Ontario Fastpitch News

Written by OntFast Saturday, 07 August 2010 06:47

Written by Ray Alviano Saturday, 07 August 2010 06:34

The Kitchener Krush Women’s Softball team has announced the end of their existence. That decision means they will not return to defend their national title they won last season. It also brings to a close one of the most successful runs for senior women’s softball teams in Kitchener’s history.

The Krush have participated in five consecutive Senior Canadian Championships and own two gold medals, a bronze and a fourth-place. Many of the players from last season decided that playing in and winning the 2009 Championship in Kitchener was the highlight of their careers and fulfilled the dream of many to finish before their home fans.

“I have never experienced the emotion I had with the crowd clapping, cheering and standing as I threw to that last batter,” said all-star pitcher Erin Thomas. “It was a moment I’ll never forget.” Although the Krush story ends, a new era in Senior Women’s ball starts in the area. Civitan Sports has named the defending Canadian Junior Champions Cambridge Coyotes to step in as the 2010 tournament host team. The former Junior Coyotes will move up to the senior level and relocate to Kitchener as they carry on the senior tradition that has been established over the years.

The team will continue with the Coyotes name in recognition of their past connection with Cambridge women’s softball. This team is highly competitive and will bring the same level of skill and excitement to softball fans. They will be one of 10 teams participating in the Canadian Championships Aug. 11-15 at Peter Hallman Ball Yard in Kitchener.

The Coyotes compiled a 7-1 record at the 2009 Junior Nationals held in St. Catharines and defeated Port Perry Angels in the championship game. Highlight of the championship was a no-hitter pitched by the Coyotes’ Shannon Galea against Calahoo, Alberta. Galea captured the tournament MVP honors and was also named to the all-star team as a pitcher. Others selected for the all-star team were catcher Julieanne Proniuk, and 2B Julie MacKenzie.

All three all-stars are back with the team, along with Erika Paulsen, Kelly Craig, Meghan Chenoweth, Tressa Williamson, Daniella Abdilla, Jodie Waltho, Sam Malone and Vanessa Homiac. Newcomers to the Coyotes are Shannon Cartier, Cori Simpson and Nicole Demers.

The team coaching staff remains intact. Paddy Ryan is the head coach with assistance from Gord Shorey and Steve Bottoms. Joining the staff this year is Kevin Fagg, who coached the WLU Golden Hawks women’s fastpitch team which won the national championship last year.

Asked about his thoughts on moving from the junior ranks to senior, Bottoms felt the timing was right. “We moved to senior so that we wouldn’t lose our overage players,” said Bottoms. “Also, it was an opportunity to be the host team in this year’s senior nationals.” So far, the Coyotes have enjoyed success at the senior level. In two tournaments to date, they were victorious in Newmarket and took runner-up honors in Ancaster.

Written by OntFast Monday, 02 August 2010 17:21

On Sunday, July 18, the Senior Womens Whitby Eagles Fastball team sponsored by Hanet Plastics and V.R. Mechanical captured the Ontario Provincial Gold medal, defeating the Guelph Gators for the Crown.

The Provincial Fastball tournament took place in Port Perry, Ontario at the Joe Farrow Diamonds on the Port Perry waterfront, July 16 - 18, 2010

To gain the title the Eagles, played in a double knock out tournament.

On Friday they defeated the Pickering Heat, by a score of 3 - 1. Maria Greco was the winning pitcher. Kali Burnham was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI's and; Karen McWilliams, Rhea Jankowski, Jessie Harris and Kayla Maclean each had a hit.

They followed that up on Saturday defeating the London Mustangs 5 - 1. Maria Greco was the winning pitcher after coming in for Krissy Miles who threw 6 solid innings for Whitby. Carolyn Moore was 3 for 4 with 3 RBI's; Jessie Harris, Ali Lynette-Krech; Becky Mason and Rhea Jankowski were 2 for 4. This win qualified Whitby for the Canadian Nationals in Kitchener August 11 - 15, 2010.

Saturday night the Eagles met the Guelph Gators for the first time. Unfortunately the Eagles fell to the Gators 10 - 4 in the night game giving them their first lose of the Tournament. Ali Lynette-Krech and Carolyn Moore were 2 for 3 and Jessie Harris, Karen McWilliams and Becky Mason each had a single. This put Whitby down in the Loser side and they would have to play Sunday morning.

Sunday morning the Eagles entertained the Kitchener Coyotes - dominating the game by a 5 - 1 score. Maria Greco the winning pitcher. Ali Lynette-Krech was 3 for 4, Carolyn Moore was 2 for 3; Kali Burnham, Karen McWilliams, Jessie Harris, Sam Roelofsen and Bailey Corneal each had a single hits. This win set up a rematch with the Guelph Seniors.in the Gold medal game against Guelph, while the Coyotes were awarded Bronze.

The Eagles entered the gold medal game with one lose while Guelph had none. In order to win the Gold the Eagles would have to win back to back games against the Gators or settle for Silver.

The game started with the the teams trading runs through the early innings, then Whitby finally took the lead in the bottom of the 7th to win the game 6 - 5.. This gave the Guelph Gators their first lose Rhea Jankowski was 2 for 2 with a Home Run and a triple for 4 RBI's. Kali Burnham and Ali Lynette-Krech were 3 for 3 and Jessie Harris 2 for 3. The winning pitcher was Carling Beninger.

This forced a second game. The Eagles came out pounding the ball in the second game to take the Gold downing the Guelph Gators by a score of 9 - 3. The winning pitcher was Maria Greco. Rhea Jankowski was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI's. Ali Lynette-Krech was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI's and Becky Mason and Kali Burnham were 2 for 4. Whitby is Gold!!!!

The Top Pitcher at the Tournament was Maria Greco of the Eagles.

The Eagles will now represent Ontario as Ontario #1 at the Canadian National Tourament to be held in Kitchener, Ontario August 11 - 16, 2010. The tournament will see teams from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, as well as the Ontario Silver and Bronze Medalists. 

Written by OntFast Sunday, 04 July 2010 19:29

The schedules for the Provincial Qualifiers and Grand Championships have been posted for your convenience in PDF format and can be found from the link in the left menu under Provincial Draws 2010.

Written by OntFast Thursday, 17 June 2010 18:32

The 27th Annual Cam Mitchell Memorial Tournament will be held this weekend at the Ancaster Community Center diamonds. The tournament features top Senior, Intemediate and Junior teams as well as a number of Midget entries. Should be a great weekend so if you're close by drop in and watch a few games.

Written by OntFast Thursday, 17 June 2010 18:23

Welcome to the  Can-Am Softball School (level I). We invite you to be a part of the most exciting, progressive, hands-on clinic designed for softball players between 10-18 yrs of age.

This two day clinic focuses on teaching youth softball players the proper fundamentals and diagnosing and correcting flaws that may be hampering their game. Day one focuses on sliding. throwing, catching, fielding both infield and outfield, hitting and bunting. Day two features base running,pitching and catching. In addition to the fundamentals and mechanics of the game teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship will be emphasized, making this the total clinic experience for players of all levels and abilities.

Clinic Dates: Thurs July 22 from 9am-3pm and Fri July 23 from 9am-noon
Location: Ancaster Community Center
Lunch and water is provided on Thurs.
Cost: $40
Instructors: Mark Ceci (Asst Coach of Mohawk College Girls Fastball)
Kevin Walkowski (Head Coach of Erie Community College Girls Softball, Buffalo,NY)

If interested please RSVP Mark Ceci by July 20, 2010
at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 905-389-5790 include child's name,age,and team/league

Written by OntFast Tuesday, 15 June 2010 19:28

Written by Doug Parry Wednesday, 02 June 2010 18:06

California University of Pennsylvania senior pitchers Sonia Petrosoniak (Mississauga, Ontario/Clarkson) and Lauren Shaheen (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield), along with senior outfielder Julie Mackenzie (Mississauga, Ontario/Meadowvale), were each selected ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans, announced the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on Wednesday morning.

The Vulcans led the entire country with its three Academic All-Americans. It marks the first time in school history that multiple student-athletes from the same sport received the prestigious academic honor during the same year. The Cal U softball program leads all sports in the rich athletic history at Cal U with six Academic All-Americans.

Petrosoniak became the softball program’s second multi-time Academic All-American, joining former pitcher Rochelle Dierkes (1995-96). A third-team selection this season after receiving first-team honors in 2009, she received her degree in international studies with a perfect 4.00 GPA earlier this month. For the season, Petrosoniak made 14 appearances (five starts) and finished with a 2-1 record and 2.79 ERA in 37.2 innings of work. She concluded her career ranked among the all-time leaders with 80 appearances (40 starts) and 205 strikeouts.

Written by Doug Parry Wednesday, 02 June 2010 17:59

Canusa games (which this year are in Flint, Michigan) are in need of coaches for their 14U and 16U girls softball teams.
 
The dates are August 6, 7, 8 2010
 
If interested or if you know someone whom may be interested please have them contact Alana Henderson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   asap

Written by Doug Parry Friday, 28 May 2010 18:11