Sharks Circling for ISC Trophy…..Smell Blood !!!

January 27, 2007

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                                     Sharks Circling for ISC Trophy…..Smell Blood !!!

 

 

     This upcoming year has to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Any time there is a major redecorating of the rosters of the top competitors, the elimination of a dominant team and the dispersal of its personnel, one cannot help but wonder what it all means, who is going to play great, who may be a bust, what team may become better because of the addition of a single key player. Any true fans of our sport will tell you all of this is going through their minds in anticipation of this year to come. But if you are a doubter that this year is special, all you have to do is look toward the AAU tourney that just finished in dramatic fashion with the legendary Frankie Perez blasting home the AAU World Title for his team and walking off with MVP honors. I am told it is one of the greatest tourney finishes in recent memory.

 

 

     That single memory may be on fans’ minds, but what is now running through players, coaches and sponsors minds now, is a separate and distinct form of head scratching that goes on. The number one question is always about Chemistry. Who is going to mesh and who is not? Totally different subject from any of the above paragraph. We have seen great players perform well, and great players fail. Yes, injury plays a part. Weather plays a part.    Yes, weather usually plays a part in what happens in Saskatchewan; just ask Paddy Mack and Keith of Ducks Unlimited !!! You know, I don’t get the chance to write as much as I like to, so I just had to make that wise quack about the weather with that tourney! The rain truly justifies the tourney being named after Ducks!!! In spite of the weather, though, it is probably the best display of talent and quality play that early in the softball season in Western Canada. 

 

     Yes, there are lots of factors that will affect the upcoming season. This year is a Goulash of factors, other than one thing……The ISC will again be played in Kitchener, just like last year. A second helping if you will. I can tell you I will ! Last year was great! Hope they still distribute the Diamond Dirt.  And I certainly hope they keep up with the Yogi-isms. My favorite section of DD last year, though, was an expansion of Yogi…..I just loved the umpire digs…..I gotta tell ya, here is 2007, 5 months later….. I pull out the Diamond Dirt every week, since in Florida Baseball is in full swing and because of the fine editors of DD, I always have the perfect insult to yell at the umpires of my son’s AAU 12 and under games, but only when the situation truly calls for it. The locals have never heard this stuff !!!

 

     Back to next season…..We all are waiting to see what will unfold. New contenders, some old contenders. If you wade into the waters of contenders, I think you cannot help but sense Sharks circling, and smelling blood… That’s right, when the Sharks circle, they spell “O” for Orillia!

 

     Last year, the Orillia River Sharks made it to the winner’s bracket final, where they could not finish worse than third from that point. As fate would have it, they finished third. That is how it felt. Like a third place thud.   Yes, it was a good year.  But frankly, the record only served as part of what made it such a good year. The team took pride in how well they got along. There is that chemistry factor again.  They also had a great year in the way they carried themselves as a team. I say in all sincerity, that the original gossip about Orillia being a “Trick” to avoid out of area fees and other disingenuous motives was quickly disproven. Disproven by a dedicated and talented coaching staff, a roster of unselfish, yet prolific players, as well as the supporting cast of sponsorship and the Orillia people themselves.

 

     Now what is in store for 2007? Well that is exactly what I am here to tell you about, albeit five paragraphs later. 

 

     You know it is important, we feel, to take the time to truly give the fans of this sport the opportunity to see what is going on with a team they may follow from front to back, from beginning to end. I hope to be able to shed some of that light for you.

 

     But first, we say goodbye to the great Mike White. He will forever be, in our sport, the Great White! Goodbye Bam Bam Kahler! Getting his hips through an Adam Folkard offering in the Winner’s Bracket Final as no younger guy had all season, had to be a fitting last tourney for this warrior! You went out in style, Barry!

 

     Rhys Cassely will be sorely missed. You cannot help but admire his poise, his talent for hitting and the way he seems to out hustle his opponents, even though he may have more talent. Goodbye Stacey MacLean, another great athlete who came through for the Sharks and treated his time with us as though we were all that mattered.

 

     Paddy Mack is one of the best clutch hitters I have seen in the last five years; I say a fond farewell to my buddy Pat. We say goodbye also to yet another Pat, and another great team guy in Pat Graham. Pat has proven himself to be able to compete and win at the highest level of competition for more years that I think I have been around this sport. I respected Pat always, now I will miss him.

 

     Andy Jackson, you had the class to look past my poor job of managing you in the early years of the Smokers, and be a good friend our last year. I really hate seeing you go. You did much for Orillia and I know you will be a force to contend with in Aspen. I am envious you will be teammates with Paddy Mack.

 

     Derrick Zechman was easy to like and even easier to enjoy his offensive prowess. Talk about a streaky hitter, I don’t think he made an out in June! All the best to you in ISC II, D! D is for dominate I am sure.

 

    Those were some great Sharks, but some were also PRAWNS!!! Sound crazy? Only in the ISC…..To those of you who have not retired, we look forward to renewing those friendships at tournament time this year.

 

     Now speaking of this year…..I first wish to say……

 

     Before each NFL game, each team has a choice of introducing to the crowd their offense or their defense. In Fastball, most guys pecking the word processor for their respective teams’ preseason newsletter usually start with their pitching. We did last year. But the River Sharks choose to first introduce our outfield. Our opponents may be calling ours the “Look Out!!” (field) before long into the season.

 

     Orillia proudly announces the return of Steve “Lolly” Mullaley, the highly talented Newfie and outfielder for the Orillia Riversharks. Speed, Throwing, hitting, you name it, he has it. He has youth but so much big game experience this early in his career.

In a sport dominated by players who become their best near thirty years old, Lolly has long ago arrived! As soon as all the claw marks on him from being so highly recruited by our opponents heal, you will see Steve, smiling and playing the game. Welcome back, Lolly.

 

     Jeff Ellsworth becomes a Shark and will quickly make an impact in this improved and dominant outfield. Rarely do you get the kind of heady smart play, combined with speed, power and leadership that are all rolled into one with Jeff. Denny Bruckert is a big fan of Jeff’s style of play, and coveted Jeff when he was an opponent as well. Welcome aboard, Jeff.

 

     Dan Loney returns, and promises to put on another display that saw him earn the center field spot for so many games last year. Nobody works harder, yet has remained humble for so many years of continuous great play as Dan. I still remember him in 1995 with the Napanee Express playing my second year Smokers! And he has not lost a step…..

 

     Perhaps one of our most significant additions is the presence on this team of Ryan Wolfe. Ryan needs no introduction, and I am not referring to the character on CSI Miami.

It will be the first time I will watch another teammate wear number 77, and not have it on my back. I hope that  any coach or player who sees another person wear his uniform number on his team, after he has stepped aside, is fortunate enough to have someone with Ryan’s caliber do that number such justice. Ryan has been one of the top players in the game for this decade, if not the best all around right now. Enough said.   

 

      Now to the infield.  The middle is manned by two of the best athletes in this game in Chris Miljavac and Ian Fehrman.  Ian’s talent was one of the reasons the River Sharks were so successful last year, and the proof is even more evident when one notices that Ian has his share of recruiting claw marks as well…… Now consider that when you add ISC MVP Mook Miljavac as his keystone mate, the strength of the Riversharks up the middle has never looked better! I love seeing Mook back at second. Talk about an unselfish player that was willing to play any position just to help his team, that tour of duty is over as Chris is back where he feels the best and we are all used to seeing him.

 

     At the corners, you first have Tim Macumber, who can carry a team, both hitting and pitching. Tim brings vast experience and depth to an already awesome lineup.

 

     Continuing, we have Spike Ormsby, my teammate in Victoria in 2002, and also Blair Ezekiel, who for my money, may prove to be an absolute brilliant move for the Orillia brain trust. Michael “Butch” Taylor brings his bat and athletic ability back as he moves to the corner to assume a new position in the field this year. One of those things to watch.

 

     Now to the battery. Frank Cox will pitch for us this year, and what more can be said about one of the greatest talents and fiercest competitors this game has ever known. The erstwhile postal delivery dude is one of the most feared players any batter can face.

 

     Robbie O’Brien, will be another leader of our staff, but also is as feared a clutch hitter as a hurler. He is truly a pitcher that can hit, which is a rarity these days. Robbie can also spend a few innings at first when Timmy Macumber gets the nod.

 

     Certainly some of the biggest news out of western Canada this year was the announcement that the River Sharks had successfully recruited Ryan Brand to be another starter. Brando is as experienced as any in the top competition, has pitched as many big games as any and has thrown in several countries to boot. I remember when Dominicans all over the D.R. would migrate from stadium to stadium just to watch Brando throw his blistering rise ball.

 

     All in all, the Sharks can throw 4 legitimate stud pitchers at their opponents this year, even in the ISC!! Starting to see blood in the water?

 

     Our most sacred trust is in the highly cerebral and even more talented catching crew we have this year. Life with Sean O’Brien is easier than you can possibly imagine when he catches. I just love watching him handle batters, pitchers, and yes….umpires. He does it all and leads the team in “attitude.” But it doesn’t stop there.

 

     The River Sharks will also have the excellence of Mike Gasaway to keep runners honest and also batters guessing. Mike calls a great game and holds the opponents in check with his magic.

 

     If those two behind the plate are not enough, and believe me, that is MORE than enough, the cup truly runs over with the finishing touch of Kelly Wenstrom. This guy hits homers with the best players in the game, catches, plays first and loves the DH role. All in all, he will be a valuable asset in the dugout with the team. Kelly was my GM in Calgary, we had three great years together, and I was thrilled when he called me during this off season, looking to pool some of the great aforementioned talent that the Sharks now call their own.

 

     The coaching staff will remain intact, led by field manager Denny Bruckert, the most decorated of all active coaches in the game. Bob Nydick, our CEO but a coach as well, will ply River Shark strategy in the dugout every game. Lee Jacques, the valuable and experienced Ontario based coach will keep his duties, which calls for him to lead the Sharks on the field when Denny is out of town. Paul Barnetson rounds out the coaching field and is the reason we hail from Orillia.

 

    I would say a lot more about these coaches, you know I am not afraid to write long articles, but frankly all of these men disdain any attention, that is their collective similarity, they much prefer I focus on the players. However, I suspect I have written enough about personnel for one story…..except…………

     If it were not for “Total Todd” Evans, our ultra talented webmaster, we would be in the Neanderthal era.  After hearing so much about Geico being so easy a cave man could do it, I have come to respect the high standard of excellence Todd brings to our Website.

Thanks, Todd.

 

      The entire team looks forward to a get together on Feb 3rd at the Goofie Newfie Pub in Ontario. 

 

     Before I get to the schedule, I am sure the entire Orillia Staff joins me in wishing the best of luck and a hasty recovery to Paul Algar a great friend to all of us, and someone we all admire. We hope to see your sparkling eyes and big smile here in North America as soon as possible. I know this is an Orillia story, but Alfie transcends all of that. I could not write a softball article and stay silent on Paul Algar. God speed, and get back to us safely.

 

    When can everyone look forward to seeing the River Sharks play? I am glad you asked that question…..We get going May 11-13 in the travel league. We have already qualified for the ISC, but look very much forward to the playing dates in Ontario, maybe the best softball hotbed remaining on earth.

 

     From the first of June to the third we go to Woodstock for a great annual event, the precursor of which was the highly attended Waterloo tourney tirelessly promoted by Larry Lynch. Great competition and a chance to set the tone.

 

     We return to our second and third rounds of travel league competition the weekends of the 8-10 of June and then the 15^th through the 17^th of June. When that is completed, we look forward to the incomparable Monkton !

 

     Monkton is my favorite for Royal treatment, Top competition, and good summer weather, being from always hot Florida. Brian Ballie has always found a way to make the best even better each year! No wonder why it is the tourney that gets the most phone calls to attending teams from players on teams not going just begging to get on the roster for that weekend.  That speaks for itself.

 

     We then get a week off, and show off our hospitality, as we host the Orillia tourney from July 13-15. Remember, Orillia inherited the great mantle of competition that was passed to us by Neil Fennel, of  Perth Shootout fame in years prior. With many improvements and the comfort of knowing many things will not change, Orillia is perennially at the top of team’s and fans’ lists for attendance.

 

     By now the season is in full swing and starting to peak. We travel to the Bob Walsh for the highest prize money stakes offered in the sport in the USA at Allentown July 20-22^nd. A small field of teams inhabits one of the most traditional settings fastpitch has ever seen during that weekend, and it is not one to miss!

 

     The River Sharks finish their swing through the USA with a stop in Indiana for the ASA National Tourney August 2-5. This year figure to be the most competitive in the last ten years with new rule changes spurring the anticipation.

 

     Then, after another weekend off, it’s the Show!  The ISC takes its place as the premier event of the year August 10-18, where we will all lay it on the line and leave it on the field. Back in Kitchener for what we live for! There is simply no other way to put it.

 

     This is what we offer to you in January, in hopes of interesting you, getting a few tongues wagging and starting the anticipation going. But there simply is no substitute for watching our players perform on the field, and the River Sharks hope their 2007 version is something for both fans and our worthy opponents  to welcome back to the field of play in that spirit. Our best wishes to all!

 

 

Respectfully,

 

Peter J. Porcelli, II

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