Orleans edges West Carleton 3-2

The Orleans Rebels beat West Carleton Electric 3-2 in Greater Ottawa Fastball League play Thursday night in Carp.

Andy Barber earned the win, allowing only two hits and striking out 14. Ben Broek was the losing pitcher, allowing five hits and striking out nine.

Orleans scored in the first. Felipe Morales led off the game with a walk, and advanced to third on a wild pitch and a passed ball. He scored on a Tyler Borris ground out.

WC tied things up in the second. Neil Murphy walked but was put out on a fielder's choice that put Adam Rueckwald on first. A passed ball allowed Rueck to take second and he scored on a misplayed ground ball hit by Jeff Cavanagh. 

The Rebels scored another run in the tied. Kevin Shonfield hit a bunt single, moved to second on a wild pitch and eventually scored on a Jefferson Roman RBI single.

Orleans added another in the fourth. Moises del Corral singled, moved to second when Derek Barber walked, and scored on a misplayed fly ball.

The Electric got a run back in the sixth. Steve Cavanagh led off with a single. He was replaced by Gabe Brown as a runner, who took second on a wild pitch, then third on a over throw back to the pitcher. Brown was plated when Rueckwald's towering pop up in the infield wasn't caught. 

Orleans

Andy Barber 7IP 2R 0ER 2H 14K 3BB

Jefferson Roman 2-3, RBI

Tyler Borris, 1-3, RBI

Moises Del Corral 1-3, R

Kevin Shonfield 1-3, R

West Carleton 

Ben Broek 7IP 3R 1ER 5H 9K 2BB

Chris Trafford 1-3, 2B

Steve Cavanagh 1-3

Micksburg vs Quyon postponed on Thursday

The Greater Ottawa Fastball League game in Micksburg tonight (Thursday) between the Twins and the Quyon Flyers is postponed due to player availability issues.

Brewers, Aces win in Manotick

The Manotick Brewers and Kars Aces each won a game in Greater Ottawa Fastball League play on Wednesday night in Manotick. 

The early game saw the Brewers defeat the Osgoode Chiefs 8-5. Carley Shane earned the win on the slab while Matt McKay took the loss. Chris MacFarlane and Curt Scurr hit homers for the Brewers. Osgoode also had a homer from Austin Kimble.

The late game was a 15-6 win for the Aces over the Chiefs. Nick Ellis was the winning pitcher while McKay was tagged with the loss. Jack Dewan threw in relief for the Chiefs. Dylan Toms hit one out for Kars as did Kristian Knapp who swatted a grand slam.

Coverage of the GOFL in the Manotick Messenger

An article about the Greater Ottawa Fastball League in the Manotick Messenger.

Kars Aces Open GOFL Season With Win Over Manotick - Manotick Messenger

Carp Shootout (July 21-23) releases schedule

The schedule for the Carp Shootout men's tournament on July 21-23 has been released. This event is presented by West Carleton Fastball Inc. at the Carp Fairgrounds diamonds. 

There are six teams participating from three provinces vying for over $7,000 in prize money. 

Pool A 
Highgate, ON Rock 
Micksburg, ON Twins
Grand Valley, ON Expos

Pool B 
East Hants, NS Mastadons
Kingston, ON Axemen
Team Quebec, QC

Admission is $5 for Friday, $10 for Sat/Sun, or $20 for the weekend; cash or credit/debit at the gate. Food and beverage will be provided by the West Carleton Amateur Sports Club.

Credible sources indicate that some games will be livestreamed with expert commentary from some familiar voices for those who listened to the 2022 U23 Men's Softball Canada championship in Carp.

There are also plans to host a Greater Ottawa Fastball League game at 7 p.m. on the Friday night of the event. Details to be confirmed.

U23 Elims this weekend in Grafton

The Ontario Amateur Softball Association U23 Men's Elimination tournament is being held this weekend (July 1-2) in Grafton. 

There are three players from the Greater Ottawa Fastball League participating at the event. Joe Mick from the Micksburg Twins is playing for the Alvinston Jr. Aces. Jack Becker from the Manotick Brewers is playing for the Tavistock Merchants. Cory Baldwin, also with Manotick, is playing for the Northumberland Jays from the Cobourg area.

Stittsville 56ers at U17 Elims this weekend, + Harbour Ballers

The Ontario Amateur Softball Association U17 Boys Elimination tournament is being held this weekend (June 30 - July 2) in Stratford. There are 15 teams battling for four berths to the Softball Canada national championship in Fredericton, NB in August.

The Stittsville 56ers, who play in the Glen Cairn Men's Fastball League, are attending. They are coached by former GOFLer Al Read.  Two of the 56ers play in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League for the Quyon Flyers: Hunter Beauregard and Cade Kuehl. Their first game is at 6 p.m. vs. PDP Lightning from Drumbo.

There is also a local connection on the Napanee Express who are attending, as they have Colton Lecuyer, Finn Barton, and Bryce Rebertz who play for the U17 Rona team in the Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League. All three boys are sons of GOFLers. Napanee faces the Hillsdale Haymakers in their first match at noon.

Here is a link to the draw: OASA U17 Elimination 2023 Stratford.pdf.

Quyon vs Fitzroy halted after two innings

It looked like the Greater Ottawa Fastball League game in Fitzroy Harbour might be able to go ahead on Tuesday night. The game got started, there was a brief rain delay then it restarted....until heavy rain came down and soaked the diamond making things unplayable after two complete innings.

The score was 1-0 for the Quyon Flyers ahead of West Carleton Electric when the game was halted. The teams retreated to the pavilion onsite for fellowship and refreshments. The game will be replayed at a later date.

Orléans beats WC

The Orleans Rebels defeated West Carleton Electric 6-1 in Greater Ottawa Fastball League play on Friday night in Blackburn. 

Andy Barber had the win, allowing only three hits and striking out 20. Ben Broek took the loss.

There were four Barbers in the line up for this one as father Don played third and mentored sons Derek, Jeff and Andy.

The Rebels scored two in the first when Derek walked and was brought in on a Jeff home run to right field.

The home team added a run on a Derek sac fly deep to centre on which Alex Boucaud made a nice catch.

West Carleton scored their only run in the sixth when Steve Cavanagh's double scored Neil Murphy who had reached base on a missed third strike to make it 3-1.

Orleans added three in bottom of six on a Spencer Rodd bases loaded walk and a two RBI double by Andy.

Big sixth inning for Twins results in win over Chiefs

A big sixth inning for the Micksburg Twins pushed them to a 9-3 victory over the Osgoode Chiefs in Thursday night Greater Ottawa Fastball League play in the Burg.

Noah Fleurie threw well for Micksburg, leaving the game when it was tied 3-3 in the top of the sixth. Joran Graham came in on relief and earned the victory. Matt McKay took the loss for Osgoode.

The Twins scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth to earn the win in what was a tight game until then.

Jared Steege hit a solo homer for the Twins, who remain undefeated in GOFL league play.

Kars wins double dip in Manotick

The Kars Aces won both in a Greater Ottawa Fastball League doubleheader on Wednesday night in Manotick over the Brewers.

The first game saw newcomer Dom Mott win his first game in GOFL action for the Aces in an 8-5 victory. Cory Baldwin was the losing pitcher and had relief from Carley Shane. Kristian Knapp hit a grand slam for the Aces while 17-year-old Zach Branchaud hit one out for the Brewers.

The late game saw the Aces prevail 6-0 over the Brewers. Brad Porter had the three-hitter for Kars in shutting out Manotick. Kody Blois took the loss, and Shane threw again in relief. Knapp had a two-run RBI triple for the Aces.

Napanee U20 wins ISC tournament

The Napanee U20 Express won the four-team ISC U20 tournament this past weekend, defeating Simcoe/Rostock Braves 10-2 in the final. Tyler Branchaud of the GOFL's Manotick Brewers plays for Napanee U20 and hit a couple of homers over the weekend to help the Express who started with two losses then reeled off three straight wins to the take the title.

At the ISC men's 11-team event, the Niagara Stompers won the final, defeating Bear Creek Express 2-1 on walk off in the bottom of seven. The Micksburg Twins' Joran Graham played for the Stompers and pitched some quality innings on the slab for the champs. 

The Sudbury Relics on the six-team Legends event backed by the strong pitching of Ward Gosse.

Twins beat Brewers

The Micksburg Twins beat the Manotick Brewers 8-0 in Greater Ottawa Fastball League play on Thursday night in the Burg.

Joran Graham threw a one hitter to earn the win. Cory Baldwin took the loss.

Micksburg put up 7 runs in the first and never looked back.

Zach Branchaud had the lone hit for the Brewers. 

Quyon blanks WC 2-0

For the second straight week, the Quyon Flyers blanked West Carleton Electric, winning 2-0 in Greater Ottawa Fastball League play in Shawville. 

Matt Greer earned the win. Ben Broek threw well but took the loss.

Quyon scored the only run they needed in the first. Dennis McCleary led off with a triple deep to centre. He scored on a Greer ground out.

The other Flyers run was scored in the sixth. The bases were loaded on three straight walks, and a sacrifice fly by Shawn Laframboise scored Greer.

Quyon

Matt Greer WIN 7IP 0R 3H 7K 3BB

Dennis McCleary 1-3, 3B, R

Matt Greer RBI, BB, R

Shawn Laframboise Sac Fly RBI

Evan Atkinson 1-3

Jared Murray 1-2, 2B, BB

West Carleton 

Ben Broek LOSS 6IP 2R 2ER 3H 11K 6BB

Ben Broek 1-3

Chris Trafford 1-3, 2B

Adam Brown 1-3

Rueckwald perfect in Fitzroy

The Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League experienced a rarity on Wednesday night - a perfect game.

Adam Rueckwald retired 21 straight batters through seven innings to lead Grandor Farms to an 8-0 victory over the Campbell Fuels Logsplitters. Austin McCord caught for Rueckwald.

Harbour Ball rules generally limit pitchers to no more than four innings, but with Grandor's two other pitchers unable to attend, Rueck went the distance.

The perfect-o was nearly broken up when the twenty-first batter of the night, Sam Hopper, came very close to legging out an infield single but the Grandor defense made the play to close out the game.

Manotick and Orleans win

In the first game of the Greater Ottawa Fastball League doubleheader in Manotick tonight, the Manotick Brewers got by the Osgoode Chiefs 14-6.

Carley Shane earned the win. Nolan Holmes took the loss with relief from Jack Dewan. Tyler Branchaud had a grand slam home run for Manotick. 

The late game saw the Orleans Rebels prevail 6-4 over the Chiefs. Orléans was up 6-1 in the seventh and Osgoode bounced back but couldn't get ahead 

Andy Barber earned the win while Matt McKay took the loss. Derek Barber had a home run for Orleans.

ISC event in Mitchell this weekend

There is an International Softball Congress event in Mitchell, ON this coming weekend, featuring three different levels: eleven in Men's, four in U20 and six in 50+ Legends.

Players from the Greater Ottawa Fastball League will be participating in all three categories on teams including Kingston Axemen (men's), Niagara Stompers (men's), Napanee Express (U20), Waterdown Hammer (Legends).

Corfix wins Glen Cairn tournament

Results from the Glen Cairn Men's Fastball League 12-team tournament on Sunday in Carp.

B semi-finals 

Rogues 9 Springbrook U20 2

West Ends Landscapes 6 PJMP Pigeons 3

A semi-finals 

Micksburg Kool Vent Heat 7 KookiJar 2

Corfix 4 Laurysen 1

B Final

West End Landscapes 7 Rogues 4

WP: Matt McKay in relief of Chris Parrish
LP: Derick Bully with relief from Matt Cox

HR: Curtis Scurr (WEL)

A Final

Corfix 6 Micksburg Kool Vent Heat 2

WP: Will Lowe
LP: Gavin Brooks

Sunday schedule for Glen Cairn tournament

Sunday schedule for Glen Cairn Men's Fastball tournament in Carp.

B semis 10 am

#5 Rogues vs #8 Springbrook U20 

#6 West End Landscapes vs #7 PJMP Pigeons

A semis noon

#1 Corfix vs #4 Laurysen

#2 Micksburg Kool Vent Heat vs #3 Kookijar

B Finals 2 pm 

A Finals 4pm

Glen Cairn tournament results

Glen Cairn men's fastball league tournament round robin results. 

Friday 

Laurysen 8  West Carleton U20 3

Corfix 12 Upper Canada Elevators 1

Rogues 12 Fitzroy 8

Micksburg Kool Vent Heat 11 Westport U20 4

Kookojar 9 West End Landscapes 7

Saturday 

Micksburg Kool Vent Heat 6 Laurysen 2

West Carleton U20 11 Westport U20 10

PJMP Pigeons 8 Upper Canada Elevators 3

Corfix 6 Springbrook U20 2

Rogues 8 West End Landscapes 3

Fitzroy 13 KookiJar 4

Laurysen 13 Westport U20 8

Micksburg Kool Vent Heat 9 West Carleton U20 7

Corfix 11 PJMP Pigeons 2

Springbrook U20 12 Upper Canada Elevators 4

KookiJar 9 Rogues 6

West End Landscapes 13 Fitzroy 4

PJMP Pigeons 8 Springbrook U20 5

Quyon wins at home vs WC

There was supposed to be a doubleheader in Shawville on Thursday night in Greater Ottawa Fastball League play, but inclement weather meant that only the Quyon Flyers versus West Carleton Electric game was able to be played, with the Quyon vs Orleans Rebels game was postponed.

Quyon was able to get by West Carleton by a score of 6-0. Trevor Lahey earned the win, allowing only one hit in four innings of work. Matt Greer only allowed one hit in earning the save. Steve Cavanagh took the loss, allowing three runs in five innings, while Jeff Campbell finished for WC.

Dennis McCleary hit a homer for Quyon in the sixth.

Quyon
Trevor Lahey WIN 4IP 0R 0ER 1H 2K 2BB
Matt Greer SAVE 3IP 0R 0ER 1H 2K 1BB

Dennis McCleary 2-3, HR, R, 3RBI, BB
Shawn Laframboise BB, sac fly, RBI, R
Matt Greer 1-4, RBI
Steve McCord 2-4, R
Lane McMurtry 1-3
Evan Atkinson 2-2, BB, R, RBI

West Carleton
Steve Cavanagh LOSS 5IP 3R 1ER 5H 3K 4BB
Jeff Campbell 1IP 3R 2ER 3H 0K 0BB

Owen Brown 1-2, BB
Chris Trafford 1-3

Old school game by young lads in Fitzroy

I don't cover the details of too many regular season Harbour Ball games but figured this one was worthwhile. 

On Wednesday night in Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League action, West Carleton Electric U20 defeated the Campbell Fuels Logsplitters 2-0 in what best can be described as an old school fastball game played by (mostly) young lads.

Blake Bramburger and Gabe Brown combined for a one hit shutout for WC allowing only three baserunners. Cole Ross and Owen Brown threw well for Campbell in a losing effort. The combined age of the four pitchers in this game was 78.

The seven-inning game took one hour and seven minutes to play. This is despite only 12 strikeouts between the two teams. All pitchers worked quickly and there was only one fielding error per side in what was a well-played match.

The Electric team had one 19-year-old with the remainder 17 and 18. The Logsplitters are also a young squad, fielding 9 players 25 or younger, bolstered by two old timers. 

Another old school aspect of the game was the family connections amongst and between the two teams. For the final three innings of the game, a Brown brother (Gabe and Owen) was pitching for their respective teams, while each was being caught by a Rorwick brother (Dylan and Matthew). Conner Hopper went 3 for 3 for the Electric, while brother Sam played well defensively for the Splitters. The combined no hitter was broken up with one out in the seventh when the Splitters' Adam Brown hit a single up the middle off his son.

A great night at the park, one the teams were glad was played despite the smoky conditions. 

Micksburg sweeps DH in Manotick

The Micksburg Twins won both games in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League doubleheader in Manotick on Wednesday night.

The opener saw the Twins prevail 7-5 over the Manotick Brewers. John Enright had the win, with help from starter Noah Fleurie and a save by Joran Graham. Jared Steege hit a homer for Micksburg while Chris MacFarlane smashed one out for Manotick.

The night cap saw the visitors double up on the Kars Aces 6-3 in a rematch of the GOFL Finalists in 2023. Micksburg scored three in the top of the seventh to take the lead. Graham went the distance for Micksburg while Brad Porter took the loss. Steege hit his second of the night in this match.

Micksburg stays undefeated with a 4-0 record, tied for first with the Quyon Flyers atop the standings.

GOFL games a go on Wednesday

Despite the air quality warning, the Greater Ottawa Fastball League games in Manotick will be played tonight at the Arena diamonds.

Micksburg Twins (2-0) are in town for a doubleheader, facing the Manotick Brewers (0-2-1) at 7 p.m. and the Kars Aces (1-1) at 9 p.m.

Micksburg Alumni Night a big hit

The Micksburg Alumni Night on Friday June 2 was a big hit, with players from years gone by playing against current players.

Among the players were three generations of Constellos - 71 year old David, father of Corey and Chad, as well as Corey's 17 year old son Nolan all played.

Some great photos supplied by Amber Costello.

Minor ball games cancelled tonight due to poor air quality

In what might be a first for our area, games in McNab/Braeside Minor Softball are cancelled tonight due to forest fires in the area.

Let's hope firefighters can get the blaze under control soon so the Commish of McNab ball, Adam Rueckwald, can get the ball games back on track.

Rona wins the Harbour Ball tournament

The Rona team - a U17 group, with a few adult 'reinforcements' - won the Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball Tournament this weekend, defeating Bren Electric 14-4 in the A Final. Finn Barton and Ethan Howard pitched for Rona, while Shawn Ryan and Mitch Taylor threw for Bren.

The B Final of the Harbour Ball event was won by the West Carleton Electric U20 team by a score of 6-5 over Carlsbad in eight innings. Blake Bramburger and Gabe Brown pitched for WC U20 and Will Lowe and Kevin Daize threw for Carlsbad.

Full results

Friday night

Grandor Farms 4 West Carleton Electric U20 1

Baird Carpentry 4 Stittsville U17 0

Bren Electric 19 Clean Cut Construction 9

Carp 11 Campbell Fuels 6

Rona U17 6 Hicks Custom Interiors 2

Saturday 

Rona U17  13  Stittsville U17 4

Clean Cut Construction 7 Campbell Fuels 4

Baird Carpentry 9 Hicks Custom Interiors 6

Bren Electric 5 Carlsbad 2

Carp 17 West Carleton Electric U20 4

Clean Cut Construction 12 Grandor 2

Carlsbad 6 Campbell Fuels 6

Rona U17 12 Baird Carpentry 2

West Carleton Electric U20 11 Bren Electric 7

Stittsville U17 11 Hicks Custom Interiors 9

Carlsbad 11 Rona U17 9

Grandor Farm 12 Carp 6

Sunday playoffs

B semis

West Carleton Electric U20 13 Clean Cut Construction 10

Carlsbad 7 Baird Carpentry 0

A semis

Bren Electric 7 Grandor Farms 5

Rona U17 12 Carp 2

B Finals

West Carleton Electric 6 Carlsbad 5 (8 innings)

WP: Blake Bramburger and Gabe Brown
LP: Will Lowe and Kevin Daize

A Final

Rona U17  14   Bren Electric 4

WP: Finn Barton and Ethan Howard
LP: Shawn Ryan and Mitch Taylor

Napanee U20 wins Westport tournament

At the Westport Tournament this weekend, Maitland beat North Augusta 4-3 in B Final.

Napanee U20 beat Westport 8-3 in A Final

Other scores as provided:

Game 1 Napanee U20 6 Lyn 3 Game 2 North Augusta 6 Westport U20 1

Game 3 Maitland 3 Northumberland U20 2 Game 4 Westport 6 Springbrook U20 1

Game 5 Westport u20 9 Lyn 5 Game 6 Springbrook U20 8 Northumberland U20 3 Game 7 Napanee U20 7 North Augusta 1 Game 8 Westport 7 Maitland 0

Match ups set for Sunday at Fitzroy Tournament

After round robin play Friday and Saturday at the Fitzroy Harbour Tournament, there are eight teams advancing to Sunday's playoff round.

The top four teams go to the "A" while next four go to the "B". Three teams were eliminated. 

Rona U17, with some help from some grown ups, were the top seed.

B semi-finals at 9 a.m.

5. Clean Cut Construction 

Vs

8 West Carleton  Electric U20

6 Baird Carpentry 

Vs 

7 Carlsbad 

A semi-finals at 11 a.m.

1. Rona U17

Vs

4 Carp

2. Bren Electric

Vs

3. Grandor Farms 

B Final 1 p.m.

A Final 3 p.m.

Jack Armstrong claims first at East Regional track meet

Jack Armstrong, who plays centrefield and third base for West Carleton Electric U20 won the Senior Boys' javelin competition at the OFSAA East Regional track meet, which includes Ottawa, EOSSAA (Kingston, Brockville and the Valley) and COSSAA (Kawarthas and Quinte).

He threw 46.63 metres, a personal best, and has qualified for OFSAA all-Ontario track meet next week.
Before April, Jack had never picked up a javelin in the 18 years of his life. His rocket arm in softball has obviously translated well to javelin. He is now going to the provincial meet as the top seed from the entire eastern part of the province.

This means Jack will miss part of the Glen Cairn tournament for the U20 'Trics, but I think the coach will give him a pass on being absent.

Micksburg wins hot one at home

It was a hot and sticky night on Micksburg as the Twins defeated West Carleton Electric 4-3 in Greater Ottawa Fastball League action on Thursday night.

John Enright got the win in relief of Noah Fleurie. Adam Rueckwald threw very well in taking the loss.

The Twins got on the board first with a Quinton Rook solo shot in the second inning.

West Carleton replied in the third to take a 2-1 lead. Conner Hopper ripped a line drive single into left field. Rueckwald singled to put runners on the corners. A walk to Neil Murphy loaded the bases with none out. A blooper to shallow right by Steve Cavanagh just bounced off a glove, allowing Hopper to score but putting out Murphy at second. A walk to Jeff Cavanagh loaded the bases again, for WC pick up Chad Costello to hit a sacrifice fly to centre to score Rueckwald. 

Jared Steege hit a massive solo homer in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game 2-2.

Micksburg retook the lead in the fifth. Matt McIntyre singled. Joran Graham then drilled an off hand screamer to right field for a single, getting by the outfielder allowing both men to score and putting the Twins up 4-2.

A solo bomb by 17-year-old Hopper in the top of the seventh got the Trics within one run, but Enright closed the door to seal the victory.

Micksburg 

Noah Fleurie 3IP 2R 2ER 3H 3K 3BB
John Enright WIN 4IP 1R 1ER 2H 6K 1BB

Matt McIntyre 1-3, R
Joran Graham 2-3, RBI, R
Jared Steege 1-3, HR, RBI, R
Quinton Rook 2-2, HR, 2B, RBI, R, BB
Jamey Mick 1-2, 2B

West Carleton 

Adam Rueckwald LOSS 6IP 4R 3ER 7H 8K 2BB

Conner Hopper 2-4, HR, RBI, 2R
Adam Rueckwald 2-4, R
Neil Murphy 1-2, 2BB
Steve Cavanagh BB, RBI
Chad Costello, BB, Sac Fly RBI

Quyon edges Osgoode 3-2

The Quyon Flyers got by the Osgoode Chiefs 3-2 in Greater Ottawa Fastball League action on Thursday night in Shawville. 

Matt Greer earned the win while Matt McKay took the loss. 

Luke Young's two RBI single in the bottom of the sixth was the difference maker to get the win for the Flyers.

Kars at Orleans postponed

The Kars Aces vs Orleans Rebels game scheduled for Friday night at the Blackburn Arena diamond has been postponed due to the Blackburn Fun Fair being in town.

It's hard to play ball with a bouncy castle in the infield.

Kars and Orleans win in Manotick

Kars Aces won the first game of the Greater Ottawa Fastball League doubleheader on Wednesday night in Manotick by a score of 11-4 over the Manotick Brewers.

Nick Ellis earned the win while Cory Alkerton threw in relief. Kody Blois took the loss.

Danny Powers and Dylan Toms both hit homers for Kars.

The late game saw the Orleans Rebels defeat the Osgoode Chiefs 10-0. Andy Barber had the in five shutout innings. Nolan Holmes was the losing pitcher and had relief from Matt McKay and Jack Dewan. 

Spencer Rodd and Jefferson Roman hit homeruns for the Rebels.