LEGENDS CLASSIC, 10 YEARS OF FASTBALL EXCELLENCE

 

The 2013 Legends of Fastball Classic will celebrate its 10^th anniversary in 2013 and with that it has established itself as one of the premier major men’s fastball events in North America. While many great tournaments have left the ball yards in recent years memories of thrilling games, legendary teams and great players linger in the lawn chairs of both fans and participants who have all made this game special. Legends has become the benchmark for quality, consistency and competition and with over 50 fastball heroes honoured in the Legends Hall of Fame no tournament event has given more to the true spirit of fastball.

 

The 2013 LEGENDS CLASSIC will be held June 21 – 23 at PETER HALLMAN BALL YARD, KITCHENER, ONTARIO and will once again feature an all-star lineup of teams. This year’s event will once again feature both a men’s and junior men’s division and we expect the lineup of teams to rival the best in the game.

 

Over the past ten years Legends winners have included the Broken Bow Travelers, Orillia Riversharks, Kitchener Rivershark Twins, New Zealand Black Sox and Jarvis Travelers, while some of the legendary teams and players in the game have dusted the base paths or shared the benches on Legends weekend. The Farm Tavern, Fedlock Falcons, Owen Sound Selects, Heflin Builders are all gone now but they all made Legends a tournament staple in years gone by. 2013 ISC Hall of Fame inductee Ron “Doc’ Simmons and his Broken Bow Travelers won the first Legends in Woodstock, Ontario in 1994, it is hoped that he return 10 years later this time as winner of 3 straight ISC titles as the proud sponsor of the  Jarvis Travelers .

 

The Legends Classic has hosted some of the greatest players of the game as well, some on their way up, some in their prime and some saying goodbye to a historic career. Brad Underwood, Jody Hennigar, Todd Martin to name a handful all toed the rubber at Legends in their final season on the mound; Andrew Kirkpatrick showed the world what a phenom he would be as he pitched and batted clean up for the Owen Sound Crunch in his break out season in North America; Ryan Wolfe, Thomas Makea, Patrick Shannon, Jody Eidt, Dean Holien and Darren Zack all wowed the fans with their skills on the field, in the box or in the circle.

 

Two unique features of Legends are the DIAMOND DIRT program, always superbly tailored by the ubiquitous John Thompson and painstakingly spliced together by the tournaments long time volunteer Sue Sherry; and the LEGENDS HALL OF FAME which has established to honour the legends of Ontario fastball. The Legends ceremony is always special to the recipients and it gives fans and players alike the chance to salute the people who have pioneered the history of local fastball. It is often a very emotional tribute shared by former teammates and family, and it is always one last chance for the great ones to earn a well deserved applause they may have missed at the end of their careers.

 

The Legends of Fastball Classic is what great softball is all about. Great teams,skilled players, knowledgeable fans, outstanding venue, exceptional volunteers, unbeatable food and refreshments, and most of all the greatest game in the world.

 

Plan now to be part of the 10^th ANNIVERSARY LEGENDS OF FASTBALL CLASSIC, FRIDAY JUNE 21 through SUNDAY JUNE 23, 2013

 

Information contact : Larry Lynch, Tournament Chair, llynch9@rogers.com