Time for an update on the World Series All-Star ExhibitionMen's Fastpitch Softball Match.


Its being held at the Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

See their flyer   in pdf 

 

So far we can confirm:

- All 8 Queensland playersplaying in the World Series in Saskatoon Canada in July will be participating on the night

- We are pleased to announce that a pitcher from the World Series winning 2004 New Zealand Black Sox will be playing in the World Series All-Star team

- There will be multiple International Softball Federation (ISF) Hall of Fame Members involved, two players that have previously won the International Softball Conference (ISC) World Tournament, two Australian Hallof Fame members playing, and over 30 players or officials that have represented their country at the junior or senior level including many World Series winners!

- We are pleased to inform you that one World Series All-Star team member was a member of the New Zealand Black Sox for 14 years (1981-1995), won one ISF Open Men's World Series ('84) and was runner up for two more ('88 and '92), won no less than 11 New Zealand Club National titlesand 9 Provincial titles, was a member of the ASA National team and ISC World team, and has been honoured with induction into the New Zealand and ISF Hallsof Fame- a true legend of the sport will there on the night!

- There will be players from as far as Mount Isaas well as spectators from as far as Mackay travelling to be involved in thenight

- Queensland's best umpires from today and yester-year will be controlling the game

- All kids involved in the free coaching clinic will receivea complimentary sample bag of goodies with thanks from Softball Australia andthe Queensland Government's Q150 Event Celebrations

 

So it's all coming together well. In the lead-up to theevent we will be providing a weekly update including the confirmed team listsfor the night (stay tuned) as well as an article discussing a snapshot of men'sfastpitch softball history in Queensland.

 

This week we reflect on the 1995 Open Men's National Titles in Adelaide- Queensland's first taste of success!

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Each year, the various states take to the diamond to battleout the Open Men’s National Championships in pursuit to bring home the JohnReid Shield. Up to and including 1994 the records show that Western Australiahad a stranglehold on the coveted trophy and had won it an impressive seventimes since its inception in 1984, whilst the ACT had won it three times andNew South Wales once.

 

But the 1995 tournament in Adelaidewould turn out to be Queensland’sfirst taste of success. Under the guidance of coaches of Maurice Paraha andCraig Sinclair Queensland had made it to the finals- but had accumulated manyinjuries along the way. Key players Brett Walker and Johnno Whitefield had handinjuries whilst Geoff Champneys was nursing an unsteady ankle. The Queensland team had a good mix of experience and youthfulexuberance and had displayed skill and power to make it through to the finaland take on the powerhouse that was Western Australia- whose line-up included veteran ballplayerKevin Henderson.

 

The final turned out to be a home run derby with both teamsbringing their biggest bats to the game. The longer the game went the biggerthe hits were from both teams with Terry Downes, Shane King, Greg (Megs)Woodings and Johnno Whitefield, broken finger and all, towering hits over thefence. Despite a gallant effort by Western Australian catcher catcher RussellTaylor, driving in all 5 of WA’s runs, Downesy did the job on the mound shuttingout WA and Queensland were crowned National Champions winning the game 8 runsto 5 in seven innings. Celebrations wentwell into the night...

 

Whist many individuals in the team had risen to thechallenge during the week including pitchers Murray Rivers, Michael Metekingiand Paul (Sloppy) Allsop and hitters Steve Harding, Scott Sunley and RayBartorillo, stand-out Shane King was awarded MVP for the tournament and TerryDownes Best Pitcher.

 

Queensland, having been regarded as a force in the game formany years and being home to many of the countries most feared batters, had nowshown we had the depth and finesse it takes to hold a team together for a week,and the heart to push pain aside and do whatever it takes to win on finals day.

 

QUEENSLAND- 1995 Open Men’sNational Champions team members: Paul ALLSOP, Ray BARTORILLO, Geoff CHAMPNEYS,Martin CONNOLLY, Michael CHRISTENSEN, Terry DOWNES, Leon DUGGAN, Steve HARDING,Shane KING, Michael METEKINGI, Murray RIVERS, Scott SUNLEY,Brett WALKER, Johnno WHITEFIELD and Greg WOODINGS. Officials: Maurice PARAHA,Craig SINCLAIR, Maxine CLEARY and Christine JACKA.

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We would like to thank our sponsors for the World SeriesAll-Star Exhibition Match:

 

All4Fitness- If its about YOU and getting what YOU want,then call All4Fitness today: ph 3899 0442 or 0417078159

 

Dormers Softball Equipment- bringing world class productsfrom world class manufacturers to Australia: 0417-757-953