Westport vs North Augusta in North Leeds final

Westport will play North Augusta in the North Leeds Men's Fastball League finals.

Westport swept regular season first place finishers Maitland in their best of three semi-final. Game one was 9-7 in nine innings and game two was 13-9.

North Augusta edged Lyn two games to one in their series. NA won game one 1-0, lost game two 12-2, and won deciding game three 9-2.

The best of three finals will start after Labour Day weekend.

Stompers win two on Wednesday

The Niagara Stompers won two games in pool play at the Men's Canadian Championship in Surrey, BC on Wednesday. 

First up was 6-2 win over the Moby Concrete Rippers from BC. Matt Greer was 1 for 3 with a walk, Joran Graham was 2 for 3 with a walk and Brad Pender had a bunt single and a stole base.

The next game was a 7-0 win over the Prince George, BC River Kings. Graham threw two strong innings in relief, allowing only one hit and striking out five. Greer hit an RBI triple.

Stompers play two games on Thursday: 2 p.m. Eastern vs Saskatoon, SK Angels and 8 p.m. Eastern vs East Hants, NS.

Harbour Ball finals set

The Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League finals have been set with the first place and second place finishers from the regular season advancing.

First seed Grandor Farms won their best of three semi-final series two straight, capped with a 13-6 win on Wednesday night over the fourth seeded West Carleton Rona U17.

Second seed West Carleton Electric U20 also won their series two straight finishing with a 9-4 win over third seed Bren Electric.  Dylan Rorwick and Nolan Costello both had homers for the Electric. 

The best of three Finals will start Wednesday in Fitzroy at 8 p.m.

Kars wins game one on walk off

The Kars Aces won game one of their best of three quarter-final Greater Ottawa Fastball League playoff series on Wednesday night, defeating Manotick Brewers 3-2.

Brad Porter earned the win, while Carley Shane took the loss.

A two run homer in the bottom of the seventh with one out by Kurtis Summers walked it off for the Aces. 

Twins move to Shawville final

Tuesday night playoffs in the Shawville Men's Fastpitch League resulted in the Twins advancing to the Final with a wild 13-12 win over the Athletics in nine innings. 

The Athletics will play the Royals in the semi-final (September 5 at 7 p.m.) who were 8-0 winners over the Brewers, who were eliminated. 

Playoff match ups announced for the Glen

The final standings have been determined for the Glen Cairn Men's Fastball League and playoff match ups determined. 

1 Micksburg Kool Vent Heat

2 Kookijar

3 Corfix

4 West Carleton Electric U20

5 Laurysen

6 West End Landscapes

7 Upper Canada Elevators

8 Stittsville U17 56ers

Of note, there were three teams tied for 4th place at 7-8-1 and final rankings were decided by picking names out of a hat.

The first round best of three playoff series starting next week will be:

Micksburg vs. Stittsville U17

KookiJar vs UCE

Corfix vs West End Landscapes

WC U20 vs Laurysen

Shawville playoffs get started (updated)

The Shawville Men's Fastpitch League playoffs got started on Monday with two games. 

The four-team league is running modified double knockout for playoffs.

The first game saw the fourth place Twins upset the previously undefeated first place Royals 6-4. Blake Bramburger had the win while Adam Rueckwald took the loss. Evan Atkinson hit a homer for the Twins.

The late game was a 6-5 win for the second place Athletics over the third place Brewers. Todd Hearty had the win, hitting a homer to help his cause. Jeff Tanguay took the loss.

Action resumes tonight (Tuesday) with the undefeated teams playing (8:30) to see who goes to the Final and the losing teams playing to see who is eliminated (7:00).

Men's and Masters Canadian Championships start Wednesday (updated)

The Men's and Masters Canadian Championship tournaments get started on Wednesday August 30 in Surrey, British Columbia. Pool play continues until Friday, with playoff rounds and championship games on the weekend.

The event will be held at Softball City, a premier location which will also be hosting the International Softball Congress World Tournament in August 2024. 

The Men's event has 13 teams participating from six provinces. Schedule available here. There are three Greater Ottawa Fastball League players with the Niagara Stompers: Matt Greer (Quyon), Joran Graham (Micksburg) and Brad Pender (Kars).

Tyler Branchaud (Manotick) will also be at the event, playing as an "import" for the East Hants, NS Shooters Bar and Grill Mastodons.

On the Masters side of the event, there are 8 teams from four provinces. Schedule here. 

For more information, you can also visit the Softball Canada website.

Blackburn men's league playoff preview (updated)

From Nick Bowman

The 2023 Blackburn Men's Fastball League playoffs get underway on Tuesday. There are some big changes for 2023. In light of the reduced schedule, the playoff format has been changed from double knockout to triple knockout. In addition, the Blackburn arena diamond will no longer be available in September due to renovations. As of September, weekday games will take place at Pierre Rocque and Sunday games are tentatively scheduled for the diamond in Carlsbad.

Game 1 of the playoffs will feature number 4 ranked Braves vs the number 5 ranked Goodfellows at 7 pm in Blackburn. Nick Bowman will be on the mound for the Braves and Shannon Borho for the Goodfellows. Goodfellows won the regular season series with a 2-0-1 record.

Winner of that game will face off against the number one ranked Blue Jays, led by Andy Barber Thursday in Blackburn. The game will start after the GOFL playoff game at 7 p.m. that night. 

Game 2 of the playoffs will feature number 3 ranked Rogues against number 6 ranked Bandits at 9 pm in Blackburn. Derick Bulley and Matt Cox pitch for the Rogues and Max Lalonde and Tyler Alexander pitch for the Bandits. Rogues swept the season series 3 games to none.

Winner of that game will face off against Los Caballos, led by Will Lowe in the mound. They averaged 7.5 runs per game with home runs playing a large part.

Good luck to all teams in your quest for the 2023 BMFL championship!

GOFL first round playoff match ups

First round playoff match ups have now been determined for the Greater Ottawa Fastball League playoffs. Dates and times to be updated below as confirmed.

Regular season first place team Micksburg Twins earn a bye into the semi-finals.

Series A: 2nd place Orleans Rebels vs 7th place West Carleton Electric
Game 1 Thursday August 31: Orleans 2 WC 0
Game 2 TBD
Game 3 TBD (if necessary)

Series B: 3rd place Quyon Flyers vs 6th place Osgoode Chiefs
Game 1 TBD
Game 2 TBD
Game 3 TBD (if necessary)

Series C: 4th place Kars Aces vs 5th place Manotick Brewers
Game 1: Wednesday August 30: Kars 3 Manotick 2
Game 2 TBD
Game 3 TBD (if necessary)

Shawville men's league playoff schedule released

The Shawville Men's Fastpitch League has announced their playoff schedule.

The final standings for the four-team league were as follows:

1. Royals 12-0-2
2. Athletics 5-7-1
3. Brewers 5-8
4. Twins 3-10-1

Playoffs start Monday August 28:

Micksburg clinches first

The Micksburg Twins clinched first in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League with a 12-2 win over West Carleton Electric in Fitzroy on Thursday night.

John Enright earned the win. Adam Rueckwald took the loss, with relief from Jeff Campbell and Owen Brown.

Jared Steege hit two large homers for the Twins, and Andy McIntyre also put one out.

The GOFL playoff schedule will be determined soon.

Elkland Gary Sherman Knockout this weekend

The Elkland (Pennsylvania) Softball Association welcomes ten teams to the 30th Annual Gary Sherman Knockout Tournament this weekend at ESA's fabulous facility in upstate PA.

Eagle AA, Sandlot, Professional Petro, Penton Automotive, Pottsville Generals, Sauder Trucking, Team 518, Skook Smoke, RM Kurtz, and Team ESA are the teams participating.

The bracket is available on their Facebook page and below.

Harbour Ball semi-finals get started (updated)

The Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League best of three semi-final series got started last night.

On the lower diamond, Grandor Farms beat Rona U17 by a score of 8-6. Ryley Burns hit two homers for Grandor. Burns and Adam Rueckwald threw for Grandor while Finn Barton and Colton Lecuyer toed the rubber for the U17s.

The upper diamond saw West Carleton Electric U20 defeat Bren Electric 3-1 in a 75-minute well-played game. Blake Bramburger had a key two RBI double for the Junior Trics in the bottom of the sixth. Bramburger started on the slab for the U20s and had relief from Gabe Brown. Shawn Ryan and Kevin Bisch threw for the Electricians.

Game two in each series will be played next Wednesday, both 8 p.m. starts. 

North Leeds semi-finalists determined

The North Leeds Men's Fastball League playoff semi-finalists have been determined. The series are best-of-three.

Maitland plays Westport in one semi-final. Both teams swept their opponents from Eastons Corners (Haymakers and As, respectively) in the first round.

The other series features North Augusta (2-1 winners in the first round vs Greenbush) and Lyn (swept Spencerville). 

Information available on their website: North Leeds Men's Fastball (northleedsmensfastball.ca)

GOFL playoff match ups to be decided soon

There will be a Greater Ottawa Fastball League make-up game between the Micksburg Twins and West Carleton Electric on Thursday August 24 at 8:30 p.m. in Fitzroy Harbour.

While there are other games (potentially) to be made up, the Thursday game should lock in playoff match ups. The first round will be best of three series with 2nd vs 7th, 3rd vs 6th, 4th vs 5th and 1st getting a bye.

Napanee wins U20 Canadians

The Napanee Express won the U20 Men's Canadian Championship on Sunday.

Last year they hosted the event but did not win. This year as hosts again they got their revenge by beating the defending champions Tavistock Athletics in the final 2-0.

Tyler Branchaud of the GOFL's Manotick Brewers was named top hitter at the event.

Gremlins win ISC title

The New York Gremlins won the International Softball Congress World Tournament on Saturday with a 6-1 win over the Bear Creek Express.

The Gremlins came up the loser bracket defeating both the Hill United Chiefs and Niagara Stompers earlier on Saturday.

Jack Besgrove the Australian pitcher for the Gremlins was named to the All World First Team, top pitcher and top newcomer.

The Pueblo Bandits won the ISC II tournament and the CR Brewers won the 50+ Legends event.

Orleans beats Quyon

The Orleans Rebels beat the Quyon Flyers 7-6 in Greater Ottawa Fastball League make up game on Thursday. 

Jeff Barber had the pitching win and brother Andy had the save. Trevor Lahey took the loss.

Jeff Barber and Moises del Corral hit homers for the Rebels.

Harbour Ball first round sweeps

All quarter final series in the Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League were sweeps.

WC Rona U17 18 vs Clean Cut Construction 15

Bren Electric 15 vs Hicks Interiors 0

WC Electric U20  15 vs Campbell Fuels Logsplitters 0

Grandor Farms  8 vs Baird Carpentry 4

Best of three semi-final series will start Wednesday at 8 p.m. on both diamonds. Grandor Farms will face WC Rona U17 and WC Electric U20 plays Bren Electric. 

U20 Men's Canadians underway

The U20 Men's Canadian Championship got started today in Napanee.

The host Napanee Express won both their games: 7-0 over Haldimand, ON Heat and 8-1 over Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Team Quebec won their only game 5-4 over Haldimand.  In the bottom of the seventh, tied 4-4, the Pontiac boys came through. Hunter Beauregard walked, stole second, and scored on Cade Kuehl's walk off RBI single.

More info at https://softball.ca/u20mens.

U20 Men's Canadians start today

The U20 Men's Canadian Championship tournament gets started today in Napanee at the fairgrounds diamonds. There are eight teams participating from four provinces: four from Ontario, two from Saskatchewan and one each from Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Tyler Branchaud of the Greater Ottawa Fastball League's Manotick Brewers plays for the host Napanee Express.

Cade Kuehl and Hunter Beauregard of the GOFL's Quyon Flyers are suiting up for Team Quebec.

The full schedule and further information is available here: U20 Men's (softball.ca).

ISC Tournament updated game times

After Monday was washed out at the International Softball Congress World Tournament in Denmark, Wisconsin there is a new schedule posted at iscfastpitch.com.

Niagara Stompers play their game against the AHI Reapers at 5 p.m. EDT today at Memorial Park Diamond 1.

Hill United Chiefs get back at it on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EDT against a team to be determined. That's at the Circle Tap main diamond so should be livestreamed. 

The Kingston Axemen play their first game of the ISC II bracket against the Alvinston Aces at 6 p.m. EDT today at the Maribel diamond.

Local players this weekend at the ISC World Tournament

A quick recap of how local players did at the International Softball Congress world tournament this weekend in Wisconsin:

Kingston Axemen lost 5-0 Saturday in their scheduled first game against Grande Prairie, AB Pirates. They were one-hit; Nick Ellis had a single to lead off the game for the Axemen. The Axemen were then supposed to play Monday morning, but bad weather coming changed the schedule and they instead played late Sunday night. They lost this one 12-4 to the St. Paul, MN Marchio Sausage. Of their four hits, Joe Mick had a double and Scott Conroy a single for Kingston. The Axemen will now play in the ISC II bracket, with their first game scheduled for 4 p.m. CDT (5 p.m. EDT) Tuesday against the Alvinston Aces, a team that is also 0-2.

Niagara Stompers won 13-0 over the Auckland, NZ Blue Sox on Sunday. Matt Greer saw some time in the outfield. They will now play the Fond du Lac, WI AHI Reapers on Monday at 5 p.m. CDT (6 p.m. EDT) weather permitting.

Hill United Chiefs won their first game 11-0 on Sunday over the Grand Valley, ON Expos. Joran Graham was on the slab in relief, throwing two innings of shutout ball and striking out four. With the aforementioned bad weather on the way, the Chiefs next game was moved up the late night on Sunday / early hours of Monday. They also won that one 11-0, this time over the Greenleaf, WI Wander Springs Chippers. Graham did not see any action in this one. Next up for the Chiefs is a game on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CDT (8 p.m. EDT) against the winner of Omma Tigres from Mexico vs RM Kurtz from Pennsylvania. 

ISC World Tournament starts Saturday

The International Softball Congress World Tournament starts Saturday in Denmark, Wisconsin.  There are 36 teams participating in the event. The main diamond is at the Circle Tap Bar and Grill with other games at Memorial Park in the village of Denmark.

Several Greater Ottawa Fastball League players will be making the trip to America's Dairyland for the event.

Matt Greer of the Quyon Flyers plays for the #2 ranked Niagara Stompers. Their first game is Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT against the winner of Game 6 on Field 1 at Memorial Park.

Joran Graham of the Micksburg Twins, who was with the Stompers earlier this season, will be at the WT with #3 Hill United Chiefs. They start off against the winner of Game 3 at 4 p.m. EDT on Sunday at the Circle Tap diamond.

Several local players are suiting up for the #25 Kingston Axemen. The Axemen's first game is Saturday at 9 p.m. EDT on Field 1 against the Grande Prairie Pirates. Local players for Kingston include: Kristian Knapp and Nick Ellis of the Kars Aces,; Quinton Rook, Jared Steege, Scott Conroy, Andy McIntyre, Matt McIntyre, Joe Mick and Jamey Mick (assistant coach) of the Micksburg Twins; and Gregg Garrity.

For information on the event including streaming links and the full schedule visit https://www.iscfastpitch.com.

Trics vs Twins postponed

The Greater Ottawa Fastball League make up game scheduled for tonight (Thursday) in Fitzroy Harbour between West Carleton Electric and the Micksburg Twins had to be postponed due to field conditions. 

Update: even if the field could have been brought back to be playable, a huge lightning show rolled through Fitzroy about 9 p.m. which would have cancelled things anyway. 

Orleans beats Kars in 4 pointer

The Orleans Rebels beat the Kars Aces 3-2 in a Greater Ottawa Fastball League make up game on Wednesday night. 

Andy Barber had the win for Orleans, while Brad Porter took the loss for Kars with relief from Cory Alkerton.

Brad Pender hit a solo homer for the Aces. 

As the teams had two games to make up, it counts as a 4 point win in the standings.

Harbour Ball playoff night one

Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League results from tonight's Game 1 of each first round playoff series:

Grandor Farms 11 

Baird Carpentry 5

WC Electric U20 11

Campbell Fuels Logsplitters 7

Bren Electric 9

Hicks Custom Interiors 3

WC Rona U17 5

Clean Cut Construction 2

North Leeds men's league playoff update

All playoff games rained out last Thursday, and two rained out last night. Upcoming games in the best of three series:

Thursday Aug 10

Game 1 - Eastons Corners Haymakers vs Maitland in Maitland at 8 p.m.

Game 1 - Greenbush vs North Augusta in North Augusta at 8 p.m.

Game 2 - Eastons Corners As vs Westport in Westport at 8:15 p.m. Westport up 1-0

Game 2 - Spencerville vs Lyn in Lyn at 8 p.m. Lyn opted for games 2 and 3 of series at home as Spencerville diamond only available Tuesdays. Lyn up 1-0

Kars to play Orleans in make up 4 pointer

Kars Aces and Orleans Rebels will play tonight at 8 p.m. in Manotick as a make up "four pointer" game in Greater Ottawa Fastball League play.

Micksburg wins against Quyon

The Micksburg Twins defeated the Quyon Flyers 6-2 in a Greater Ottawa Fastball League make up game on Monday afternoon in Micksburg.

John Enright earned the win with Joran Graham picking up the save. Trevor Lahey started for Quyon and took the loss. Drew Hathway threw in relief for the Flyers and Lahey also returned later on.

Matt Greer had a homer for the Flyers and Andy McIntyre hit one out for the Twins.

Tavistock defends U23 title

The Tavistock Merchants successfully defended their Softball Canada U23 Men's Championship title in Saskatoon on Sunday. 

Delisle, SK Pride, the host team, won silver after earning bronze in Carp last year.  Harwood Corners from Ontario won bronze this year. 

The five day event was held Wednesday through Sunday and seven teams participated.

Jack Becker of the Greater Ottawa Fastball League's Manotick Brewers was on the Tavistock team.

Joe Mick of the Micksburg Twins was also at the Championship playing for the Alvinston Aces. The Aces did not medal, but Mick had a good tournament, including two homers, and was in contention for All Star catching honours.

Napanee finishes 3rd at U17 Canadians

The Napanee Express finished as bronze medalists at the Softball Canada U17 Boys' Championship in Fredericton, New Brunswick on Sunday.

The 10 team event was played from Wednesday to Sunday, with Ontario teams sweeping the medals - Tara Twins won gold and PDP Lightning earned silver.

The Express feature three local players who are members of the West Carleton U17 Rona team playing in the Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League: Bryce Rebertz, Finn Barton and Colton Lecuyer.

Shawn Rebertz with son Bryce; Trevor Barton with son Finn; Sean Lecuyer with son Colton

North Leeds playoffs set

Info from William Earl

The North Leeds Men's Fastball League played their last regular season game on Tuesday with the Eastons Corners Haymakers defeating Greenbush 3-2 for their first win of season to alter standings.

Playoff series, best of three

8th Eastons Corners Haymakers vs 1st Maitland

7th Greenbush @ 2nd North Augusta

6th Spencerville @ 3rd Lyn

5th Place Westport @ 4th Eastons Corners A's

First games in each were to be played Thursday, with Game 2 on Tuesday August 8 and Game 3 if necessary Thursday August 10.

Maitland captured 1st place in the regular season, their first time doing so.

Travis Wing defended his homerun title swatting five and securing a case of beer.

Kars vs Orleans rained out

Kars Aces and Orleans Rebels were scheduled to play a Greater Ottawa Fastball League game on Friday night in Blackburn but it was unfortunately rained out after two innings. 

Harbour Ball regular season wraps up

The Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League wrapped up after make up games were played this week. The final standings for the eight team league is as follows:

1. Grandor Farms 11-1 = 22 pts

2. West Carleton Electric U20 8-3-1 = 17 pts

3. Bren Electric 8-4 = 16 pts 

4. West Carleton Rona U17 8-4 = 16 pts 

5. Clean Cut Construction 4-8 = 8 pts 

6. Hicks Custom Interiors 3-9 = 6 pts 

7. Campbell Fuels Logsplitters 3-9 = 6 pts 

8. Baird Carpentry 2-9-1 = 5 pts 

Tie breakers between third and fourth and sixth and seventh based on head to head.

Playoffs schedule (first round best of three)

August 9

7 p.m. A Grandor vs Baird

7 p.m. B WCE U20 vs Campbell

9 p.m. A Bren vs Hicks 

9 p.m. B Rona U17 vs Clean Cut

August 16

7 p.m. A Rona U17 vs Clean Cut

7 p.m. B Bren vs Hicks

9 p.m. A WCE U20 vs Campbell

9 p.m. B Grandor vs Baird

August 23 

Game 3 - if necessary 

Caveman plays for WC U20. Fitzroy Junior and this blogger play for the Logsplitters.  This will be a fun playoff first round.

Flyers over Rebels in classic match up

The Quyon Flyers beat the Orleans Rebels 1-0 in a Greater Ottawa Fastball League make up game on Thursday night.

Drew Hathway, continuing his comeback, earned the shutout win. Andy Barber took the loss despite allowing only two hits and two walks.

Lane McMurtry had both of Quyon's hits.

Quyon scored their run in the first. McMurtry hit a single, advanced to second on a Steve McCord ground out then took third on an overthrow attempt to get him at two. McMurtry then scored on a wild pitch.

Aces defeat Twins

The Kars Aces defeated the Micksburg Twins 6-3 in a Greater Ottawa Fastball League make up game Wednesday night in the Burg.

Brad Porter earned the win while Noah Fleurie took the loss with relief from John Enright. 

Kristian Knapp hit a homer for Kars.