SASKATOON THREE-NATIONS CHALLENGE

Schedule:

Game #	Time	Day	Team	Score	Team	Score
			July 2 Exhibition		Melfort, SK
A	6:30 pm	Wednesday	USA	0	Canada	5
B	8:30 pm	Wednesday	USA	1	Canada	4
			Game A Box Score		Game B Box Score
			3-Nations Challenge
			July 3		Saskatoon, SK
1	6:30pm	Thursday	USA	2	Canada	4
2	8:30pm	Thursday	USA	3	Japan	8
			July 4		Saskatoon, SK
3	6:30pm	Friday	Canada	2	Japan	6
4	8:30pm	Friday	Canada	9	USA	5
			July 5		Saskatoon, SK
5	6:30pm	Saturday	Canada	8	Japan	1
6	8:30pm	Saturday	USA	6	Japan	13
			July 6		Saskatoon, SK
7	1:00PM	Sunday	Semi Final 2^nd Japan	9	3^rd USA	3
8	4:45PM	Sunday	Final W7 Japan	0	1^st Canada	1

EVENT SCHEDULE

Tournament Games:

Thursday July 3^rd

United States vs Canada 6:30 p.m.

United States vs Japan 8:30 p.m.

Friday July 4^th

Canada vs Japan 6:30 p.m.

Canada vs United States 8:30 p.m.

Saturday July 5^th – Team/Sponsor Luncheon 11:45 a.m. at the Ramada Hotel

Saturday July 5^th

Japan vs Canada 6:30 p.m.

Japan vs United States 8:30 p.m.

Sunday July 6^th

Semi ( 2nd vs 3rd) 1:00 PM - New!

Final ( 1 vs Winner of Semi final ) 3:00 PM - New!

The following exhibition games were played previously:

Tuesday July 1^st - in Pilot Butte, Sask

Japan vs Sr. Diamondbacks 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday July 2^nd - in Prince Albert, Sask

Japan vs Aspen Interiors 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday July 2^nd - in Melfort, Sask

Canada vs United States 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

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Schedule is on top

Older postings at the bottom

Postings will be added as we receive them – AD – www.alsfastball.com

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USA Men’s National Team Concludes 3 Nations Challenge with loss to Japan

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan --- The USA Men's National Team closed the 3 Nations Challenge in Saskatoon, SK on Sunday afternoon with a 9-3 loss to Japan.  Team USA played well holding a lead for the first four innings of the game.  The game was played in cool rainy conditions and included two rain delays of over one hour. Team USA finished the tournament at 0-5.

“Even though our won loss record does not show it, this was a highly successful trip for the team,” said USA head coach Pete Turner. “We brought a developmental team to Canada with a lot of young hitters and pitchers. We were competitive with the Japanese and Canadian teams that will be participating in next years World Championships."

The U.S. opened the game with three runs in the first on walks to Chase Turner Stockton, Calif.) and Kyle Magnusson (Salt Lake City, Utah), and then a three-run line drive off the scoreboard by Frank DeGroat, Jr. (Ringwood, N.J.).  

Starting pitcher Travis Price (Corona, Calif.) held the Japanese through the first three innings giving up only a solo home run in the bottom of the third.  The Japanese tied the game in the fourth on two singles and a walk combined with a throwing error by the Americans.

Price gave up two more runs in the fifth before giving way to relief pitcher Cody Thomson (Herriman, Utah).  Team USA had great scoring chances in the third and sixth inning, but a lack of timely hitting and great defense by the Japanese held the Americans scoreless.  Magnusson led the Americans again going 2-for-2 and ended the tournament hitting ..510.  Catcher DeGroat Jr. also went 2-for-3 with all three USA RBI.

The Americans will conduct a try out camp this fall for the 2009 National Team that will compete in next years ISF Men's World Championships to be held in Saskatoon, SK.. 

Team Canada won the 3 Nations Challenge with a 1-0 win over Japan on Sunday evening.

United States   300 000 0    3  5  4
Japan              001 224 x  9 10 0

Winning Pitcher   Kazutaka Muros          Losing Pitcher  Travis Price

Julie Bartel

ASA/USA Softball

Director of Communications

405-425-3463 - work

405-203-4645 - cell

jbartel@softball.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 7^th, 2008

Canada Defeats Japan to Win ThreeNations Challenge!

(Saskatoon, SK) - Team Canada was thebeneficiary of strong pitching and timely hitting to come out on the right sideof a 1-0 decision in what proved to be a thriller in the championship game ofthe Three Nations Challenge at Bob Van Impe Park in Saskatoon.  Thewinning run scored in the bottom of the seventh inning when right fielder Jeff Ellsworth (St. Lawrence, PEI) drilled a one ball, two strike offering from losing Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Hamaguchi into the gap in left center field fora game winning double, sending home Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON) who led off theinning with a single that deflected off Hamaguchi’s glove and past secondbaseman Yu Nishimori. Fehrman had moved to second on Craig Crawford’s(Kitchener, ON) second sacrifice bunt of the game. The single was Fehrman’ssecond of the game.

Starting pitcher Todd Martin (Bracebridge,ON) combined with Saskatchewan boys Trevor Ethier (Saskatoon, SK) and DeanHoloien (Melfort, SK) to limit the Japanese to just one hit, an infield chopperby Shuhei Suzuki in the sixth inning. Holoien was able to get his hand on the ball but it was just a bit too high to field cleanly. Holoien went on to starta nice 1-6-3 double play on a comebacker from next batter Hiroku Yokoyama..  Ethier had earlier pleased the hometown crowd by sending down the sidein order in both the fourth and fifth innings.

Other Canadian hits came off the bats of Jody Eidt (Mitchell, ON), Rob Giesbrecht (Landmark, ON) and Derek Mayson (NorthVancouver, BC).

Holoien picked up the win, striking outthree in his two innings of work while Ethier also struck out three in his twoinnings and Martin five in his three innings. The Canadian hitters did notstrike out during the game.

Congratulations to the host committee forstaging a well organized tournament and helping to keep things exciting on thefield and smoothly run behind the scenes.

The Canadian Senior Men’s National Teamwill host the 2009 ISF Senior Men’s World Championships at the same venue inSaskatoon next summer, from July 17-26, 2009.

For more information, please contact

Gilles LeBlanc

Manager: Marketing and CommunicationsServices

Softball Canada

(613) 523-3386 ext 3105

gleblanc@softball.ca

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Challenge Chatter

The Official Newsletter of the 2008 Ramada 3 Nations Challenge

Final Edition

Available in PDF Format

It was an exciting time in Saskatoon as three of the top men’s fastball nations took to the diamond competing in the Ramada 3 Nations Challenge. The event proved to be a great showcase for men’s Fastpitch in Saskatchewan. Over 1000 people witnessed exhibition action in Prince Albert and Pilot Bute, 1500 in Melfort and the 4 day event drew over 7500 fans in Saskatoon.

Although they split with the first place Canadian squad the Japanese were forced to play in this 1:00 semi-final by virtue of their 8-1 loss to Canada last night. After some rain in the morning the sky cleared and the sun came out for the semi final. Tatsuoya Hamaguchi got the start for the Japanese facing against right hander Travis Price for the U.S.. The Americans were looking to regain some respect after going winless in the preliminary round and being beaten badly last night by Japan 13-6. In the first inning Chase Tuner drew a one out walk and was advanced to second on a passed ball, Kyle Magnusson also drew a walk. U. S. catcher Frank DeGroat ended a long battle with a three run homerun to put his team up by 3. Price looked sharp using his change up very effectively in putting down the Japanese in order in the bottom of the first. The Japanese got their first hit in the second inning when Ryuji Hazeyama hit a one out double but they were unable to capitalize. In the top of the third the U.S. had something going as lead off batter Blake Miller took one in the arm and stole second. Chase Turner struck out bringing up veteran Kyle Magnusson who singled, but center fielder Hiraku Yokoyama threw out Miller at home to prevent any scoring. Norihiko Aoyama got the Japanese on the board in the third with a solo shot to left as the Japanese looked ready to do some real damage. The ninth man in the order in the order Yu Nishimori got on base by an error to Steve Pinochio. Following a strike out by Shuhei Suzuki, Hiraku Yokoyama bunted for a single, but Price pitched out of the jam getting a pair of ground outs. In the fourth Japan brought in Kazutaka Murasato to pitch, and he set aside the Americans in order. Ryugi Hazeyama led off with walk in the fourth. Following a sacrifice bunt Hiroshi Ishimura hit a single to left to score the run. He stole second and advanced to third on a bad throw by DeGroat, scoring on a little single to left to tie the game .In the bottom of the fifth the Japanese scored a pair as Hiraku Yokoyama led off with a double to right and scored on a triple by Tsutui and who was then hit in on a sacrifice fly to left. With two out in the bottom of fifth the rain came down leading to a brief delay. The momentum turned for good in the top of the sixth when the Americans got back to back one out singles by Kyle Magnusson and Frank DeGroat and a wild pitch advanced the runners to 2^nd and 3^rd. With the tying runs in scoring position two hard hit ground balls to third baseman Takuto Tsutsui produced the two outs that ended the American threat. A Japanese single and walk chased Price in the bottom of the sixth bringing in Cody Thomson. Following a 50 minute rain delay, two costly American errors allowed the Japanese to score four runs and put the game out of reach, winning 9-3.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

United States 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 4

Japan 0 0 1 2 2 4 x 9 10 0

The Japanese were looking for revenge following an embarrassing 8-1 loss last night. After an offensive explosion that saw round robin that featured 21 homeruns and a final night that saw 28 men cross the plate in only ten innings no one was ready for the low scoring final hat ended the tournament. Todd Martin got the start for Canada. He came out blazing throwing over 80 miles per hour. He got through the first inning stranding a lead off walk. Kunihiko Iida started for Japan. Ryan Wolfe welcomed him with a drive to fence, but was robbed by center fielder he gave up hits to Derek Mayson and Jody Eidt but got Keith MacKintosh popped up to end the inning. In the second Martin stranded a one out walk getting out of the inning by facing only four batters. Canada stranded runners on second and third in the bottom of the second as Ryan Wolfe popped out to first. For the third straight inning Japan got a runner aboard but could not score him as Rob Giesbrecht committed an error. In his three innings of work Martin was dominant as he held Japan hitless as in n the fourth Canada brought in Trevor Ethier. Giesbrecht atoned for his error at the plate with a bunt single and a stolen base but he was left at second when Keith Mackintosh lined a grounder to the pitcher for the third out. Ethier mowed down the three batters he faced in the fourth. In their half of the fourth Canada was again disappointed as they stranded Ian Fuhrman on second when Jeff Ellsworth was put out on a hard hit ball to the pitcher. After four hits and two Japanese errors in four innings they were still scoreless. Ethier was again unhittable the Japanese had nothing across in the fifth. Dean Holoien entered in the sixth inning to pitch. making his first appearance of the tournament as he was nursing an injury for most of the tournament. He gave up Japan’s first hit to pinch hitter Kenji Nakamura who bounced one just over his outstretched arm but was erased on a smooth 1-6-3 double play. Tatsuya Hamaguchi came in to pitch for Japan in the sixth and he kept the Canadians off the bases in the inning. Holoien mowed down the Japanese in the top of the seventh setting the stage for an interesting bottom half of the inning. Ian Furhman led off the inning with a single off the pitcher’s glove and was moved to second on Craig Crawford bunt. Jeff Ellsworth proved to be the hero as he doubled home the winning run to give Canada the title.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

Japan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2

Canada 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 6 1

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USA Men continue to struggle at 3 Nations Challenge

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan --- The USA Softball Men’s National team will conclude play today in the 3 Nations Challenge after the Americans finished pool play at 0-4. The U.S. will battle Japan for its third time in as many days looking to muster its first win of the tournament. The game will begin at 1 p.m. MST with the winner moving on to play Canada at 3:30 p.m. MST for the championship title.

The Japanese finished 3-1 while Canada finished at 3-1 and earned the No. 1 seed with a Saturday evening 9-2 win over Japan.

See below for recaps from Friday and Saturday.

Saturday, July 5 – Japan 13 USA 6

Team USA closed the pool play portion of the 3 Nations Challenge, with a loss to Japan on Saturday night, 13-6 in five innings.  Team USA pitching struggled with the powerful Japanese bats giving up four home runs.  The Japanese have hit seven home runs in twelve innings against Team USA in this tournament.  The U.S.grabbed its first lead of the tournament in the top of the first when Kyle Magnusson (Salt Lake City, Utah) hit a solo home run. 

The lead moved to 2-0 in the top of the second when Eddie Ketelhut (Canton, Mich.) got on base on a Japanese error, and stole second base.  He then scored on a Bryan Hansen (Denmark, Wis.) single.

The Japanese responded with nine runs in the bottom of the inning off American starter Paul Algar (Lexington, Ill.) and reliever Sean Kelly (Homer, Mich.).  Algar went one and a third inning giving up eight runs (five earned) while walking four. Kelly relieved going one and two thirds of an inning giving up four earned runs.  Travis Price (Corona, Calif.) closed out the game going one and a third inning allowing one run.

Magnusson led the American hitters going 2-for-3.  Chase Turner (Stockton, Calif.) went 1-for-3 and Steve Pinocchio (Merced, Calif.) went 1-for-1 hitting a pinch hit grand slam in a four-run fourth inning for the Americans.  Takuto Tsutsui hit two home runs for the Japanese, while Youhei Ono went 1-2 with a grand slam in the second inning.

USA    110 40     6   6  0
Japan   090 31    13 10 3
Winning Pitcher:  Kunihiko Iida            Losing Pitcher:    Paul Algar

Friday, July 4 – Canada 9 USA 5

The USA Men's National Team continued to struggle to find a break in a tough luck loss to Canada on Independence Day in Saskatoon, SK.  The Canadians beat the Americans 9-5 before 1,231 fans at Bob Van Impe Stadium.  The Americans continued to hit well, out hitting the Canadians nine to five, but left five runners stranded while playing the Canadians close through five innings.  

Starter Gerald Pyle (Simi Valley, Calif.) went four and one third innings giving up three hits and two earned runs.  Cody Thomson (Herriman, Utah) relieved for Team USA going an inning and two thirds.  Canada's Trevior Either was the winning pitcher throwing four innings and was relieved by Frank Cox.

The Canadians opened up a three-run lead in the first, scoring three runs, two of which were unearned.  The Americans began their scoring in the third inning with three runs, all with two outs.  A Nate Devine (Merced, Calif.) double scored Chase Turner (Stockton, Calif.) for Team USA's first run, and then Devine scored when Frank DeGroat, Jr. (Ringwood, N.J.) hit a long home run to right field.  The Americans scored a single run in the sixth when Kyle Magnusson (Salt Lake City, Utah) led off the inning with a single and then scored on a Matt Palazzo (Pleasant Hill, Iowa) double.  Nate Devine (Merced, Calif.) closed out the American scoring in the seventh with a towering home run estimated at over 370 feet that drew a loud ovation from the Canadian crowd.

USA         003 001 1   5  9  2
Canada     310 032 x   9  5  1

Winning Pitcher:   Trevior Either             Losing Pitcher:    Gerald Pyle

Julie Bartel

ASA/USA Softball

Director of Communications

405-425-3463 - work

405-203-4645 - cell

jbartel@softball.org

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July 6^th, 2008

Canada finishes first in 3 NationsChallenge round-robin after win over Japan

(Saskatoon, SK) - The somewhat silentCanadian bats finally got going in last night’s 8-1 five inning win over theJapanese National Team.

Canada jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead inthe top of the first inning when Ryan Wolfe (Melbourne, ON) led off with asingle, moved to second on a wild pitch and to third on a fly ball to rightcenter field by Rob Giesbrecht (Landmark, MB). Derek Mayson (North Vancouver,BC) was then hit by a pitch. Wolfe scored and Mayson moved to third on JodyEidt’s (Mitchell, ON) single, and he moved over to second on the throw. Maysonand Eidt both scored on a single up the middle by designated player KeithMackintosh (Melfort, SK).

Japan’s lone run came in the second inningwhen left fielder Norihiko Aoyana doubled home shortstop Ryuji Hazeyama who hadsingled earlier in the inning.

The Canadians tacked on two more runs intheir half of the third as Derek Mayson launched a solo shot to center fieldoff losing pitcher Kazutaka Murasato and Jody Eidt quickly followed with atriple down the right field line. Eidt scored on a line shot double down theleft field line by Keith Mackintosh. The RBI was Mackintosh’s sixth of thetournament.

Japanese reliever Kengo Terui sent TeamCanada down in order in the fourth inning but the fifth inning was a differentstory as they scored three runs to end the game via the run-against rule. RobGiesbrecht started the inning by drawing a base on balls. After Derek Mayson’ssacrifice bunt moved Giesbrecht to second, Jody Eidt followed with his thirdhit of the game, this one a double to the gap in left center field. SteveMullaley (Freshwater, NL) capped the scoring by blasting a two-run home run tocenter field scoring Eidt ahead of him.

Nick Underhill (Campbell River, BC) wentthe distance for the win, giving up four hits and striking out five.

The victory moves Canada directly to thechampionship game at 3:30pm CST this afternoon. Japan and the United Stateswill square off in the semi-final game at 1:00pm.

For more information, please contact

Gilles LeBlanc

Manager: Marketing and CommunicationsServices

Softball Canada

(613) 523-3386 ext 3105

gleblanc@softball.ca

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Challenge Chatter

The Official Newsletter of the 2008 Ramada 3 Nations Challenge

Available in PDF Format

Sunday, July 5^th edition sponsored by

Welcome to final day of the Ramada 3 Nations Challenge. We have had three great nights of softball action and it has finally come down the last two days to determine a winner. The playoff match ups were determined following Canada’s big win over Japan last night so sit back an enjoy the action.

Thanks! In order to make this event such a success we count on the support of a number of groups. A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers who worked so hard in planning and carrying out this event. A special thanks to Ramada and all the sponsors whose contributions made this event possible. A special salute must also go out to the softball fans of Saskatoon and area as the .total attendance for this event will exceed 7000. To everyone that contributed in anyway we thank you and let’s do it again August 24- 31, when many of these players return for the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship.

Japan vs. Canada - 6:30

An enthusiastic crowd of 2,000 people were happy they got to the park in time, as Canada got off to a fast start scoring three runs in the top of the first off Japanese starter Kazutaka Murasato. Ryan Wolfe led off the game with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Rob Giesbrecht hit a fly ball that advanced Wolfe to third. Derek Mayson followed and was hit by the pitch, bringing up cleanup hitter Jody Eidt who drove a double down the first base line. Hometown hero, Keith MacKintosh came up with runners on second and third and coolly stroked a single scoring Mayson and Eidt giving Canada the 3-0 lead. Japan failed to respond as starting pitcher Nick Underhill snagged a hard shot right at him with a runner on second to end the first inning. After Canada wasted a two out triple by Craig Crawford, Japan got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second on a two out double by Norihiko Aoyama. Team Canada responded with two runs in their next at bat as Derek Mayson hit a towering shot over the centerfield fence and Jody Eidt followed with a triple down the right field line. Next up was Keith MacKintosh who got his sixth RBI in two games with a double to left. In the bottom of the third, Underhill was forced to pitch himself out of jam after a walk and an infield hit, put runners on first and second with one out. He roared back and struck out the next two batters to leave the runners stranded. Canada which had recorded seven hits in their first three at bats saw a new pitcher in the fourth Kengo Terui. They could do any more damage until the fifth inning. Rob Giesbrecht earned a lead off walk and was bunted to second by Mayson and scored on Jody Eidt’s third hit of the game, a double to left center. After a Keith MacKintosh strike out, Steve Mullaley hit a 3-1 pitch deep over the center field fence to make the score 8-1 for Canada. Underhill shut down the Japanese from there on and finished the 5 inning game giving up only four hits. The win guaranteed Canada a place in the final game on Sunday at 3:00 against the winner of 1:30 semi final.

Japan vs. United States- 8:30

At 8:30, the U.S. played Japan in a game that had no bearing on the standings. Veteran American hurler Paul Algar faced off against Kunihiko Iida. Kyle Magnusson started the scoring with a bomb over the centerfield fence to give the U. S the lead in the first inning. The Americans added another run a in the second when Eddy Ketelhut got on base on an error and after a bunt and wild pitch he found himself on third. He later scored on an infield hit by Bryan Hansen. In the home half of the second Algar suffered control problems as he loaded the bases and gave up runs on a wild pitch, two walks and then a grand slam over the scoreboard to Yohei Ono. He was replaced by Sean Kelly with only one out. Kelly gave up 2 more runs on a two run inside the park homerun by Masateru Matsuoka making the score 9-2. In the bottom of the fourth Steve Pinnochio hit a pinch hit grad slam to bring the Americans to within 3. The offensive explosion continued as Takto Suzuki led off Japan‘s half of the inning with a homerun. Sean Kelly was replaced by Travis Price after loading the bases and none out. Price gave up an infield single, allowing only 2 runs to score as the inning ended when Shuhei Suzuki was called out at first on an interference call just before the two base runners crossed the plate. The game still ended early however, as Takuto Tsutsui homered in the bottom of the fifth to make the final score 13-6.

Did you know?

- The tallest Team Canada player is Grant Patterson at 6’7, unofficially the shortest is Todd Martin at 5’9.

- The oldest Team Canada player is Keith MacKintosh who was born March 28^th, 1968 and is 40 years old.

- The youngest player is Jason Hill born September 12, 1984, who is 24 years old. Hill along with Derek

Mayson played in the 2005 Jr. Men’s Nationals that were held in Saskatoon.

- Hard throwing Nick Underhill was clocked at over 80 miles per hour last night.

- Three Team Canada Coaches played softball for Saskatoon at one time: Head Coach Mark Smith played

with the All-O-Mastic A’s, Pitching Coach Don Bates, who sill resides in Saskatoon, as well as Assistant

Coach Ray Tilley won the Canadian Sr. Men’s Championship with Saskatoon Rempel Brothers in 1987.

- Craig Crawford has not been put out at the plate since he came to Saskatchewan; he is 4 for 4 with 3 walks

He is the longest playing member of Team Canada, as he was on the 1996 National Team. One of the

pitchers on that team was Mark Smith.

- Head Coach Mark Smith is member of the ISC Hall of Fame, Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame and Softball

Canada Hall of Fame, as a player.

- Five members of Team Canada will be playing in the 2008 Sr. Men’s National Championship August 24 – 31

in Saskatoon with the Aspen Interiors: Dean Holoien, Trevor Ethier, Keith MacKintosh, Steve Mullaley

and Jason Hill. The Vancouver Grey Sox will have also have five including: Frank Cox, Nick Underhill,

Rob Giesbrecht, Kevin Schellenberg and Derek Mayson.

Hitting Stats:

AP AB OB OB% AVG

Craig Crawford Canada 5 2 5 100 1.000

Kenji Nakamura Japan 4 4 3 75 .750

Ryuji Hazeyama Japan 11 9 8 73 .667

Bryan Hanson United 4 3 3 75 .667

Yu Nishimori Japan 2 2 1 50 .500

Masateru Matsuoka Japan 6 4 4 67 .500

Keith Mackintosh Canada 7 6 3 50 .500

Pitching Stats:

IP Bat P H K W ER ERA

Tatsuya Hamaguchi Japan 4.0 17 72 5 9 0 0 0.00

Nick Underhill Canada 7.0 28 117 6 9 2 1 1.00

Kunihiko Iida Japan 7.0 30 98 6 4 1 2 2.00

Frank Cox Canada 8.0 34 133 7 11 2 3 2.63

Gerald Pyle United 4.3 20 75 3 1 3 2 3.23

Todd Martin Canada 4.0 17 72 3 7 2 2 3.50

Trevor Ethier Canada 4.0 18 67 5 6 1 3 5.25

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Ramada 3 Nartions Challenge - Canada beats Japan 8-1 

An enthusiastic crowd of 1,643 were happy they got to the park in time, as Canada got off to a fast start scoring three runs in the top of the first off Japanese starter Kazutaka Murasato. Ryan Wolfe led off the game with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Rob Giesbrecht hit a fly ball that advanced Wolfe to third. Derek Mayson followed and was hit by the pitch, bringing up cleanup hitter Jody Eidt who drove a double down the first base line. Hometown hero, Keith MacKintosh came up with runners on second and third and coolly stroked a single scoring Mayson and Eidt giving Canada the 3-0 lead. Japan failed to respond as starting pitcher Nick Underhill snagged a hard shot right at him with a runner on second to end the inning. After Canada wasted a two out triple by Craig Crawford, Japan got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second on a two out double by Norihiko Aoyama. Team Canada responded with two runs in their next at bat as Derek Mayson hit a towering shot over the centerfield fence and Jody Eidt followed with a triple down the right field line bringing up Keith MacKintosh who got his sixth RBI in two games with a double to left. In the bottom of the third, Underhill was forced to pitch himself out of jam after a walk and an infield hit put runners on first and second with one out. He roared back and struck out the next two batters to leave the runners stranded. Canada had recorded seven hits in their first three at bats saw a new pitcher, Kengo Terui in the fourth. However, they could do no more damage until the fifth inning. Rob Giesbrecht earned a lead off walk and was bunted to second by Mayson and scored on Jody Eidt’s third hit of the game, a double to left center. After a Keith MacKintosh strike out, Steve Mullaley hit a 3-1 pitch deep over the center field fence to make the score 8-1 for Canada. Underhill shut down the Japanese from here on and finished the 5 inning game giving up only four hits. The win guaranteed Canada a place in the final game on Sunday at 3:00 against the winner of 1:30 semi final.

1 2 3 4 5 R H E

Canada 3 0 2 0 3 8 9 0

Japan 0 1 0 0 0 1 4 0

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USA Men’s National Team UPDATE from 3 Nations Challenge

Game 1- Thursday, July 3
Canada 4 USA 2

In the Opening game of the 3 Nations Challenge in Saskatoon, the USA Men's National team pitching kept the powerful Canadian Men's Team off balance.  The Canadian hitters managed only four hits off of pitchers Sean Kelly (Homer, Mich.) and Cody Thomson (Herriman, Utah).  Kelly, the starter went five strong innings giving up four runs and four hits in five innings, walking three and striking out one.  Kelly dropped to 0-1 in the tournament.  The crowd of 1,950 was treated to early action as the Canadians led off the game with a solo home run by Ryan Wolfe.  Wolfe had a three- run homer in the fifth and accounted for three of the four Canadian runs.

The American bats have struggled to get key hits.  The USA outhit Canada five to four.  Leadoff hitter Blake Miller (Kingsville, Texas) went 2-for-3 and was the catalyst for the American offense. In the fourth, Miller led off the inning with being hit by a pitch and was advanced to third by a Steve Pinnochio (Merced, Calif.) bunt and a Canadian error.  Matt Palazzo (Pleasant Hill, Iowa) then scored Miller with an infield out.  In the fifth inning, right fielder Eddie Ketelhut (Canton, Mich.) led off with a single and scored on a single by Blake Miller.

The Americans moved to 0-1 in the Challenge while Canada moved to 1-0.

Canada   100 030 0   4   4  1
USA       000 110 0   2   5   0

Winning Pitcher: Frank Cox    Losing Pitcher:  Sean Kelly

Game 2 – Thursday, July 3
Japan 8  USA 3

The second game of the night was a slugfest as Japan and the United States combined for 20 hits in a three hour and twenty minute marathon.  Japanese shortstop Ryuji Hazeyama led the Japanese with a home run and two singles.  The Americans were led by right fielder Chase Turner (Stockton, Calif.) who had a single and a home run.  Nate Devine (Merced, Calif.) also went 2-for-3 after replacing USA centerfielder Chad Seeman (Chenoa, Ill.) who was lost for the tournament with a fractured finger that happened on a bunt attempt in the third inning.  The game was close until the fifth when the Japanese scored five, keyed by a Masateru Matsuoka grand slam.  The Americans continued to hit well, but left nine runners on base.

Losing pitcher Travis Price (Corona, Calif.) went 5 2/3 innings giving up nine hits and eight runs.  The Japanese threw four pitchers led by starter Tatsuya Hamag who went four innings and struck out nine.  The Americans dropped to 0-2 in the tournament.  Japan is now 1-0.

Japan   020 105 0    8  10  0
USA     000 002 1    3  10  0

Julie Bartel

ASA/USA Softball

Director of Communications

405-425-3463 - work

405-203-4645 - cell

jbartel@softball.org

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July 5^th, 2008

Canada moves to 2-1 at 3 NationsChallenge

(Saskatoon, SK) – The Canadian Senior Men’sNational Team came out on the short end of a 6-2 decision with Team Japan lastnight in Saskatoon. Japanese teams have always had a reputation for havingspeed and playing great defence. Judging from what we have seen so far in thistournament, it looks like hitting the long ball can be added to the list.

Japan put up four runs in the top of thethird inning highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of third basemanTakuto Tsutsui. The final run of the inning came on an RBI double by shortstopRyuji Hazeyama scoring Yohei Ono who had drawn a walk off losing pitcher GrantPatterson (Penetanguishene, ON).

Todd Martin (Bracebridge, ON) relievedPatterson to start the fourth inning. After a bunt single by Yu Nishimori,designated player Shuhei Suzuki hit a hanging changeup over the center fieldfence to increase the Japanese lead to 6-0.

Canada got one run back in the bottom ofthe same inning when Jody Eidt (Mitchell, ON) hit a towering home run to centerfield that seemed almost as high as it was long.

Martin settled in quite nicely from thefifth inning onward mixing in a number of well placed changeups along with thehard stuff to strike out the side in both the fifth and seventh innings.

Canada finished the scoring in the homehalf of the seventh. Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON) led off with a double to deepleft field. Jason Sanford (Durham, NS) then reached safely on a ground ballwhen first baseman Takayuki Sakai juggled the throw from second basemanNishimori. Fehrman moved to third on the play. Jeff Ellsworth (St. Lawrence,PEI) picked up the RBI with a sacrifice fly.

Kunihiko Iida got up the win for Japan withrelief help from Kenji Nakamura and Kazutaka Murasato.

Box Score – Game 1

Canada bounced back to beat the UnitedStates 9-5 in their second game of the night. Game story coming soon!

Box Score – Game 2

 For more information, please contact:

Gilles LeBlanc

Manager: Marketing and CommunicationsServices

Softball Canada

(613) 523-3386 ext 3105

gleblanc@softball.ca

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Challenge Chatter

The Official Newsletter of the 2008 Ramada 3 Nations Challenge

Also available in PDF format with pictures

Saturday, July 4^th edition sponsored by

Welcome to the final night of preliminary round play of the Ramada 3 Nations Challenge. Japan sits on top of the standings with a 2 - 0 record coming into their double header tonight. Canada sits second at 2-1 and the U. S is winless in three tries. This sets up a huge match up tonight, between Canada and Japan. Should Canada beat Japan, and the Japanese go on to beat the Americans, the committee would be forced to go to the ISF tie breaking criteria to determine who would get first place. Thus simply a victory over Japan my not be enough for Canada, but they may need a victory by at least 5 runs to guarantee themselves first place and a bye to the final.

Canada vs. Japan 6:30

:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

Japan 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 6 6 1

Canada 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 6 0

In the first action of the night, Team Canada lost to Japan 6-2 in a game in which they never really threatened. The game which was played in front of 1500 fans started slowly, as neither team came close to scoring after getting the first batter of the inning on base. Canada’s Ryan Wolfe was called out for lead off to end the home half of the first. Team Canada’s starter Grant Patterson looked ready to settle in after forcing three easy pop up in the second. However, the wheels fell off for him in the third, as Japan scored four runs on three hits and a walk. The biggest damage came from Takuto Tsutsai’s first pitch three run homerun to left. A rattled Patterson then walked the next hitter and proceeded to give up run scoring double to Ryuji Hazeyama, for a 4-0 Japanese lead. Canada again let a lead off a bunt single by Craig Crawford go unrewarded, in their half of the inning, as Japan’s starter Kunihiko Iida proved tough to beat Japan was not done yet as the second batter in the 4^th inning; Yu Nishimori slapped a bouncer over new pitcher Todd Martin’s head for a single. That was followed up by Shuhei Suzuki’s blast deep over the center filed fence to give Japan a 6-0 lead. In the home half of the 4^th, Jody Eidt gave Canada some hope with a solo blast over the center filed fence. However, they could not generate any more offense until the bottom of the seventh. In Canada’s last chance, they again got the first runner on as a result of Ian Fehrman’s double. That was followed by Jason Sanford’s single and a long fly out by Jeff Ellsworth that scored Fehrman. Any hopes of a come back was snuffed out by a pair of close calls where Ryan Wolfe was called out swinging and Rob Giesbrecht was called out on his grounder to second. The only hitter to record more than one hit was Japanese second baseman Yu Nihsomori. The RBI leaders for Japan were Shuhei Suzuki with two and Takuto Tsutsui with three.

Canada vs. USA – 8:00

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

United States 0 0 3 0 0 1 1 5 9 2

Canada 3 1 0 0 3 2 x 9 5 1

Team Canada’s starting lineup contained a strong local flavour for this matchup as Trevor Ethier got the start on the mound and Keith Mackintosh started at second base. Both of them contributed greatly to the 9-5 win as Trevor was the winning pitcher and Keith chipped in with a hit and 3 RBI. Canada’s offense took full advantage of its five hits this game, after a disappointing loss to Japan where they consistently got the lead off man aboard but could not score him. A pair of three run innings were key for Canada in the victory. In the first inning they scored three runs off losing pitcher Gerald Pyle, on one hit and two U.S. errors. In the 5^th Keith MacKintosh came up with loaded base and two out and proceeded to blast a single past second baseman Steve Pinochio scoring Jeff Ellsworth, Steve Mullaley and Jody Eidt. The rest of the runs came off homeruns; a solo shot by Jason Sanford in the second inning and a two run shot by Kevin Schellenberg in the sixth. Ethier pitched four innings giving up three runs, and was relieved by Frank Cox who gave up two runs in his three innings of work

Did you know?

- The starting times for the playoffs have been changed. They have been moved to 1:00 for the semi final and 3:00 for the final.

- Due to an injury to Dean Holoien, Team Canada has brought in National Team veteran Todd Martin.

- Saskatchewan loves softball! The three national teams have played to large crowds all week in three different cities. 1800 attended the game on Thursday night in Saskatoon, 1400 were showed up Wednesday night in Melfort for the Canada vs. USA double header and over1000 were in Prince Albert for the Japan vs. .Aspen Interiors double header.

- The Ramada 3 Nations Challenge is in the news. You can read Dustin Munroe’s daily articles in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix. You can also see details online on Al’s Fastball website http://alsfastball.com/. Just go to the news update section – or go directly to our tournament page at http://www.alsfastball.com/uploads/File/2008%20ISC%20Files/Saskatoon%203-nat-2008.htm.

- You can now listen to the game via the internet as Jon Equina is doing a live play by play web broadcast of the Ramada 3 Nations Challenge. He is doing it through yahoo voice conference so any one wanting to listen can add John at jonequina@yahoo.com and he will invite them to the conference.

A big thanks to the five “boys in blue” who have worked the entire tournament. From left to right - Frank Omo - Edmonton, Bent Chadwick - Assiniboine, Terry Richter- Edmonton, Gary Skjerven – Edmonton and Dave Moore – Saskatoon. These men are all level 5 Umpires, certified for international competition.

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July 3^rd, 2008

Canada Wins 3 Nations Opener 4-2 inSaskatoon

By: Barry Smith, Senior Men’s National TeamStatistician

(Saskatoon, SK) – Ryan Wolfe (Melbourne,ON) drove in all four Canadian runs and made a rally ending catch in a 4-2victory over the USA in the opening game of the Three Nations Challenge inSaskatoon.

Canada, designated as the visiting team forthis game, opened the scoring in the top of the first when leadoff hitter Wolfehit a 3-2 pitch over left field fence to open the scoring.

The United States tied the score in thebottom of the fourth without the aid of a hit. Canadian pitcher Frank Cox(Elliott Lake) was up 1-2 in the count when he hit leadoff batter Blake Millerwith a pitch. Third baseman Rob Giesbrecht (Landmark, MB) then fielded StevePinocchio’s bunt cleanly but threw it past Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON) coveringfirst base allowing Miller to advance to third and Pinocchio to second. Withthe infield playing in, Matt Palazzo’s ground ball was fielded by first basemanDerek Mayson (North Vancouver, BC) but he had trouble getting the ball out ofhis glove and had to settle for taking the out at first base allowing Miller toscore. After Frank DeGroat walked, Cox struck out Kyle Magnusson. Kyle Beaneproceeded to hit a line drive in the right center field gap that looked likecertain trouble but it was tracked down by Wolfe to end the rally.

Canada made it 4-1 in the top of the fifthwhen Wolfe hit his second home run of the game off losing pitcher Sean Kelly,this one a three-run shot scoring Jason Hill (St. John’s, NL) and CraigCrawford (Markham, ON), both of whom had drawn base on balls.

The Americans responded with a single runin their half of the fifth to finish the scoring as left fielder EddieKettlehut led off with a double to left center field and scored on BlakeMiller’s infield single.

Starting pitcher Frank Cox allowed threehits, all in the fifth inning, to pick up the win for Team Canada. He alsostruck out seven and walked one in his five innings of work. Nick Underhill(Campbell River, BC) picked up the save by holding the Americans scoreless inthe sixth and seventh innings. The potential winning run was at the plate whenthe game ended but pinch hitter Nate Devine was caught looking at a thirdstrike leaving Chase Turner and Blake Miller, each of whom had singled,stranded on the base paths.

Team Canada will return to action tonightwhen they will take on both Japan (6:30pm CST) and the United States (8:30pmCST). Each team will play their two opponents twice to determine round-robinseeding. Then, on Sunday, the second and third place teams will square off inthe semi-final and the winner of that game will play the first place team inthe Championship Game.

For more information, please contact

Gilles LeBlanc

Manager: Marketing and CommunicationsServices

Softball Canada

(613) 523-3386 ext 3105

gleblanc@softball.ca

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Challenge Chatter

The Official Newsletter of the 2008 Ramada 3 Nations Challenge

Also available in PDF format with pictures

Friday July 4^rd edition sponsored by

It was a great night for ball last night, as more than 1800 fans had the chance to watch the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Ramada 3 Nations Challenge. During the ceremony, the Host Committee was pleased to introduce three members of the silver medal winning team at the Junior Men’s World Softball Championship that finished up last weekend in Whitehorse: Devon McCullough, Derek Arsenie and Travis Dauvin. Derek had a chance to receive the opening pitch from a Canadian Softball legend Gene McWillie whose fastball still has a lot of zip in it. Gene will be the guest speaker at the players/sponsors luncheon at 11:45 Saturday at the Ramada Hotel. The boys are pictured to the left with Saskatchewan’s three players playing for Team Canada this weekend, Keith Mackintosh, Trevor Ethier and Dean Holoien.

 
Canada added another player from the list originally printed in the program, Nick Underhill. Underhill a resident of Campbell River, BC, was a member of Canada's National Team at the most recently held ISF World Championship and Pan American Games and was selected again to play in this event. His late confirmation to the team came about as a result of a delay in confirming arrangements with his employer. Nick is a proven top quality Senior Men's pitcher, whose experience will be counted on greatly here in Saskatoon. 

Team Canada Rookie Grant Patterson, pictured to the left, was incorrectly captioned with the wrong picture in the program. The tall right hander plays for Midland Explorers in Michigan. He was born in Brampton but now calls Toronto home. Grant has packed lot of top caliber experience in his short career as he been playing in the ISC’s since 1998 and has also has played in three Canadian Championships. The 25 year old, is a former Laurentian University All Star Volleyball player.

Canada vs. USA 6:30

In game one of the 3 Nations Challenge, Canada defeated the U.S. 4- 2. The Americans pitched very well as Canada never had more than 4 hitters bat in any inning. The Canadians managed only four hits off pitchers Sean Kelly (5 innings) and Cody Thomsosn (2 innings). Ryan Wolfe was the Team Canada hero as he made sure Canada got the most out of those four hits. Wolfe led off the game f with a deep solo home run to left field and hit another in the 5th with Jeff Crawford and Jason Hill aboard. He was basically the whole offense as he finished the game 2 for 3 with 4 RBI and 2 runs scored. Canadian starter Frank Cox gave up the American's first run in the fourth inning which was unearned. Blake Miller walked and an error by third baseman Rob Giesbrecht on Steve Pinochio’s bunt advanced him to third. Miller scored on Matt Palazzo’s fielder’s choice that got caught up in first baseman Derek Mayson's glove forcing him to take the out at first. In the next inning Miller hit in the second run for the U.S. and Coach Mark Smith brought in Nick Underhill. Underhill shut out the U.S in the last two innings giving up two of the Americans five hits. The Americans played solid defense turning two double plays helping to dispose of the few base runner Canada did manage to get.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

Canada 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 4 1

United State 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 5 0

Winning Pitcher: Frank Cox Losing Pitcher: Sean Kelly

USA vs. Japan 8:30

In the late game, the fans witnessed a slugfest as the Untied States and Japan combined for twenty hits in an 8-3 Japanese victory. Shortstop Ryuji Hazeyama led the Japanese with a homerun and two singles, Norihiko Aoyama also chipped in with two singles. Right Fielder Chase Turner led the American attack with a home run and a single and second baseman Nate Devine went 2 for 3 with a pair of singles. The Japanese blew open a 3-0 ball game in the top of the sixth inning with five runs on two pinch hit homeruns. The first was a grand slam by Masateru Matsuoka off losing pitcher Travis Price. It was followed by a solo shot by Kenji Nakamura. Paul Algar replaced Price after that shot, giving up only one hit to the six batters he faced. In spite of the Japanese power surge, the Americans did not die however, as they came storming back with two runs in the bottom of the inning as a result of two run single with two out by Devine. The three different Japanese pitchers combined for twelve strikeouts while giving up just two walks. Price struggled with his control giving up six walks and nine hits in five and a third innings.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

Japan 0 2 0 1 0 5 0 8 10 0

United States 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 10 0

Winning Pitcher: Tatsuya Hamaguchi Losing Pitcher: Travis Price

Tonight is Canada’s turn for the double header as they play Japan at 6:30 and the Americans at 8:30. A sweep would make it very hard for anyone to knock them out of first place. Team Canada will be looking for a better offensive showing than they had last night as they work to spread out the offense a little more. Last night Coach Mark Smith went with the veterans on the hill, so we can count on seeing some of the younger members of the staff tonight. United States are winless in three games against Canada after losing a close one last night as well a double header to Canada in pre tournament action in Melfort on Wednesday night. They will look to break that streak tonight. The Japanese will provide a tough test for Canada as they have been strong in all facets of the game. They swept a very tough Aspen Interiors team in Prince Albert on Wednesday and looked real good against the United States in the late game last night.

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July 3, 2008

Team Canada sweeps exhibitiondoubleheader 5-0 and 4-1.

(Melfort, SK) -  The Senior Men’s National Team got geared up forthe Tri Nations Tournament yesterday, as they defeated the USA Men’sNational Team  5-0 and 4-1 in an exhibition doubleheader.

The fate of the first game rested primarily on the shoulders of Canada’sGrant Patterson (Penetanguishene, ON), who pitched all seven innings andregistered ten strikeouts. Offensive play continued to head in the rightdirection when second baseman, Jody Eidt (Mitchell, ON) helped his team to geton the board with two homeruns in back-to-back innings.

Craig Crawford (Kitchener, ON) scored arun and batted in Keith Mackintosh (Melfort, SK) and Stephen Mullaley(Freshwater, NL) in the process. Team Canada would close out the game witha 5-0 win.

The second showing got off to a quick start, with Canada recording two runs inthe opening inning. Rob Giesbrecht (Landmark, MB) would ultimately beatthe ball home after hitting a double and Eidt wouldalso score on a sharp leftfield drive by Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON),making it 2-0 for the red and white.

Derek Mayson (North Vancouver, BC) managed towiden the gap between Canada and USA by achieving a homerun in the third andJason Sanford made it one more on an USA error. 

Trevor Ethier (Saskatoon, SK) was able tostrikeout seven batters in five innings of work, but allowed one homerun fromUSA's Chad Seeman. Mayson also registered two strikouts in the closing innings,helping Canada to claim the 4-1 victory.

The Senior Men’s National team is set to compete in the Tri NationsTournament in Saskatoon, SK from July 3-6.

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Carisse
Softball Canada
(613) 523-3386 ext 3102
scintern@softball.ca

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Challenge Chatter - Thursday July 3rd edition

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Challenge Chatter

Also Available in PDF Format

The Official Newsletter of the 2008 Ramada 3 Nations Challenge

Thursday July 3^rd edition sponsored by

Welcome to the 2008 Ramada 3 Nations Challenge brought to you by the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association and Ducks Unlimited. We hope you will enjoy some of the best softball action the world can provide. This event brings together national teams from three of the best softball nations in the world. In the last ISF World Men’s Softball Championship won by New Zealand, Canada finished second, the USA fourth and Japan fifth. The players will not only be playing hard to represent their country with pride, they will also be fighting for spots on their nation’s team that will  be competing in the 2009 XII ISF Worlds that will take place July 17-26  right here in Saskatoon. Following is a brief profile of the three teams and some of the players to look out for.

2008 USA Softball Men’s National Team

 “The committee members decided to take a young group of guys mixed with a few veterans to attempt every effort to grow our sport,” said head coach Peter Turner. “It’s going to be exciting and challenging. We have the right amount of youth sprinkled with leadership that will help this team develop.”

Some players to watch include:  

#8 Frank DeGroat - A member of the USA Softball Men’s National Team since 2006, DeGroat will be counted on to provide leadership to this young and inexperienced pitching staff. From behind the plate he is a calming force for the U.S. pitchers and works to keep them under control and relaxed in tight situations.

#22 Nate Devine – He finished second with the USA Softball Men’s National Team at the ISF Men’s World Cup in Prague – batted .385 with two home runs and seven RBI. In 2006 Nate led Italian Athletic Club of Stockton, CA, to a runner-up finish at the ASA Men’s Class B Fast Pitch National Championship and was named first-team All-American at the ASA Men’s Class B National Championship.  

#5 Kyle Magnusson - He was a member of 2004 National Team for the worlds. He has played on two ASA National Championships in 2003 and 2005. He was named to the ISC All-World team three times and an ASA All-American five times.  

#34 Travis Price – He may have been born in Canada but his allegiance when it comes to softball bleeds Red, White and Blue. Making his fourth consecutive appearance on a USA National Team, Price is one of the rising stars in the USA Softball National Team Program. He has become the go-to pitcher for head coach Peter Turner.  

#24 Cody Thomson –He won the silver with the USA Softball Men’s National Team at the World Cup in Prague, posting a 2-0 record from the circle with 18 strikeouts. In 2006 he competed for the National Team at the Pan Am Qualifier in Sonora, Mexico where they finished fourth. He led the USA to a first place finish at the AAU International Championship in Orlando, FL and was also named Best Pitcher at the NAFA World Series He was also a member of 2004 national team for the worlds.

                2008 Japanese National Team

Japan finished fifth at the 2004 World Championship in New Zealand finishing with an overall record of 5 win 3 losses. Japan’s three losses came to strong teams from Canada, USA and Australia. In 2007 Japan won the ISF World Softball Cup in Czechoslovakia, in which Canada did not attend. They lost a 4-2 decision to USA in the preliminary round but came back to record a 12-2 playoff win, along with 2-0 victory in the final.

Look for Japan to be led at the plate by sluggers #1 Hiraku Yokoyama, #23 Shuhei Suzuki, # 14 Yu Nishimori and #6 Koichiro Tanaka, Yokoyama hit an amazing .560 in 29 plate appearances at the World Cup.

On the mound Japan will be led by  #11 Kazutaka Murasato,  #17 Kunihiko Iida and # 24 Tatsuya Hamaguchi . Murasato went a perfect 3-0 at the World Cup, giving up only 2 earned runs in 14 innings. He recorded the victory over USA starter Travis Price in the semi final pitching a perfect 4 innings on the way to the 12-2 win. Look for big things from Kunihiko Iida who shut out the Americans in the final game.      

2008Canadian National Team

The eighteen players on Team Canada form a true national team, with home towns ranging from coast to coast. Six players come from Ontario, 3 from Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Newfoundland with one from Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Saskatchewan’s three players are Trevor Ethier from Saskatoon as well as Dean Holoien and Keith MacKintosh whose home town is Melfort.

Canada will be led on the mound by an interesting mix of youth and experience in its four man pitching staff made up of: Frank Cox, Trevor Ethier, Dean Holoien and Grant Patterson. Cox and Holoien are the veterans with many years of National Team and ISC tournament experience. As for the two younger guys Ethier is in his fifth year with the National Team and Paterson is a rookie.

Working with the pitchers behind the plate willbe Team Canada veteran Craig Crawford along with Chad Ghostkeeper and Jason Sandford. Crawford’s history with the national team can be traced back to the 1996 Worlds where he hit 3 solo home runs in one game. Ghostkeeper was selected as a first team All World at the 2007 ISC World Fastball Tournament in Kitchener.

At the plate Canada should be in good shape featuring such hitters as Ryan Wolfe and Jason Hill, 2007 ISC First Team All World, as well as Steve Mullaley and Derek Mayson who were second teamers.

RESULTS OF THE PRE-TOURNAMENT GAMES

Tuesday, July 1          Saskatoon                   Game 1     USA - 10   SASA All Stars - 2

Pilot Butte                    Game 1     Saskatoon Poly Plus Diamondbacks - 2 Japan - 0

                                                                        Game 2     Japan - 6 Saskatoon Poly Plus Diamondbacks - 1

Wednesday, July 2     Melfort                         Game 1     Canada - 5  USA - 0

                                                                        Game 2     Canada - 4  USA - 1

Prince Albert Game 1     Japan -7      Aspen Interiors - 0

                                                                        Game 2     Japan - 9     Aspen Interiors - 1 



NOTE:

TICKET PRICES:

EVENING PASS TOURNAMENT PASS

STUDENTS $7.00 $20.00

SENIORS $7.00 $20.00

ADULT $8.00 $25.00

MARK LOEHNDORF mloehndorf@shaw.ca

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USA Men’s National team loses two exhibition starts to Canadian National Team

Thursday, July 3, 2008

USA Men’s National team loses two exhibition starts to Canadian National Team

MELFORT, Saskatchewan --- The USA Men's National team went on the road in Saskatchewan to take on the Canadian National team and loss two exhibition games Wednesday night.  The team traveled to Melfort, SK and played in front of over 1,400 spectators on a cool night.  Team Canada swept the doubleheader by scores of 5-0 and 4-1.

Game 1 – Canada 5 USA 0

In the first game, Team USA could not score against the hard throwing Grant Patterson.  Shortstop Blake Miller (Kingsville, Texas) was on base three times going 2-2 and also getting on base after being hit by a pitch.  Team USA's best scoring chance was in the sixth when Chad Seeman (Chenoa, Ill.) led off the inning with a single.  After a Steve Pinnochio (Merced, Calif.) strikeout, Miller was hit by a pitch giving the U.S. two baserunners. Third baseman Matt Palazzo (Pleasant Hill, Iowa) then grounded into an inning ending double play.  Left fielder Eddie Ketelhut (Canton, Mich.) had the lone extra base hit for the Americans, a double in the fifth inning with two outs.  Ketelhut was stranded when right fielder Chase Turner (Stockton, Calif.) grounded out to first.

Team USA starting pitcher Cody Thomson (0-1) (Herriman, Utah) threw well allowing just six hits and striking out seven.  The home run was key for the Canadians as they hit three solo home runs.  Second baseman Jody Eildt was 2-3 with two solo home runs in the game.  Canadian catcher Steve Crawford was 2-2 with three RBI on a double and solo home run.

Game 2 – Canada 4 USA 1

In the second game, Team USA managed only two hits against a pair of Canadian pitchers.  The lone USA run was on a long solo home run by Seeman in the fifth inning.  The only other hit was a single in the second off of Canadian starter Trevor Eithier.  Eithier went five innings and was relieved by Derek Mayson who threw two scoreless innings.  American pitcher Gerald Pyle (0-1) (Simi Valley, Calif.) tossed five innings giving up seven hits and walking four.  He was relieved in the sixth by Sean Kelly (Homer, Mich.) who gave up just one hit.

Team USA ends their exhibition tour at 1-2 as they begin play tonight in the 3 Nations Challenge at 6:30 p.m. (MST) against Japan.  The second game of the evening will feature USAagainst Canada at 8:30 p.m. (MST).

Julie Bartel

ASA/USA Softball

Director of Communications

405-425-3463 - work

405-203-4645 - cell

jbartel@softball.org

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Tri Nations Cup in Saskatoon - play by play

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Jon Equina from the Saskatoon Diamonbacks here again asking for you to put up some info on ur website for me.  I will be doing a live play by play broadcast of the Tri Nations here in Saskatoon between Japan, U.S. and Canada this coming Thursday July 3,4,5 and 6.

thursday- 630pm us vs canada 830pm- us vs japan

friday- 630pm can vs japan 830pm can vs us

sat- 630pm can vs japan 830pm japan vs us

sun semi 2nd vs 3rd 1pm final 330pm winner for semi vs 1st

I will be using it through yahoo voice conference so any one wanting to listen can add me at jonequina@yahoo.com and i will invite them to the conference.

Thanks Al,

Jon Equina

Saskatoon Poly Plus Diamondbacks
jonequina@yahoo.com

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USA Men's National team set to compete in 3 Nations Challenge

Monday, June 30, 2008

USA Men’s National team set to compete in 3 Nations Challenge

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. --- The USA Softball Men’s National team will take the field this week in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as competition begins on July 3 for the 3-Nation tournament between the U.S., Japan and Canada.

The U.S. will begin with exhibition games on Tuesday, July 1 in Saskatoonagainst a Division I Canadian Men’s team and also on July 2 against tournament host Canada.  The official tournament begins on July 3 and continues through Sunday, July 6 with the semifinal and final in the afternoon.  All tournament games will be held at the 2,000 seat Bob Vanimpe Stadium at the Gordie HowePark.  This will also serve as the test event for the 2009 ISF World Championships.

The 2008 USA Softball Men’s National team for this tournament was selected on May 30.  The team will be led by head coach Pete Turner and assistants Thad Brown (Modesto, Calif.) and Avon Meacham (Upper Marlboro, Md.).

Please click here for a link to the release and roster. http://www.usasoftball.com/news.asp?uid=3779&p=303

See below for the entire tournament schedule.  Visit www.usasoftball.com for complete game stories, stats and recaps!

Exhibition Games:

Tuesday, July 1 – in Saskatoon
USA vs. Division I Canadian Men’s Team 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 2 - in Melfort, Saskatoon

USA vs. Canada                                   6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 3

USA vs Canada                                     6:30 p.m.

USA vs Japan                                       8:30 p.m.

Friday, July 4

Canada vs Japan                                   6:30 p.m.

Canada vs USA                                     8:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 5

Japan vs Canada                                   6:30 p.m.

Japan vs USA                                        8:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 6

Semi-Final (2 vs 3)                                 11:00 a.m.

Final (1 vs W)                                         1:30 p.m.

.

Julie Bartel

ASA/USA Softball

Director of Communications

405-425-3463 - work

405-203-4645 - cell

jbartel@softball.org

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THE STAR PHOENIX:

Softball showcase on deck

Mackintosh rounds third, now heading for home

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Softball Canada Names Senior Men's Roster for 3-Nations Ch

Friday, June 13, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 12^th, 2008

Softball Canada Names Senior Men’s Roster for 3 NationsChallenge

(Ottawa, ON) – Softball Canada is pleased to announce theplayers who have been selected to the Senior Men's National Team roster for the3 Nations Challenge. The tournament will be held from July 3-6, 2008 inSaskatoon, SK, when both the United States and Japan will be in town for theevent. All tournament games will be held at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Prior to theevent, surrounding communities will also be treated to a series of exhibitiongames, including a doubleheader between Canada and the United States inMelfort, SK on July 2^nd.

Following is thelist of athletes who have been chosen to compete at the 3 Nations Challenge:

Frank Cox (Elliot Lake, ON)

Craig Crawford (Kitchener, ON)

Jody Eidt (Mitchell, ON)

Jeff Ellsworth (St. Lawrence, PEI)

Trevor Ethier (Saskatoon, SK)

Blair Ezekiel (Harbour main, NL)

Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON)

Chad Ghostkeeper (Prince George, BC)

Rob Giesbrecht (Landmark, MB)

Jason Hill (St. John’s, NL)

Dean Holoien (Melfort, SK)

Keith Mackintosh (Melfort, SK)

Derek Mayson (North Vancouver, BC)

Stephen Mullaley (Freshwater, NL)

Grant Patterson (Penetanguishene, ON)

Jason Sanford (Durham, NS)

Kevin Schellenberg (Squamish, BC)

Nick Underhill (Kamloops, BC)

Ryan Wolfe (Melburne, ON)

Coaching Staff

Head Coach:             Mark Smith (Cambridge, NS)

AssistantCoach:         Don Bates (Saskatoon,SK)

AssistantCoach:         Marty Kernaghan (Grafton,ON)

Assistant Coach:        Ray Tilley (Woodstock, ON)

For more information, please contact:

Gilles LeBlanc

Manager: Marketing and CommunicationsServices

Softball Canada

(613) 523-3386 ext 3105

gleblanc@softball.ca