Softball’s nationals emergency - The Debate Continues
September 3, 2012
St. John's NL
-by Robin Short
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
(and please see the response below this article Kris Abbott published on Facebook and supported by many).
To date, Newfoundland’s teams at the Canadian senior men’s softball championships have been akin to Danica Patrick on the NASCAR circuit: some sizzle, but little in the way of results.
That’s probably going to change this weekend as 3Cheers Pub from St. John’s, one of three — yes, three — Newfoundland teams at the Canadian championship in Fredericton, N.B., appears to be cruising towards a national crown, which would be a first for this province at that level.
Alas, there will be joy in Mudville.
Of course, we’ve been down this road before, only to watch Newfoundland go to a full count, then whiff on the final day. But let’s put it this way: if this province doesn’t cop it all this year, Newfoundland never will.
And forgive me, please, if I barely raise an eyebrow.
It’s not that I dislike softball, or disrespect the game. To the contrary.
But I find it difficult paying even remote attention to a sport that lacks governance, a sport that’s permitted its showcase event — the senior men’s nationals — to spiral into a free-for-all, a sport that’s covered its eyes and ears and whistled “Dixie” as the number of registered males plummets.
This year’s nationals have been mockingly referred to as the Eastern Canadians. That’s because of the 10 teams entered in the “Canadian” championship, not a single squad hails from west of Ontario.
In addition to the three clubs from Newfoundland, there are two each from Ontario and New Brunswick, with Quebec, Nova Scotia and P.E.I. represented by one apiece.
Not to say there aren’t players from — oh, I don’t know — Saskatchewan and British Columbia playing ball in Fredericton this week. Au contraire. A glance through the rosters shows athletes from Ontario and B.C. toiling with New Brunswick, Nova Scotians on the P.E.I. roster, P.E. Islanders with Newfoundland and Ontario pitchers (including the washed-up Darren Zack) suiting up for Quebec.
The 3Cheers team has a pair of imports, Ontario’s Ian Fehrman and Jeff Ellsworth of P.E.I., while the ICA Mark’s Hitmen of St. John’s has two Saskatchewan natives, pitcher Jeff Farion and Brennan Pokoyoway, on the roster. Pitcher Trevor Ethier, also of Saskatchewan, and B.C.’s Brian Abrey have joined Kelly’s Pub Molson Bulldogs from St. John’s, a third Newfoundland team.
So I guess the best players in the country are in New Brunswick this week after all. Thing is, they’re toiling for whoever is willing to provide a game, and shell out a few shekels (you know … travel, hotel, expenses, wink, wink).
I’m told the reason for the absence of teams like Saskatchewan, which used to be a softball power, just as it was a curling stronghold, has everything to do with money and little to do with available players.
While that province’s better athletes are attending nationals, teams from wheat country or B.C. or Alberta have taken a pass after, in some cases, spending a lot of money to attend the ISC championship, an unofficial world championship for club teams on the travel circuit.
Fine and dandy, I suppose.
If I’m Softball Canada, however, that’s not my problem. What is my problem, or should be, is a 10-team “national championship” with no clubs from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, a tournament with three teams from one province, a tournament with “imports” dotting any and all rosters, a tournament which takes a backseat to the ISC’s in the eyes of some.
Where’s the concern? Where’s the leadership? Where’s the directive ordering provinces to appear at nationals, athletes to suit up only for the provinces in which they reside, or else face penalty?
Why, in other words, are two Saskatchewan pitchers — in this case Farion and Ethier — throwing for Newfoundland?
The whole thing makes little sense.
Ditto for Softball Canada’s rules, guidelines and leadership.
Heading into Friday and the start of the playoff round, 3Cheers was torching the opposition, a softball rendition of the 1927 Murderer’s Row Yankees with a 50-3 runs for and against ratio.
Today’s young stars are, for the most part, a little different from those of even 10 years ago. They’re well-conditioned, and perhaps a tad more professional in their approach to the game.
Still, the pessimist in me cannot help but wonder why this province has abruptly, without rhyme or reason, become a ripe breeding group for national team talent (eight Newfoundlanders are among the 38 named to the national team’s player pool).
Is it the coaching? The training? A deep feeder system?
No. Maybe. Definitely not.
Rather, is it a matter of national team job competition dwindling of late, a competition much more fierce in the 1970s and ’80s, when the Ross Crockers, Len Beresfords, Ron Bolands and Bill Windsors of the softball world were stalwarts at nationals, when traditional softball powerhouses in Saskatchewan and Ontario and Alberta could trot out not one, but two or three or even four teams which had a legitimate shot to win it all?
Just wondering.
Mr. Short,
I am writing this in response to your article titled “Softball’s Nationals Emergency” published on September 1, 2012.
There is no questioning the disappointing history that our province’s senior mens teams have had at the Canadian Championship. With our rich fastpitch history, we have yet to ever capture gold at this tournament. Like you, many Newfoundlanders are probably waiting for the next disappointment; after all, it’s our province’s natural defeatist attitude. I for one am hoping that one of our teams is able to break that curse this weekend.
I also see your point on the issue of imports contributing to some provinces not sending teams and Softball Canada letting the rules slack in many areas. This is not an issue exclusive to softball, however, and the sport should not be demonized for it. Take our beloved Rock rugby team for example. Why don’t you pop up to Swilers and tell some of those guys that their national titles are tainted because they had players on their rosters from Europe, the Maritimes, or Western Canada? Or how about the much publicized Memorial basketball program? How many kids from Cowan Heights can be found on those rosters? Let’s not forget our senior hockey teams that are all locally based.
In the meantime, I do agree with the fact that it would certainly be more of a national championship if there were tighter restrictions in place from the governing body, but right now, those ten teams in Fredericton are playing within the rules set forth for them.
Where I take exception with your article is the suggestion that our top players are merely top players because the rest of Canada isn’t as strong. This assumption is not only off base, but it is a complete slap in the face to the guys who work hard at this game year round and have been able to have a measure of success while (gasp) still having a 709 area code. So, based on your logic, if all the best players are at the ISC Tournament and not the National Championship, Newfoundland players would merely be a face in the crowd two weeks ago in Michigan. In that case, there’s no way that Sean Cleary would have been the starting pitcher for the World Champion Jarvis Travelers in the championship game or that his battery mate was from the Goulds and the catcher’s brother was a 20 year old contributor who had just won a national junior men’s title (Ryan and Shane Boland). There’s also no way that Brad Ezekiel, Steve Mullaley, Jason Hill, and Kyle Ezekiel would have been with the runner up Hill United team. Nor would Blair Ezekiel be a member of the #1 ranked New York Gremlins team or Ward Gosse win the ISC II Title and MVP. No, the guys from Newfoundland aren’t that good to play with the Americans, Aussies, and Kiwis.
So yes, Mr. Short, the rules and regulations set forth by Softball Canada may need some work and we would all love to see BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan at every national tournament. We won’t wait for a softball team to be awarded Team of the Year at City Hall and we won’t be looking around for you at the airport when the teams return from New Brunswick. But just for this week, while we are having unmeasured success with primarily locally based rosters, maybe it would be ok for our local media to praise our homegrown athletes, sponsors, and supporters rather than tear them down.
Kris Abbott
Portugal Cove, NL —
(follow the debate on Facebook)
Comments from Chuck Hendricks:
No question Mr. Short's article will bring some thought to the topic, and possibly even some response to his opinion. For me, I wouldn't know where to start. The premise of the National tournament being sub-par to years past is not in question. The hidden argument that Newfoundland players are not up to par with the rest of the country I would completely dis-agree. If that is in fact one of his points. What I draw the biggest objection to, is his choice of words. I totaly understand that sportswriters have an impeccable record of facts, and accuracy, and are also head and shoulders above the average athelete they report on or cover. (being sarcastic gents). But I take particular offense to his choice of "washed up" when he mentions Darren Zack. If he had spent 1 minute in Darren's presence, he would have a different selection of words to use. It upsets me. Darren is a good friend of mine personally, but that is only part of the reason for my uproar. Friend or not, this is a man who has given the game so much, a true gentleman, and no question of of the best ever,as not only a pitcher, but as a human being. If you had spent 30 seconds with the man, "washed up" would have never entered your mind. You would have found a far more respectful way to make your point. I will go out here on a limb and say that in my 25 plus years involved in the game, that no one, EVER mentioned Darren in a disrespectful way that you did. Choose your words carefully next time. And more importantly,get your facts straight. Take the time to find out, before you hit send to your fishwrap. Charlie Hendricks
