Written by Bob on May 9th, 2012
The Grantsburg Lumber team of Grantsburg, Wisc. consisted of the eight Olson brothers, and this photo taken in the early 1970s was after they won a men’s fastpitch tournament; possibly in Stillwater, Minn. Front row from left, Jim Olson, Marvin Olson, Rich Olson and Dean Tyberg. Second row from left, Bob Gustafson (cousin), Mike Herrick, Jerry Olson, Donnie Olson, Chris Olson and Darrell Olson. Photo, courtesy of Troy Olson.
CUSHING, WI – In Cushing and Grantsburg, Wisconsin, and into Minnesota, when softball fans fan the flames of “remember when,” the Olson name frequently pops up. Click to continue »
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Tags: Alsfastball, Cushing men's fastpitch, Cushing Wisconsin, Dugout men's fastpitch, Grantsburg Lumber, Grantsburg Wisconsin, ISC World Tournament, Jim Olson fastpitch, Minnesota men's fastpitch, NAFA World Series, Olson men's fastpitch, Suzy Q men's fastpitch, Suzy Q's Bar, Troy Olson, West St. Paul Men's Fastpitch League
Written by Bob on May 5th, 2012
WHAT: 34th Annual RICE LAKE INVITATIONAL MEN’S FASTPITCH TOURNAMENT
WHEN: June 15-17, 2012
WHERE: Tate and Clanton Parks, Rice Lake WI
WHO: Team Classifications: NAFA “AA,” “A-Major,” and “A”
HOW MANY TEAMS: Tournament Size: 16 Teams (The first 16 to submit complete entries, including roster)
TOURNAMENT FORMAT: NAFA 3-game guarantee
COST: Entry fee is $200 payable to Rice Lake Orangemen Fastpitch (Send separate check for $35 to “Wisconsin NAFA” if year 2012 NAFA team registration is desired. This is not required for Invitational entry.)
Rosters: Teams may list a maximum of 18 players on their roster. Rosters MUST be on the attached form and completely filled out, and MUST be submitted along with the tournament entry fee for entry to be accepted
AWARDS: (Based on 16 team field):
1st $600 sponsor’s expense money plus trophy
2nd $450 sponsor’s expense money plus trophy
3rd $350 sponsor’s expense money plus trophy
4th $250 sponsor’s expense money plus trophy
Individual trophies to tournament MVP and All-Tournament team selections
TOURNAMENT SPONSOR: Proceeds from this tournament go to the Rice Lake Orangemen Fastpitch Club. Competing teams are asked to please patronize the concession stands and not carry in refreshments.
Liability: The Rice Lake Orangemen Fastpitch Club and the City of Rice Lake will not be responsible for injuries and/or thefts. Submitting of tournament entry will be considered acknowledgement of this fact.
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Tags: Bryan Lathrop, Loren Lathrop, NAFA Fastpitch, Rice Lake, Rice Lake fastpitch, Rice Lake Invitational Men's Fastpitch Tournament, Rice Lake Orangemen, Ronn Kopp, Wisc., Wisconsin NAFA
Written by Bob on May 3rd, 2012
By Christine Rivet, Record staff
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
KITCHENER — Frenemies Jack Fireman and Larry Lynch were on a collision course along fastball’s basepaths for years.
Now, these one-time rivals will team up in an effort to relive fastball glory.
Fireman — the free-spending and flamboyant Toronto trial lawyer and one-time owner of the most-hated team in fastball — has joined forces with champion of the underdogs, Lynch.
Fireman has dragged his old Toronto Gators, International Softball Congress world titlists in 1993 and 1995, out of the swamp to take another tail swipe at global domination.
ISC hall of famer Lynch, who led the threadbare and now-defunct Waterloo Twins against their arch-rivals, the old Gators, will coach the new Gators.
“I remember one time Larry said he wouldn’t cross the street to say hello to me,” Fireman recalled.
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Tags: International Softball Congress, ISC World Tournament, Jack Fireman, Larry Lynch, The Record sports, Toronto Gators Fastball, Waterloo Twins fastball
Written by Bob on May 3rd, 2012
The Pueblo Bandits have had several top-10 finishes in the ISC World Tournament, including 10th place in 2009 at the Quad Cities of Moline and Rock Island, Illinois. Courtesy Photo / 2010 ISC World Championship Guide
PUEBLO, CO – Some will claim men’s fastpitch softball is well past its prime. That it’s a sport wobbling and reeling on the ropes like an old, worn out boxer awaiting the knockout punch.
If you’re preaching this kind of blasphemy, beware: Because if this nonsense talk reaches the Santos boys – brothers Chris, Mike and Jerry, and the youngster, Nick – it will certainly cause a collective and menacing growl. And probably a stern reprimand.
The Santos, along with their late father Joe, have been playing this sport collectively for better than 150 years. Click to continue »
Posted in Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball | 2 Responses »
Tags: Alsfastball, ASA men's fastpitch, Bob Otto fastpitch, Chris Santos, Colorado ASA, Colorado ISC, Colorado men's fastpitch, ISC World Tournament, Jerry Santos, Mike Santos, NAFA, Nick Santos, Pueblo Bandits, Pueblo Bandits men's fastpitch, Pueblo men's fastpitch
Written by Bob on April 29th, 2012
Eighth Annual Preston Men’s Fastpitch Tournament
July 28 & 29, 2012
Preston, Minnesota
14 Team Double-Elimination
Classes B-C-D
• $225 Entry fee. Checks should be made payable to: Preston Men’s Tournament
• Final team entry deadline is July 16th. First 14 teams with entry fee paid are in tournament. *Tourney is expected to fill prior to entry deadline.
• Balls will be provided.
• Traveling expenses (based on 14 entries):
1st place — $500
2nd place — $350
3rd place — $ 200
4th place — $ 100 Click to continue »
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Tags: ASA men's fastpitch, Barb Scheevel, Brett Scheevel, ISC, Lynn Scheevel, NAFA, Preston Men's Fastpitch, Preston Men's Fastpitch Tournament, Preston Minnesota fastpitch, Ryan Scheevel
Written by Bob on April 27th, 2012
MIDLAND, MI – Four months to go until the ISC World Tournament, Aug. 10-18, in Midland, Mich.!
The ISC World Tournament is returning to Midland and it’s time for fans to start making their plans to attend. The Midland Host Committee has great options for lodging at our Host Hotels – the Midland Resort and Valley Plaza. Details about these two outstanding properties are on our website. Click to continue »
Posted in Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball | No Responses »
Tags: 2012 ISC World Tournament, Emerson Park Midland, ISC Midland Mich., ISC World Tournament, Kyle Beane, Midland fastlitch softball, Redcoats Complex Midland
Written by Bob on April 26th, 2012
The 2012 Seattle Cal-State Builders sport returning veterans as well as the addition of new talent. Photo Contributed By Alisha Larkin
Tournament Summary
By Dave Carlton
LAS VEGAS, NV – The Seattle Cal-State Builders started the season by taking home the Las Vegas Road Trip (NAFA) AA / AA-Major Division championship, April 14-15. The Builders finished with a 5-1 record in the eight-team field, but had to fight back through the losers bracket, defeating the Schatz, Anderson & Associates (SAA) of Utah twice to take the title.
Cal-State Builders 4, Cali-Mex Rhinos 1 – The opening game matched the Cali-Mex Rhinos against the Builders, with veteran hurler Panfillo Valdez against Builders’ right-hander Kevin Kammueller.
The visiting Builders struck for two first inning runs with hits from veterans Darin Michael, Dean Waltier, newcomer Matt Christiansen, and a bases-loaded free pass to catcher Ricky Moore. The Builders scored two more runs in the fourth inning on hits from veteran Dany Blanco, newcomer Jenner Christiansen, and skipper Dave Carlton.
But the Rhinos struck back in the sixth: They got to Kammueller for one run on two hits on a line drive single to right field by Tony Gonzalez, and a pinch-hit screaming triple to left by #24 Rochin. Valdez pitched very well in the losing effort, striking out 10 Builders, while Kammueller struck out six and scattered three hits. Click to continue »
Posted in Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball | 1 Response »
Tags: Anderson & Associates softball, ASA, ISC, Las Vegas Road Trip, NAFA, SAA softball, Schatz, Seattle Cal-State Builders fastpitch, Seattle men's fastpitch
Written by Bob on April 14th, 2012
Rickey Kolda has worked hard to become a pitcher on the K-Club team based in the state of Washington.
Contributed photo
“I thank God every day for letting me enjoy this game that I watched my dad playing, while I was growing up.” – Frank Hendrix III, Missoula, MT
BELFAIR, WA – Most people can recall a time, a place, an instance when something memorable happened in their lives. For many of us who play fastpitch softball, we remember the time, the place, and the circumstance that got us started in this sport that has become such an important and special part of our recreational lives.
Rickey Kolda of the K-Club men’s fastpitch team, asked a question on his Facebook page recently:
“To all men’s fastpitch players: how did you get introduced to fastpitch and why do you continue to play the game?”
The replies poured in manyfold. So I thought I would share those replies to Rickey’s question. Replies that bring back fond memories of how, why and when men young-and-old started playing the game we call fastpitch or fastball. And why they continue to play.
Ricky Kolda:
“I started like a lot of you by following my dad (Dan Kolda) from city to city watching him play fastpitch with my brother, and playing catch or throwing a tennis ball against the dugouts. I wasn’t introduced to the “other” softball game until I was 17. The main reason that I play is for the competition, the fast pace of the game, and the pitcher versus batter duels. It’s also pretty cool seeing my summer weekend family at different ballparks across Washington and Oregon.” (Rickey, Michael and their dad, Dan Kolda, started the K-Club team based in Washington.)
Click to continue »
Posted in Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball | 21 Responses »
Tags: Alsfastball, ASA men's fastpitch, Belfair Washington fastpitch, Dan Kolda, ISC World Tournament, K-Club men's fastpitch, Michael Kolda, Missoula Men's fastpitch, Moses Lake men's fastpitch tournament, NAFA World Series, park and recreation men's fastpitch, Portland Metro Men's Fastpitch League, Renton Washington men's fastpitch, Rickey Kolda, Seattle men's fastpitch
Written by Bob on April 14th, 2012
By Sharron Ho – Sooke News Mirror
Published: April 11, 2012 5:00 AM
SOOKE, BC, CANADA – The Sooke Loggers Fastball Club has moved up to Open Ball and will be starting up the season at a tournament in Las Vegas on April 14-15.
The team, with players aged between 22 and 40, will be competing in the Vegas Roadtrip against teams from around the world like Portland, Mexico, Texas and Wisconsin.
“We’re pretty excited,” said field manager Len Barry of the tournament.
He said the 12 players, who are mostly tradesmen, have laboured throughout the year to raise the $70,000 budget for the season.
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Tags: ASA, ISC, Las Vegas Road Trip, NAFA, Sooke Loggers men's fastpitch, Sooke men's fastball, Sooke men's fastpitch, Sooke News Mirror
Written by Bob on April 14th, 2012
The Sooke Loggers, 2011 Western Canadian Senior Fastpitch champions, take a team photo with their medals after the tournament in Stonewall, Manitoba that took place Aug. 11 to 14. From front left: Andrew Medwedrich, Darcy Walushka, Kris Walushka, Nick Medwedrich, Harley Thompson, Darren Koster, Sean Koster. Back left: Coach Len Banner, Chad Bryden, John Bishop, Chris Caron, Adam Shnarr, Rich Haldane, Brian Banner, Jared Cooper, coach Joe Medwedrich.
Sooke News Mirror Sports
Originally published Aug. 24, 2011
SOOKE BC, CANADA – Sooke’s own Loggers men’s fastball team are the Western Canadian Senior Fastpitch champions.
Returning home last week from the four-day event at Quarry Park in Stonewall, Manitoba, the team lost only one game at the tournament on their way to the top.
“We were pretty confident—there’s four really good teams and it just worked out, we just got hot and played really hot,” said player manager Brian Banner.
Play was a round-robin format with nine teams
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Tags: ASA, ISC, Manitoba men's fastball, NAFA, Sooke British Columbia, Sooke Loggers Men's Fastball, Sooke News Mirror
