FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Men’s Fastball is Coming Back to North Gower

NORTH GOWER, OTTAWA—Competitive men’s fastball is coming back to North Gower. The fastball club formerly known as the Greely Eagles will be known as the North Gower Marlboroughs in 2010.

In addition to the move, the club is announcing the new sponsorship of the Marlborough Pub in North Gower. Captain Anil Hayne said the club was excited about moving to North Gower, and that it made sense for a lot of reasons.

“Some of our players live in North Gower, so it’s our hometown and we love it,” said Hayne. “Plus, we have a great local sponsor backing us.”

Marlborough Pub co-owner Jason Moore said he looking forward to the partnership. He said he was impressed by the club’s sense of community, such as conducting free fastball clinics for children.

“Community involvement is important to our business,” said Moore. “We like the way these guys promote fastball and give back to kids, and we want to support that.”

The North Gower Marlboroughs Men's Fastball Club will compete in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League (GOFL).The GOFL is a nine-team premier men's fastball league in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. The Marlboroughs’ home games will be played at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Facility on Community Way in North Gower. The schedule is yet to be determined.

For more information about the Marlborough Pub, please visit their website: www.marlboroughpub.com .

For more information about the North Gower Marlboroughs Men's Fastball Club, please contact Anil Hayne at 613-489-1730 or gowerfastball@gmail.com .

League Meeting:
- All nine teams from the 2009 season confirmed that they are returning, with one change: Greely Eagles are becoming "North Gower Marlboroughs"
- Home diamonds and nights are as follows, generally speaking:
- WC Electric: Fitzroy Harbour on Tuesday
- Manotick: Manotick on Wednesday
- Blitz: Manotick on Wednesday
- Stittsville: Stittsville on Wednesday
- Easton: to be determined, to advise
- I4C Victory: Carp on Thursday
- Quyon: Quyon on Thursday (note change from Tuesday)
- Orleans: Orleans Pierre Rocque Park on Thursday
- North Gower: North Gower on Tuesday
- Adam has volunteered to create the schedule. Teams were asked to forward any special scheduling requests to Adam. North Gower indicated that they want to play on Canada Day, possibly against Easton once again. Gary asked that we be aware of the dates for the Canadian Junior Nationals (first week of August) as Orleans could have several players away.
- Doubleheaders will be scheduled whenever practical. Manotick will continue to host a doubleheader every Wednesday. Other locations (Carp, Fitzroy Harbour) should also be able to host some double dips and Anil indicated that North Gower may be able to host some doubleheaders this year as well.
- Regular season will start the first week of May, with the original schedule running for 12 weeks with rainout make ups and playoffs to follow.
- Teams will play an unbalanced schedule of 20 games, similar to last season, ensuring that opponents played three times in 2009 are played twice in 2010 and vice versa.
- Anil and Tyler indicated that North Gower would like to host the Showcase - weekend TBD. Adam also indicated that he would like to host a series of games in Fitzroy Harbour on a weekend - dates also to be determined.
- Game cancellation: if a team needs to cancel a game (for any reason other than weather), 24 hours notice should be given to the opposing team’s representative. If a visiting team fails to show up with enough players or cancels too late to notify the umpires, then the visiting team will pay for the officials’ fees. If diamond fees are going to be charged to the home team, the offending team will have to pay for the make up diamond rental fee.
- Rain shortened games: games will count in the standings for regular season even if only one inning is completed, going back to the last completed inning. For playoffs, the game will resume at a later date from the point at which the game was delayed.
- Game stories can be sent as soon as possible so the blog can be updated. Report should at a minimum include the score, the winning and losing pitcher and any home runs hit. Statistics should be updated by team representatives as soon as possible on GOFL.ca.
- Each team should ensure their club contacts are updated on GOFL.ca
- For the regular season, each team is responsible for their own expenses, including by not limited to diamond fees, umpire costs, balls, etc. (see exceptions below re: playoffs).
- Regular season tie-breaking: 1) points (2 for a win, 1 for a tie) 2) wins 3) head-to-head 4) run differential in head to head 5) coin flip
- Playoff format slightly changed from last year to get things over with quicker:
- 9th vs. 8th play-in single game
- Quarter-finals: best of three, 1st vs. winner of play-in, 2nd vs. 7th, 3rd vs. 6th, 4th vs. 5th
- Semi-finals: best of three (instead of five), Top remaining seed vs. Lowest remaining seed, 2nd remaining seed vs. 3rd remaining seed
- Finals: best of five, remaining two teams
- Playoff extra innings: if a playoff game is tied, the 'international rule' shall being in the 8th inning.
- The cost sharing formula for playoffs will continue. The loser of the play-in game shall pay the costs of that game plus the $100 playoff winner fund fee. The remaining eight teams shall each pay a $250 playoff charge, of which $100 will be contributed to the playoff winner fund. The remaining money will be used to for the costs of the quarter-finals. For the semi-finals and finals, the teams in each series shall split the costs of diamonds and umpires.
- Playoff winner fund: $600 to the winner and $300 to the finalist. The I4C Trophy will be awarded to the playoff champion.
- Tony will order the softballs for the league through Softball Canada. Each team to contact Tony with the number of softballs (in dozens) each team requires. Same model/colour to be used at last year. Tony will also be ordering 4 packages of "Gorilla Gold" for each club to eliminate the need for pitchers to use any other substance. Costs are estimated at $80 per dozen for softballs and about $5 for each Gorilla Gold package.
- "8 man rule": in order to continue to ensure minimal defaults (we had none in 2009), teams will be permitted to start games with 8 players. There will be no "auto-out". If the ninth player shows up late (or a lucky fan is found), then the team can insert this player in the ninth position in the line-up. However, if a team has only 9 players and one is ejected, the team will then forfeit the game. If a team has 9 players, and there is an injury and the player cannot continue, the team may still play with 8, but then the auto-out will apply.
- "Mercy rule": 7 after 5 or 6
- "2 out catcher rule": optional.
- "Discipline": Same as last year: first ejection player at a minimum receives a "yellow card" - next ejection automatically results in one game suspension, minimum. Each ejection will result in an umpire's report and a team's report. Suspension could be given for any ejection depending on severity. In the past few years this has not been a problem with the GOFL and hopefully that will continue.
- "Bat rule": The GOFL will use the ISF / ISC bat rule. Joe will provide information to all teams as to what bats are "banned" under this regulation. Any bat with the ISF stamp or ASA 2004 stamp would be legal.
- "Playoff eligibility": It was decided by a consensus that a player to be eligible to participate in the playoffs would need to participate in four regular season games. Teams can file an appeal prior to the playoffs, considering injuries or other factors and requests will be reviewed by the team representatives of the GOFL.
- "Pitching rule": continue with last year's pitching rule
- Other Softball Canada rules apply.
- There are no restrictions on team rosters (any player, junior, senior, etc. can play). Once a player participates in the league for one team, he cannot play for another team that season.
- There is no ISC Eastern Ontario Challenge Cup in 2010. GOFL can participate in the Ontario Challenge Cup in Mitchell (near Stratford) on Sept 17-19. Winner gets a berth to the 2011 Worlds.
- Eric will look into possible insurance coverage for the league that would be paid for on a team-by-team basis.

Umpires:


- Dave Norris is League Umpire in Chief (UIC) as well as Deputy Zone UIC. Harry MacIntyre is Deputy League UIC, Dave Herbst is the Zone UIC, George Findley is the assignor/treasurer.
- Dave is again asking for each team to sign a "letter of understanding" with the terms and conditions for the officials.
- Once again the umpires noted their preference for doubleheaders as much as possible.
- Payment time frames: May 1st (50% of regular season fees), June 15th (50% of regular season fees), July 15th (playoff payment).
- George Findley will schedule umpires and be the contact for rainouts and make up games. Any changes to the schedule to be communicated to George (copied to Dave N) and are the responsibility of the home team.
- Illegal bat rule: Dave asked for clarification - see later in the minutes.
- Tar on the softball - pitchers are not to use pine tar. Umpires will remove / have cleaned softballs that are getting dark - see later in the minutes re: Gorilla Gold.
- Umpire fees same as 2009 since we have a two year deal: $48 per man per game for singles, $45 per man per game for doubleheaders.
- Dave mentioned that there will be occasions where new officials will be "mentored" and given games to work in the GOFL.
- Dave stated that there were very few discipline problems with ejections etc. (only one in 2009) with the GOFL.
- For any concerns over performance of umpires, contact Dave N.

The GOFL annual winter meeting was held last week. Significant points of interest:

- Greely is moving to North Gower and will be known as the "Marlboroughs"
- North Gower will host the Showcase
- The semi-finals series will now be best-of-three in the interest of completing the season earlier
- The league has adopted a 4-game minimum for players to be eligible for the playoffs

See below for the full details.

GOFL meeting, 2010

Greater Ottawa Fastball League organizing meeting February 17, 2010 at I4C Office in Kanata

Attendees:
Adam Brown (WC Electric)
Tony Riches (Manotick)
Trevor Lahey (Manotick)
Steve Edgerton (Manotick)
Cory Morrison (Easton)
Dan Bradley (Stittsville)
John Craig (Stittsville)
Mike Barrett (Stittsville)
Will Mood (Blitz)
Derek Bergeron (Blitz)
Andrew Bruce (Blitz)
Neil Cooke (I4C Victory)
Eric Rosenquist (I4C Victory)
Joe McCleary (Quyon)
Gary Hargrove (Orleans)
Anil Hayne (North Gower)
Tyler Cox (North Gower)
Dave Norris (Umpires)

The qualifying tournaments and locations were released and the Eastern Ontario on will be held in Napanee.

Canada East ISC Qualifier – Napanee, ON

June 18-20, 2010
Berths: 2 ISC berths to highest finishing Canada East teams (additional berth may be available)
Format: Double-knockout
Entry Fee & Deadline: $365 CDN, payable to ISC Canada East – May 15, 2010 deadline
Local Contact: Karen Mills - millsk@limestone.on.ca
ISC Contact & Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com
UIC: Steve Bedard – sjbgolf@hotmail.com

Other Qualifiers

June 18-20, 2010
Canada East ISC Qualifier – Innerkip, ON
Berths: 2 ISC berths to highest finishing Canada East teams (additional berth may be available)
Format: Double-knockout
Entry Fee & Deadline: $365 CDN, payable to ISC Canada East – May 15, 2010 deadline
Local Contact: Tim Wright – twri7823@rogers.com
ISC Contact & Rep: Blair Setford – blairjs@rogers.com
UIC: Peter Kluszczynski – kluzzy@sympatico.ca

July 25-27, 2010
Port Huron, MI
Berths: 1 ISC berth to highest finishing Canada East team
Format: 3-game guarantee – Pool winners advance to elimination round
Entry fee: $375 - $400US depending on number of teams
Contact: Kurt Schieman – kurt.schieman@semcoenergy.com
UIC: Ted Germaine – teddyump57@yahoo.com
ISC Rep: Bill Hillhouse – houseofpitching@yahoo.com
Note: Berth for the above tournament is conditional on it being a joint qualifier between US East and Canada East with each region awarding 1 ISC berth to highest finishing team from the respective regions.

2010 Qualifiers for 2011 Berths

July 23-24, 2010
Travel League of Eastern Canada Playoff Tournament
Location: tba
Format: tba
Entry fee: included in league entry fee
Berths: 1 for 2011 ISC World Tournament – league winner (additional berth may be available)
League contact: David Bakker - bakkers@teksavvy.com
ISC Rep: Blair Setford - blairjs@rogers.com
UIC: Peter Kluszczynski - kluzzy@sympatico.ca

July 30 - Aug 1, 2010
OASA Intermediate Eliminations
Location: tba
Format: Modified double knockout
Entry fee and deadline: $465 Cdn, payable to OASA by June 10, 2010
Berth: 1 for 2011 ISC World Tournament
Local Contacts: Brad Thomson - bradthomson41@hotmail.com, 519-954-1269
ISC Contact: Joe Todd – ftode739@rogers.com
UIC: tba

July 17-19, 2010
Northern Ontario ISC Qualifier
Location: Sudbury, Ontario
Format: tba
Entry fee and deadline: $365 Cdn, payable to ISC Canada East by June 26, 2010
Berth: 1 for 2011 ISC World Tournament – minimum 8 teams for berth to be awarded
Local Contacts: Roger Legendre - er_legendre@sympatico.ca
ISC Contact: Blair Setford, ISC Canada East VP - blairjs@rogers.com
UIC: Larry Pederson - bluelight24@hotmail.com 705-897-1444

September 10-12, 2010
Eastern Canadians
Location: tba
Berths: 1 2011 ISC WT (tentative)

September 17-19, 2010
2010 Ontario Challenge Cup ISC Qualifier
Location: Mitchell, Ontario
Berths: 1 for 2011 ISC World Tournament – affiliated league teams only
Format: Double-knockout
Entry fee and deadline: $265 CDN – August 31, 2009
Local contact: Kory Dietz - jkdietz@quadro.net
ISC Rep: Joe Todd – ftode739@rogers.com
UIC: Paul Baier - wingman45@wightman.ca

Softball Canada, the national sport governing body for Fast Pitch, Slo-Pitch and Orthodox softball is seeking a dynamic individual to manage our Coaching program, to develop/implement initiatives in the school system and assist in the creation and operation of new programming.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Be responsible for the revision/editing of existing Coaching resources and creation of new resources to support volunteer coaches
• Evaluate and review Softball’s National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and complete the transition to the new NCCP
• Work with the Manager – Long Term Player Development on the creation of new coaching related programming and then be responsible for delivery of that programming (Pitching and Curriculum/Practice Guides)
• Investigate new avenues for the delivery of coaching education and identify new revenue streams
• Initiate development of an integrated softball in schools program
• Work closely with Provincial/Territorial partners to support the delivery of the National Coach Certification program (NCCP)
• Liaise with the Coaching Association of Canada and Sport Canada on related issues
• Develop a mentoring program for Master and Regional Pitching Instructors, Regional coaches and identify/assist potential future National Team coaches
• Organize additional professional development opportunities for coaches

The successful candidate will ideally possess:

• A post secondary degree in sport administration or coaching or equivalent area of study
• Knowledge of the Canadian sport system
• Coaching Experience and knowledge of technical aspects of softball
• Fully certified Level 3 in the old NCCP or Competition – Development in the new NCCP (or progressing towards that designation) or equivalent training/experience
• Proven administrative skills managing a variety of projects
• Familiarity with Long-Term Player Development principles and the ability to develop related programming
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office 2007)
• Outstanding communication skills (written and verbal) and excellent technical (softball) writing skills
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset for this position
• Experience working with volunteers and boards

This position is based in the Softball Canada office in Ottawa. Interested candidates are asked to submit their applications by mail or email, with cover letter and salary expectations by February 1, 2010 to:

Hugh Mitchener
Chief Executive Officer
Softball Canada
Suite 212 - 223 Colonnade Road
Ottawa, Ontario K2E 7K3
hmitchener@softball.ca

Happy New Year fastball friends!

On Saturday January 9th, the February, March and April home games will go on sale to the general public. As a friend of fastball, you have access to these games before the general public at reduced rates for the vast majority of games. If you are looking for a couple tickets, please check out the link www.capitaltickets.ca/sensgroups and enter the promo code SENGRPGOFL.

If you are looking to organize an outing of 10 or more, you can call me directly at 613-591-5404 or by email at allanj@ottawasenators.com

As you might see, some of the new features and functionality are now working. The following are some of them:

• Improved speed and performance of the sites - lots of code has been optimized and all known bugs have been fixed
• Text Messages via twitter - the site is now setup to use twitter to notify players and viewers of changes to games, schedules, events or other important information. If you have not signed up, it would be a good idea to do so at twitter.com/gofl_ca.
• All the league subsites are working well with lots of viewers checking them all out.
• There is now the ability to register events on the sites which will include tournaments, meetings, practices and other information for viewers and players alike
• Player and Team Profiles now contain an awards and achievements section and I will be updating each of them as I do more research to find out who has won what or been recognized over the past few years. There is already information in for the all-stars over the past few years. If you have any information that could be added, please forward it to me.

Enjoy the site!

Congratulations to the players voted to the 2009 All-Star teams for the Greater Ottawa Fastball League, as elected by the team representatives.

First Team:

Pitcher: Dan Bradley (Stittsville 56ers)
Catcher: Joe McCleary (Quyon Combat Flyers)
1st Base: Anil Hayne (Greely DNTW Eagles)
2nd Base: Joel Langford (Orleans Gators) (unanimous)
3rd Base: Nick Armitage (Quyon Combat Flyers)
Shortstop: Scott Herriot (Stittsville 56ers)
Designated Player: Will Mood (Ottawa Blitz)
Outfielder: Dan Jessiman (Stittsville 56ers) (unanimous)
Outfielder: Don Cox (Manotick Lomor Printers)
Outfielder: Darren Featherstone (Stittsville 56ers)

Second Team:

Pitcher: Drew Hathway (Quyon Combat Flyers)
Catcher: Dave Tubman (Ottawa Team Easton)
1st Base: Derick Bulley (Ottawa Blitz); Scott Jessiman, (Stittsville 56ers) (tie)
2nd Base: Andrew Bruce (Ottawa Blitz)
3rd Base: Kyle Gourgon (Ottawa Team Easton); John Craig (Stittsville 56ers) (tie)
Shortstop: Kevin McGuire (Carp I4C Victory)
Designated Player: Kyle Jamieson (Stittsville 56ers)
Outfielder: Calvin Medynski (Manotick Lomor Printers)
Outfielder: Cory Morrison (Ottawa Team Easton)
Outfielder: Ryan Bond (Stittsville 56ers)

In an effort to provide flexibility, stability and additional functionality for those teams that desire it, a league sub-site has been created for each of the teams in the league. Currently some teams already maintain their own websites, and this is not designed to replace those. Initially these sub-sites will be enabled or turn on for any of the teams that do not have their own websites. Information from the league site will flow easily into these new sites, while team reps and administrators will be able to post articles and events to their own sites.
These new sub-sites will have the ability to allow for the posting and displaying of the team sponsors and team related links. The sites will also contain articles that are specific to each of the teams.

The Sites available now are:

• Carp I4C Victory (carp.gofl.ca)
• Fitzroy Harbour West Carleton Electric (fitzroyfastball.gofl.ca)
• Greely DNTW Eagles (greely.gofl.ca)
• Manotick Lomor Printers (manotick.gofl.ca)
• Orleans Gators (orleans.gofl.ca)
• Ottawa Team Easton (easton.gofl.ca)
• Quyon Combat Flyers (quyon.gofl.ca)
• Stittsville 56ers (stittsville.gofl.ca)

These teams currently have their own sites:

• Ottawa Blitz (www.ottawablitz.ca)

These sites are just the fist step in many on implementing the new features for the league website. Although the sub-sites do not have historical information about the teams, I am going to work to get it in there. There may be some small bugs or glitches, but I will get them all worked out. Sponsors and team links will also be added.

I will be working on the team logos, so if you have any images of your teams, please forward them to me. The same goes for your sponsors images.

Each sub-site also has it's own counters and tracking system associated with it in order to provide details of the sites viewer and usage statistics.