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Nicholas Mercer: The violence of throwing a softball

Tuesday, September 13th, 2016
FIVE-TIME ISC TOP PITCHER - Adam Folkard has won five ISC Most Outstanding Pitcher awards, and has led Australia to titles in the ISF and WBSC World Championships. In 2016, he pitched the Hill United Chiefs of Ontario, Canada to runner-up in the ISC World Tournament and was named an All-World pitcher for a eighth time. His 4-1 record gives him 39 wins all-time in ISC World Tournament play. Photo By BOB OTTO

FIVE-TIME ISC TOP PITCHER – Adam Folkard has won five ISC Most Outstanding Pitcher awards, and has led Australia to titles in the ISF and WBSC World Championships. In 2016, he pitched the Hill United Chiefs of Ontario, Canada to runner-up in the ISC World Tournament and was named an All-World pitcher for a eighth time. His 4-1 record gives him 39 wins all-time in ISC World Tournament play. Photo By BOB OTTO

The Telegram Sports
By Nicholas Mercer
Sept. 12, 2016

ST. JOHNS, NL – Seeing high-level fastpitch softball play out on a computer screen over a webcast doesn’t do the game justice.

Nor does it allow the average fan to appreciate just what goes into throwing the softball very hard at the plate.

When you’re watching the game 20-feet from the pitching rubber, it’s easy to see the webcast sells the act incredibly short.

A hush falls over the crowd as the pitcher takes his signs from the catcher. They’re counting on seeing something great with every pitch.

That sense of anticipation only heightens when the pitcher rocks back before leaping towards the plate and uncoiling a ball that travels at ungodly speeds.

Continue Reading in The Telegram

Posted in 2016 ISC World Tournament | No Responses »
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Ezekiel and Cleary, two world-class performers at the 2016 ISC World Tournament

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016
New York Gremlins Kyle Ezekiel rips into a pitch from Sean Cleary of the Toronto Gators and drives it into left-field for a hit. Ezekiel was 1-for-2 off Cleary , but the right-hander came out on top by leading the Gators to a 3-1 victory in the 2016 ISC World Tournament, Aug. 20 at Green Valley Sports Complex in Moline, IL. The Gators went on to dethrone two-time titlest Hill United Chiefs in the final, 6-3, and Cleary was selected the Most Outstanding Pitcher with a 5-0 record, 35 2/3 innings, 19 hits allowed, with 70 strikeouts and a 0.98 ERA. Photo By BOB OTTO / www.ottoinfocus.com.

New York Gremlins Kyle Ezekiel rips into a pitch from Sean Cleary of the Toronto Gators and drives it into left-field for a hit. Ezekiel was 1-for-2 off Cleary , but the right-hander came out on top by leading the Gators to a 3-1 victory in the 2016 ISC World Tournament, Aug. 20 at Green Valley Sports Complex in Moline, IL. The Gators went on to dethrone two-time titlest Hill United Chiefs in the final, 6-3, and Cleary was selected the Most Outstanding Pitcher with a 5-0 record, 35 2/3 innings, 19 hits allowed, with 70 strikeouts and a 0.98 ERA. Photo By BOB OTTO / www.ottoinfocus.com.

MOLINE, IL – One can hit, the other can pitch. In the world of top-caliber men’s fastpitch softball, Kyle Ezekiel of the New York Gremlins and Toronto Gators’ right-hander Sean Cleary are two of the best.

In 2015, Cleary was a Second-Team, All-World pick for helping the Toronto Gators finished second to Hill United Chiefs in the ISC World Tournament.

But this year, he uped his production. And what a difference it made for the Gators.

SEAN CLEARY of the Toronto Gators, was selected a first-team, All-World pitcher for leading the Gators to the 2016 70th ISC World Tournament championship. Cleary's production (5-0 record) earned him top honors as the LEROY ZIMMERMAN MOST OUTSTANDING PITCHER, thus ending the three-year reign of Hill United Chiefs ADAM FOLKARD (2015, 2014, 2013). Cleary outdueled Folkard in the championship in helping the Gators defeat the Chiefs, 6-3, Aug. 20, at Green Valley Sports Complex in Moline, IL. Photo By BOB OTTO / www.ottoinfocus.com

SEAN CLEARY of the Toronto Gators, was selected a first-team, All-World pitcher for leading the Gators to the 2016 70th ISC World Tournament championship. Cleary’s production (5-0 record) earned him top honors as the LEROY ZIMMERMAN MOST OUTSTANDING PITCHER, thus ending the three-year reign of Hill United Chiefs ADAM FOLKARD (2015, 2014, 2013). Cleary outdueled Folkard in the championship in helping the Gators defeat the Chiefs, 6-3, Aug. 20, at Green Valley Sports Complex in Moline, IL. Photo By BOB OTTO / www.ottoinfocus.com

In a return match-up, Cleary reversed the order and beat his counterpart, Adam Folkard, in leading the Gators to a 6-3 victory in the 2016 70th ISC World Tournament championship game.

Will the Gators return and repeat in 2017? Or will the Chiefs avenge their loss and regain top billing? Time will tell.

Posted in 2016 ISC World Tournament, International Softball Congress (ISC), Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball | No Responses »
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NAFA Announces 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees

Tuesday, July 5th, 2016
The North American Fastpitch Association offers World Series tournaments for all caliber of players - from age 23-Under to Masters, 65-over. Visit www.nafafastpitch.com for information to register your team.

The North American Fastpitch Association offers World Series tournaments for all caliber of players – from age 23-Under to Masters, 65-over. Visit www.nafafastpitch.com for information to register your team.

DAYTON, OR – The North American Fastpitch Association announced that eight individuals – six players, one umpire and a coach / sponsor – will be inducted into the NAFA Hall of Fame at ceremonies held at various World Series during the 2016 season.

2016 HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

Umpire

  • Steve Komoroski, Wisc.

    • Coach / Sponsor

  • Doug Smith, New Jersey

    • Players

  • Kyle Goslee, Minn.
  • Chad Osterman, Minn.
  • Colin McKenzie, BC, Canada
  • Trevor Knight, Wash.
  • Duane Clarkson, Manitoba, Canada
  • Mario Pereira, Calif.

    • The 2016 NAFA World Series

  • Open World Series, Fife (Seattle), Wash., July 22-24
  • Boys Youth, Vassar, Mich., July 30-31
  • AA-Major, Quad Cities, IA/IL, Aug. 19-21
  • A-Major, Mankato / North Mankato, Minn., Aug. 11-14
  • Wood Bat Nationals Upper Midwest, Mankato / North Mankato, Aug. 12-14
  • Wood Bat Nationals Lower Midwest, Newton, KS, July 30-31
  • Wood Bat Nationals West, Albuquerque, NM, Aug. 27-28
  • A and AA Divsions, Mankato / North Mankato, Aug. 18-21
  • 23-Under, Mankato / North Mankato, Aug. 19-21
  • Masters East, Niagara Falls, NY, Aug. 26-28
  • Masters Midwest, Quad Cities, Sept. 9-11
  • Masters West, Carson City, NV, Sept. 16-18

    • NAFA CONTACT INFORMATION
    Benjie Hedgecock, Executive Director
    email: Nafafastpitch@gmail.com
    cell: 503-559-5398
    work: 503-864-4487
    fax: 503-864-3939
    P.O. Box 566
    Dayton, OR 97114

    Posted in 2016 NAFA World Series, Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball, NAFA, SCIFL, So. Calif. Independent Fastpitch League | No Responses »
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    Gluckman edges Cooley in pitchers duel to give Maccabi USA Palm Springs Classic championship

    Monday, March 28th, 2016
    Maccabi USA claimed the 2016 Palm Springs Classic with a 1-0 victory over the So. Calif. Bandits. Courtesy photo

    Maccabi USA claimed the 2016 Palm Springs Classic with a 1-0 victory over the So. Calif. Bandits. Courtesy photo

    By JESSE ORTIZ / President SCIFL

    PALMS SPRINGS, Calif. – The So. Calif. Independent Fastpitch League (SCIFL) opened the 2016 season at DeMuth Park in Palm Springs, Mar. 12-13, but it almost didn’t happen because rain threatened the tournament the day before. Luckily the weather cleared up and the tournament was able to proceed. There were six teams that participated in the Palm Springs Classic.

    On Saturday after the Round Robin was complete, the So Cal Bandits took the No. 1 seed going undefeated, followed by Pala, Maccabi USA, Beaumont Coyotes, So Cal Heat, and Team DM.

    Click to continue reading “Gluckman edges Cooley in pitchers duel to give Maccabi USA Palm Springs Classic championship”

    Posted in ISF World Championship, Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball, NAFA, SCIFL, So. Calif. Independent Fastpitch League, Sports / Fitness, USA Softball | No Responses »
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    See photos of 2002 ASA Men’s Class A National Championship

    Wednesday, September 30th, 2009


    To see more photos, click on the link at the bottom of the story.
    Photos By BOB OTTO

    Take a photo-trip back in time to the 2002 ASA Men’s Class A National Championship Tournament

    LANCASTER, CALIF – In an all California final, Team Lyons of Fresno defeated the Maverick Electric Sharks of Stockton to claim the championship of the 2002 Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Men’s Class “A” National Championship at Lancaster, Calif. on Sept. 2, 2002.

    Led by Co-Most Valuable Players, Tony Peeples, and Shawn Mandolesi, the Lyons swept through the tournament undefeated with a 5-0 record. Peeples was also selected as the Most Valuable Pitcher, and Mandolesi as the Most Valuable Player, along with the Batting Champion award.

    17 teams competed in the tournament from California, Michigan, Oregon, North Dakota, Arizona, Indiana, Washington, and Illinois.

    The top five teams were:

    1. Lyons, Fresno, CA, 5-0
    2. Mavericks Electric Sharks, Stockton, CA, 4-2
    3. Andreas-Bernie’s, Homer, MI, 5-2
    4. Portland Merchants, Portland, OR, 5-2
    5. CR/Adidas, Portland, OR, 2-2

    To see some of the players in action, visit my photo gallery.
    Click Here For More Photos and Slide Show!

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    botto3@verizon.net.

    Posted in Mens & Boys Fastpitch Softball | No Responses »
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