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International softball comes to St. John's

June 30, 2016

St. John's, NL - International softball comes to St. John's


Original Story by Don Power, CBC News

International softball comes to St. John's

By Don Power, CBC News Posted: Jun 29, 2016 8:43 AM NT Last Updated: Jun 29, 2016 8:43 AM NT

Canada's men's softball team beat Venezuela to win the Pan Am gold medal in 2015 - thanks in part to its five Newfoundland players.

Canada's men's softball team beat Venezuela to win the Pan Am gold medal in 2015 - thanks in part to its five Newfoundland players. (Team Canada/Twitter)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Brad Ezekiel of Harbour Main has stepped up to the plate in pressure situations dozens of times.

With years of softball competition on the world stage, he's helped Canada's senior men's team to a world championship.

He drove in both Canadian runs with a home run in the sixth inning of the Pan Am Games championship game to give Canada a 2-1 win over Venezuela last July and clinch the gold medal.

His club team, the Hill United Chiefs out of Ontario, is the three-time International Softball Congress (ISC) defending champion.

But when he swings that bat Thursday night at Lions Park in St. John's, he figures he might just be a bag of nerves.

Bradley Ezekiel Newfoundland softball

Brad Ezekiel of Harbour Main says nerves hit him just as hard before a big game, whether its in international competition or in St. John's. (CBC)

'Gotta get the jitters out'

Ezekiel's team will be one of two mainland teams visiting the capital city this week, as The Rock Invitational International Softball Congress tournament gets underway. In addition to Hill United, the Toronto Gators are in town, to play against The Bigs, NTV Hitmen and Kelly's Pub Molson Bulldogs.

For Ezekiel – who bats third in the lineup locally – that opening game is going to be nerve-wracking. He bats leadoff for Hill United, and playing in the first game of the tournament, he figures he'll have sweaty palms.

"You always get a bit nervous first, but it wears off as you get through it," he said during a tournament last week at Lions Park.

"The worst thing is I lead off with that team, so you gotta get the jitters out quick. Gotta get rid of the nerves in warm-up if I can."

"No matter what though, you focus in right from that first pitch. You approach every at bat as if it's your last. You go out and get a good look at the pitches, and get a good piece of the ball and help your team," he said.

Newfoundland's softball prowess

Ezekiel and the other four Newfoundland natives on Team Canada do more than just help their teams.

Sean Cleary

Harbour Main's Sean Cleary is rated the top pitcher in Canada. (Softball Canada)

In a poll conducted amongst non-Canadian softball players this past winter, Ezekiel was rated as the number one position player in Canada.

Not to be left out, Freshwater's Stephen Mullaley was ranked No. 4 and Jason Hill of St. John's slotted in at No. 5. Harbour Main's Sean Cleary – who will pitch this weekend for the Toronto Gators – is rated the top pitcher in Canada.

Clearly the local contingent can play well on the big stage.

"We've established ourselves," said John Hill, a coach with Hill United, father of Jason and a former senior all-star for many years. Hill is also the man responsible for bringing these two teams – ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the ISC – to St. John's.

"The fact that you're from Newfoundland brings some instant credibility."

Showing off St. John's softball

Both men say the calibre of player in the St. John's league is second to none, and part of the reason for bringing in two of the top club teams in the world is to show local fans how good the local senior league really is.

John Hill

Coach John Hill says St. John's softball can hold its own against international-level competition. (CBC)

Senior softball in St. John's has been a very productive league for more than 50 years, producing players like Ross Crocker, Ron Boland and Colin Abbott – who are as good as anybody in the game.

Hill said had the opportunity been there for many players during his playing era – he played his first national senior men's tournament in 1979 – the ISC would have been dotted with the likes of Bill and Dick Davis, Ward Gosse, Dave Boland and Bill Windsor and others many years ago.

"The big thing in the early 1980s and 90s, the ballplayers were every bit as good as the players here now, but the exposure wasn't there," Hill stated. "Now the guys are getting that opportunity."

(A quick note:Ward Gosse is still playing at a high level even at the age of 48, and was named MVP this past weekend in a tournament in Ontario, pitching a perfect game along the way!)

Even Ezekiel says when he, Hill and Mullaley are with the Chiefs, they're talking about the game at home.

"We always talk to the boys on Hill United and tell them how good our senior league is here, and brag about it. So now they get to see it and face the three good teams in our league. I'm excited to see what's gonna happen."

Fans interested in taking in this action can get tournament passes, good for all 13 games, for just $10. Individual game tickets are $3, and kids under 12 are admitted free.

John Hill, for one, expects a great weekend of ball.

"I don't think for one second that the Chiefs and the Gators are coming here expecting to snowplow the local teams here," he said. "Just to speaking from some of the guys on the club teams, they're taking this tournament very seriously and they want to show how good the local senior league is. They'll be up to the test."

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