The World Series All Stars Exhibition Fastpitch Softball Match was jam packed full of action at the Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Grounds on Saturday May 16.

 

The day started with the “Aussie Steelers Coaching Clinic” where members of the Australian Men's Fastpitch Softball team were providing their tips directly to the next generation of ball players. Attendees had travelled from as far as Bundaberg and Toowoomba to be involved whilst for others it was the first time they had donned on a softball glove.

 

The “Fastpitch Skills Challenges” provided an opportunity for the current Aussie Steelers players to showcase their skills against some of the best individual talent from today and yesteryear.

 

Julian Jemmott (Redlands) proved fastest around the bases setting the cracking pace of 11.50secs with Wade Prouten (Redlands/Toowoomba) coming a close second. For the outfield throwing contest Bill Bailey (Redlands) showed his superior skill at hitting a target from long range.

 

Dean Halsey (Toowoomba) delivered the fastest pitch of the night at 122km/hr with Kevin Ray from Redcliffe a close second at 119km/hr. In the much anticipated Home Run Contest Hamish Monkman (Redlands/Toowoomba) set the early pace with four home runs from ten attempts. Marshall Kronk (Redlands) then stepped up to the plate sending seven sailing over the fence only to be outshone by Shaun Marino who muscled a massive eight towering home runs!

 

In the main game seeing the World Series All Stars take on the South East Queensland Invitational team, the All Stars commanded an early lead with thanks to some power hitting from Marshall Kronk driving in a couple of runs. The All Stars also dominated with their impressive pitching line-up restricting the Invitational team to just three hits and two runs whilst amassing five runs from eleven hits to seal the victory.

 

In an unprecedented turn of events, and to highlight the “Exhibition Match” status of the game, Australian representative umpire Dareen Sibraa traded in the clicker for a glove and covered first base for the final innings. After pocketing a screamer of a catch and hitting a stand up triple it was clear that Darren had been the stand out performer and was deservedly awarded MVP for the game.

 

The Aussie Steelers Men's Faspitch Softball team leaves for the World Championships to be held at Saskatoon, Canada this June-July 2015.

 

World Series All Stars Exhibition Fastpitch Softball Match- May 16 2015.

Victoria Point Sharks Softball Fields

325 Colburn Ave, Victoria Point

worldseriesallstars@hotmail.com