Axemen finish third at the Molly

The Kingston Axemen finished third at the ten-team Molly Sherman Memorial Tournament in Elkland, Pennsylvania this weekend.

Rain delayed things so they only got one game in on Saturday, a 12-0 win over Penton Automotive. Jordan Macdonald got the win. Mike Avery had four RBIs for Kingston. Dale Schweyer took the loss.

On Sunday morning, the Axemen beat Team 518 of upstate New York by a score of 7-4. Joran Graham had the complete game win, striking out 16, and had an RBI at the plate. Avery and Aaron Harvey both homered for the Axemen. Christian Puncher took the loss for 518.

On Saturday afternoon, with a trip to the final on the line, the Axemen lost to Sandlot Fastpitch from Stevens, PA 3-2 in a well played game. Andy Barber threw well despite taking the loss, striking out 13. Barber also had two hits and an RBI. Colton Lecuyer had a solo shot for Kingston. Julian Fernandez and Erick Chaparro threw for Sandlot.

The Axemen then faced PA Storm but fell 5-0 in a rain-shortened game. Macdonald started for Kingston and Barber finished. Cody Martin earned the win for the Storm.

Axemen win opener in Elklamd

The 20th Annual Molly Sherman Memorial Tournament experienced a significant rain delay on Saturday, but some games did get played.

The Kingston Axemen were scheduled to play their first game at 10:45 a.m. but didn't start until about 10 hours later. They beat Penton Automotive 12-0. Jordan "Fu" Macdonald had the win while Dale Schweyer took the loss.

The Axemen get up early for their next game, an 8 a.m. start on Sunday.

20th Annual Molly Sherman tournament this weekend in Elkland

The 20th Annual Molly Sherman Memorial Tournament is being held this weekend in Elkland, Pennsylvania with 10 teams participating, including Kingston Axemen which has several Greater Ottawa Fastball League players on the roster. Also attending are the CPI Bucks from upstate New York who will be appearing at the Carp Shootout in early June. 

Below is the bracket, as per the tournament director Jeremy Cook.

Action gets started at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, with the final scheduled on Sunday at 6 p.m.

Kingston Axemen win the Elkland Durk Sherman Classic (updated)

For the second year in a row, the Kingston Axemen won the Durk Sherman Classic tournament over Labour Day weekend in Elkland, PA.

The defeated the host Elkland Softball Association team in the final. There were eight teams participating in the event.

Jordan "Fu" Macdonald was named the event's Top Pitcher.

Details here on Al's Fastball.

73rd Annual Durk Sherman Memorial Tournament champions, Kingston Axemen 

Sandlot Merchants win the Molly

The Sandlot Merchants from Ephrata, Pennsylvania won the Molly Sherman Memorial Tournament in Elkland, PA this past weekend. 

Sandlot won the final 2-0 over Adirondack Flooring. Erick Chaparro, an Argentinian, got the win on the slab in the last game, with Tyler Randerson taking the loss. Chaparro was named top pitcher of the event and Andre Hoover of Sandlot, top player.

Both Ontario teams the Kingston Axemen and the Waterdown Hammer won their first game. Waterdown then lost two, and Kingston three, to be eliminated.

Elkland Molly this weekend

The 19th Annual Molly Sherman Memorial Tournament is being held this weekend in Elkland, Pennsylvania with 13 teams participating, including Ontario teams Kingston Axemen and last year's champions, the Waterdown Hammer. Below is the bracket, as per Facebook.

There will be a ceremony to celebrate the life of Mark Schultz in the Pavilion after the final game on Saturday, as per the announcement here.

Mark Schultz - now with obituary

If you have been to play or watch ball in Elkland, PA in the past decade or so, you know Mark Schultz even if you didn't know his name.

"Schultzie" was mainstay at the ballpark, wearing one of his many football shirts. You could hear him across the main diamond as he alternatively cheered and jeered the action on the field.

He was definitely loud and could sometimes be obnoxious. He was usually funny and was always creative.  A selection of classics include:

"WHO PUT THE CREAM IN THE COFFEE!"

"GET YOUR PANTS DIRTY!"

"WE GOT ALL KINDS OF GATORADE! ALL KINDS OF FLAVORS!"

"THAT ONE IS DOWNTOWN, WHERE THE LIGHTS ARE BRIGHTER!"

"TUNE UP THE BAND!"

Here is an audio example of Schultzie in action.

Here are some well-written words that Lorna Sherman posted on Facebook:

The moment Mark Schultz walked in, the atmosphere changed. He was a magnet, drawing everyone closer. At every tournament, his cheering was the soundtrack. It rang out above the music, the chatter, everything. People gravitated towards it, wanting to be part of the fun. He was a reminder that joy can be found anywhere, anytime. That's the gift he left us.

Schultzie was never quiet at the ball diamond, but he is silent now as he died on Friday. 

He will be missed.

Update - his obituary Obituary

Kingston wins Durk Sherman Classic

The Kingston Axemen won the ten team Durk Sherman Memorial Tournament in Elkland this weekend. The Axemen defeated the host Elkland Softball Association 7-6 in a well-played final on Sunday night. Jordan Macdonald and Kyle Ainsley pitched for the champions and Duane Weiler and Justin Zimmerman pitched for ESA. Nick Ellis and Dylan Toms of the GOFL's Kars Aces played for Kingston.

Both teams finished with a four win and one loss record.

Macdonald was named top pitcher and Mike Avery also of Kingston was most valuable player. 

West Carleton Electric finished third with three wins and two losses. Adam Rueckwald and Gavin Brooks pitched for WC.

Other eastern Ontario teams at the event were Westport Lumberjacks (1-2) from the North Leeds Men's Fastball League and the Tri-City Logsplitters (1-2) a 23 and under team composed primarily of players from the Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League.  The Caveman earned his first ever pitching victory in Elkland.

Full results with winning and losing pitchers posted here on Al's Fastball.

72nd Annual Durk Sherman Classic schedule announced

The schedule has been released for the 72nd Annual Durk Sherman Classic in Elkland, Pennsylvania. 

There are 10 teams participating, four from eastern Ontario: West Carleton Electric, Westport Lumberjacks, Kingston Axemen and the Tri-City Logsplitters, a 23U team from West Carleton captained by the Caveman and Fitzroy Junior.

Waterdown Hammer win the Molly

The Waterdown Hammer won the Molly Sherman Memorial 11-team tournament this weekend in Elkland, PA.

The Hammer defeated the Seadogs from Massachusetts in their opener by a score of 2-0.

In their second game, Waterdown got by the Bedford, PA Rays 7-2.

Sunday's first game was against Team 518 from New York, and the Hammer lost that one 8-5.

The semi-final game was a 13-0 win over the Niagara Snappers, the only other Ontario team in the event.

That set up a rematch in the Final with Team 518 which Waterdown won 2-1. Clayton Robinson got the win and Julian Fernandez the loss. Devon Carson's solo homer in the sixth was the difference. 

Robinson won top pitcher and Carson tournament MVP.

Schedule for "The Molly" released

There are 11 teams signed up for the Molly in Elkland this coming weekend. Here is the information released and the bracket.

Elkland Softball Association welcomes The Sea Dogs, Hammer, Rays, Snappers, Sandlot Merchants, Weaver Painting, Pennton Automotive, High Ballers, Team 518, ProPetro and Team ESA to the Durk Sherman Memorial Complex for the 18th Annual Molly Sherman Memorial Tournament on May 25 & 26.

Elkland tournaments for 2024

The Elkland Softball Association has three weekends for tournaments in 2024.

18th Annual Molly Sherman Memorial: May 25-26
31st Annual Gary Sherman Knockout: August 24-25
72nd Annual Durk Sherman Classic: August 30-September 1 

WC Electric goes 2-3 in Elkland

West Carleton Electric finished with two wins and three losses in the Durk Sherman Memorial tournament in Elkland, PA over the Labour Day long weekend.

There were seven teams this year, with the Cross Roads Bucks from Crogan, NY winning the title over the host Elkland Softball Assocation team in the Final.

West Carleton won one and lost two in pool play, defeating the High Ballers 5-4 in 8 innings, losing to Professional Petroleum 11-4 and losing to the Bucks 18-2. In single elimination bracket play the Electric defeated the High Ballers again 6-5 then losing to the Kingston Axemen 11-7. Trevor Lahey had both pitching wins for WC.

The Axemen finished the event with two wins and four losses.

Westport Lumberjacks also participated in the event, finishing with two wins and three losses. 

Durk Sherman Classic in Elkland

The Durk Sherman Classic tournament in Elkland, Pennsylvania over the Labour Day weekend features seven teams this year, including three from Eastern Ontario: Westport Lumberjacks, West Carleton Electric and Kingston Axemen.

Teams will play seeding games on Saturday, with the top four getting a double life and remaining three a single life in bracket play on Sunday.

The Final is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sunday.

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.

Team 518 wins Elkland Molly

Team 518 from Albany, NY won the Elkland Molly tournament on the Memorial Day weekend, defeating Fishers from Stevens, PA.

11 teams at the "Molly" this weekend

The 17th Annual Molly Sherman Memorial Tournament in Elkland, PA welcomes 11 teams:

ESA, Elkland, PA; Clippers, Oswego, NY; Weaver Painting, Rochester, NY; Bandits, Port Treverton, PA; Team 518, Albany, NY; Fishers, Stevens, PA; Penton Automotive, Jersey Shore, PA; Professional Petroleum, Williamsport, PA; SeaDogs, Boston, MA; Elanco Black Hawks, Lancaster, PA; Stevens Rays, Stevens, PA.

Elkland tournaments for 2023

Elkland, PA will be hosting four men's fastpitch tournaments this upcoming season.  As always, you can contact Tournament Director, Bill Sherman at esabill30@yahoo.com or (607) 857-8128 for more information or to enter a team.

NY Gremlins invitational coming to Elkland

The Men's major fastpitch circuit is back in Elkland, PA this summer with a five-team event on July 28-30. 

Durk Sherman Classic on Labour Day in Elkland washed out

The Durk Sherman Classic was held over Labour Day weekend in Elkland, PA featured seven teams this year, but the championship was unfortunately washed out as heavy rains arrived on Sunday night and on Monday.

The top two teams Professional Petro and Mansfield Mounties were playing on Sunday night to see who would go directly to the Final when their game was rained out in the fourth. They were declared co-champions.

West Carleton Electric was the lone Canadian team at the event. WC defeated the HighBallers 7-0 and the Clippers 7-1, but lost to Pro Petro 8-1 and to ESA, the host team, 7-2.

West Carleton Electric - 2022 Elkland squad

Back row: Zach Branchaud, Adam Brown, Nolan Rook, Paul Griffith, Randy Williams

Front row: Owen Brown, Joe Mick, Scott Conroy, Trevor Lahey, Andy McIntyre, Andy Barber