The odds (from Harrah’s Mildmay) of winning the 2009 International Softball Congress are clustered. Fast-pitch softball is a sport that has not yet achieved parity. Consequently, there are favoureds, contenders, pretenders and the proverbial “long-shots”.

 

With arguably the two best young pitchers in the world, one each from the port and starboard sides, and an All-World batting cast, Harrah’s narrowly favours Patsy’s to rule the week. Patsy’s were shut-out twice last year – not likely to happen in ’09 – but if runs are not produced, there’s an abundance of depth on the bench. Toughest assignment – filling out the pre-game line-up – so many quality players… so little time and so few games.

In any sport it’s tough to repeat with back-to-back championships, however this team has the capability. This is an awesome club – as are others. In 2008, it was heroic hits that carried the day – how many miracles can be in one team’s bat rack?

 

Defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory last year and this year the road to championship day will be more challenging and difficult – the Aspens deserve another shot at it, but at best, will be bridesmaids once again.

Has Steve Kooser learned all the tricks of the game from Doc? On paper this team has what it takes win the crown, but will ascension to the throne of fastball’s elite come this year? Any result lower than 4^th will be a disappointing end to the season.

To rank The Farm at 5^th is almost unthinkable, and Rod’s farm boys dug deep to be the comeback team of the year at the ASAs. Farm offence is always present – will pitching be sufficient to crack the final four?

Jarvis made a significant leap last year, and despite a team of talented senior players, no further advance will be made in 2009. A great team to root for, but last year was the season on which memories are built.

If Jeremy remains healthy, and Bandits can score, this can be a surprise team. However, the IF is a big one. Not quite ready to crack the final four.

Great team with wonderful array of talented players, but needs to more consistently capitalize on opportunities to move up in the final standings. Exciting to watch and frustrating to analyze at the end of the game.

 

The sleeper of the contenders – great arms pitching and abundance of skilled fielders and dangerous batters. An enigma team – on any given day should win…. but!

 

Score some runs and help the pitchers. Lack of offence may be Achilles heel. Any slippage and will finish out of the top ten, but is capable of causing grief to teams that regard them too lightly.

 

Re-tooling year will have pains in effort to field a contender for 2010 in Midland. Quality squad that falls short in games served on a platter to win.

A busy year for Bill Horne’s host squad for the 2009 Softball Canada Nationals in August. A scrappy bunch who thrive on playing with the big dawgs, but success will come later this summer in friendly confines of Tarry Sportsplex in south-western Ontario

 

Big question is ability of young Aussie phenom Andrew Blackshaw to adjust to senior batting rosters with depth. In an era seeking promising new throwers, the Bar may have one in their midst.

The test! This is it – the gap between ISC II Champions and the renowned, established powerhouse ISC teams will be on display. This team is not just an excellent ISC II team, it is close to being a contender with the big boys of summer.  

 

Always in the mix, the Shamrocks will need some Irish luck to improve their ranking from last year.

 

The topic of choice for many softball pundits who have diagnosed this team as to its legitimacy for the big show or ISC II. The proof will be on the diamond.

The Knights may have to wear their armor against the favoureds… too little of what it takes to

make 2009 memorable.

 

Playing in the shadow of the Aspen Interiors will continue this week. Success to be measured in games against other lower ranked teams. Will this be Scheller’s swan song?

The Selects have a new young breed that will start the march to respectability to recall the old days of the former Selects and Tiremen. Frustrating first steps this year, but optimism for the future.

 

Host team will work diligently to be respectable, and will have home-town fans encouragement, but may suffer an early exit.

 

Ashland sends teams who embody the true meaning of amateur softball and the community’s consistent attendance at the ISC should be appreciated by all stakeholders. However, that will do little to score runs and win games – thanks for another year of supporting the ISC championship.

It’s a quantum leap from ISC II - a single game win may occur, but it will be early in the week.

 

A win early in the week will raise The Bar from this lowly prediction – will it happen.

 

With so many great fast-pitch fans in the Iowa – Illinois neighborhood, it’s truly wonderful to have the Athletics field a team providing more representation for the host community area.