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The Auckland based Mt Albert Ramblers, current New Zealand Men’s Club National winners, showed they are the best in the business at the inaugural theswitchMONEYBALL Fastpitch Softball Championship held in Ipswich, Oct 10-12 2014 defeating the New South Wales based Tropics 9-1 in the grand-final and taking home the $8000 winner takes all purse.
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But the Ramblers did not have it all their way throughout the weekend. Ramblers had gone down 1-nil to the Victoria Point Sharks after Bill Bailey smashed a home run late in the game for Sharks. This was the only low scoring round game for the big hitting Ramblers though, having beaten Bruins 11 runs to 9, Dodgers 12-2, Giants 11-6, Mariners 10-6, Musketeers 20-9 and Tropics in the round game 9-nil.
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Tropics pathway to the finals saw them dominating a lot of games and only going down to Ramblers (nil-9) and Southside Mariners (5-9) in the round seeing them qualify third. In the upset of the weekend Tropics went on to beat Southside Mariners (with number one pitcher in the world Adam Folkard pitching) 3 runs to 1 in the semi, while Ramblers beat Sharks in another close semi-final 5 runs to 3.
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In the GF strong hitting from Nathan Nukunuku, Ben Enoka and hitting and pitching from Andrew Kirkpatrick started the Ramblers off well to put them up by a few runs in the second innings. Some long ball hitting later in the game by Maddix Rice from Ramblers helped seal the deal, though a Mitchell Brownlow homer brought some consolation for Tropics.
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Well done to the grand final umpires Darren Sibraa, Helen Strauss, David Casey and Yvonne Kahler for officiating a fine game- the best in the business! And also to Mark McFarlane (Christchurch, NZ) who was voted “Umpire of the Tournament†by participating teams.
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The quality of ball, umpiring and organisation of this the first theswitchMONEYBALL Fastpitch Softball Tournament was what many were commenting the best they have seen to date. The recipe of bringing the best teams in Australia and NZ, unlimited pick-up players and the largest first prize in Australian history was a resounding success. And by having all attendees involved eg. umpires officiating the $1000 Plus Fitness 24/7 Windsor Home Run Contest, the official scorer determining and presenting the “Player of the Game†awards at each game, and having juniors involved wherever possible is clearly a winner.
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We thank our major sponsor The Ipswich City Council for helping make this world class event happen. Laing Harrow, current co-Head Coach of the Australian Open Men’s team attended and provides this insight:
The Switch Moneyball tournament was an outstanding success. The quality of ball was brilliant. The competition was ideal for our Aussie Steelers. The clinics with the kids was a huge success. I hope one day we will see future Aussie Steelers from these participants. Thanks to the Organising Committee and their crew for an outstanding effort.. Looking forward to next year.
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Additionally the “Legends Of Fastball†on Saturday and the “Local Legends†Masters Exhibition Matches on Saturday and Sunday showcased plenty of our past greats. There was also tee-ball games on the outfield just prior to the grand final with Aussie Steelers on the field encouraging/assisting the kids and earlier the $1000 Plus Fitness 24/7 Home Run Derby where Lewis Weldon from Bruins walked away with a cool $1000 cash after hitting 3 homers in the first round then going to town with 10 home runs in the final! (Check our Facebook page for video footage and interview)
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Tournament Awards: Best Batter- Rhys Evans (Ramblers). Best Pitcher- Harri Peters (Tropics). MVP- Zenon Winters (Southside Mariners). Best Umpire- Mark McFarlane.
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All Star Team:
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PLAYER |
TEAM |
|
PITCHER |
HARRI PETERS |
TROPICS |
|
CATCHER |
JAYDEN LACH |
TROPICS |
|
FIRST BASE |
ZENON WINTERS |
MARINERS |
|
SECOND BASE |
SCOTT SUNLEY |
DODGERS |
|
THIRD BASE |
COLE EVANS |
RAMBLERS |
|
SHORT STOP |
RHYS EVANS |
RAMBLERS |
|
OUTFIELD |
TRAVIS BARTARILLO |
BRUINS |
|
OUTFIELD |
LEWIS GERARD |
RAMBLERS |
|
OUTFIELD |
TOM NOBLE |
TROPICS |
|
DP |
MADDIX RICE |
RAMBLERS (10 RBI) |
|
COACH |
NATHAN NUKUNUKU |
RAMBLERS |
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theswitchMONEYBALL Fastpitch Softball Tournament
Proudly Supported by Ipswich City Council
Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
October 10-12, 2014
Switch It Up!
