Findlay, OH – July 14 – The 2019 ISC World Tournament Bracket can be viewed at:
http://www.iscfastpitch.com/pdf/isc.world.touranment.bracket.pdf
Findlay, OH – July 14 – The 2019 ISC World Tournament Bracket can be viewed at:
http://www.iscfastpitch.com/pdf/isc.world.touranment.bracket.pdf
July 10, 2019 – Findlay, OH – There will be 36 teams competing for the Carrol Forbes Memorial Trophy, emblematic of the ISC World Tournament Champions. Below is a complete list of teams.
New York Gremlins are the defending champions and are the top ranked team heading into the 73rd ISC World Tournament, which will be played August 10-17, 2019 with games at John Miller Field at Circle Tap Bar & Grill and additional games at Memorial Park in Denmark.
The ISC World Tournament is the top men’s fastpitch softball club team championship and players from more than a dozen countries on five continents – North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Oceania – will be in competition, including first-time international participant Universidad Nacional De La Matanza, from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Games start Saturday August 10 at 2 pm. The ISC World Tournament Championship game is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm on Saturday August 17.
For additional information, contact:
Larry Fisher
ISC Executive Director
iscfastpitch@gmail.com
July 8, 2019 Findlay, OH – The International Softball Congress (ISC) is pleased to announce that the 2021 ISC World Tournament, its 75th Anniversary, will be played in Kitchener, Ontario.
“This is a milestone event for the ISC and Kitchener is one of the premier destinations on the fastball calendar with a great facility at Peter Hallman Ball Yard, a terrific and knowledgeable fan base and a strong group of volunteers,” said Larry Fisher, ISC Executive Director. “We believe that our 75th Anniversary will be an event to remember.”
“Kitchener Fastpitch Promotions is very excited to be hosting the 75th anniversary of the International Softball Congress World Tournament in August of 2021. KFP has hosted this tournament 5 times previously.
2018 Committee Chair Bernie Burnett, will once again head a very experienced group of volunteers, to ensure the best experience for competitors and fans alike.
Jim Hallman announced as well, that the Kitchener Hallman Twins will once again be the host team, and will be gunning for an ISC World Tournament Championship on home soil, after coming close in previous tournaments.
The location will be at the Peter Hallman Ballyard in Kitchener, which is a favorite facility for many.“
The ISC is planning a number of events in conjunction with its 75th Anniversary tournament which will be announced in the lead-up to the 2021 ISC World Tournament. Look for additional information to be added to the ISC web site at www.iscfastpitch.com.
The ISC World Tournament is the annual men’s fastball (fastpitch softball) world club team championship. Players from more than a dozen countries compete in the week-long event to crown the ISC World Tournament Champion. New York Gremlins, from Clifton Park, NY, are the defending champions and will look to win their second straight title in Denmark, WI in August 2019. Moline, IL will host the 74th Annual ISC World Tournament in August 2020, their 5th time as host.
For more information, please contact:
Larry Fisher
ISC Executive Director
iscfastpitch@gmail.com
June 8, 2018 – Frankenmuth, MI Heritage Park is the site of this years tournament, for 12 – 14 – 16 – 18 and 21 and under age categories. Last years champions were Frankenmuth Grasel Graphics in the 14 and under and Kitchener Waterloo Twins in the 18 and under division.
June 4, 2019 – The ISC is pleased to announce that the Fortune Road Softball Complex, Kissimmee, FL will be the site of their inaugural January tournament.
Dates for the 12 team tournament will be Jan 23-25, 2020, the entry fee will be $550.00(USD).
The ISC is also exploring the possibility of a Legends tournament, same dates.
Please direct all inquires to: iscfastpitch@gmail.com
May 28, 2019 – Mississauga, ON – Riding high on their dominating run to their first ISC World Tournament Championship last year, the New York Gremlins are the unanimous choice as the #1 team to start the 2019 fastball season.
The Gremlins will be challenged by Hill United Chiefs, who have spent most of the past six seasons as the top-ranked team, our host team for this year’s ISC World Tournament and last year’s finalist Circle Tap Dukes, and last year’s host Kitchener Hallman Twins.
A strong contingent of teams will be pushing to break into the final four as several members of the rankings committee commented on the difficulty in ranking teams outside of the top four.
The pre-season top 16 is as follows:
Rank Team
1 Clifton Park, NY New York Gremlins
2 Six Nations, ON Hill United Chiefs
3 Denmark, WI Circle Tap Dukes
4 Kitchener, ON Hallman Twins
5 Fargo, ND Kegel Black Knights
6 Ephrata, PA Bear Bottom Lodge
7 Kitchener, ON Hallman Cubs
8 Agoura Hills, CA J&B Bombers
9 Niagara Falls, ON Stompers
10 Toronto, ON Batmen
11 New Hamburg, ON Nith River Monsters
12 Elmira, ON Expos
13 San Antonio, TX Titans
14 Ostrander, MN Norsemen
15 Pueblo, CO Bandits
15 Austin, TX Rio Grande Senators
Per a motion passed at the 2016 ISC Board of Directors meeting, only the Top 16 ranked teams are now published and will be used as the basis for seeding at the ISC World Tournament. Also receiving votes, in alphabetical order, were: Appleton, WI Bar on the Avenue Buzz, DuQuion, IL AWP Lumberjacks, Grande Prairie, AB Pirates, St. John’s, NL 3 Cheers Pub, Waterdown, ON Hammer.
The 73nd annual ISC World Tournament will be held August 10-17, 2019 at Circle Tap Bar & Grille in Denmark, Wisconsin.
For additional information, please contact:
Blair Setford
ISC VP Operations
blairjs [at] gmail.com
The INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL CONGRESS (ISCI) will be accepting bids for the 2021 ISC Men’s Fastpitch World Tournament, deadline for receipt of bids is JUNE15, 2019.
We anticipate a great deal of interest and excitement for the 2021 tournament as it will be the 75TH ANNIVERSARY of the INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL CONGRESS (ISCI).
The following is intended to provide prospective bidders with some pertinent information regarding the requirements to be accepted as the successful bidder: (A complete copy of the ISC World Tournament Contract is available on request).
CONTACT:
Larry Fisher
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL CONGRESS
In the long and storied history of the International Softball Congress, and it’s forerunners, the National Softball Congress and the International Softball League, the common denominator is a World Tournament Champion crowned at the end of the top men’s fastpitch tournament in the game.
Take a trip down memory lane to see the 1955 – 1956 & 1957 ISL Champion Nitehawks, Long Beach, CA, Fresno, CA.
We are pleased to present the schedules for the 2019 ISC Canada East Qualifier in Ingersoll June 14-16. We look forward to seeing all of the teams, players, fans and officials in Ingersoll next month.!
Blair Setford – blairjs@gmail.com
May 2, 2019 – The International Softball Congress was deeply saddened to hear of the death, this morning, of one of the truly great representatives of Men’s Fastpitch Softball – Denny Bruckert. In addition to his many accomplishments on softball fields, all over the world, Denny will be remembered for his kindness, warmth, generosity and humor.
The ISC joins the rest of the Men’s Fastpitch world in offering our deep and sincere condolences, to Susan and the entire Bruckert family.
Inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 2008 , Denny’s Hall of Fame “bio” can be viewed at: http://www.iscfastpitch.com/bio/denny.bruckert.pdf
The sixteen team field is set for 2019 ISC Legends World Tournament that will be held in Denmark Wisconsin August 15 to 17, 2019. This is the 10th year for the ISC Legends and is the most teams entered in this highly popular and competitive tourney that is held in conjunction with the ISC World Tournament that runs August 10 to 17, 2019.
Teams returning are:
1. Sudbury Relics Sudbury, Ontario (2018 champions)
2. Bay Area Merchants Hayward, California (2nd 2018)
3. Waterdown Hammer Burlington, Ontario (3rd/4th place)
4. Eagle Pack Mishawaka, Indiana (3rd/4th place)
Additional teams from 2018 are:
5. Waterloo Legends Waterloo Ontario
6. Ottawa Spiders Ottawa, Ontario
7. Dieppe Ridge Toronto, Ontario
8. Calgary Painters Calgary, Alberta
9. Ohio Battery Ashland Ohio (winner in 2013 and 2017) ,
10. Alloy Construction Auburn, Michigan (last year Gushow Excavating)
11. All Season Patriots Allentown, Pennsylvania
12. Frank Rogers/B&L Plumbing Colorado Springs Colorado (returning after not playing 2018)
Four new teams entering are:
13. CR Brewers Portland, Oregon
14. R&L Kline Farms Redhaw, Ohio
15. MACCABI USA Scottsdale, Arizona
16. Circle Tap Legends Denmark, Wisconsin
The 2019 Tournament will be pool play with eight teams going on to single elimination championship game.
Keith Erkenbrack
Tournament Director
keithe39@centurylink.net
In the long and storied history of the International Softball Congress, and it’s forerunners, the National Softball Congress and the International Softball League, the common denominator is a World Tournament Champion crowned at the end of the top men’s fastpitch tournament in the game.
Take a trip down memory lane to see the 1949 NSC champion Hanford Kings, Hanford, CA – 1951 NSC champion Softball Club, Calvert, TX and the 1951 ISL Champions Hoak Packers from Fresno, CA.
April 16, 2019 – ISC Executive Director, Larry Fisher is pleased to announce the appointment of Dave Parker to the ISC Board of Directors as the Regional Commissioner for Texas/New Mexico.
In the long and storied history of the International Softball Congress, and it’s forerunners, the National Softball Congress and the International Softball League, the common denominator is a World Tournament Champion crowned at the end of the top men’s fastpitch tournament in the game.
With the weather starting to look more and more like fastpitch-softball season, now is the time to put in your pre-order for the 2019 ISC World Championship Guide.
Paying tribute to our reigning ISC Most Outstanding Pitcher, Andrew Kirkpatrick, of the New York Gremlins, is featured on the cover. Andrew became just the 11th player in ISC history to make All-World 10 or more times.
The 2019 ISC Guide features 148 pages of stories, statistics and photos from last year’s ISC World Tournament, held in Kitchener, ON as well as all-world players, all-time records, ISC Hall of Fame members, and much, much more.
You can now order and pay for the 2019 ISC Guide online at the ISC website through the convenience of PayPal by visiting http://iscfastpitch.com/paypal-2/ and choosing the Guide option in the drop down menu.
The 2019 ISC Guide will also be available in a convenient and easy-to-read electronic format on the ISC website at www.iscfastpitch.com.
Blair Setford
ISC VP Operations/Guide Editor
blairjs [@] gmail.com
WHAT: Iowa Area ISC Qualifier Fastpitch Softball Tournament, Walcott, Iowa
WHEN: Friday, June 21 – Sunday, 23, 2019
WHERE: The 65th Annual International Softball Congress, (ISC), Iowa Qualifier will be held at Victory and Wescott Parks in Walcott, Iowa Friday, June 21st through Sunday, June 23rd, 2019. Walcott is located twelve miles west of Davenport, Iowa on I-80. 2019 marks the 35th consecutive year the ISC tournament will been held in Walcott.
The entry fee for this tournament is two hundred twenty-five dollars, ($225.00) which includes the cost of softballs and umpires. The Qualifier tournament is a three game guarantee. The tournament will determine an area representative for the ISC World Tournament which will be held in Denmark, Wisconsin in August. The ISC representative for this tournament is Wayne Fisher.
Please make check payable to Walcott Softball Organization, PO Box 163 Walcott, Iowa 52773. Also include team name, manager, phone numbers and email address for contact. Entry deadline for the tournament is May 27, 2019. The qualifier entry fee will not be refunded after the entry deadline date.
Prize money for the qualifier is as follows:
1st place – $500 2nd place – $300 3rd place – $200
Trophies will also be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd place teams, as well as for the most valuable pitcher and player of the tournament.
Thank you in advance for your interest in fastpitch softball. If you have any questions, please contact me, email = lkoberg@mchsi.com, cell phone = 563-210-0935.
The INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL CONGRESS (ISCI) will be accepting bids for the 2021 ISC Men’s Fastpitch World Tournament, deadline for receipt of bids is July 1, 2019.
We anticipate a great deal of interest and excitement for the 2021 tournament as it will be the 75TH ANNIVERSARY of the INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL CONGRESS (ISCI).
The following is intended to provide prospective bidders with some pertinent information regarding the requirements to be accepted as the successful bidder: (A complete copy of the ISC World Tournament Contract is available on request).
CONTACT:
Larry Fisher
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL CONGRESS
The 2019 ISC Legends Tournament will be a 16 team tournament in Denmark, Wisconsin in August.
Its my pleasure to announce 10 teams that played in 2018 tournament are returning including the champions Sudbury Relics and runner up Bay Area Merchants.
January 12, 2019 – Denmark, WI – Please find attached the list of hotels in Green Bay that we have room blocks with regard to the 2019 ISC World Tournament. The Host and Headquarter Hotel will be Country Inn & Suites located at 850 Kepler Drive in Green Bay. Easy access to I43 which is a short 12 mile freeway drive to Denmark.
If you have any questions please contact Dean Kane at deankane16@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing everyone in Northeastern Wisconsin this August 10 – 17, 2019!
List is available by clicking the 2019 Denmark “logo” at the left.
January 3, 2019 – “The International Softball Congress is currently looking to designate tournaments held in April, May and June as Qualifiers for the 2019 ISC World Tournament in Denmark, Wisconsin.
If you are interested in having your tournament serve as an ISC Qualifier, please contact either Chris Santos, USA Vice President at jcsantos25@msn.com or Todd McCabe, Canada Vice President at todd_mccabe23@hotmail.com as soon as possible.
We hope to have a complete listing of our Qualifiers available by the end of January.
January 1. 2019 – The ISC is saddened at the loss one of its “All-Time” pitching greats, pitcher KG Fincher, who passed away yesterday, on New Year’s Eve. Fincher hailed originally from the San Diego area, and resided in Tuscon, Arizona.
Inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 1986 his Hall of Fame bio can be viewed at: http://www.iscfastpitch.com/bio/k.g.fincher.pdf
December 30, 2018 – Not a surprise, but the number of teams expressing interest in participating in the 2019 Legends Tournament as part of the ISC World Tournament in Denmark, WI has already exceeded the maximum of twelve teams that can be accommodated.
With that in mind, we encourage any other Legends teams interested in participating, contact Legends Tournament Director Keith Erkenbreck prior to the deadline of Saturday, January 12, 2019.
After the January 12th deadline, the Legends Tournament committee will review the list of all teams that have expressed an interest in participation in the 2019 Legend Tournament and determine the twelve teams to be extended an invitation to the 2019 Legends Tournament.
Those invitations will be extended by the end of January 2019.
The remaining teams will be put on a priority list to fill any berths that might become available if one of the originally invited twelve teams is unable to accept the invitation.
The ISC is pleased with the response and success of our Legends Tournament and regrets that we are only able to extend an invitation to twelve teams for the 2019
tournament.
Keith Erkenbreck
December 19, 2018 – The International Softball Congress is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Vail (Cottage Grove, MN) as ISC Umpire-in-Chief.
Steve is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin River Falls where he played football and baseball. While at River Falls he started officiating under the direction of Donald Page. He has umpired and officiated football, basketball, baseball and fast pitch softball for the past 54 years.
Officiating is not a job to Steve , it is a passion, His umpiring has taken him all over the US, Canada and other parts of the world.
Steve is looking forward for the opportunity of being the UIC for the ISC allowing him to remain in an active roll with fast pitch softball at the highest level in the world.
.
November 30, 2018 – Denmark, WI., will be hosting the ISC Legends Tournament, August 15-16-17, 2019. A field of ONLY 12 teams will make up the field for the 10th edition of this highly competitive event.
In order to not be left out of this popular event, teams interested in being considered for an invitation to participate in this “invitational event” are encouraged to immediately contact ISC Legends Tournament Director Keith Erbenkbrack at keithe39@centurylink.net.
Complete ISC Legends Tournament rules can be viewed Here.
El Paso, TX – November 14, 2018 – Reminder to any eligible ISC players that the Carrol Forbes Scholarship Foundation is accepting scholarship requests for 2019.
The closing date will be January 5, 2019. Interested applicants can find form and details on ISC website : www.iscfastpitch.com. Click on Forbes Foundation section.
The information on the ISC website provides the requirements. Any male fastball players who have participated in any ISC youth tourney or other ISC event, completed their secondary or high school and will be continuing their academic carrier at a recognized post secondary institution are encouraged to apply.
Interested applicants please send to Charlie Smith, CFF Scholarship Chair at www.csmith2@elp.rr.com
Page 42 – ISC HALL OF FAME RULES:
A motion was approved that voting shall be based upon the Person’s; Record, Playing Ability, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Character and Contributions to the ISC Organization.
Page 143 – PLAYING RULES:
A motion was approved that an exception be made that says that the “trapper glove” can only be used by first basemen and catcher.
Page 144 – FOREIGN SUBSTANCE RULE:
A motion was approved that when a ball gets too dirty the Umpire can throw out the ball at his discretion with no penalty to the pitcher.
Page 145 – ALL WORLD TEAMS:
Beginning in 2019 Twelve (12) players shall be named to the 1st & 2nd ISC All World Teams: three (3) pitchers, one (1) catchers, four (4) infielders, three (3) outfielders, and one (1) designated hitter.
Page 146 – OUT OF REGION PLAYERS:
A motion was approved that All ISC teams who have four (4) or more approved Out-of-Region players must have their Out-of-Region players play in at least one approved ISC qualifying event or on an invitational tournament in both June and July with their current years team to be eligible for the current years ISC World Tournament. Exceptions to the preceding for rostered national team players and rostered junior national team players may be requested through the appropriate national Vice President.
Each team with four (4) or more approved Out-of-Region players will be allowed one (1) exception to the requirement that Out-of-Region players must play in an approved ISC qualifying event or on an invitational tournament in both June and July. That exception must be declared and marked on the ISC Roster by June 15 and resubmitted to the Executive Director. This exception is subject to PRAWN rules and Out-of-Region form, June 15th deadline and fees.”
Aug 14, 2018 – Kitchener, Ontario
August 30, 2018 – By Joe Todd
When Tuesday morning rolled around at the 2018 ISC World Tournament, 12 teams had positioned themselves into the ISC II Championship Tournament. If we fast forward to the ISC II Championship game late Thursday afternoon, it featured two teams that were making their ISC debuts. Both Irma Tigers from Alberta and 3 Cheers Pub from St. Johns, Newfoundland had shaky and nervous starts in their opening games, but when they regrouped and settled down, they played some excellent and entertaining fastball to carry them into the ISC II Championship game.
3 Cheers Pub suffered a tough 1-0 extra-innings loss in their first game of ISC II play then reeled off five straight victories outscoring their opponents 38-10 in less then 36 hours of play to propel themselves into the ISC II Championship game. The Boys from the Rock rode the strong arm of South African newcomer Tidima Kekana, who finished with a 4-2 record and had 53 strikeouts in his 36 innings of work
Leading the attack for the 3CP squad were Shane Kelly, 10-21 .476 with 3 HRs and 6 RBIs, and Justin Gill, 10-24 .417 with 2 triples and 4 stolen bases.
Irma Tigers had a perfect 3-0 record and had allowed only one run against in their three games while pounding out 28 runs of their own. Steven Normand finished with three wins and Michael Roote picked up the other victory sharing time on the mound for the Albertans. The Tigers with the unblemished record took the direct route to Championship game while the team from St. Johns had the harder route coming all the way through the loser’s bracket.
The well rested Tigers pounced on the 3 Cheers Pub who played two games early on Thursday morning and a came away with the 5-1 victory to clinch the Gord Newman Memorial ISC II Championship Trophy
Normand picked up the ISC II Most Outstanding Pitcher Award. Tigers outfielder Nicolas Potskin was the Leading Hitter, going 8 for 10 .800, with one home run and three RBIs. Tigers infielder Taylor Schubada won the Bob McGowan Most Valuable Player Award, showing some great defense in the Tigers infield and contributing with a .500 batting average 5 for 10 with 3 runs batted in.
The ISC congratulates both newcomer teams, the 2018 ISC II Champions Irma Tigers and the ISC II finalists 3 Cheers Pub for making a great run. We look forward to seeing both of these fine teams in Denmark, Wisconsin for the 2019 ISC World Tournament.
Deer Park, WA – The 2018 ISC Legends World Tourney held in Kitchener Ontario on August 16-18 has a new champion; Sudbury Relics. Sudbury relics won the Legends WT with Bay Area Merchants second and Eagle Pack and Hammer Down Legends sharing 3rd.
Pitching was dominate with 10 shut out games in the 3 day ISC Legends Tourney. Ward Gosse (Most Valuable Player award winner) had 4 wins, 49 strike outs and .52 era. Ward also drove in the winning and only run in the championship game as well as pitching a shutout victory for Sudbury Relics.
David Beets (Outstanding Pitching Award winner) finished tourney with 4 wins, 24 strike outs and .52 era.
Tim Neill with the Waterdown Hammer Legends and Kevin Kammueller with the Eagle Pack also each had 3 wins.
Leading hitter was Dennis Brownfield with .750 batting average for Ohio Battery team.
Three players with 6 rbi’s: Brian McGuire (Dieppe Legends), Darren Hunt (Midland Explorers) and Michael Makowiec (All Seasons Patriots).
Randy Potskin had only 3 at bats with 2 home runs to share most home runs with Jeff lane and Eddie Roy.
The all star team featured 12 players from six different teams:
Dennis Brownfield (Ohio Battery)
Eric Linnell (Bay Area Merchants)
Pat Brennan (Sudbury Relics)
Roddy Wetherell (Scout Logistics)
Terry Challis (Scout Logistics)
Joel Belanger (Sudbury Relics)
Keith Peterson (Eagle Pack)
Pete Kucharuk (Waterdown Hammer Legends)
Kelly Wenstrom (Sudbury Relics)
Ward Gosse (Sudbury Relics)
Davis Beets (Bay Area Merchants)
Tim Neill (Waterdown Hammer Legends)
OUTSTANDING PITCHER; David Beets (Bay Area Merchants)
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Ward Gosse (Sudbury Relics)
Keith Erkenbrack
keithe39@centurylink.net
August 15, 2018 – The ISC Board of Directions has selected the Quad Cities, IL/IA as the site of the 2020 World Tournament.
This will mark the fifteenth (15) time; Rock Island, IL (10), Quad Cities, IL/IA (5), that this area has played Host to the ISC World Tournament.
The tournament will once again be played at the Green Valley Softball Complex, Moline, IL, August 8th – 15th.
August 14, 2018 – Kitchener, ON – The International Softball Congress is pleased to announce that five individuals have been elected to it’s Hall of Fame, including three players, one field manager and one sponsor.
August 14, 2018 – Kitchener, ON The International Softball Congress is pleased to announce that five individuals have been elected to it’s Hall of Fame, including three players, one field manager and one sponsor.
Korrey Gareau, of Cobble Hill, BC,is among the top 10 pitchers in wins in the ISC World Tournament with 40. He was named to seven ISC All World teams and was the winner of the Leroy Zimmerman Most Outstanding Pitcher Award in 2007, winning the ISC World Tournament with The Farm Tavern team from Madison, WI.
Patrick Shannon, of Auckland, NZ, is a 10-time ISC All World player and a four-time ISC World Champion with Marathon, WI County Materials in 2005-06 and with Kitchener, ON Rivershark Twins in 2008-09.
Jimmy Wana, of Wellington, NZ, pitched for the powerhouse Penn Corp teams of Sioux City, IA in the late 1980s and early 1990s. A three-time ISC All World pitcher, Wana (formerly Seaman) won four ISC World Tournament championships and won the Leroy Zimmerman Award as Most Outstanding Pitcher as 19-year-old in 1988.
Terry Baytor, of London, ON, managed teams in 11 seasons in ISC World Tournament play, compiling a 61-16 record for a .792 winning percentage, winning four championships, three with the Toronto Gators and one with the Tampa Bay Smokers.
Darren Derricks, of Green Bay, WI is a longtime sponsor of the Circle Tap Dukes team based out of Denmark, WI. Darren has been involved in ISC events for almost 30 years as a player and team sponsor, for a time sponsoring two teams. Circle Tap is the host organization for the 2019 ISC World Tournament. Darren will receive the Bob Welby Memorial Recognition of Service Award.
All five individuals will be inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame during the annual Breakfast and Induction Ceremony which will be held in Denmark, WI at the 2019 ISC World Tournament.
For more information, please contact
Larry Fisher
ISC Executive Director
July 26,2018 – Ayr, Ontario – Congratulations to the 19-man crew selected by Umpire-in-Chief Bruce Bierman for the 2018 ISC World Tournament to be held this August in Kitchener, ON.
With input from Deputy UIC Lou Davis and Les Novak, the Blue Crew for the 2018 ISC World Tournament is as follows:
1- Alan Blanchard – Lodi, CA
2- Brandon Bluhm – Chehalis, WA
3- Dave Selden – Reese, MI
4- Ed Otterman – Woodstock, ON
5- Fred Malatches – Cambridge, ON
6- Gary Johnston – Eau Claire, WI
7- Jan Hora – Cherny Vul, CI
8- Jon Hand – Maple Park, IL
9- Justin Van Horn – Chatham, ON
10- Kevin Wallace – Shipman, IL
11- Lou Davis – Truro, NS
12- Mike Morrissey – Peterborough, ON
13- Paul Verheye – Kitchener, ON
14- Rob Deakin – Wodstock, ON
15- Rob Straetmans – Bracebridge, ON
16- Robert Durand – Osceda, WI
17- Serge Laflamme – Levis, Quebec
18- Tony Dickson – Oro-Medonte, ON
July 18, 2018 – On Sunday morning August 12, the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame will host its annual induction breakfast at the Holiday Inn Ballroom, 30 Fairway Road South, Kitchener.
The Class of 2018 induction will be held as part of the ISC Championships and build on the successes of the previous Hall of Fame celebrations that have been held annually since the initial induction in 1965. This is the 5th time that the event will be hosted in Kitchener, ON.
The complete Media Release can be viewed at: http://iscfastpitch.com/pdf/ISCHoF2018MediaReleaseTickets.pdf
July 16, 2018 – Brackets and schedules for the 2018 ISC World Tournament, August 11-18, Kitchener, Ontario, are now available for viewing at:
ISC World Tournament http://www.iscfastpitch.com/pdf/isc.world.touranment.bracket.pdf
ISC II Tournament http://www.iscfastpitch.com/pdf/isc.2.bracket.pdf
ISC Legends Tournament http://www.iscfastpitch.com/pdf/isc.legends.schedule.pdf
ISC U23 Torunament http://www.iscfastpitch.com/pdf/2016.u21.schedule.pdf
A record-breaking field of 37 teams will visit Keterson Park in Mitchell the weekend of June 15-17 for the 2018 International Softball Congress (ISC) Canada East Qualifier, the U23 championship and the inaugural Legends (50+) championship.
And it’s anybody’s guess who will come out on top.
At least that’s the view of one of three Canada East Commissioners entrusted to organize the tournament, Blair Setford, in conjunction with the Mitchell Mets intermediate club.
“With the field of teams that we’ve got and for what’s at stake it’s going to be a super competitive weekend across the board,” Setford said, adding the fact that the ISC world championship is being held in Kitchener in August helps draw teams to this qualifying event.
“I think it’s going to be a dogfight in all three divisions.”
Twenty-four men’s teams are vying for what Setford guesses will be 12 berths to the world championships, while five teams will fight for an Under-23 berth at the worlds as well. Adding to the fun, and showing that high level fastpitch softball still is near and dear to many people’s hearts, an inaugural Legends division for players 50-years and over will be held as well, and eight teams have entered seeking that first championship.
“It’s just wonderful to see these guys who literally were legends of the game in their own time and still continue to play,” he said. “They are still out there competing but mostly they are out there to have fun.”
The commissioners met with the Mets last fall about the possibility of hosting this qualifier, recognizing that with the world championships in Kitchener that there would be a lot of teams showing interest and they needed a place with at least four diamonds.
“We’ve got a history of the qualifier being in Mitchell (as recently as 2014) and we know the people there are great ball fans,” he said. “It was a mutual effort where the Mets were interested and certainly where we knew we could be accommodated.”
The defending champion Toronto Batmen will be a contender once again, Setford notes, plus a young up-and-coming squad such as the Nith River Monsters and veteran teams like Elmira Expos, Shakespeare Falcons and Kingston Axemen to keep an eye on. New teams setting foot in the ISC program, such as Milverton and Dundalk as two examples, will get their collective feet wet in the program and look for experience for the future.
“The Toronto Batmen are the defending champions but there’s a half a dozen teams that could upset them,” he said.
Setford commented on the state of the game, as rising numbers of baseball players take to the field with the popularity of the Toronto Blue Jays.
“I like to think it’s holding its own,” he said. “There are pockets in small towns where it’s doing great and there are big cities where it’s not. What we need to do is get the game into the schools and get more people playing.
“It’s an effort but you can say the same for all sports. It’s a challenge to get the young kids off of devices and out on a playing field.”
The host of this qualifying tournament is the Mitchell Mets, who are in their 41st consecutive season of competitive men’s fastpitch softball, a feat that Setford called “impressive.” Although the Mets per se aren’t playing in the qualifier, a handful of their players are playing for various teams, including AJ Moses, Kevin Ward and Scott Lealess (Elmira) and Tyler Pauli (Nith River) while Mitchell-area residents and natives Andrew Medhurst (Shakespeare) and Joe Harris (Ponsonby) are also scheduled to make an appearance. Local teams from Monkton, St. Pauls and Milverton are also entering teams.
Some true legends are also expected to participate, including former all-world pitcher Darren Zack (Sudbury). Longtime Met Jeff Pauli is also playing in this division, suiting up with Waterloo.
Monkton will also host some games in this tournament, primarily the Legends, rekindling some memories for many as the village hosted their own prestigious tournament from 2004-2009.
Action begins on all four Mitchell diamonds, plus Monkton, on Friday, June 15 at 6 p.m., and continues Saturday, June 16 at 8 a.m. and goes all day as well as Sunday. The Legends final is set for 1 p.m. Sunday in Monkton while the U23 championship will be played at 3 p.m. Sunday in Mitchell. The men’s championship game is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
“We think we’ve got the best of both worlds here – the best players, the best umpires, the best sponsors…and it’s that team effort that makes a successful tournament,” Setford said, adding getting involved at the ISC level along with Joe Todd and Kyle Smith as commissioners “is a labour of love.”
Members of the organizing committee have reached out to various organizations for help in running the tournament including the Mitchell Jr. C Hawks (refreshments), Mitchell Legion, br. 128 (food), Mitchell Curling Club (gate/admissions) and the Mitchell Jr. Mets (grounds crew). More volunteer help is still needed in a number of areas. If interested, contact Moses (ajmoses44@gmail.com or 519-348-4600).
“I hope there’s some surprises and I know we’ll have an absolutely terrific weekend of ball,” Setford said.
Admission will be $5 for the day or $10 for a weekend pass.
April 25, 2018 – Hoyt Park in Saginaw, MI, will once again play host to the newly-named ISC/Carrol Forbes Foundation Youth Tournament. With 26 games in three age groups, the 2017 Tournament was considered an outstanding success in the first attempt in providing these young players with some International Competition.
The 2018 event will take place July 20-22 and entry fee will be $325. Teams will compete in 12-under, 14-under, 16-under, 18-under and 21-under divisions.
12U DIVISION (Player must be “12” in the calendar year)
14U DIVISION (Player must be “14” in the calendar year)
16U DIVISION (Player must be “16” in the calendar year)
18U DIVISION (Player must be “18” in the calendar year)
For more information, please contact ISC Regional Commissioner Tom Stasik at: tomstasik@gmail.com or Scott Stasik at: scottstasik@gmail.com to express interest or for additional information.
The ISC is saddened to share details on the passing of long-time commissioner Royce Heath. Royce, 91, from Iredell, Texas, joined the ISC in 1953, only six years after the founding, and served in various roles for 59 years prior to retiring in 2011.
Among his many accomplishments within our organization, Royce was the driving force behind the inauguration of the ISC Hall of Fame, and served as chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee for over three decades.
“We hope that the sorrow for the Heath family is lightened by the knowledge that the ISC fastpitch softball family mourns with them,” said Larry Fisher, ISC Executive Director. Royce will be commemorated at this year’s Hall of Fame Breakfast on the opening Sunday of the 2018 ISC World Tournament in Kitchener, ON.
Royce’s ISC Hall of Fame bio can be viewed at