Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Feb 19, 2007
Fastball Fans,
Planning for the 2007 Mick & Angelo's Snapper Shootout is well underway.
Once again, Ralph Biamonte of Mick & Angelo's Eatery & Bar has stepped up to
act as title sponsor for this years event. With that kind of community
support, the 4th Annual Snapper Shootout is set to go for June 1-3, 2007 at
Centennial Sports Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Shootout will feature 16
teams at the Intermediate and Junior level. The calibre of teams committed
to this years event is as good as any year and in 2007 the Shootout Champion
will take home $2000. The tournament will consist of four divisions of four
teams, with the top two teams in each division moving on to a Sunday single
elimination.
Last years champion, The Rise of Pennsylvania will be back to defend their
title and last years runner up, CPI of Oswego, NY will also be returning in
hopes of capturing it's first Shootout crown. Below is a brief history of
past Shootout results as well as a rundown of the 16 teams confirmed for
this year.
2004 - Niagara Snappers - Champion, St. Catharines RHCP - Finalist
2005 - Niagara Snappers - Champion, Ashland Merchants - Finalist
2006 - The Rise - Champion, CPI Fastpitch - Finalist
The Field of 16 for 2007:
Ashland Merchants
Ashland returns to the Shootout for the 3rd consecutive year. The Merchants
are coming off a tied for 5th place finish at the 2006 ISC II TofC and their
best Shootout result was in 2005, when they finished in 2nd place, having
knocked off Keating Fitness to get to the final.
CPI Fastpitch
Also back for their 3rd straight year, Mike Cutro's men in maroon will be
back to improve on their finalist result from last year. CPI was tied for
17th at last years ISC II TofC and look forward to a return trip to
Kitchener in 07.
Elmira Advance Millwright Juniors
This team will be the first junior team to ever compete at the Shootout.
Elmira is one of the top junior teams in Ontario and finished in 5th place
at the 2006 Junior Men's Canadians. The SPMFL team will be primed to make
some noise in their Shootout debut.
Elora Brewers
Elora is back for their second consecutive year and looks to improve on
their tied for 3rd place finish from last year. The Brewers finished tied
for 9th at last years ISC II TofC. The balanced Brewers, who play in the
SPMFL are a dangerous team that looks to be in the thick of things come
Sunday.
Glencoe Astros
The Astros return for the 3rd straight year. Glencoe (tied for 17th at
TofC), went
undefeated in the preliminary round at last years Shootout only to lose in
the quarter final to the eventual champion, the Rise. Glencoe plays out of
the STDMFL.
Hamilton Hawks
The Hawks return to the Shootout after a one year absence. Hamilton has a
history of being one of the top teams in the GHFL and this year should be no
different. The hard hitting Hawks are attempting to qualify for this years
ISC II TofC.
Keatings Fitness Center
Keatings is also returning after a one year absence. In 2005, Keatings was
upset in the Shootout semis by Ashland but left their mark by going
undefeated in the round robin, beating some quality teams along the way.
Keatings comes into the Shootout with some open level experience having been
reclassified for ISC II play in 2007.
Niagara Falls Fury
The Fury will be officially making their Shootout debut but will have
several players who played for the Niagara Selects entry that was a tie
breaker away from moving on to the playoff Sunday in 2005. The local squad
was runner-up in last years GHFL Playoffs.
Niagara Snappers
The host team is looking to improve on last years quarter final loss to
Elora. The Snappers have won the Shootout in 2004 and 2005. The Snappers
are back to back GHFL Playoff Champions and are eager to bounce back and
hopefully challenge for this years Shootout title.
Palermo Athletics
The A's will be returning to the Shootout to avenge a 1-2 record from last
year. As the season went on, Palermo's fortunes would improve as they
finished 2nd at the 2006 ISC II TofC. Palermo will also be returning to the
GHFL in 2007.
The Rise
The Rise of PA is back for their 3rd straight year and will carry the title
of defending Shootout champion. The Rise went a perfect 6-0 last year
beating CPI Fastpitch in the final and are eager to attempt the repeat.
South Lebanon TNT
Back for the second consecutive year, TNT will look to improve on their 1-2
record at last years Shootout. With an impressive tied for 5th place finish
at the 2006 ISC II TofC, the squad from PA appeared to have found their game
as the year went along.
Tavistock Merchants
The 2006 ISC II TofC Champion returns to the Shootout after a one year
absence. The Merchants will look to avenge their 2005 semi final loss to
Niagara and carry the momentum gained from last years championship season.
Waterdown Hammer
The Hammer return for their second consecutive year and will bring with them
the confidence gained from a very successful 2006 season. The GHFL club
finished tied for 17th at last years ISC II TofC.
Wyevale Tribe
The Tribe will be making their Shootout debut and are the initial and lone
SRFL representative. Wyevale had a strong showing at last years ISC II OCC
in Hillsburgh and are eager to continue to test themselves against some of
the best teams in the ISC II division.
Toronto Champion Indians
For the latest Shootout news, continue to check back to Al's or the Niagara
Snappers team website:
www.niagarasnappers.com
Take care,
Perry Bartley
Mick & Angelo's Snapper Shootout
misterpaulo@hotmail.com
