Group gelling for Down Under trip for World Masters fastball tourney

1)         Family ? I have been married for 13 years to my wife Astrid. We have 2 daughters, Inga 12 and Greta 2. Plus the extended family of birds, dogs, cats, fish and geckos. 

 2)         Age ? I will be 43 in September.  

3)         Occupation ? I work as an Actuarial Analyst for United Health Care.

4)         Education ? I have B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota. I have also passed several Actuarial exams, but never finished the exam process.

5)         What positions have you held in Fastball ?   Have always been just a player. Although I guess I could be thought of as a sponsor as well.

6)         How long have you been involved in Fastball ? I didn't start playing Fastpitch until I was in my mid twenties. A friend of mine's dad had throw when he was younger and rounded up the neighborhood kids to make a team. I generally played catcher or outfield. After a couple years I tried my hand at pitching and have pretty much pitched exclusively ever since. Although it took a couple years before anyone got up the courage to get in the batters box and actually let me pitch to them. 

 7)         Other sports / interests you’ve been involved in and accomplishments ? In high school I ran track and cross country. We were the 1983 Minnesota state cross country champions, although I got hurt just before the meet and couldn't compete. Did not compete in sports at all at the collegiate level. Never played organized hockey, but skated all the time as a kid. Tried playing bandy for a couple years but the team folded. Now I just play pick up basketball to stay "in shape" in the off season.

   8)         What are some of your fastball career highlights & accomplishments ? 2003 NAFA Class "A" Champions (Jeraldine's), I was selected to the First Team All World. 2007 NAFA Masters 40+ East Champions(Jordan Realty) I was selected the MV Pitcher. My team, Jordan Realty, is also the 3 time defending Minnesota State Masters champions and after more than 15 years of trying we finally won the Minnesota State ASA Class "B" championship in 2007. There is no Class "A" or Major ball left in Minnesota, so I guess that makes us the best team in the state for the year. I would have to say that playing with Team Minnesota for 2 years in the AAU tournament in Orlando was another career highlight. Sharing the field with high level ISC players and a few US and Canadian National teams members was an absolute treat for me. 

10)      Favourite tournament ? Besides the National tournaments, I would have to say that my favorite tournament to participate in was the Eau Claire tournament. It was an invitational tournament, so I have only played on a few occasions, generally on teams that were called at the last minute to fill out the draw. To be able to watch teams like The Farm, County Concrete, Decatur Pride, Circle Tap, Townline play each other was amazing. To actually play against them was even more fun. We never did very well, in fact we have only won a couple games that I can remember, but it is was always a great time.

In the 1990's the Minnesota State ASA tournament used to be 60+ teams strong. It would start on Friday night and end on Sunday night. Quite a grind.

11)      Plans for 2008 & beyond ? I am hoping to make a return to the ISC2 tournament this year. We will definitely be defending out State titles as well as the NAFA Masters title. We made a pathetic showing at the NAFA Worlds last year, but it is being held right in our backyard so we may give it another go. Definitely depends on the dates and at what level we will have to play. Beyond 2008 is hard to say. Our team has become mainly a Masters team and I was the youngest of the bunch. We definitely have a couple more good years under our belts but a lot of the guys have kids that play sports now, wife's reminding us that we aren't getting any younger and other commitments that make staying a competitive team difficult. Hopefully we can ride this wave a little longer. 

  1)                 Family  ?  

one son Robert ,granddaughter Samantha(17) grandson Tyler (16) 

2)         Age ?

65 

3)         Occupation ?

Home daycare provider for 20 years fostered for 12 years before that 

4)         Education :

W.A.Porter Collegiate Institute 

5)         What positions have you held in Fastball ?   Player / Coach / Executive etc.

President Oshawa City and District Fastball League  (present)

Manager Claremont Rebels 32 years

Manager Durham Heat 2004-05-06

Canadian Masters Executive

Manager Peterboro Pros

Manager Cobourg Force  (present)

Manager Peterborough Murphy Windmillers

Asst Manager Oshawa Double “B” Juniors  (present)

Asst Manager Oshawa Double “B” Int.  (present)

Secretary/Treasurer Oshawa City and District Fastball League

Treasurer Oshawa Double “B” Sports Club  (present)

OASA Executive  (present)

OASA Expo Committee (present)

Editor OASA High & Inside newsletter (present)  

6)         How long have you been involved in Fastball ?

35 years 

7)                 Other sports / interests you’ve been involved in and accomplishments ?

     Love Motorhoming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

8)         What are some of your fastball career highlights & accomplishments ?

1979 Pee-Wee OASA Champions,

1981 Bantam OASA Champions,

1984 Midget OASA Champions,

1999-2000-2001-2003 OCDFL Champions,

2001 World Tournament,

2004-05-06 Canadian Masters Executive,

2004 Canadian Senior Men 5^th place finish Peterborough Ricart Pros,

2004 World Tournament,

2006 Feaver Award winner  OASA (first woman to win award,)

2006 Iris Yahn award winner OCDFL,

2007 Ontario Masters Champions with the Cobourg Force,

2007 OASA Intermediate B Champions with Cobourg Force, 

2007 World Tournament Peterborough Murphy Windmillers 20^th place finish, 

2007 NAFA Masters World Series Cobourg Force 5^th place, 

2008  OASA Mens Champions (Cobourg Force,) 

2008  ISC II second place finish  Appleton Wisconsin with Waterdown Hammer            

9)     Who are some of your favourite teammates / associates and opposing players to play with and against over the years.

Bob Ryan, Frank Hendy ,Ken Leonard, John Mather, Jim Spiers,Wayne Wells, Troy Gilmour, Craig Minifie, Dave Waldie, Mike Crawford, Bll Fairney, Dave Birnie, Sam Forbes, Jodie Schnarr, Mike Kelly,  Kyle Davis, Todd Martin , Paul Koert Rino Dambrosio, Jamie Baker, Brad Bricknell, Ted Conway, Chris McColl, Swift boys,(Ryan,Matt,Jason,) Mike Samways, Pat Humphries Scott Evans,Rob & Tom Watson,  John Kemp, Steve Ketchell, Brian McGuire, Jim Flanagan, Dave Reynolds, Bob Abbott, Alex Rutherford 

10)      Favourite tournament ?

1984 Midget OASA Stittsville Ontario,

2001 World Tournament,

2005 AAU Tournament Orlando Florida,

2007 Ontario Masters Championship, 

2006 North Bay Masters Tournament,

2007 NAFA Masters World Series Rockford Illinois,

2008 OASA Mens Cobourg On, 2008 ISC II Appleton Wisconsin 

10) Plans for 2008 & beyond ?

Looking forward to the 2009 AAU Tournament  in Florida with the Cobourg Force            

11) Any additional thoughts ?

I have met so many great people through fastball, Fastball is my life , I hope to continue to be involved for many more years.

1)         Family ? Widowed- Daughter Heather (29) Son Connor (15) Grandson Marty (4) 

2)         Age ? 51 

3)         Occupation ? Business Development Manager ( Palmac Truck Bodies) 

4)         Education ? Birchmount Park C.I. (Scarborough) Durham College (Oshawa) 

5)         What positions have you held in Fastball ?   Player / Coach / Executive etc.           Player/Coach & "Food & Beverage Manager" 

6)         How long have you been involved in Fastball ?             40 yrs (give or take an innning) 

7)         Other sports / interests you’ve been involved in and accomplishments ?             Golf/Squash, Ball Hockey/Floor Hockey City & Provincial Champs 

8)         What are some of your fastball career highlights & accomplishments ?             Beaches Fastball (Toronto) through the 80's/90's-Batting title-1992            Dieppe Park (Toronto) 80's/90's League Champs ( Hollingers 1988)            Scarborough Mens Fastpitch/ I.S.C. (Scarborough Royals 1995-1998)            League Champs/World Champs NAFA-Kansas (1996)            Represented Canada ( Bill Jefferies Tournament 1998)                       Oshawa City & District League/I.S.C/Masters. ( Oshawa Fastpitch 1999-2005)            League Champs/NorthBay Champs            World Masters Games ( Edmonton 2005) Bronze Medal (Australia Redbacks)           

9)         Who are some of your favourite teammates / associates and opposing players to play with and against over the years ?                        All the Scarborough/Oshawa Boy's & met some great people associated with this great game. 

10)      Favourite tournament ?                     Holland/Minden/NorthBay 

11)      Plans for 2008 & beyond ?             Stepped away from Fastpitch 2005.Working out hard to come back to Masters for             summer 08.Looking to hook up with Ontario team for Sydney 2009. 

You tube video of Eddie Feigner and the King & His Court.

Eddie is 32 years old in the video which would make the video from 1958.

 Click here to watch the video.

Adrian "Bob" Smith is the Player / Manager for the Toronto Bingo Senior Fastball team and has been very supportive of the World Senior Men’s Fastball Tournament for many years

Article courtesy of Jordan Ercit, North Bay Nugget  

Fastball 'was his life'

Fastball tourney honours fallen comrade with award

Posted By JORDAN ERCIT, THE NUGGET

Posted 17 mins ago

Roland Williamson never got to shake hands or compare pitching strategies with Rob Gilmore, but he was nonetheless quite honoured" Sunday to be holding a most valuable pitcher award handed out in Gilmore's name.

It's special for sure," said Williamson, the 45-year-old hurler for the Stratford-based Shakespeare Isotopes, winners of the 'A' Division championship Sunday at the World Senior Men's Fastball Tournament at Troy Field -- a 5-1 four-hit victory over the Hamilton Stingers.

Especially when you get to shake the hand of someone in his family, it's

certainly quite the honour."

For the first time in the 22-year history of North Bay's Labour Day fastball tradition, the 'A' and 'AA' c h amp i o n s h i p MVP and most valuable pitcher awards were doled out in the honour of one man --

Gilmore, a former competitor at the tournament in 2000 and 2001 with the Stoney Creek Gators masters' team.

The idea, said tournament volunteer Dave Cerisano, arose when the Gators' Dave Birnie contacted the North Bay Senior Men's Fastball League, the organizers of the tournament. Birnie wondered if the awards could be named in honour of their former teammate, who passed away two years ago at the age of 48 following a battle with cancer.

The league gladly obliged, Cerisano said.

We couldn't have been more honoured," he said.

Friendships formed

Gilmore, who helped steer the Gators to the 2002 Ontario and Eastern Canadian masters' championships, also had more of a connection to North Bay than just a love for wind-milling bullets across the plate during the final long weekend of the summer. He also spent most of his summers at the family cottage in Callander.

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Gilmore's widow, Cathy, said her husband would have been honoured to know his love for the game of fastball would be remembered.

It was his life," Cathy Gilmore said of her husband who grew up in the town of Wainfleet, on Ontario's Niagara peninsula.

I think he was still in diapers when he began playing.

But what he enjoyed most about playing masters was the friendships he formed after the games and the guys he met across the province from the various tournaments."

Gilmore may have had one final bit of business to take care of this weekend, though. Compared to the rest of the summer, the weekend weather was perfect for the tournament, making it seem like there may have been some help from above.

We might have had an extra contact up there (in heaven)," she said.

Article courtesy of the North Bay Nugget

Southern squads sizzle on Sunday

Posted By JORDAN ERCIT, THE NUGGET

Posted 8 hours ago

Pitching certainly won the day Sunday at the 22-annual World Senior Men's Fastball Tournament.

That and teams from southern Ontario.

Led by the masterful pitching of 41- year-old drop-baller Todd Uhrig, the Cobourg-based Cold Spring Cats won their third World Senior Men's Fastball Tournament in four years, shutting down the Toronto Bingos 3-0 in Sunday's 'AA' Division championship. It was the Cats fourth title overall.

Uhrig, from Elora, Ont., pitched a pair of one-hitters when it counted the most -- the semifinals and final -- Sunday afternoon, mixing in his patented drop ball with some well-placed heat, finishing with 12 strikeouts in the championship game as the tournament's most valuable pitcher in the 'AA' Division.

For Uhrig, it all came down to a breakfast of champions.

A couple of Tim Hortons breakfast sandwiches," he said with a laugh, choosing to forgo the more-conventional bowl of Wheaties.

About all the offence Uhrig needed all came in the top of the third inning, when the Cats capped a three-hit, three-run inning with a line-drive dinger to left field off the bat of tournament MVP Rob Ellis. Uhrig shut down the Bingos the rest of the way after allowing his only hit against in the first two innings.

And despite a couple of complete-game no-hitters, Uhrig's arm was feeling just fine.

My shoulder gets sore, but it's nice weather," he said. So once it gets some use, then it's not too bad."

In the 'A' final, Stratford's Shakespeare Isotopes , who eliminated the Bear Island Braves in the semifinals, scored two runs in both the third and fourth innings as they downed the Hamilton Stingers 5-1. Starting pitcher Roland Williamson pitched a four-hitter and struck out six.

For Williamson, it was his first time competing in North Bay's Labour Day classic. He hopes it won't be the last.

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The Mississauga resident, who is originally from Cape Breton, on the northern tip of Nova Scotia, said it is tournaments like this that keep fastball alive in Canada.

It's (fastball) dying in Cape Breton, but they're trying to keep it going," he said while enjoying a post-game beverage while his teammates laughed and traded jokes in the background, some at Williamson's expense.

It's tournament's like this that keep the game going."

Locally, the top finisher in the 'AA' Division was Howard's Plumbing, eliminated in the quarter-finals by the Oshawa Ravens. The Bear Island Braves were the top finishers in the 'A' Division, falling to the Isotopes.

Last year, two local teams swept the championships -- Casey's and Sundridge's Kent Trusses.

In all, 28 teams took part in the four-day tournament.

The Cold Springs Cats won the "AA" Championship at the 22nd Annual World Senior Men's Fastball Tournament.

 "AA" Championship

Cold Springs - 4 vs. Toronto Bingos - 0

Winning Pitcher Todd Uhrig 1 hitter

Championship Game Awards

Most Valuable Pitcher - Todd Uhrig ( Cold Springs)

Most Valuable Player - Rob Ellis ( Cold Springs )

One of the North Bay area's top softball pitchers has been named the 2007 winner of the Al Knapp Memorial Trophy for contribution to the sports of softball and baseball.

Ken Besner, who began playing softball as a 13-year-old 32 years ago with the Bonfield 7 Ups of the East Nipissing Fastball League, before continuing up the ladder through the intermediate and oldtimer levels, was recently named winner of the annual award, which honours the memory of longtime softball/fastball great Al Knapp.

During his early years, Besner played several seasons with the 7 Ups, winning a pair of championships, while handling pitching duties and also doing some catching.

After graduating from the ENFL, Besner played for 13 seasons in the Gateway Major Fastball Association with Father's, Kent Trusses, North Bay Merchants and Northern Honda, winning 10 league championships, as well as 10 top pitcher awards.

He was also honoured as the loop's most valuable player on two occasions.

During his time with the Northern Honda, Besner and his teammates also won five Northern Softball Association championships and an Ontario Amateur Softball Association title in 1991, when Besner pitched the North Bay squad to a 2-0 win over Owen Sound in the championship game.

During the 1991 season Northern Honda boasted an impressive 44-4 record, including a perfect 4-0 in the provincial championship.

A year earlier (1990) in Sheddon, Ont., Northern Honda, also in an OASA final reached the championship game before bowing out despite a two-hitter by Besner.

Besner pitched five games during the final day of that tournament and was presented with a "Merit of Achievement Award" by the OASA to honour a player's outstanding performance.

In the 1998 GMFA final, Besner suffered a serious (torn ligaments) bicep injury that prevented him from playing the following season. He was forced to take the next year off, before returning to complete his career.

After concluding his GMFA career, Besner played seven seasons with Overtime Lounge and Casey's of the North Bay Senior's Fastball League (oldtimers), four of which he was eligible to pitch. During that time he compiled a 36-1-1 record while winning four league titles.

During his tenure with Casey's and Overtime, Besner hurled his team to a pair of World Senior's Fastball tournament titles (2003, 2007), compiling a 7-0 record.

Besner will receive the Knapp award at the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner at Best Western North Bay, April 26th.

World fastball tourney hits 22 seasons

Posted By NUGGET STAFF

Posted 2 days ago

North Bay's growing Labour Day weekend tradition continues this week with 28 teams from across Ontario gathering for the 22nd annual World Senior Men's Fastball Tournament.

The tournament, staged at four fields in the city (Troy, Johnson, CFB and Centennial) opens Thursday with action between eight teams from the North Bay Senior Fastball League and continues through Sunday.

The senior fastball tournament, for players aged 35 and over, started in 1987 and has grown to become the largest in the province, with teams coming from places such as Toronto, Oshawa, Hamilton, Peterborough, Sudbury, Scarborough, Lindsay, Stratford, Porquis Junction and Moosonee.

Last year's 'AA' championship was won by North Bay's Casey's, the first local team to win the tournament since 1997.However, several players from the team hung up the cleats after the tournament and Casey's is no longer together.

The Cold Spring Cats, from Cobourg, Ont., the tournament's 'AA' champions in 2005 and 2006,will return seeking another championship.

The Toronto Bingos, who have been travelling north for the over-35 tournament for several years, will feature a big name on the roster for the weekend.

Peter Landers, a legendary left-handed pitcher and member of Softball Canada's Hall of Fame, is joining the Bingos for the weekend.

Locally, Boston Pizza won the regular- season championship in North Bay's nine-team senior league this summer, led by big hitters such as Richard and Ron Gribbons. Other area teams include The Fraser, North Bay Legion, Hopper's, Callander Legion, Howard's Plumbing, Powassan Legion, CFB Silver Foxes, Mattawa Legion, Bear Island Braves and last year's 'A' division champions, Kent Trusses of Sundridge.

The 28 teams will mix together in round robin play, with the Top 14 after the round robin moving on to the 'AA' playoffs and the next 14 playing for the 'A' title.

Playoffs begin Saturday evening, with quarter-finals, semifinals and finals to be played Sunday.

The 'A' championship game goes Sunday at 2:30 p. m. and the 'AA' championship at 4 p. m., both at Troy Field.

The 2008 NAFA Masters World Series has moved to a new location due to flooding at the sports complex in Rockford Illinois.

 Masters East Coaches:

Due to the Sportscore sports complex in Rockford, Illinois being flooded, we have moved the East Masters location less than 60 minutes away just North
in Middleton(near Madison), Wisconsin at the Bowling Green Softball
Complex and the Elvers Complex. 8 fields total.

We are staying on the Same date  Sept. 13-14  but do to coaches
requests we will not be playing any games friday night. We will also
use the same format as in all previous years which is 2 round robin
seeding games on Saturday that seeds all teams into as single
elimination on Sunday.

As of today we have the following numbers in each class:
35-8, 40-12, 45-12, 50-12, 55-7

Remember you can have 3 players three years too young that are not pitchers.

Everyone please confirm that you received this email and confirm the
age division or divisions you are playing in.

If you have not mailed your entry fee it is due so mail it now to:
NAFA, PO Box 566, Dayton, Oregon 97114

Motel List for Middleton, Madison Wisconsin

Here is the motel list for Middleton, Madison or you can find your own
on the internet but this list should save you some time:

Roadstar(host motel) 608-274-6900
Colonial Inn  608-836-1131
Best Western  608-833-4200
Super 8       608-848-7829

If these are full by the time you call. email me and I will send you
the complete list.

Thanks for your patience and we look forward to the best Masters event
ever and we look forward to seeing the 32 West Masters teams in Carson
City Sept. 20-21...We will send out a motel list for Carson City this
week.

Benjie Hedgecock
NAFA Executive Director

22nd. Annual World Senior Men's Fastball Tournament

Aug. 29-31  / 2008   North Bay, Ont.

Current and former master's players and coaches were in action at the recent Oshawa City & District Fastball League All Star Game.

Norm Estabrooks won the home run derby held during the All Star festivities, Norm competed in the recent OASA Masters Provincial Championship with Aurora.

Ontario Fastball Legend, Sylvia " Sparky" Ryan threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

 Dean Begley ( Aurora Sholess Joes ) played right field for the North squad.

John Kemp ( Lake Simcoe Lightning ) played centerfield for the North All Star Team.

Jim Trimm & Blair McBratney ( from Oshawa Ravens ) were both on the coaching staff for the South All Star Team.

Norm Estabrooks & Bill "Rookie" Fairney ( Toronto Celtics ) played for the winning South All Star Team.

Jim Trimm was awarded the prestigious Buddy Yahn Memorial Trophy. The following is submitted courtesy of the Oshawa City & District Fastball League web site.

The 2008 recipient started his fastball career at the age of six playing for Kedron in the park system. He played together with a bunch of his friends on the same team up until 1978 when he joined the Millwork fastball team in the Brady Division of the Oshawa City & District. 

In 82 he went to the Campbell Division with Whitby merchants until 84 when he joined Oshawa Caseys Sr B Team who went 22 and 2 in the City & District. The following year he played in the OFL with the Oshawa Blues. He continued his playing career playing with OASA and ISC affiliated teams such as Oshawa Merchants Seniors, ACL, O’Tooles and Mickey Finns Intermediates. 

Most of his over 28 year history in Oshawa Fastball were spent as a Player but in 92 he added player coach to his credentials He then added yet another roll of manager/coach to his impressive list, a roll which he continues to carry out with the present day Oshawa Ravens. The 2008 Buddy Yahn Memorial Trophy recipient this evening is Jim Trimm.

          O.A.S.A Mens Open Finalists in 93.   

          A fourth place and a seventh place finish at the N