Eastern Ontario Fastball Blog

A blog dedicated to news about the Greater Ottawa Fastball League and other happenings in the world of fastball / fastpitch softball in eastern Ontario and western Quebec, with occasional stories featuring Mrs Fitzroy Fastball, Fitzroy Fastball Junior and the Caveman. If you have info to send on, send me an email at fastball[at]fitzroyharbour.com. Follow @fitzroyfastball on Twitter.

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Monday, April 30, 2007

ISC II Sydenham Qualifier filling up

There are nine confirmed teams as of today for the ISC II qualifier tournament in Sydenham, near Kingston, on June 22-24.

Team confirmed are:

1. Carp I4C Victory
2. Blackburn Bombers
3. Northern Explorers (Sudbury)
4. Ottawa Team Easton
5. Kingston Cowboys
6. Fitzroy Harbour WC Electric
7. Stouffville Mennos
8. Waterdown Hammer
9. Ottawa Valley Raiders

Several other teams have expressed interest and the tournament could feature as many as 16 if everyone attends.

Blair Setford of the ISC (blairjs[at]rogers.com) is the guy to talk to if your team is interested - but you would advised to act quickly.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Pre-season Game Set for Carp

from Shawn Williams

The Carp I4C Victory will begin the 2007 fastball season with a pre-season game against Matt Greer and the Shawville Snappers on Saturday, May 5th at 1:30 PM at the Carp Fairgrounds.

The game will be lengthened to nine innings to allow both teams to get tuned up for the season and the waiving of the substitution rule will allow for a number of players to play at several different positions.

Additions to Carp this year include pitcher, Paul Ceppi from Chatham, Ontario. Ceppi is a tall lean right hander who last year threw for Blenheim in the St. Thomas Men’s Fastball League. Kevin Griffin and Casey Polldervarrt also join the Victory having spent most of last year playing with Greenbush in the North Leeds League. Griffin is a left handed pitcher who will also see time as a Designated Player and play some first base. Polldervarrt is a catcher/first baseman who brings tremendous energy to the team and will give last year’s regular catcher, Shawn Houle some relief behind the plate. Al Read is a veteran of the Greater Ottawa Fastball League having previously played for Kanata Team Easton and will play mostly at third base but may see some time at first. Eric Colvin is returning to competitive fastball after taking last year off to recover from knee surgery. A product of the Kanata Pirates minor program, Colvin will help strengthen Carp’s outfield when required.

Carp is pleased to have Steve McLaughlin return to the line-up. Last year, McLaughlin had a season ending injury in early June when he ruptured his Achilles tendon at the Dickinson Days Tournament in Manotick. Carp will also have Chad Hargrove of the Orleans Rebels for tournaments throughout the year. Hargrove is a hard throwing right hander who will be one of the leaders on the expansion Rebels team in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League and will face the Victory in the opening game of the season for each team on Thursday, May 10th in Carp.

Also returning are pitcher and team sponsor, Neil Cooke, third baseman, Brooks Paziuk, shortstop, Kevin McGuire, outfielders, Kyle Gourgon, Matt McNish and Mike Money, second baseman, Pete Pettit, outfielder/second baseman, Russ Mitchell and pitcher, Trevor Wood.

The Carp I4C Victory play in the eight team Greater Ottawa Fastball League. Home games are Thursday evenings at 8:30 PM at the Carp Fairgrounds. For schedule information please visit the team’s website at www.i4cvictory.com or the league website at http://ca.geocities.com/fitzroyfastball/GOFL.htm.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Quyon to hold fundraiser prior to first GOFL game

Prior to the Quyon Flyers' inaugral GOFL game, at home versus the WC Electric on Sunday May 13 at 2:00PM, there will be a fundraiser breakfast as per the message below.

from Kenny Fleck

The mayor of Quyon is holding a breakfast on the 13th of May to raise money for the ball park to fix the washrooms. It is at the Lions Hall (yellow building beside the ferry) from 9:00 until 1:00. 100% of proceeds will go towards the ballpark. The Flyers will be auctioning off or raffling different items to help raise money as well.

ISC II reminder of May 1st date

From Blair Setford, ISC VP

May 1 is an extremely important date in the fastball world this year.

It is the deadline for entry into the ISC & ISC II qualifiers in Canada East, the deadline for registering out-of-region players and the deadline for submitting preseason rosters.

Canada East ISC & ISC II Qualifiers:
Both of these ISC II qualifiers are now starting to fill up. Entries will be taken on a first-in basis in the event that the tournaments have to be capped.

Date: June 22-24 - Innerkip, Ontario
Berths: World Tournament and ISC II ToC for 2007
Double elimination
In region teams only
Canada East VP - Blair Setford 905-826-297 blairjs(at)rogers.com
Tournament Director - Joe Todd ftode739(at)rogers.com
Local Contact - Howie Brown 519-421-6334

Date: June 22-24 - Sydenham, Ontario
Berths: ISC II ToC for 2007
Double elimination
In region teams only
Canada East VP - Blair Setford 905-826-297 blairjs(at)rogers.com
Tournament Director - Colin Smith 905-790-8226 colinsmith(at)look.ca
Local Contact - Adam Lake 613-484-1313 paullake(at)kingston.net

Entry fee for qualifiers is $325.

Cheques should be made payable to: ISC Canada East.

Mail to:
Blair Setford
ISC Canada East Vice President
2927 Nipiwin Drive
Mississauga, Ontario L5N 1Y1
Entry deadline is May 1, 2007

Out-of-Region Players

Please note that if you are signing out-of-region players, or are a player that is signing out-of-region, the deadline for the paperwork and fee to be submitted to the ISC is also May 1. The OOR form can be found on the ISC website here: http://www.iscfastpitch.com/uploads/File/2006_OOR_Form.xls
Completed forms and fees should be sent to:
Ken Hackmeister
ISC Executive Director
153 E. 200 S. #10
Farmington, UT 84025

Preseason Rosters

Lastly, May 1 is also the deadline to submit preseason rosters. These rosters are non-binding and can be changed during the year. The roster form can be downloaded here: http://www.iscfastpitch.com/uploads/File/Team_Reg_roster_2007.xls
Completed ISC II roster forms should be emailed as attachments to ISC II Statisticians Hank DeWild at hdewild@milwpc.com and Tony Schaaf at tschaaf@kimberly.k12.wi.us.
ISC roster forms can be emailed to Gary Baughman at ISCSTAT@hotmail.com

If you have any questions about any of the above, please contact:

Blair Setford
ISC Canada East VP
1.888.860.9888 x2285 (office)
905.826.2697 (home)
blairjs(at)rogers.com

Ottawa U Gee-Gee Softball News

from Scott Searle

The Gee-Gees Softball concluded a very successful season with a clean sweep of the University of Ottawa Athletic Banquet last night. First Baseman Lindsey McLaughlin, in her last night as a Gee-Gee was named Female Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row. This marks the first time a female athlete has won this award in back-to-back years. Lindsey was also named Team MVP.

The successful night continued when Erin Durant was given the Award of Merit to recognize her excellence in community, sport, academics, and athletics. This is the second time a softball athlete has won this award as Erin follows in Nicole Dunlop's footsteps who won the award in 2003. (Brief Bio's of each athlete are inculded below)

The entire Gee-Gee softball program is flushed with pride this morning at the recognition of two of our athletes. These are very special people who have represented us with pride and dignity during their careers in the garnet and grey.

Lindsey and Erin are excellent representations of a program who has committed itself to developing leaders in the community. Please visit our website www.eteamz.com/ottawaufastpitch and click on the "Leadership" tab to view other examples of leadership in the community.

The Gee-Gees will scatter for the summer to compete for a wide variety for clubs and teams in the summer. As always, we will keep fans of the team informed on their status throughout the summer on our website, www.eteamz.com/ottawaufastpitch

Scott Searle
Head Coach

Nominations for Awards

MVP-Lindsey McLaughlin

Female Athlete of the Year-

Lindsey McLaughlin led the Gee-Gees Softball team to a third place finish in 2006. Her explosive hitting, flawless defense, and stalwart leadership were essential ingredients in our successful season. She started the season strong and kept on hitting, driving in 3 game-winning RBI's in the teams first four games. Throughout the season it seemed every time the team needed a big hit, Lindsey was at-bat and every time, she delivered.

She was first or second, in all major offensive categories. She led the team in batting average, hits, doubles, home runs, and runs scored. She finished second in triples, and RBI's.

Lindsey seemed to save her best performance for her graduating year as she turned heads every time she was at bat and put on a show at home against Carleton University with two over-the-fence home runs in the Gee-Gees “Support Our Troops” Dedication night.

Despite her offensive prowess, it was her leadership and dedication that was most beneficial to the young Gee-Gees. She was a steady hand in a storm and led the Garnet and Grey through rough waters on several occasions. Lindsey is an excellent role model for young athletes and has taken time out of her schedule to mentor troubled youth at local high schools in Ottawa and has always served as an example for rookies on the Gee-Gees squad. She coaches young athletes in the summer, and is very generous with her free-time and can frequently be seen working with minor athletes in the summer.

She will be sorely missed.

Award of Merit-

Erin Durant-

Erin has been one of the most active athletes in her career as a Gee-Gee. In addition to being the spark plug for the explosive Gee-Gee offense, she has been extremely generous with her free time and has established herself as a leader in her community.

In 2006 she helped lead the Gee-Gees to a bronze medal finish and led the team in On-Base-Percentage and set the table at the top of the lineup. She was second on the team in runs scored, and singles and third in batting average and stolen bases. She used her skills to get on base over 60% of the time and her speed to turn 70% of those opportunities into runs.

She has been a pillar of the softball community in her 3 years in Ottawa, frequently volunteering her spare time to work with minor athletes or teams. She travelled to Montreal in February to work with a team of U14 athletes, and is a frequent contributor to the Gee-Gees free clinics offered to minor athletes in the Ottawa area. Erin has agreed to coach the Kanata Pirates Novice team this summer, in addition to working two full-time jobs, and playing on her own team. Softball Canada recognized her talent and hired her to supervise the administration of their “Learn To Play” program which is aimed at increasing participation among 4-5 year olds across Canada. Erin was a key driving force behind the Gee-Gees initiative in October to dedicate a league game to Canadian Troops serving overseas and her grandfather, a WW2 veteran, agreed to throw out the first pitch. The Provincial Women's Softball Association in Ontario recognized Erin's talents and contributions to the sport and community at large when they awarded her their very prestigious scholarship at a ceremony last November.

Erin has been active in her school community as well, serving as a tutor in the Peer Help Center and consistently being recognized at the Student-Athlete Awards Breakfast, to celebrate 3 years of 8.0 GPA. Erin is also running in the “Relay for Life” Marathon later this month to raise money to fight cancer.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

WC Electric to welcome back Jimmy Ryan for 2007

Fitzroy Harbour West Carleton Electric are pleased to welcome back veteran right-hander Jimmy Ryan into the fold for the 2007 season. JR is a Pakenham resident who has played a lot of ball across the Ottawa Valley over the last 30+ years.

Jimmy played with the 'Trics in the 2003 season, helping them to a third-place finish at the OASA Men's C Provincials and a first place finish at the Shawville Tournament that year. Jim has played off and on over the last few years, including a couple of exhibition games with a Pakenham team against WC Electric last year.

Jimmy fits in well with "the lads" on the West Carleton team, and the Electric looks for his experience to assist from a coaching perspective as well.

ISC reminder - May 1 date

from Al's Fastball

Preliminary Rosters - Preliminary rosters for both World Tournament and ISC II teams are due May 1. The roster form is found on the ISC Web Site www.iscfastpitch.com Click on Rules and Forms in the left margin. Preliminary rosters are to be submitted to the proper statisticians whose email addresses appear on the roster form itself.

Letter of Intent - Out of Region (OOR) Form - The 2007 season begins the new Out of Region concept, replacing the former Out of Area plan. The newly revised Out of Region form is also displayed on the ISC web site in the Rules and Forms page. To save teams and players time and to avoid 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation faxes, we will accept an OOR form without the players signature, provided the player sends an email to iscken@comcast.net, stating their intention to play for XYZ team in 2007. That email must arrive no later than May 1 and the team manager can mail the actual OOR form. The operation is the same as the former Out of Area program. The forms and fee must be postmarked to the ISC Executive Director no later than May 1. The first three OOR players per team are subject to a $100 fee each. The fourth and subsequent OOR players per team are subject to a $300 fee each. Out of Region rules apply to both ISC World Tournament and ISC II teams.

If anyone has difficulty downloading or printing these forms from the web site, please email iscken@comcast.net and a form or forms will be sent back to you as an email attachment.

Update from Cornwall

from the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder
Printed without any kind of permission, so don't tell them please.

Play Ball; Fastball league hoping for big things in fourth season of play
Kevin Lajoie / Standard-Freeholder
Sports - Wednesday, April 18, 2007 @ 09:00

After a decades-long absence, fastball has once again established a footing in Cornwall, and this coming season could be the biggest yet in the ongoing resurrection of the game.

A minimum of four teams are expected to take to the field this summer in the BMO Nesbitt Burns Cornwall and District Fastball League (the local company has signed on as title sponsor), and there is a possibility that number could grow larger before the first pitch is thrown in mid-May.

Organizer Jim Martell said there was talk of an Ingleside club joining the fold, though nothing is firmed up at this point. What's more, it's believed there could be a large group of players looking to get into the fastball league after the local slo-pitch league recently folded, Martell added. League officials could learn if that prediction proves true tonight when they hold a registration session at the Navy Club on Sixth Street East from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Registration is $100 and it is open to anyone looking for competitive action. Regardless of whether their ends up being four or more teams in action, Martell said he's expecting the coming season - the fourth for the young league - to be exciting for both players and fans alike.

As with the old fastball league, fans are beginning to stop by King George Park on game nights to take in the action, Martell said. Last year's all-star game and finals managed to draw some sizeable crowds to the park.

"It's almost the same as it used to 30 or 35 years ago," said Martell, who remembers going to King George with his father Louis to watch the teams in the old fastball league do battle.

While fun to watch, the league is also quite competitive, thanks in part to the draft system used to stock teams. In the last two seasons, there was only six to eight points difference between the first and fourth place teams. What's more, the last two championship teams held the fourth and final place in regular season play, Martell said.

Martell said before the league's birth, many local fastball players were travelling out of town to places like Kemptville to compete. Now, they're staying home and playing ball locally.

The league also provides a venue for younger and less experienced players to develop their game, Martell said. For example, if a team's winning by a large margin and a win looks like a sure thing, it's not uncommon to see a less experienced pitcher take to the mound to earn some game-time experience. It also gives the losing team a potentially easier opportunity to score some runs.

"It's a serious league, but we're all about playing ball and having fun," he said. Along with BMO Nesbitt Burns, Cornwall Cruising, O'Neill Home Renovations and the Navy Club have signed on as sponsors. The Navy Club has also offered to sponsor a tournament team which will compete in four to six tournaments over the summer.

Following tonight's registration, the team draft will take place next week. Play will begin in mid-May and continue through the summer with playoffs in August. Those seeking more info about the league can contact Martell at 613-931-2255.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Blackburn Fastball league eval camp

from blog correspondent TC

Don't forget - the Blackburn Men's Fastball League evaluation camp is coming up this weekend:

The league evaluation camp in which all new players will be evaluated for the draft also takes place in April. Here are the dates:

Saturday, April 21st, 2007 @ Blackburn Arena diamond from 1:00PM - 3:00PM

Rain Dates: Sunday, April 22nd, Saturday, April 28th or Sunday, April 29th (same location and times)

The draft will then take place on April 23rd (April 30th if the evaluation is postponed until the following weekend), with the preseason games starting May 1.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Local official inducted into the Canadian Indicator Club

from Sal Gara

Gary Callaghan is an official that many of you have seen at all levels of games and tournaments across the region for many years. We in the umpire community are very aware of Gary’s tireless efforts not only in officiating, but in instructing clinics, evaluating and developing other officials, and his work on the board of the Eastern Ontario Umpires Association. And we are extremely pleased to see Gary recognized for his efforts. Gary recently received notification (included below) from Mr. Robert Stanton, the National Director of Umpires for Softball Canada, that he would be inducted into the Canadian Indicator Club at this year’s Blue Convention in Quebec City. This is an extremely prestigious honour of which Gary is very deserving. He joins a very elite group of individuals from across the country that make up the Indicator Club. For all of you in the area that know Gary as an official, I think you’ll agree that this a fitting award for a true gentleman. Congratulations Gary!

-----------------

Dear Gary,

On behalf of Softball Canada and the Officiating Development Committee, please accept our congratulations on your up coming induction into the Canadian Indicator Club.

You are being inducted because your efforts and contributions to our sport and your passion for the game has not gone unnoticed. With your continued support our program can only grow stronger. With leaders like you in our communities, our sport is leading the way worldwide. Softball Canada would not be as strong as it is if it wasn’t for the efforts that are being put forth by individuals like you.

Your induction into the Indicator Club will take place during the 2007 Blue Convention in Quebec City, Quebec, at the Indicator Club Dinner to be held on Saturday night, April 7th, at the Delta Hotel.

Thank you for being involved with Softball Canada and I wish you many more years of success.


Sincerely,
Bob Stanton
National Director of Umpires

ISC II Qualifier - Sydenham, ON

Just a reminder, the ISC II qualifier for a spot(s) in the ISC Tournament of Champions will be held in Sydenham, north of Kingston.

UPDATE: Hotel info, courtesy of Adam Lake:

First Canada Inn: $84.95 plus 14% tax, continental breakfast is served between 6a.m. and 10 a.m. this is free of charge. This is for a room with two double beds or for a room with a king bed and a pull out couch. Cots are available upon request at a minimal fee.

Rooms have to be reserved by May 15th in order to receive the above rate. Please contact Heather Aldous at First Canada Inns at 1-613-541-1111 ex 314. Mention that you are booking rooms for the ISC II Qualifying Tournament and mention Adam Lake. After the rooms are reserved, any cancellations must be done with a 48 hour notice.

The are currently constructing an indoor pool that will be ready for the tournament date. The hotel is about 15-20 minutes to the main ball diamond and 5 minutes to downtown Kingston. There is an East Side Mario's right outside the hotel and there are McDonald's, Tim Horton's, Mr Sub, A&W, Arby's, Harvey's, Wendy's, Swiss Chalet, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dairy Queen and Pizza Hut in the immediate area.

The details:

June 22-24 - Sydenham, Ontario
Double elimination
In region teams only
Tournament Director - Blair Setford 905-826-297 blairjs(at)rogers.com
Tournament Director - Colin Smith 905-790-8226 colinsmith(at)look.ca
Local Contact - Adam Lake 613-484-1313 paullake(at)kingston.net
UIC - Peter Kluszczynski kluz2(at)idirect.com

Entry fee is $325. Cheques should be made payable to ISC Canada East.
Mail to: Blair Setford
ISC Canada East Vice President
2927 Nipiwin Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
L5N 1Y1
Entry deadline is May 1, 2007

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Young lads from Orleans

Look out GOFL, the team from Orleans joining the league are former Provincial Champs. This photo of the 1997 Mite B Provincial Champs will have five players on the Orleans Gators GOFL team this season.

This makes me feel kind of old......




Friday, April 06, 2007

GOFL 2007 schedule released

The GOFL 2007 schedule has been released and is now posted on the league website.

The Ottawa Valley Raiders have decided not to field a team this year in the Greater Ottawa league and will instead focus on the Ottawa RA League play. Therefore the GOFL with be an 8 team league this season.

Each team will play 21 games, 3 against each opponent. The regular season will be 18 games over 12 weeks, with 3 games for each team at the league "showcase" on the first weekend of June in Quyon.

The schedule link will also be a fixture on the blog at the left, for quick access to the league results for blog readers.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Ottawa Blitz Fastball Tournament July 27-29

The Ottawa Blitz Fastball team will be hosting their 2nd OPEN Tournament July 27-29 at Carlington Park in Ottawa. There are 3 Fields that will be played on over the weekend including as well lots of seating for fans to watch. We will have a BBQ all weekend as well lots of cold beverages in the Beer Tent that will over look the Main Diamond with lots of space to relax.Teams will be accepted upon receipt of their Entry fee of $375, that will guarantee 2-3 games depending on the amount of teams and format we decide to use. We are hoping to give out $3000 in prize money if sponsorship funds allow us to do so. I am accepting the first 16 teams to mail in their entry. The Tournament is OPEN to any player or teams interested in attending without any restrictions.
Tournament Chairperson
Scott Dumouchel
613-558-3532
blitzfastball@hotmail.com

New contact email

Just a note: the "official" blog email is now: fastball_at_fitzroyharbour.com.

If you have my work email, you can also send information to that address.

Shawville Snappers 2007 season

The Shawville Snappers, last year's champions of the McNab/Braeside Junior Men's Fastball League, have officially joined the Ottawa RA League for the 2007 season. Indications are that the RA will have six teams this season, but no word yet on the exact composition of the league.

Matt Greer, who also throws for the Quyon Flyers of the GOFL, will be leading the Snappers, and word on the street is that Big Joe McCleary will be coaching the team.

Watch for the Snaps to host a tournament in 2007 - details to be posted here on the blog as they become available.