SPEI News
February 2013 - Team Canada ready to compete at ISF XIII Men's World Championship
2013 ISF XIII Men's World Championship - Scores
Softball Cananda
Tradestaff WSC 2013 Results
(Auckland, New Zealand) The Canadian Men's National Team is ready to compete at the ISF XIII Men's World Championship from February 28 to March 9, 2013. Team Canada will play its first game against Argentina on today, February 28 at 9:30pm EST.
At the previous ISF Men's World Championship held in Saskatoon, SK in 2009, Team Canada went undefeated in the round-robin before losing back-to-back playoff games against Australia and New Zealand to win the Bronze medal.
The athletes who will represent Canada at the ISF XIII Men's World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand from February 28 to March 9, 2013 are:
Athletes
#42 Bryan Abrey (Richmond, BC)
#51 Ryan Boland (St. John's, NL)
#44 Sean Cleary (Harbour Main, NL)
#19 Jeff Ellsworth (St. Lawrence, PEI)
#22 Brad Ezekiel (Harbour Main, NL)
#14 Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON)
#10 Jason Hill (St. John's, NL)
#17 Brandon Horn (Waterloo, ON)
#30 Paul Koert (Brooklyn, ON)
#33 Stephen Mullaley (Freshwater, NL)
#15 Mathieu Roy (St. Gervais, QC)
#8 Jason Sanford (Durham, NS)
#6 Kevin Schellenberg (Squamish, BC)
#20 Don Scott (Stratford, ON)
#9 Andy Skelton (Scarborough, ON)
#28 Sean Whitten (Calgary, AB)
#77 Ryan Wolfe (Melbourne, ON)
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: #16 Don Bates (Saskatoon, SK)
Assistant Coach: #39 Les Howey (Conception Bay, NL)
Assistant Coach: #7 John Stuart (Langley, BC)
Athletic Therapist: #12 Adam Davies (Ottawa, ON)
Team Leader: #11 Larry Gould (Burtts Corner, NB)
Manager - National Teams: #49 Mike Branchaud (Ottawa, ON)
There will also be two Softball Canada umpires working the event: Mark Gough (NB) and Mitch Zuk (ON). ISF Director of Umpires Bob Stanton (NB) will also serve as the tournament`s Umpire in Chief.
A total of thirteen (16) teams will participate at the event, which will feature two pools. The top four teams from each pool will advance to the playoff round, while the top two teams from each division will earn double life.
Team Canada Schedule (all game times converted to Eastern Standard Time)
February 28: Canada vs. Argentina (9:30pm EST) - Diamond 1
March 1: Canada vs. Philippines (11:00pm EST) - Diamond 1
March 2: Canada vs. Mexico (5:00pm EST) - Diamond 2
March 4: Canada vs. New Zealand (1:30am EST) - Diamond 1
March 4: Canada vs. Japan (11:00pm EST) - Diamond 1
March 5: Canada vs. Colombia (10:00pm EST) - Diamond 2
March 6: Canada vs. Netherlands (10:00pm EST) - Diamond 2
March 7: Playoff Round
March 8: Playoff Round
March 9: Medal Round
Live Streaming
All games on Diamond 1 will be streamed LIVE
All games on Diamond 2 will be available ON DEMAND
All live streaming will be a pay to access service - details will be available on http://www.softball2013.com
iscore - Live Scoring Updates iscore Softball is the easiest way to track the Tradestaff ISF Men's World Softball Championships. It has everything you need to track and review a game and does not require you to buy any software - this free service will be available at the following link: www.softball.org.nz/Tradestaff+WSC+2013+Results.html
How to Follow Team Canada
Softball Canada Website: http://www.softball.ca
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SoftballCanada
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SoftballCanadaNSO
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January 2013 - 2013 ISF XIII Men's World Championship Schedule Announced
(Ottawa, ON) The International Softball Federation (ISF) has released the schedule for the ISF XIII Men's World Championship which will be played in Auckland, New Zealand from March 1 to 10, 2013. The tournament will feature sixteen (16) teams vying for the Gold medal.
Team Canada won a Bronze medal at the previous World Championship held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 2009, with Australia claiming the Gold medal and New Zealand earning Silver. Prior to Australia's Gold medal win in 2009, New Zealand was the three-time defending champions, winning the event in 2004 (Christchurch, New Zealand), 2000 (East London, South Africa) and 1996 (Midland, Michigan). Team Canada last won Gold at the event in 1992 (Manila, Philippines).
The athletes who will represent Canada at the ISF XIII Men's World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand are:
Athletes
#42 Bryan Abrey (Richmond, BC)
#51 Ryan Boland (St. John's, NL)
#44 Sean Cleary (Harbour Main, NL)
#19 Jeff Ellsworth (St. Lawrence, PEI)
#22 Brad Ezekiel (Harbour Main, NL)
#14 Ian Fehrman (Townsend, ON)
#10 Jason Hill (St. John's, NL)
#17 Brandon Horn (Waterloo, ON)
#30 Paul Koert (Brooklyn, ON)
#33 Stephen Mullaley (Freshwater, NL)
#15 Mathieu Roy (St. Gervais, QC)
#8 Jason Sanford (Durham, NS)
#6 Kevin Schellenberg (Squamish, BC)
#20 Don Scott (Stratford, ON)
#9 Andy Skelton (Scarborough, ON)
#28 Sean Whitten (Calgary, AB)
#77 Ryan Wolfe (Melbourne, ON)
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Don Bates (Saskatoon, SK)
Assistant Coach: Les Howey (Conception Bay, NL)
Assistant Coach: John Stuart (Langley, BC)
Athletic Therapist: Adam Davies (Ottawa, ON)
Team Leader: Larry Gould (Burtts Corner, NB)
Manager - National Teams: Mike Branchaud (Ottawa, ON)
Umpires
Mark Gough (NB)
Mitch Zuk (ON)
Sixteen (16) teams will participate at the event, which will be split into two pools for round-robin play. Each team will play seven games within their pool, with the top four teams from each pool advancing to the playoff round. The pool breakdown (determined by the 2009 World Championship standings) will be:
Pool A
Australia
United States
Venezuela
Great Britain
Czech Republic
South Africa
Indonesia
Samoa
Pool B
New Zealand
Canada
Japan
Argentina
Philippines
Mexico
Colombia
Netherlands
Team Canada Schedule (game times converted to Eastern Standard Time)
February 28: Canada vs. Argentina (9:30pm EST)
March 1: Canada vs. Philippines (11:00pm EST)
March 2: Canada vs. Mexico (5:00pm EST)
March 4: Canada vs. New Zealand (1:30am EST)
March 4: Canada vs. Japan (11:00pm EST)
March 5: Canada vs. Colombia (10:00pm EST)
March 6: Canada vs. Netherlands (10:00pm EST)
March 7: Playoff Round
March 8: Playoff Round
March 9: Medal Round
Websites
ISF XIII Men's World Championship: http://www.softball2013.com
International Softball Federation: http://www.isfsoftball.org
Softball Canada: http://www.softball.ca
Facebook
ISF XIII Junior Women's World Championship: https://www.facebook.com/WSC2013
International Softball Federation: https://www.facebook.com/ISFsoftball
Softball Canada: https://www.facebook.com/SoftballCanadaNSO
Twitter
ISF XIII Men's World Championship: http://twitter.com/WSC2013
International Softball Federation: http://www.twitter.com/ISFSoftball
Softball Canada: http://twitter.com/SoftballCanada
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For more information, please contact:
Gilles LeBlanc
Manager - Marketing and Communications
Softball Canada
(613) 523-3386 ext. 3105
gleblanc@softball.ca
January 2013 - Two Softball Coaches among Recipients of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Recipients
(Ottawa, ON) Softball Canada is very pleased to announce that David Bourne (Port Dover, ON) and Tom Doucette (Middle Musquodoboit, NS) have joined a very exclusive club amongst Commonwealth countries as recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
'I am both thrilled and honoured to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of my contributions to the education of coaches through the NCCP for Softball Canada, and Softball Ontario' said Dave Bourne. 'I believe sharing the knowledge, skills and positive attitudes promoted in our coaching programs facilitates the continued development of our coaches and athletes in sport.;
'I would like to thank Softball Canada for putting forward my name to the Coaching Association of Canada for the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal' said Tom Doucette. 'I am both humbled and proud for being selected as a recipient for this award honouring my volunteerism and efforts. I would be remiss if I didn't thank my family for allowing me 'time away from home' to make my commitment to sport.'
The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Medal was created in 2011 to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the thrones on February 6th, 1952. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. During the year of celebrations, 60,000 deserving Canadians will be recognized. This commemorative medal is a tangible and lasting way to pay tribute to those Canadians whose achievements have benefited their fellow citizens, their community, their organization and the country.
Softball Canada nominated Dave and Tom for this award because they have been instrumental in the development and delivery of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and made a significant contribution to coaching development not only within their own province but also at the national level. A total of 49 individuals were awarded this medal in partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada.
'Dave Bourne and Tom Doucette are two fine examples of what the coaching fraternity is all about' stated Softball Canada President Kevin Quinn. 'Both Dave and Tom have given hundreds of hours of their own time to perfect their skills as coaches and then even more time using these skills to train hundreds of athletes and coaches across Canada. These gentlemen have been instrumental in producing not only some exceptional athletes and coaches; but some outstanding individuals as well. Congratulations on this prestigious award. You are both very deserving winners.'
Softball Canada congratulates Tom and Dave for their commitment and dedication to softball in Canada. They are truly deserving of this recognition.
September 2012 - Canada wins GOLD at Men's Pan American Championship!
(Medellin, Colombia) The Canadian Men's National Team defeated Venezuela when it counted as they won the Gold medal at the VIII Men's Pan American Championship for the first time since 1993. After losing to Venezuela in the preliminary round and again in the first versus second playoff game, Team Canada first needed to defeat Argentina to earn another shot at Venezuela. The red and white was able to pull out a 2-0 victory over Argentina, before beating Venezuela by a score of 4-1.
In the first game of the day against Argentina, Canada rode the pitching arm of Don Scott (Stratford, ON) and got a two-run homerun by Jeff Ellsworth (St. Lawrence, PEI) in the first inning to cruise to the 2-0 victory. Brandon Horn (Waterloo, ON) led off with a sharp single and came home Ellsworth's two out homerun. That was all Canada needed as Scott sailed through the game, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out four. Canada managed only four hits in the game, but was very sharp defensively in support of Scott.
With little time to celebrate, Team Canada was right back on the diamond against Venezuela in the Gold medal game. Andy Skelton (Newmarket, ON) got the ball in the pitcher's circle for the red and white. Venezuela countered with crafty lefty Erick Urbameja, who shut Canada down in the two previous meetings between the teams. The game was scoreless until the fifth inning when Venezuela scored a run on a leadoff double, a ground out and then a passed ball.
Canada came back strong in the bottom of the sixth, all with two outs. Blair Ezekiel (Harbour Main, NL) singled and Brennan Pokoyoway (Saskatoon, SK) pinch ran for him. Bryan Abrey (Richmond, BC) also singled to put runners on first and second. Mark Johnson (Glencoe, ON) then hit a ball into the hole that the shortstop made a great play to get to, but he overthrew first base allowing Canada to tie the game. Then followed the shot that Canada was waiting for, with a full count and two men on, Skelton hit a no-doubter over the right field fence for a homerun to give Canada a three-run lead. Venezuela went down in order in the seventh and Canada was crowned Champions. Skelton threw a great game, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight.
Next up for Team Canada will be the ISF XIII Men's World Championship which will be held from March 1-10, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.
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For more information, please contact:
Gilles LeBlanc
Manager - Marketing and Communications
Softball Canada
(613) 797-7171
gleblanc@softball.ca
September 2012 - Canada loses first playoff game against Venezuela at Pan American Championship
(Medellin, Colombia) In the first versus second playoff game against Venezuela, Team Canada fell to the visiting team by a score of 5-2 in a game that was called after six and a third innings due to rain. According to CONPASA rules, the game is considered final if at least five full innings have been played. Therefore, the score reverts back to the last completed inning, which gave Venezuela the 5-2 win. Canada had a runner on first with one out when the game was called.
Venezuela opened the scoring in the top of the first with two outs, as the third batter reached first base after the third strike went to the backstop. The next two batters hit singles to put the Venezuelans up 1-0. They added to the lead with a run in the second, but Canada scored in the bottom of the inning as Mark Johnson (Glencoe, ON) was hit by a pitch and scored on a double by Blair Ezekiel (Harbour Main, NL). Venezuela added three runs in the top of the fourth on three more hits to take a 5-1 lead. Team Canada got one back in the sixth when Stephen Mullaley (Freshwater, NL) led off with a homerun. With the skies threatening in the seventh, Jason Hill (St. John's, NL) was left stranded on first with the top of the order coming to bat and the rain falling down. After a 30 minute rain delay, the game was called.
Don Scott (Stratford, ON) started for Canada in the pitcher's circle and threw three and two third innings, allowing all five runs (four earned), six hits, and struck out five. Andy Skelton (Newmarket, ON) relieved Scott and threw the last three and a third innings allowing no runs, two hits and struck out five.
Earlier in the evening, Argentina blanked Mexico 8-0 to advance to the medal round. Canada and Argentina will play each other in an elimination game at 3:00pm CDT on Saturday, with the winner advancing to play Venezuela for the gold medal at 5:30pm. The gold medal game can be seen at: http://teleantioquia.com.co/es/envivo/index.shtml.
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For more information, please contact:
Gilles LeBlanc
Manager - Marketing and Communications
Softball Canada
(613) 797-7171
gleblanc@softball.ca
September 2012 - Canadian Men's National Team ready to compete at VIII Pan American Championship
(Medellin, Colombia) The Canadian Senior Men's National Team is ready to compete at the VIII Men's Pan American Softball Championship from September 16-22 in Medellin, Colombia. This event will serve as a qualifier for the ISF XIII Men's World Championship to be held March 1-10, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand. The top five teams at the Pan American Championship will earn a berth to the World Championship.
The athletes who will represent Canada at the VIII Pan American Championship in Medellin, Colombia from September 16-22 are:
Athletes
#42 Bryan Abrey (Richmond, BC)
#44 Tyson Barkman (Abbotsford, BC)
#51 Ryan Boland (St. John's, NL)
#19 Jeff Ellsworth (St. Lawrence, PEI)
#22 Blair Ezekiel (Harbour Main, NL)
#10 Jason Hill (St. John's, NL)
#6 Brandon Horn (Waterloo, ON)
#7 Mark Johnson (Glencoe, ON)
#14 Rowan Lam (Glencoe, ON)
#33 Stephen Mullaley (Freshwater, NL)
#12 Brennan Pokoyoway (Saskatoon, SK)
#15 Mathieu Roy (St-Gervais, QC)
#8 Jason Sanford (Durham, NS)
#20 Don Scott (Stratford, ON)
#9 Andy Skelton (Newmarket, ON)
#24 Brady Woods (Stonewall, MB)
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Don Bates (Saskatoon, SK)
Assistant Coach: Les Howey (Conception Bay, NL)
Assistant Coach: John Stuart (Langley, BC)
Athletic Therapist: Adam Davies (Ottawa, ON)
Team Leader: Larry Gould (Burtts Corner, NB)
Operations Manager: Mike Branchaud (Ottawa, ON)
Umpire
Andre Gallant (NB)
Ten (10) teams will participate at the event, which will be a single round-robin with the top four teams advancing to the page playoff round.
Team Canada Schedule
September 16: Canada vs. Ecuador (2:00pm CDT)
September 16: Canada vs. Puerto Rico (4:00pm CDT)
September 17: Canada vs. Bahamas (9:00am CDT)
September 17: Canada vs. Colombia (5:00pm CDT)
September 18: Canada vs. Guatemala (11:00am CDT)
September 18: Canada vs. Argentina (1:00pm CDT)
September 19: Canada vs. Mexico (9:00am CDT)
September 19: Canada vs. Venezuela (1:00pm CDT)
September 20: Canada vs. Dominican Republic (3:00pm CDT)
September 21: Playoff Round
September 22: Medal Round
May 2012 - Softball Canada returns to Capital City in 2013 with U18 National Women's Fast Pitch Championship
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, May 24, 2012 - Softball Canada recently awarded Charlottetown the hosting rights for its 2013 U18 Women's Canadian Fast Pitch Championship, making this the third time the provincial capital will welcome the national sport organization in four years.
"Our city is humbled and excited to have the opportunity to host this prestigious national women's fast pitch championship; welcoming Softball Canada, participating athletes, their families and fans to Charlottetown in 2013," said Mayor Clifford Lee. "For a city of our size, we are fortunate to have all of the right elements in place - from the infrastructure, to a strong volunteer base, to a host committee with the right knowledge and expertise - to attract major events such as the U18 Women's Fast Pitch Champions, offering a platform to showcase sport on the highest level possible. We look forward to working with Softball Canada again along with the many partners involved to stage what will be another highly successful national softball championship."
The U18 Women's Canadian Fast Pitch Championship (formerly the midget girls event) has been played since 1980. Since 2000, the average number of provincial teams participating in the event is 8 with a maximum of 16 teams participating as of recent years. The last 2 years, Softball Canada has made a special exception to the maximum number of teams, increasing the maximum to 18 teams. The calibre of softball ball being played by this age category is quite exceptional as many players have already received scholarships from colleges or universities in the United States. The Championship also acts as a great stepping stone for Softball Canada's senior and junior women's national teams.
"Softball Canada is extremely pleased to be working with the City of Charlottetown once again," said Mike Branchaud, Manager of Canadian Championships and Competition Services for Softball Canada. "There is a strong history of great Softball Canada events played in Charlottetown with the most recent being the 2010 Senior Men's Canadian Fast Pitch Championship and the 2009 U19 International Men's Fast Pitch Championship. With a great Committee in place as well as an outstanding volunteer base, Softball Canada is looking forward to another very successful championship in 2013."
Alan Petrie, President of Softball PEI is thrilled with Softball Canada's decision to award the 2013 U18 Women's Canadian Fast Pitch Championship to the City of Charlottetown and the Host committee chaired by Lance Jones. "Charlottetown will be host to some of the best U18 female softball players in Canada. I know Island softball fans will be at the ball fields cheering on our athletes as they vie for the national U18 Women's Fast Pitch title in 2013."
Charlottetown continues to evolve as a leader in Canada's sport tourism industry, successfully attracting numerous high-profile regional, national and international sport events annually through SCORE! - Charlottetown's highly recognized and respected sport tourism brand.
"Sport tourism has become a driving force in our municipal economy bringing numerous participants that fill our hotel rooms, restaurants and retail shops," added Mayor Lee. "Hosting sport events, such as the U18 Women's Canadian Fast Pitch Championship, also presents a tremendous opportunity to showcase all that our city has to offer as a destination encouraging return tourism visitation."
The Championship will be hosted at the Central Field Complex from August 22nd-30th, 2013.
April 2012 - Kevin Quinn Elected North American Vice-President of CONPASA
(Valencia, Venezuela) Softball Canada President Kevin Quinn and special advisor Roberto Perez-Leon (Level V Umpire - BC) attended the Pan American Softball Confederation’s (CONPASA) Congress in Valencia, Venezuela this past weekend (March 29-31). Following three days of meetings, an election was held for positions on the Board of Directors of the regional softball organization, with Quinn being elected as Vice-President - North America.
I am extremely proud to have the honour of being elected to the Board of CONPASA' stated Quinn. I hope to represent my country well as I work hard to improve softball at many levels throughout the Americas. I want to thank the Softball Canada Board for putting my name forward for this position as North American Vice-President of CONPASA and CEO Hugh Mitchener for his continued support. And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank Mr. Roberto Perez-Leon and his wife Annie for their hard work in translating all my correspondences. To Roberto Perez-Leon, who assisted me at the Congress, I simply could not have done it without you!
In addition to the election, CONPASA also announced that the VIII Men’s Pan American Softball Championship will take place from September 15 to 23, 2012 in Medellin, Colombia. The event will serve as a qualifier for the 2013 ISF XIII Men’s World Championship, which will be held March 1 to 10, 2013 in Christchurch, New Zealand. The top five teams from the Pan American Championship will qualify for the World Championship.
March 2012 - Men’s and Women’s Softball Selected to the 2017 Canada Summer Games Program
(Ottawa, ON) Softball Canada is extremely pleased to announce that the Canada Games Council has selected both men’s and women’s softball for the 2017 Canada Summer Games program. The sport of softball has been part of the Canada Summer Games since 1969, but the men’s competition was not selected for the 2009 and 2013 Games. Thus, the men’s competition will return to the program in 2017.
September 2011 - Tryouts for 2013 Women's Canada Games Softball Team
Any Girls wishing to tryout for the Canada Games Team (born 1992 or later) Please contact Jody Kinney at jodyann.kinney@maine.edu or 218-9079, or Glen Kinney at glenkinney@hotmail.com or 676-2681 (after 6 pm). We need your name, position, e-mail address, age, and the last team you played for. Check Softball PEI website or The Guardian for future tryout information.
For anyone interested in trying out for the 2013 Canada Games Women's softball team there will be two identification camps this weekend. For those that are up west there will be one on Saturday October 1st at 1:00 at Ellis field in O'Leary. For those in the East it will be held Sunday October 2nd in Cardigan at 3:00. Please arrive a half hour early to fill out paper work and ensure you are ready to start on time. Any Questions please contact Jody Kinney at 218-9079 (jodyann.kinney@maine.edu) or Glen Kinney at 676-2681.
September 2011 - Softball P.E.I. Announces 2013 Canada Games Head Coach
Softball P.E.I. is pleased to announce the appointment of Jody Kinney of Tarantum, P.E.I; as Head Coach of the Prince Edward Island Canada Summer Games Softball Team that will compete at the Canada Games taking place in Sherbrooke, Quebec in August 2013.
Jody started her softball career as a Pee Wee with the Fort Augustus Association. She has competed in Eastern Canadian Softball Championships in the Pee Wee and Intermediate Ladies level. She has competed in 1 Junior and 5 Senior Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championships representing P.E.I. She also competed at the 2001 Canada Summer Games hosted in London, Ontario.
Ms. Kinney attended University of Maine at Presque Isle where she was Assistant Coach for the softball team the Owls and played on the team for 3 years. In 2008 she graduated with her Physical Education Degree. Kinney will be teaching at L.M. Montgomery Elementary School this fall.
Ms. Kinney has coached numerous minor softball teams and most recently the Pee Wee Selects who just returned from Eastern Canadians in Quebec. She also was Assistant Coach for the 2009 P.E.I. Canada Summer Games Softball Team. Assisting Jody in coaching the 2013 team will be her father Glen who has coached female softball at both the minor and adult levels at Eastern Canadians and Canadian Championships.
Information regarding Try-outs will be posted to Softball P.E.I.’s website, Facebook and in the local media.
