FINAL UPDATE: The blues, the statisticians, the competitions, the celebrity

june2009

FINAL UPDATE: The blues, the statisticians, the competitions, the celebrity

June 11, 2009

Australia

The World Series All-Star Exhibition Fastpitch Men’s Softball Match- June 13- Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Fields- a game organised by players, for players.

FINAL UPDATE: The blues, the statisticians, the competitions, the celebrity.

THE BLUES: The concept of the night is to not only celebrate the players but also the officials who have devoted so much to the sport over the years. Without further ado, we are pleased to announce the following umpires will be taking to the diamond to officiate the game- a mix of youth and experience!

NAME	UMPIRING PROFILE
Yvonne Kahler	Level 6 Accreditation 2004. Attended first Nationals 1998. U16/U19 Men’s Nationals, Perth, 1999. ACT, 2000. U19 Men’s Nationals Caboolture, 2001. U23 Men’s Nationals, Sydney, 2004. U19 Men’s Nationals, Redlands, 2008. Open’s Men’s Nationals, 2009. Southern Cross Challenge, Redlands, 2008. Trans Tasman Exchange 2009. First attended State Championships in mid 80’s (Open’s Men’s, Ipswich). Has attended every Senior Men’s State championship since 1997 and many of the U19 Men’s State Championships.
Mark Toft	Level 6 Accreditation 2002. Umpired officially since 1988. First Nationals 1998. 25 National Tournaments (6 Open Men’s , 8 U/19 Youths, 3 U/23 Men, 2 U/16 Boys)
David Casey	ASF Level 5. Umpired Australia v China, 2006. 7 National Championships.
Darren Sibraa	ISF Accreditation 2006. Australian Level 6 accreditation 2005. National Awards- “Viv Triplett” Australian Umpire of the Year in 2006. State Awards- “Tricia Bichel” Queensland Umpire of the Year in 2004 and 2006. ISF International tournaments: VIII World Junior Men’s Championship, Canada, 2008. ISF Open Men’s Oceania Qualifier, New Zealand, 2008. Pacific International Men’s Series, Canberra, 2007. China Cup, Beijing, 2007 Additional overseas appointments: Trans Tasman Exchange, New Zealand Men’s Open Club tournament, Christchurch, NZ, 2007. National tournaments: Open Men’s Nationals (7) 2003 – 2009. Open Women’s Nationals (4) 2004, 2006 - 2007, 2009. Under 23 Men’s Nationals (2) 2003, 2007. U/23 Women’s Nationals: (1) 2004. U/19 Men’s Nationals (2) 2005, 2008. U/19 Women’s Nationals (2) 2007 – 2008. U/16 Boy’s Nationals (3) 2003 – 2004, 2009. Major Achievements – Administration: National Umpiring Committee since 2008. Queensland State Director of Umpiring since 2003. National Examination (Basic paper) working party since 2005. Queensland State Umpiring Committee since 2001
Matthew Blake	Started umpiring at age of 13. Umpired various state champs every year since. First Nationals in 2008. Umpired Australia vs China in 2008.
Matthew Gowty	ISF Accreditation (1997). Level 7 Accreditation (2000). International Tournaments: 1988 Bicentennial Challenge Brisbane 1994 South Pacific Classic Sydney 1996 4 Nation Challenge Brisbane 1997 4 Nation Challenge Brisbane 1997 V Junior Mens World Championships, Canada 1999 US Olympic Cup San Diego, CA, USA 2000 5 Nation Challenge Sydney 2000 X Mens World Championships, South Africa 2001 VI Junior Mens World Championship, Sydney 2002 US Cup Honolulu, HI 2002 Canada Cup Vancouver, BC 2002 X Womens World Championship, Canada Total 31 National championships since 1986! Awards- Australian Sports Medal 2000. Inaugural winner of NSWSUA "Andrew Rindfleish" Umpire of the Year Award. Inducted into Softball Australia Hall of Fame in 2006
Ken Culpitt	Umpired at least two national championships every year, including the Open Men’s National Championship every year since 1987. Ken has officiated at over 200 international matches, including six world championships. 1998- admitted as a life member of Softball Canberra. 2004- Australian Softball Administrator of the Year Award. 2005- Life Membership of Softball Australia, and inducted into the ISF Hall of Fame in 2007. Active and influential contributor at the national level for softball since 1979.

THE STATISTICIANS- And from the side line, the game will be plotted by two of the most experienced sideline stars!:

WORLD SERIES ALL-STAR
Christine Jacka	International team: Great Britain (scorer) 2009 World Series: ISF- Canada 2009 State: Qld U/19s, U/23 and Open Men’s scorer 1989-1991, 1995-1997 (Open Men’s Champions 1995) Individual Awards: ASF Service award. QSA Service award. Best Batter- Jindalee Jaguars and Darwin Waratahs
QUEENSLAND INVITATIONAL
Ngaire Huston	International team: Australian U/19s 1997, Open Men’s 1999-2004 World Series: ISF- U/19s Canada 1997, Open Men’s South Africa 2000, Christchurch 2004. Official scorer Sydney 20000 Olympics State: 21 consecutive years 1989-current consisting of Qld Open Men’s (Champions 2002), Open Women’s and U/19s Youths (Champions 1992). Individual Awards: Level 6 scorer. Australian scorer of the year 2002, 2003. Life Member QSA. National scoring committee since 1996.

PRE-GAME ENTERTAINMENT: The following challenges will be conducted in this order starting at 4:45pm on the night:

Fastest Around the Bases

Each runner gets 2 attempts at running around all 4 bases. Fastest time recorded by stopwatch. If they slip- then they get their second chance but no additional attempt. Some of the fastest feet on the diamond will be taking part:

Benny Trindle
Darren Brewer
Frecks Nathan
Josh Davison
Julian Jemmott

Outfield Throws

Outfielders stand behind a marker placed in mid-centre field. A target is placed above home plate. Ball starts in outfielder’s glove. Outfielders must throw the ball from behind the marker. Each player gets 5 attempts to hit the target. Most hits out of 5 attempts wins the challenge. If a tie-breaker is needed, get another 3 attempts each. After that, sudden death! Long-range experts to battle it out include:

Scott Sunley
Patrick Morgan
Ray Lane
Tyron Bartorillo
Terry Downes

Catcher Pick-offs

A target is placed above second base. Ball is delivered to catcher. Catcher throws over to second base trying to hit the target. Each player gets 5 attempts to hit the target. Most hits out of 5 attempts wins the challenge. If a tie-breaker is needed, get another 3 attempts each. After that, sudden death! Accuracy and strength is the key to the challenge:

Luke van de Griendt
Ralph (Dog) Nathan
Chris Stahlhut
Leon Hardie
Richard Devey

Fastest Pitch Contest

Each pitcher delivers 5 pitches with speed gun set-up. Speeds recorded. Fastest individual pitch of the 5 pitchers’ wins. The maestros of the mound competing will be:

Darren DJ Pyke
Aaron Clarke
Dave Berridge
Thomas Cameron
Shaun Marino

Home Run Contest

Ball delivered to batter. Batter gets 10 balls. Total number of home-runs in fair territory is recorded. If a tie-breaker is needed, get another 5 attempts each. After that, sudden death! The batters looking to go longer than each other include:

Zenon Winters
Murray McLean
Corey Matakatea
Shane King
David Metekingi

And finally, SHARIF FROM BIG BROTHER will be delivering the ceremonious first pitch of the game!!!! So come see if Sharif has what it takes to deliver a deadly drop ball!!!

Check out the Facebook website for some great retro softball shots- from the days before batting helmets! as well as two links to fastpitch short-documentaries.

A final thank-you to our sponsors who have made this night possible:

The Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club- Excellence through Sport and Community Achievement

4KQ’s our station!

Moreton Hire- Experience is Everything- ph 3307 4444
Dormers Softball Equipment- Bringing world class products from world class manufacturers to Australia- ph 0417 757 953

ALL4Fitness- If its about YOU and getting what YOU want, then call ALL4Fitness today- ph 0417 078 159

Dante’s Pizzaria Victoria Point- ph 3207 0035

The Redland City Council

OUR SPONSORS