: Snapper News: 2004 Snapper Shootout Wrap-up

Wednesday, August 4
2004 Snapper Shootout Wrap-up
St. Catharines, ON

The 2004 Snapper Shootout was held this past weekend in St. Catharines, ON. On the Saturday it appeared the tournament title would go to mother nature. Heavy rains dumped on Lancaster Park, starting mid Friday and did not let up until app. 24 hours later. When the rain finally stopped the diamonds were in very bad condition.

There were many times when this tournament appeared to be in jeopardy. Small lakes took up much of the outfield on both diamonds and the infields were pure mud. Speaking of mud, it wouldn't be me if I didn't sling a little bit toward the City of St. Catharines. So here we go......Despite the lack of cooperation from the City Park Supervisor (lets call him "Randy"), the tournament was able to resume with 2 games on the main diamond starting at 8pm.

I would like to thank everyone who assisted in getting the diamonds playable. Players from several teams took the time to assist the organizing committee in getting these diamonds in game shape. At one point in time there must have been over 30 players and fans working on Diamond #2. Notice how I didn't mention a City employee. "Randy" made it quite clear that the City of St. Catharines was only worried about how they could possibly be sued for liability. It didn't matter that a team from Ottawa had made the 6 hour drive.

The tournament organizing committee was told by "Randy" that the City would do everything possible to help us make it a go. Ten minutes later he is demanding we turn off our electric pumps that are draining the outfield lakes. The City could be liable you know if someone got hurt. After asking, if the City could then take over this job, we were told that would not be possible because the student staff have not been trained for such a task and of course that would be a health and safety issue. Randy's solution, we could start bailing with pails and wheelbarrows or wait for evaporation. What a genius! OK teams, how about coming back lets say in 4 or 5 days.

So we started to bail, only to have "Randy" put a stop to that because apparently we were damaging the diamonds. Excuses, excuses. Good thing "Randys" day was done at 3pm. Once he left, the tournament volunteers resumed their efforts. The decision making process of this City employee left much to be desired and it's unfortunate that one person can leave the City of St. Catharines looking incompetent and thoughtless. Good job, "Randy".

Enough of that....on with the Fastball!

The tournament format had to be modified and games were limited to no inning starting after 1 hour and ten minutes. The Final game pitted two local teams with the Niagara B&W Motors Snappers defeating the St. Catharines RHCP by a score of 10-3.

Here is a complete run down of all games played.

Saturday July 31:
game # 1
New York Bombers 5
Niagara B&W Motors Snappers 0
wp: Chuck Smith
lp: Jim Wilson

game # 2
Ottawa 1
St. Catharines RHCP 0
wp: Ray Shanoush
lp: Andy Hicks

Sunday Aug 1
game # 3
Niagara B&W Motors Snappers 5
Niagara Falls Macks 0
wp: Jay Paylove
lp: Rich Vassos

game # 4
Ottawa 3
Dunnville 0
wp: Vanvliet
lp: Harvey

game # 5
St. Catharines RHCP 6
Niagara Falls Lukes 0
wp: Dan Duemo
lp: Ron Winger

game # 6
New York Bombers 1
Niagara Falls Macks 1
Bombers: Chuck Smith
Macks: Mike Bateman

game # 7
Niagara B&W Motors Snappers 8
Niagara Falls Central 1
wp: Perry Bartley
lp: Rob Tommins

game # 8
St. Catharines RHCP 4
Dunnville 1
wp: Andy Hicks
lp: Brent Fehrman

game # 9
Niagara Falls Lukes 6
Ottawa 1
wp: Scott Young
lp: ?

game # 10
Niagara Falls Macks 5
Niagara Falls Central 0
wp: Rich Vassos - PERFECT GAME (5 innings)
lp: N. Rodgers

game # 11
Dunnville 6
Niagara Falls Lukes1
wp: Brian Weaver
lp: Dave Taylor

game # 12
New York Bombers 5
Niagara Falls Central 5
Bombers: Larry Puzzan
Central: Rob Tommins

game # 13
"A" SEMIS
St. Catharines RHCP 5
New York Bombers 3
wp: Dan Duemo
lp: Chuck Smith

game # 14
"A" SEMIS
Niagara B&W Motors Snappers 8
Ottawa 1
wp: Jay Paylove
lp: Ray Shanoush

game # 15
"FINALS"
Niagara B&W Motors Snappers 10
St. Catharines RHCP 3
wp: Perry Bartley - Jay Paylove in relief in the 6th
lp: Andy Hicks

Thankyou to all the volunteers who made this weekend a success despite the weather. Thanks to Len Gorgie and his Blue Crew for their flexibility and a job well done. A very special thanks to the lovely and talented Snapperettes. They were the back bone of this event and made it possible for the B & W Motors Snappers to take the field while they operated the Beer Garden. Lastly thanks to all the teams for putting on a great weekend of Fastball. Hope to see you all back next year.

Take Care,

Perry Bartley
2004 Snapper Shootout Orgainzing Committee