2013 Wisconsin NAFA state tournament honors beloved umpire

Written by Bob on April 25th, 2013

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MIDDLETON, WISC – Henry St. Clair passed away on Sept. 26, 2011, but he has not been forgotten. Revered for his umpire skills and knowledge along with his positive zest for life, St. Clair was inducted into the North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) Hall of Fame in 2007.

And in honor of St. Clair’s dedication to NAFA, the organization’s vice presidents Loren Lathrop and Ronn Kopp host a tournament in his honor:

  • The 2013 Hank St. Clair Memorial State Championship Tournament.
  • Please see tournament flier for all the details. NAFA 2013 Wisconsin State Tournament Flier

    To read a story about Henry St. Clair, please visit this NAFA link: Memorial To A Great Man In A Great Sport

     

    35th Annual Rice Lake Men’s Fastpitch Invitational

    Written by Bob on April 25th, 2013

    NAFA.logo

    RICE LAKE, WISC – The the Rice Lake Invitational Men’s Fastpitch Tournament will celebrate its 35th year with a 12-team invitational tournament on June 14-16 at Tate and Clanton Parks in Rice Lake, Wisc.

    THE DETAILS

  • Team Classifications: NAFA “AA,” “A-Major,” and “A”
  • Tournament Size: 12 Teams (The first 12 to submit complete entries, including roster)
  • Tournament Format: NAFA 3-game guarantee
  • Entry Fee: $200 payable to Rice Lake Orangemen Fastpitch
  • Please Note: Send separate check for $35 to “Wisconsin NAFA” if year 2013 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 12 team field):

      First: $600 sponsor’s expense money plus trophy
      Second: $450 sponsor’s expense money plus trophy
      Third: $300 sponsor’s expense money plus trophy

    Individual trophies to tournament MVP and All-Tournament team selections

    Mail check to:
    Rice Lake Orangemen
    Post Office Box 202
    Rice Lake, WI 54868

    (Teams not registered with the NAFA who wish to do so may send an additional
    check in the amount of $35 to “Wisconsin NAFA.” In cases of non-Wisconsin
    teams, the Wisconsin NAFA will forward the registration to the appropriate party.)

    2013 Tournament Directors:
    Loren Lathrop (Phone 608-575-6521)
    Ronn Kopp (Phone 715-651-5961)

     

    New York Gremlins men’s fastpitch team finalizes roster

    Written by Bob on April 24th, 2013

    gremlins.fastpitch

    CLIFTON PARK, NY – The New York Gremlins are happy to announce that Sean Whitten, Jeff Goolagong and Tyson Byrne will be joining the squad for the 2013 season. (Whitten, one of fastball’s top pitchers, played for the Eugene, Oregon / California A’s in 2012.)

    The Gremlins, an annual threat to win an ISC World Tournament championship finished fourth ISC chronological order of finish in 2012 with a 4-2 record.

    The Gremlin roster:

    Andrew Kirkpatrick – P
    Sean Whitten – P
    Bill Hillhouse – P
    Bryan Abrey – C
    Blair Ezekiel – 1B
    Rhys Casley – 2B
    Tyson Byrne – 3B
    Todd Schultz – SS
    Travis Wilson – INF/DH
    Nick Mullins – INF/C
    Mathieu Roy – OF
    Jeff Goolagong – OF
    Derek Pukash – OF
    Wayne Laulu – OF
    Ben Wideman – OF
    Vahram Mateosian – C/DH
    Frank Perez – INF

    Denny Bruckert – MGR
    Gregg Leather – Coach
    Jeff Hook – Coach
    Peter Schmitt – Coach
    Greg Nydick – Scorekeeper
    Bruce Tanski – Sponsor
    Bob Nydick – Sponsor

    Gremlins Facebook
    Gremlins website

     

    Dugout Men’s Fastpitch reaching a memorial milestone

    Written by Bob on April 23rd, 2013

    dugout.tourn.flier

    CUSHING, WISC – Men’s fastpitch softball tournaments are getting harder to find in many parts of the U.S. But in Cushing, Wisconsin, a long-standing tradition continues: The 10th Annual Dugout Fastpitch Memorial Weekend Tournament.

    And tournament organizers Les Dietmeier and Steve Loney want not only to keep the tradition alive in Cushing, but to make it bigger, better and more exciting. So there have been some enhancements that should appeal to ball clubs this year.

    “There is no team limit, the more the better,” said Dietmeier. “last year we had nine teams. Hopefully this year we can get 10 or more. Something new this year is we are trying to have a band playing on Saturday night after the games.”

    Though this will be the 10th year of a Memorial Weekend tourney in Cushing, the town (Pop. about 200) has been hosting men’s fastpitch tournaments for over 20 years. So there’s a strong commitment in keeping fastpitch alive in these parts.

    dugout
    Take your cuts in Cushing on Memorial Day Weekend.

    Cushing is located about 65 miles northeast of Minneapolis and St. Paul; near the western border of Wisconsin. It’s a small town with small town charm, but nearby are four hotels and for those who like to camp, there are beautiful lakes and campgrounds nearby.

    The tournament will be held May 25-27, with the 28th set aside if needed to provide for additional teams entering the competition.

    Teams eligible must be rated NAFA AA and lower, or ASA Class B or lower.

    And the entry fee? Just $200. What a bargain.

    For more information, contact Les Dietmeier at 715-483-3749 or Steve Loney, 715-483-3057.

     

    9th Annual Preston Men’s Fast Pitch Tournament

    Written by Bob on April 14th, 2013

    preston.fp
    Courtesy Preston Merchants Facebook

    PRESTON, MINN – The 9th Annual Preston Men’s Fast Pitch Tournament will be held on July 27-28 and hosted by the Preston Merchants Fast Pitch Team.

    We know it’s pretty early for some of you to commit, but if you can just let us know of your intention to consider playing in our tournament, we will get you on our list. That way you’ll be sure to get more information when we send it out.

    And if you know of a team that would be a good fit for our tournament, please feel free to pass on this invitation.

      TOURNAMENT BASICS:
  • When: July 27-28
  • Where: Preston, MN
  • Format: Double elimination
  • Class: ASA B, C, and D
  • No. of teams: 14
  • Entry fee: $225
    • TRAVELING EXPENSE (based on 14 entries)
  • 1st place – $500
  • 2nd place – $350
  • 3rd place – $200
  • 4th place – $100
  • Contact: Barb Scheevel at 507-765-4948; email scheevel77@gmail.com

    “Let us know as soon as you know if we can put your team in our bracket,” said Barb Scheevel, who directs the tournament along with husband Lynn and sons Ryan and Brett. “More tournament information will be sent out shortly. We are looking forward to seeing you at our tournament!”

    Be sure to visit the Preston Merchants Fastpitch Facebook page for more information and pictures from previous tournaments.

    Thank you,
    Lynn and Barb Scheevel, and Ryan Scheevel and Brett Scheevel
    and the Preston Tournament Crew
    scheevel77@gmail.com
    507-765-4948

     

    Thomas Makea’s fastpitch career ends in full circle fairytale

    Written by Bob on April 8th, 2013

    makea.thomas Thomas Makea

    By PAUL TAYLOR / Hawke’s Bay TODAY

    HASTINGS, NEW ZEALAND – Hawke’s Bay’s four-time world champion and Softball New Zealand’s player of the last decade Thomas Makea left his cleats on the main diamond at Akina Park, Hastings, after the Fun in the Sun tournament final on Sunday.

    “This is where I wanted to announce my retirement from international play. Here at Akina Park surrounded by whanau where my career began,” Makea explained as a young souvenir hunter scampered on to the diamond and claimed the cleats.

    Continue Reading

     

    21st Annual Best of the West Tournament

    Written by Bob on April 8th, 2013

    elings.park.1A

      Elings Park, Santa Barbara, Calif.

    SANTA BARBARA, CALIF – The 21st Best of the West men’s fastpitch softball tournament will be held at beautiful Elings Park in Santa Barbara, June 1-2.

    THE DETAILS

    DATE: June 1-2
    LOCATION: Elings Park

    ENTRY FEE: $400 – Entry Fee Deadline May 20, 2013
    FORMAT: Round Robin into single elimination.

  • Four game guarantee.
  • Saturday 90-minute time limit.
  • Sunday no time limit.
  • BERTH: ONE ISC World Tournament Berth to highest U.S. West finishing team. ASA berths for classes A-B-C

    CONTACT INFORMATION:
    Clyde Bennett- clydebennett50@yahoo.com – 805-895-9007
    UIC- Clyde Bennett- clydebennett50@yahoo.com – 805-895-9007
    ISC Rep- Chris Santos- jcsantos25@msn.com – 303-419-7332

     

    Make plans for the Seattle Invite men’s fastpitch tournament

    Written by Bob on April 6th, 2013

    riverdogs.39
    Some of the best pitchers and players in faspitch softball will be battling in the Seattle Invite Men’s Fastpitch Tournament in Fife, Washington, July 26-28. Shown pitching here is Shane Alder of the Boise RiverDogs.

    SEATTLE, WASH - The 53rd Annual Seattle Invite Fastpitch Tournament is is less than four months away and tournament director Ryan Daly is requesting confirmation from teams who plan on attending.

      THE DETAILS

    Date: July 26-28 (Only Local teams will play Friday)
    Location: Fife, WA (20 miles South of Seattle)
    Two Classes: NAFA AA and Open, and NAFA A and A-Major (teams classified by pitcher)

    Sanctioning: ASA and NAFA
    Host Hotel: Emerald Queen Casino- Special Rates TBD

    Additional amenities: FREE BEER GRADEN, Great Awards and SWAG, MVP, MVP pitcher, and All-Star selections

    Fee: $300 per team (if paid by July 1st); $350 per team (after July 1)
    Payable by check, cash, or PayPal (rdaly24@gmail.com)

    Contact information:
    Ryan Daly
    Rdaly24@gmail.com
    425-445-6028

     

    Interest rising in International Softball Congress Age 21-Under tournament

    Written by Bob on April 6th, 2013

    isc2013LogoQC.web

    MICHIGAN – Nine teams have expressed interested in attending the 2013 ISC Age 21-Under World Championship tournament in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois, Aug. 15-17, reports tournament director David Lach.

    For teams interested, Lach advises reserving a spot.

    THE DETAILS

    Event: 2013 ISC Under-21 Men’s Championship
    Location: Green Valley Complex, Quad Cities, Illinios Quad Cities ISC World Tournament

    Dates: Aug 15-17, 2013 (the final weekend of the ISC Men’s World Tournament)
    Format: 3 game round robin, single elimination playoffs (4 game guarantee)
    # of teams: 8

    Entry Fee: $400
    Age Limit: all players must have been born on January 1st, 1992, or later

    “If your team is interested in attending, please submit a self
    nomination and preliminary roster to the tournament organizers (listed below),” said Lach. “We look forward to a great event in 2013. Please also contact us if you have any questions.”

    David Lach – lachdavid(at)gmail.com or 810-623-2276
    Craig Donaldson – cdonalds5(at)shaw.ca

    For more information about ISC young men’s fastpitch program: ISC Development

     

    Bob Chapel, a great asset to men’s fastpitch softball

    Written by Bob on April 5th, 2013

    “I just keep going because I love it.” – Bob Chapel

    chapel.nafa.web
    Bob Chapel puts the radar gun on the pitchers at the 2010 NAFA World Series.

    BAKERSFIELD, CALIF – When it comes to job security, Bob Chapel knows he’s safe. Knows that few, if any, will rush forward eager to take his place running men’s fastpitch tournaments in northern and central California.

    Since 1982, the 66-year-old has been a tournament director. Starting in March, Chapel’s weekends are spent on softball fields in Bakersfield, Stockton, Sonora or Reno running tournaments. Over 150 and climbing, he figures, in those 31 years.

    Back in ’82 when he directed his very first tournament – an ASA event – 32 teams were entered. It wasn’t all that difficult finding teams since the sport was booming in California’s central valley. The scene has changed over the years with far fewer teams playing the sport.

    But that doesn’t stop him from fighting to keep the sport alive in his part of the country. Why does he carry on when so many of his generation have left fastpitch in the rearview mirror?

    “I do it because I love doing it,” said Chapel, who splits time between homes in Bakersfield and Billings, Montana. “The guys keep asking me back. And who is going to take over if I step away?”

    Click to continue reading “Bob Chapel, a great asset to men’s fastpitch softball”

     
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