may2007

Legends of Fastball Classic Honours 5 More Legendary Performers

May 27, 2007

Woodstock, ON


Subject:  Legends of Fastball Classic Honours 5 More Legendary Performers 


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WOODSTOCK, ON


The Legends of Fastball Classic is just one week away and Woodstock is gearing up to host the best in Ontario men’s fastball. The Classic will run Friday night June 1 through Sunday June 3, with 22 games in a two division round robin format. All 8 teams advance to a singleelimination playoff round on Sunday with the championship game scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

 

The Legends Classic is not an old timers tournament, far from it. Included in the field this year is the ISC #1 ranked Orillia Riversharks, the 2 time Canadian National Champion St.Thomas Evergreen Centennials, the 2006 Canadian bronze medalist Jarvis Merchants, the host Innerkip Bright Cheese House Eagles, the ISC #5 ranked Kitchener Hallman Twins,the two time Canadian National Junior champions the Scarborough Wolverines, the 2005 ISC II World Champion Elmira Cubs, and the host team for the ISC II Tournament of Champions the past two years, the Bridgeport ProForma Braves.

 

While the action on the field focuses on the best in Ontario fastball  today,the Legends Classic is unique in honouring fastball legends of the past. This years class of inductees into the Legends Hall of Fame runs the table for speed, hitting, pitching and managing in big time softball. The honourees include :

 

Darren Zack, the definitive icon for  fastball excellence and humility the past 2 decades. 9 times voted to the ISC World Tournament team; ISC World titles with Toronto Gators, Tampa Bay Smokers and Decatur Pride; countless Canadian National and Pan – Am championships; the ace of Canada’s National team for over a decade ; ISF World Champion in 1992; the list of his accomplishments is endless.

 

Steve Virag, a power pitching right hander with a bat to match. The ace of his teams in Port Stanley, London Woodstock Tornadoes and Dorchester, Virag’s heart matched his ability. His endurance on the mound was without equal, often pitching as many as 5 games a day. Twice selected to hurl for Ontario teams at the Canadian National Championships (1980 and 1981 ), he once hurled acomplete game 21 inning 1-0 victory over Saskatchewan.

 

Dick Parker, a native of Ingersoll, Ontario who first took up fastball at age 17 after baseball folded in his home town. A physical giant of a man with an imposing black beard, Parker parlayed a troika of strength, confidence and imposing stance in the batters box to intimidate and dominate pitchers for nearly 2 decades. In 1972 when the Ontario Fastball League was considered the best in the world, Dick ‘s defensive acumen paled in comparison with his hitting. In his inaugural season of the OFL the switch hitting Parker batted .345 while patrolling the outfield for the Woodstock Warriors. He spent most of his career with the great Woodstock teams and after moving to first base continued to strike fear in opposing pitchers while his teammates rackedup title after title in tournaments and the Memorial Fastball League.

 

Dan “Doc” Werby, a natural infielder who made alegendary name for himself while patrolling center field for his hometown Woodstock teams. The anchor of the outfield and explosive lead off hitter, Werby defined grace,speed and hitting in a community that celebrates legendary heroes with names like Paton, MacKinnon and Tilley. A team leader and captain on every team he played on through 3 decades, “Doc” was a 5 time Ontario Fastball League All-star, 5 times batted in the leagues top 10 and twice finished runnerup to the OFL batting crown. A celebrated member of Woodstock’s great teams, Flat Tires, Hotelmen, Bengals ,and Tornadoes, he considers amongst his biggest thrills to have shared the diamond with his 3 brothers in the hometown lineup.

 

Larry “ Hawk” Lynch, a player, coach, manager and promoter of major men’s fastball, he has dedicated nearly one third of a century to the game he loves. After  many years toiling the outfield with both Shedden and Port Stanley of the Memorial Fastball League  a career move to Kitchener resulted in a long time successful association with the Waterloo CHYM’RS and the Waterloo Twins. Larry has managed teams in 15 ISC World Tournaments including 7 top ten finishes. He has won 4 Ontario championships, two National silver medals and in 2004 guided Saskatoon to a National Championship. A true devotee of fastball, ‘’for the love of the game ‘’, he has driven nearly 500,000 miles to ball parks to ply his trade. Lynch will behonoured this August when he becomes the first Canadian manager ever inducted  into the  International Softball Congress Hall of Fame.

 

The Legends Classic gets underway on Friday evening June 1, with 3 games scheduled at 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. All games are at the beautiful Woodstock and District Community Complex and will continue all day Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 a.m. Admission to the games will be $5.00 Friday night, $10.00 all day Saturday and Sunday, or a Weekend Pass available Friday nightis $20.00 for all 22 games.

 

The Championship game goes at 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

 

The Legends Ceremony will be a highlight of the weekend andis scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday June 2.

 

For more details contact Larry Lynch at llynch9(at)rogers.com

 

 

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