june2009

Blue Crew - Monkton 2009

June 29, 2009

Monkton, ON

PRESS RELEASE

 The official countdown continues and we are down to mere days before the opening pitch of the World Fastball Invitational 2009 in Monkton.


Since its inception, the WFI has, and always will be about hosting the games finest mens teams/players from around the world.
Yet, there are other 'guys' on the field who do not garner nor seek the recognition they deserve. They are the "Blue Crew" of umpires who actually compete to be part of our prestigious tournament.  Coming from each corner of the globe, they submit their request to my trusted Umpire-in-Chief Mr Peter Kluzyncski. From day one, he is the man responsible for keeping with our theme by bringing only the best to Monkton each year.   I want to not only thank him for such a great job in each tournament past, but congratulate him in having assembled what just might be the finest crew EVER outside the Olympic Games for this years tournament.   A real-life "Dream Team" of umpires.
 
   I am thus extremely proud to welcome and announce our Blue Crew for 2009:
 
Serge Laflamme
Birth Date : January 10 1963
Hometown : Levis, Quebec
Umpire since 1976
15 Provincial Championships
8 Canadian Championships
3 World Championships
1 Pre-olympic tournament
Summer Olympic Games in 2000, Sydney, Australia
Over 30 international events
 Previous responsibilities :
3 years as Provincial U.I.C.
3 years as Canadian O.D.C. member
16 years as zone board of direction
7 years as Provincial O.D.C.
Zone instructor since 1987
Provincial instructor since 1990
Canadian instructor since 1995
International instructor since 2001 (3 umpire's clinic in Italy (2001-2004-2006)
Umpire in chief in 3 Canadian Championships
 Awards:
6 times as Provincial Umpire of year
Canada Umpire of the Year in 2001
Inducted on Softball Quebec Hall of Fame in 2005
5 times nominee for All Sports umpire of the year in Quebec Banquet award (2 times winner)
 
 Jay Hart 
26th season as an umpire
1 Tournament of Champions
3 ISC World Tournament
3 Canadian Championships
2009 Sr Mens Canadian Championship selection
4 years in the NCAA's Mid-American Conference
4th year at Monkton World Invitational


 
  Wiremu Tamaki
Age:     40
Hometown:       Newlands, Wellington
Job:     HR Advisor
Marital Status:   Married with two kids
Interests:           Fast pitch softball, rugby league, cycling and mountain biking, tramping, ball room dancing, learning languages
Softball New Zealand Umpire (SNZ) since 1996 attaining SNZ qualification in 1999
Received my ISF Badge in 2003
 
Umpiring achievements………..
 
Umpire in the Men’s Worlds in 2004, Christchurch, NZ – major achievement – plate umpire in prelim play off match between Australia and Japan
Umpire in the Junior Women’s Worlds in 2007, Enschede, Netherlands – major achievement – plate umpire in championship final between USA and Japan
Umpire in the Oceania Men’s World Series Qualifier in 2008, North Harbour, NZ – major achievement – plate umpire in championship final between the Black Soxs and Australia
Umpire in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Beijing, China – major achievement – plate umpire in the gold medal game between USA and Japan
 
 
 
Tim Whitelaw Bio:  Age 51      30th year umpiring
Married for 32 years  -- 3 children (1 a level 3 umpire!)
Attained S/C  Level 4 staus in 2002
Have Worked:
7 Ontario Sr. Mens Elims
2 Canadian Nationals (Jr Ladies 2002 Edmonton, and Sr Ladies 2005 Ottawa)
1 World Tournament (Fargo N.D. 2004)
4 ISC11 Tourn. of Champions
4 ISC Under 19 Championships (FrankenmuthMich.)
5 AAU International Tourn. (Orlando Fla)
1 Eastern Canadian Championship (Jarvis Ont. 2001)
5 Casino Rama Tourn.
4 Legends Tourn.
Selected to umpire 2009 Canadian Sr Mens National ( St Thomas 2009)
Have worked 3 Exhib. Invitational Series in Ontario with Venezuela, Australia and New Zealand Teams.
 
 
 
 Mark McFarlane
Age   :  54
Hometown:  Christchurch            NZ
Marital Status:   Partner - Nicola ogier ISF Umpire
Job          :    Company Director
Interests   :    My Partner, Softball, Dancing, and travelling
Softball Umpire since 1998.  ISF Badge 2004
Umpired 17 international Tournaments, 171 International/ overseas games, 87 Full Internationals,
46 SNZ National Tournaments, and worked 21 Finals.
 
Major Achievements
2002 Micronesia Games -  Micronesia
2005 Junior World Series -   Canada
2006 Commonwealth Series   Australia
2007 Pacific Series           - Australia
2008 World Series Qualifier – NZ
2008 ISC World Series     -   USA
 
 
Bob Henning (Henner) - Victoria BC
Bob began umpiring ISC Major Men’s softball in 1969 for Buck Lanier in Lakewood, CAand became ISF certified in 1989.  Now in his 43rd year of officiating for Softball Canada and the ISC, Henner has had the pleasure of umpiring in seven countries working over forty International tournaments outside of North America.  Bob credits his longevity to his love of the sport, while always striving to earn the respect of the players, coaches, and fans.  He has umpired both ISC and ISF World Championships and has been assigned to umpire the 2009 ISF Men’s World Championship this later this month in Saskatoon.  Bob is an instructor for Softball Canada and the ISF, well known for his enthusiasm and motivational speaking. This is Bob’s third trip to Monkton, where he loves the unique format of all the games on one diamond.
 
Paul Baier - Stratford ON
This is Paul’s 4th time working the Monkton World Invitational Tournament.
In October 2008, Paul received his Level V designation status from Softball Canada.
His past credentials include 3 Canadian Championships, 1 Canada Summer Games, 2 ISC World Tournaments, and 1 ISC II Tournament of Champions along with many provincial championships.
Paul is one of the selections to this year’s umpire crew for the ISC World Tournament to be held in August, in Quad Cities, Iowa.
Paul and his wife MaryAnne live in nearby Stratford.
 
Peter Kluszczynski  (PK or Kluzzy)
This is my 20th year in umpiring
25 years playing Sr. Men’s FastPitch
Assistant Coach – Midget Boys Nationals in Milverton
5 Years – President of The Brampton Umpires Association
5 Years – Deputy Provincial Umpire in Chief
15 Years – Instructor/Evaluator
4 – Canadian Championships
7 – ISC World Championships
7 – AAU Men’s International (Orlando, Florida)
6 – Casino Rama Tournaments
Many Legends/Woodstock Tournaments
UIC for the Monkton Tournament since it’s inception
2nd Year as Provincial Umpire in Chief of Ontario
 
Lou Davis
Truro, Nova Scotia.
Has worked 6 Canadian Championships (4 at the Senior level)
Attained his level 5 in 2002 and his ISF international certification in 2003.
Has worked 3 ISC World Tournaments, In 2007, he worked the plate in the championship game.
He worked the ISF Jr. Mens  World Championship in 2005.
2009 is Lou’s busiest year. He is working the ISF Mens World Championship in July. He has been appointed as Umpire-in-Chief for the ISC Tournament of Champions. He worked the AAU International Tournament for the 6th time in January.
In May, he travelled to the Virgin Islands with the Canadian Mens National Team to worked their invitational tournament.
 
Lou is currently the Umpire-in-Chief  for Softball Nova Scotia.
 
 
With such an incredible crew, both fans and players will undoubtedly much appreciate the knowledge and professionalism these guys bring to the diamond each and every game.  I wish to thank them all in advance, and on behalf of everyone - THANKS.
 
See you all at the park!!!
 
 
Brian Baillie
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