Woodstock, ON
June 2-4, 2006
LEGENDS CLASSIC ATTRACTS ANOTHER WINNING LINEUP
The 3rd annual Legends of Fastball Classic isless than 2 weeks away and already there is a lot of talk around the strongfield for this years event. Woodstock has been a formidable host since the tournament inception in 2004, and with its proximity to Kitchener and the ISC World Tournament this August, the locals are salivating over the feast of fastball awaiting them in Ontario this summer.
The line-up for the Legends Classic includes a strong localhost in the Innerkip Bright Cheese House Eagles. Innerkip personifies what “countryfastball” is all about. Made up of predominantly local boys the Eagleshave made some strong showings at the ISC World Tournament in recent years including a top 10 finish in Fargo ND, in 2004.Their pitching staff is anchored by workhorse Jamie Simpson, an all-worldthrower in 2002. He shares the mound with former Waterloo Twin and Fedlock Falcon, Jeremy de Belleval, along with Dan Skillings and Steve Running who also provide much of the Eagles offence.
Kitchener Hallman Twins are starting their quest for their first ISC World title, and would love to improve upon a strong 3rd placefinish in Eau Claire, Wisc last year. The Kitchener-Waterloo based Twins are celebrating their 40th anniversary season in 2006 and are widely recognized as Canada’s longest continuously operating major men’s team. Their pitching staff is anchored by 2005 All-World pitcher Todd Martin, and his mound duties will be shared by lefty Paul Koert and power pitching Don Scott.
Perennial Ontario fastball favourites, the Midland Explorers, will bring their Michigan based clubback to Woodstock for a third straight year. Longtime Waterloo Twin, and former Canadian National team catcher Craig Crawford will be calling signals for a pitching staff led by veteran Doug Gillis, himself a stalwart on the USA National Team for many years. Returningt o the Michigan ‘blue’ this year is lanky right hander Grant Patterson, looking to add his hard throwing arsenal to the craftsmanship of his mound mate Gillis. Veteran infielders Kyle Beane and Steve Horning will be counted on to add their hitting prowess once the table is set by theever dangerous lead-off man in Crawford.
The St.Thomas Evergreen Centennials finished second at the Classic last year, but served noticed to the fastball world that better things were tocome in 2005. They capped a dream year with a hometown victory in their first ever Canadian National Championship in late August. The Centennials are back inWoodstock and bring with them the legendary Darren Zack. Z-man is without question the most recognized face in the game of major men’sfastball, and without a doubt the greatest pitcher of his generation. Toeing the rubber along with Zack is one of the games biggest hearts and certainly one of its most successful workhorses in Trevor Wardell . Hard throwing Dan Beecroftrounds out a solid pitching staff and a very dangerous hitting line-up.
The 10 team – 2 division tournament structure will include 25 games over 3 days including the final at 3:00 pm Sunday afternoon. The championship game will be televised on Rogers cable fordelayed broadcast across the full Ontario Rogers system.
Games will get underway on Friday June 2 at the beautifulWoodstock and District Community Complex Diamonds.
Details of opening night games, a full tournament schedule and the rest of the line-up will be posted later this week.
Don’t forget the Legends Ceremony at 2:00 pm on Saturday afternoon, when 5 more names will be added to the Legends of Fastball honourroll. Watch Al’s Fastball for the names of the 2006 honourees, later thisweek.
larry.lynch@city.kitchener.on.ca
