ISC World Tournament schedule released

The schedule for the International Softball Congress World Tournament and Legends tournament has been released.

There are 34 teams in the WT and 15 teams in the 50+ Legends event.

More info on the ISC page.

ISC East Qualifier schedule released

The schedule for the International Softball Congress Qualifer on June 19-21 in Mitchell, ON has been announced. 

There are six teams in the top end White men's division, 12 in the Red men's division and six in the 50+ Legends group.

While rosters haven't been released yet, there should be Greater Ottawa Fastball League representation on the Kingston Axemen, Toronto Batmen U23, and Waterdown Hammer in the Red Division as well as with the Hammer's Legends team.

Hill United, Cobourg win at ISCs

Hill United Chiefs repeated as champions of the International Softball Congress World Tournament, going undefeated in five games to take the title in North Mankato, MN. The Chiefs beat the Bear Creek Express 10-0 in the final. Marco Diaz got the win and Ty Sebastian took the loss with relief from Pita Rona.

In the 50+ Legends final, Cobourg Force went undefeated in the event, winning all seven games they played, defeating CR Brewers of BC 13-2 in the final. Grant Patterson threw for the Force while the Brewers used Rich Haldane, Trevor McCabe, Trevor Ethier and Rob Schweyer on the slab.

ISC update

After the Friday games at the International Softball Congress World Tournament in North Mankato, MN, there are four teams remaining.

Hill United beat Northeast Drillers 3-1 in the undefeated game to advance to the Final at 5:30 p.m. (Central). JDT First Energy plays STK Fastball at 9:30 a.m. with the winner to play the Drillers in the semi-final at noon. 

Midland Explorers won the ISC II Final yesterday 3-1 over the Georgian Bay Giants on a walk off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. 

On the 50+ Legends side, four teams remain in the semi-finals: Highroad Excavating Northstars (BC) vs Cobourg Force (ON) and CR Brewers (BC) vs All Season Patriots (PA). 

Waterdown Hammer lost 5-4 in the first round of the playoff bracket to the Minnesota Aces. Brad Porter started the game and Bill Carson took the loss in relief.

Updated schedule for ISC, ISC II and Legends

The International Softball Congress has released the schedule for today's remaining games as of 11:30 a.m. Central time.

Porter with a win at Legends

The International Softball Congress 50+ Legends tournament continues in North Mankato, Minnesota. 

Defending champions Cobourg Force has three wins with one round robin game to play on Friday morning.  They have only allowed one run against so far.

All Seasons Patriots of Allentown, Pennsylvania are also undefeated winning all four of their games so far. Former Greater Ottawa Fastball League player Dan Loney is in their line up.

Waterdown Hammer finished pool play with three wins and a loss. They defeated Bar Buzz of Wisconsin 8-1 on Wednesday then lost a close game to CR Brewers of British Columbia 5-4. Brad Porter threw for the Hammer against the Brewers, who walked it off in the bottom of the seventh with two out. Rob Schweyer, Trevor Ethier and Trevor McCabe all threw for CR. The Brewers finished the round robin 4-0.

The Hammer then beat local team Ostrander 14-2 before wrapping up with a 6-5 win over Texas Stars. Porter got the win in relief of Bill Carson.

Teams await their seedings for the playoff bracket games for Friday.

ISC World tournament starts Saturday

The 32-team International Softball Congress World Tournament starts on Saturday in North Mankato, Minnesota. The tournament is earlier than its normal mid-August dates due to the World Games in China which feature Men's Softball this year.

The Kingston Axemen, ranked #19, are participating at the ISCs and start off their tournament with an 8 p.m. (Eastern) game on Saturday evening against the Pueblo Bandits (ranked#13). Greater Ottawa Fastball League players on the Axemen roster include Nick Ellis and Kristian Knapp from the Vars Aces and Tyler Branchaud from Manotick Brewers. 

The top three ranked teams at the event are the #1 Hill United Chiefs, #2 Bear Creek Gremlins and #3 Northeast Drillers. Play continues throughout the week, wrapping up with the finals on Saturday August 2.

There is also a 50+ Legends division at the same time with 15 teams, starting on Wednesday July 30 with the finals also on August 2. GOFLers Brad Porter (Vars Aces) and Adam Brown (West Carleton Electric) will be playing in that division for the Waterdown Hammer.

ISC Qualifier wraps up in Mitchell

A successful International Softball Congress Qualifier event wrapped up in Mitchell on Sunday after a weekend of great weather and excellent ball.

In the top tier White division, the Bear Creek Express defeated the Gremlins 3-0 to win the title in this six team event.

In the second tier Red division, there were eight teams, and the U23 Toronto Junior Batmen were the champions, defeating Georgian Bay Giants 7-6 in the final. Tyler Branchaud of the Greater Ottawa Fastball League's Manotick Brewers plays for the U23 Batmen.

Kingston Axemen played in the Red division and finished with three wins and two losses. They beat Sebringville Sting 6-5 this morning then were eliminated with a 8-1 loss to the U23 Batmen. Nick Ellis and Kristian Knapp of the GOFL's Kars Aces played for Kingston. 

Team Ontario U20 played in the Red division and finished with a respectable 2-3 record. Conner Hopper of West Carleton Electric is on Team O.

The Legends 50+ division had four teams and Bear Creek Legends defeated defending ISC championship Cobourg Force in the final. Waterdown Hammer Legends, who lost to Cobourg 7-0 in the semi-final, had Brad Porter of Kars and Adam Brown of West Carleton Electric on their roster. Orleans Lacroix Sports, comprised of many Ottawa area players, also played in the Legends division and went 0-4.

Saturday at the ISC Qualifier

It was another great day for ball at the International Softball Congress qualifier tournament in Mitchell, ON on Saturday. 

The Kingston Axemen won one and lost one to finish round robin play at 2-1. They defeated Team Ontario 2-0, with David Watson picking up the win. Kristian Knapp of the Kars Aces had a triple and an RBI. Later in the day they lost 12-5 to the Georgian Bay Giants. Knapp had 2 RBIs in that one. The Axemen play the Sebringville Sting on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. as bracket play begins.

Team Ontario U20 won their first game on Saturday, defeating the Walton Brewers 11-1. Conner Hopper of West Carleton Electric was 2 for 2 with two doubles. Team O play the Waterdown Hammer at 8:30 a.m. in Sunday bracket play.

The Orleans Legends lost both their games on Saturday and will play at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday in the 50+ final versus Bear Creek.

Waterdown Hammer Legends lost to ISC defending champions Cobourg Force 8-1, then were defeated 4-3 in eight innings by Bear Creek. Brad Porter threw very well for the Hammer despite taking the loss in a complete game effort. The Hammer Legends play the Force in a semi-final at 10:30 a.m.

ISC Qualifier in Mitchell

The International Softball Congress Qualifier tournament in Mitchell got underway last night. There are six ISC teams in the top tier men's division, six lower ranked ISC teams plus a U23 team and U20 Team Ontario in another division and a four team 50+ Legends division. 

The Kingston Axemen won their game against the Walton Brewers 4-1, with Jordan Macdonald getting the win and David Watson the save. Kristian Knapp of the GOFL's Kars Aces hit a 300 foot plus two run homer for the Axemen.

Team Ontario, which includes West Carleton Electric's Conner Hopper, lost narrowly to the Georgian Bay Giants 8-7.

In the 50+ division, Brad Porter, also of the Kars Aces, picked up his first ever pitching win at this level in a 14-2 win for Waterdown Hammer Legends over the Orleans Lacroix Sports Legends. Some old guy that runs a blog was 2 for 2 in the same game for Waterdown. 

ISC Canada East Qualifier schedule announced

Reminder - the ISC Tournament is this weekend in Mitchell. Games on the main diamond to be streamed on Softball Premier TV on YouTube. https://youtube.com/@softballpremiertv

The 2025 International Softball Congress Canada East Qualifier June 13-15 in Mitchell, Ontario schedule has been released. There are three divisions - two men's and a Legends (50+) group.

The Kingston Axemen are entered in the "Red" division. A new Legends teams from Orleans, with several former Blackburn Men's Fastball League players, has entered as well.

Ward Gosse dies

Ward Gosse from Torbay, Newfoundland has died.

Gosse was a true Legend of fastball, and a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame for both softball and hockey.

Gosse was most recently active in the ISC Legends circuit, pitching and playing for the Sudbury Relics and earning MVP honours at the ISC Legends World Event in both 2018 and 2022.

He leaves behind a wife and three children.

More info on X and Facebook. 

Cobourg wins ISC Legends

The Cobourg Force won the International Softball Congress Legends (50+) division at the 12 team event held in Surrey, BC over the past week. The Force came from behind to defeat the All Seasons Patriots from Pennsylvania 6-5 in the final game.

Dan Loney from Cornwall, a former Greater Ottawa Fastball League player with I4C Victory and former New York Gremlins player, was recognized on the Legends All Tournament team for his performance with All Seasons.

Jeff Lane, who is from Florida but has played on many area tournament teams in the past including Broker for Tickets and Kanata Storm was also recognized. Laner played for Cobourg.

Only one active player from the GOFL participated in the ISC Legends this year, some blogger from West Carleton Electric who played for Waterdown Hammer.

Schedule for ISC World tournament is released

The schedule for the International Softball Congress World Tournament to be held mid-August in Surrey, British Columbia has been released. 

Info here: ISC World Tournament | Men's Fastpitch Softball (iscfastpitch.com)

ISC Schedules announced for Mitchell

The schedules have been announced for the International Softball Congress event in Mitchell, ON on June 14-16 weekend. There is an eight team ISC level tournament, four teams in Legends 50+ and four teams in U20.

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.

ISC Legends schedule announced

The International Softball Congress Legends tournament (50+) has been announced for mid August in Wisconsin.  There are 16 teams participating and a few Greater Ottawa Fastball League (current and former) players participating. 

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.

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).