named Junior Men's National Team Leader

Softball Canada has announced that Scott Searle of Ottawa will be the Junior Men's National Team leader for the WSBC World Tournament (U19) in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan from July 7th-15th, 2018.

Scott was an assistant coach for Team Ontario at the Canada Games last summer in Winnipeg and has been active leading coaching clinics. Scott has also coached at the ISC World Tournament.

Congratulations Scott!

UPDATE - Scott has also been named the head coach for Team Ontario which will compete at the 2021 Canada Games.

Greater Ottawa Fastball League upcoming season

The Greater Ottawa Fastball League plans on having seven returning full time members for the 2018, with an "affiliated" team playing a single game versus each GOFL member club, which will count in the standings.

Members teams will play each other member three times, plus a game against the affiliated team for a total of 19 games.

GOFL teams include the defending champions Micksburg Twins, Stittsville 56ers, Quyon Flyers, Ottawa Valley As (playing out of Carp), West Carleton Electric (playing out of Fitzroy Harbour), I4C Victory and Kars Aces (both playing out of Manotick). The affiliated squad - name to be announced - plans on playing some games out of Kemptville.

Durham Diamondbacks NHL Playoff hockey pool

The Durham Diamondbacks are running an NHL playoff hockey pool. $10 per sheet and they are due in on April 14.

$1500 guaranteed payout!
1st: $1000
2nd: $400
3rd: $100

Email Derick at dbulley@hotmail.com for details.

Softball (still) alive and well in Fitzroy

I help administer the youth softball league in West Carleton, with our five different partners in Constance Bay, Dunrobin, Kinburn, Carp and Fitzroy Harbour.

I am pleased to say that currently we have 115 boys and girls from ages four to nineteen signed up for the various age groups with Fitzroy Minor Softball. Now, granted some of the kids that sign up are from the outskirts of Fitzroy, not necessary the village itself - but keep in mind that Fitzroy's population is about 600. That's a pretty number of softballers signed up!

Harbour Ball back with eight teams

The Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League is planning on being back in 2018 with eight teams once again. "Harbour Ball" has a 14-game regular season with teams playing once a week on Wednesday or Thursday at the Fitzroy Harbour Community Centre diamonds.

Team sponsors are to be determined, but the league plans on a captain's draft to choose up sides later this month.

Plans are also in the works for another men's recreational fastball tournament in Fitzroy, tentatively scheduled for the June 22-24 weekend.

Blackburn League has eight teams this season

The Blackburn Men's Fastball League in the east end of Ottawa will have eight teams for the 2018 season. The league plays a 21-game regular season on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at the Blackburn Arena diamond.

Teams this year are the same as last year:

• Bandits
• Goodfellows
• Rogues
• Knights
• Braves
• Guzzlers
• Blue Jays
• The Heat

List updated: Minor softball registration open in most areas

More updates below.

Minor softball registration is open for most associations. Here are a few in our area looking for kids to sign up:

West Carleton: http://www.wcminorsoftball.ca
Stittsville: http://www.stittsvillesoftball.org/site/
Orleans: http://www.orleanssoftball.com/
McNab-Braeside: https://mbminorball.ca/

Thanks for those that sent in the following additional associations:
Rideau-Osgoode: http://www.romsa.org/
Richmond-Munster: http://www.rmmsa.org/
Gloucester South: http://gsysa.ca/
Barrhaven: http://barrhavenchildrenssoftball.ca/registration/

UPDATE - Two more for the list:
Lyn: http://lynsoftball.ca/index.html
Front of Yonge: http://www.mallorytown.ca/

ANOTHER UPDATE - a few more:
Greely: http://greelysoftball.pointstreaksites.com/view/greely/
Kemptville Girls: https://www.northgrenville.ca/
Micksburg: http://www.leaguelineup.com/micksburgtwins


If you have others to add to the list, send info to fastball@fitzroyharbour.com.