Game 1 of the 56ers vs. Broadway Blues series went last night at the Alexander Grove park in Stittsville. Pick it up in the top of the first when Joe Allan singled and was moved to second on a Jordan Adams sac bunt, but that was as close as he got as the 56ers retired 2 of the next 3 to end the inning. Stittsville was quiet in the first with a lone single by Dan Jessiman and Barrhaven matched in the top of the second when Smith reached first on an error only to have Featherstone retire the side.

Stittsville took the lead in the second on a single by Scott Jessiman and Dan Bradley's double cashed him in. Manotick followed up immediately with another Allan single and a walk to Steve Edgerton and both scored on a Calvin Medynski single, Blue lead 2-1. Manotick picked up another run in the 4th when Allan's third single of the game cashed in Adams, and they grabbed another in the 5th on singles from Edgerton, Don Cox, and C. Medynski now leading 4-1.

56ers loaded the bases in the 3rd but were unable to cash in and despite adding a run in the 5th the bats went pretty quiet through the 4th 5th, and 6th. The Blues added what was hoped to be insurance in the top of the 7th as Cox scored off singles to C. Medynski and Adams taking a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the 7th.

Stittsville found their bats in the 7th when Scott Herriot singled, Ryan Bond drew a walk and Dan Jessiman then singled cashing in (Dirty) Herriot- 5-3. Featherstone then hit a blooper to shallow right and Bond and D. Jessiman were forced to tag up as Jessiman just beat the throw into second. S. Jessiman kept things rolling driving in 2 with a single to tie the game as D. Jessiman scored from second on a crafty head first wide sweeping slide into home, all square at 5. After going down 0-2 in the count Scott Parsons belted a 3 run walk off shot to hand the 56ers the win.

The score sheet shows 8-5 but the game was much closer with Featherstone picking up the win and Lahey gets the loss. Game 2 goes next Wednesday in Mantock at 8.

Notables-Manotick:
J. Allan, 3 for 4, 1R, 1RBI
C. Medynski 3 for 4, 2RBI

Stittsville:
D. Jessiman 4 for 4, 1R, 2 RBI
R. Bond 1 for 3, BB, 2R
S. Jessiman 2 for 3, 2R, 2RBI
S. Parsons, 3 run HR

The GOFL regular season in now in the books for 2010. The final standings will be as follows:

1. Kars Aces 16-3-0 32pts
2. Quyon Combat Flyers 14-4-3 31pts
3. Carp I4C Victory 11-7-3 25pts
4. Stittsville 56ers 11-9-1 23pts
5. Barrhaven Broadway Blues 7-12-2 16pts
6. Ottawa Blitz 6-13-2 14pts
7. Fitzroy Harbour West Carleton Electric 6-14-1 13pts
8. North Gower Marlboroughs 2-11-6 10pts

First round matchups are best-of-three and will be as follows.

Kars vs North Gower
Since the final doubleheader of the season will not be played between these two teams in the interest of getting the playoffs started, the Aces and Marlies only faced each other once this season, a 10-3 win for Kars on July 6.
Game 1: North Gower at Kars - Weds Aug 11 in Manotick 9pm
Game 2: Kars at North Gower - Tues Aug 17 in North Gower 8pm
Game 3: TBD

Quyon vs Fitzroy Harbour
The cross-border rivals will face each other in a series affected by the fact that the Flyers will be at the ISC Worlds in Michigan, hence the long break between game 1 and game 2. The season series was lopsided this season, as Quyon defeated WC Electric by scores of 7-0 on May 6, 8-0 on June 18, and 7-3 in the Harbour Days game on July 2.
Game 1: Fitzroy at Quyon - Tues Aug 10 in Quyon 7:30pm
Game 2: Quyon at Fitzroy - Mon Aug 23 in Fitzroy 7:30pm
Game 3: Fitzroy at Quyon - Tues Aug 24 in Quyon 7:30pm (if necessary)

Carp vs. Ottawa
While these two teams were separated by 11 points in the standings, the season series was evenly split. The first game was a 5-5 tie on May 12, Carp won 8-2 on June 10 and the Blitz won 6-4 on July 22.
Game 1: Carp at Blitz - Wed Aug 11 in Manotick 7pm
Game 2: Blitz at Carp - Thur Aug 12 in Carp 8:30pm
Game 3: TBD

Stittsville vs. Barrhaven
The 56ers had the advantage in this series, taking two games and tying another. The doubleheader on June 9 was a sweep by Stittsville with a 9-2 win in the opener and a 2-0 rain shortened victory in the nightcap. On July 7 the teams tied at 8-8.
Game 1: Barrhaven at Stittsville - Wed Aug 11 in Stittsville 8:30pm
Game 2: Stittsville at Barrhaven - Wed Aug 18 in Manotick 8pm
Game 3: TBD

The 3rd Annual Gil Read Memorial Fastball Tournament is now only two weeks away!!! The tournament is being held at the Carp Fairgrounds in West Carleton from July 23rd to the 25th and will showcase some of the best fastball players in Eastern Ontario and Quebec. Here is the link for directions, http://tiny.cc/carpdirections. For those of you not familiar with the Gil Read Memorial Foundation, our objective is to give back to local athletes who are unable to afford their respective sports for various reasons. Please visit our website at www.gilreadmemorial.com .

We are still short about 20 to 25 volunteers and could use your support. If you are interested in selling some tickets, flipping a hamburger or two or even announcing or scorekeeping a game we would love you hear from you! – For players I’ve included in this email, if your significant other or any family member would like to help out, please let us know. The volunteer shift is only 4 hours long (or 2 games if you’re announcing or scorekeeping) and all the proceeds go to the charity.

If you, or somebody you know is interested, please contact me by email at aread@lwlaw.com AND Peter Read at pread@rogers.com who will be organizing all the time slots. We’d love to have your support.

For those of you who would simply like to help out by attending the tournament to watch a game or two and enjoy a cold beer and burger, we’ll see you at the park in a couple of weeks.

If you would like more information, Please let me know.

Thanks to everyone for all your help.

Al Read

The 56ers were Manotick last night against the Ottawa Blitz and while they were happy to pick up the 2 points it was a tough night for Tyler Nystedt.

Pick it up in the top of the first when John Craig reached first on a walk just in time to be part of Dan Jessiman's 2 run blast giving the 56ers a 2-0 lead, his 3rd of the season. Darren Feather-Stalone then singled and Kyle Jamieson (KJ) picked up a walk setting the table for Nystedt. A patient Nystedt looking for his pitch got to a full count only to be rung up on a pitch that crossed the plate somewhere around his shoe laces, at which point he shared some advice with the umpire.

With runners still at 1st and 2nd one aging Jamieson lumbered around the bases making it all the way from first to third on a Scott Jessiman double before stopping for oxygen. Derek Bulley then settled in 3 was all the 56ers could manage in the first.

Russ Mitchell lead things off for the Blitz with a line drive single but was thrown out at second on the next play when Andrew Bruce tried to bunt him over. Bruce reached first on the play and that would be it for base runners for the Blitz in the first.

The 56ers couldn't get much going through the next 3 innnings and the Blitz picked up 1 in the second on singles from Tony Searle, and Jamie Blakely.

In the top of the 5th KJ belted his third homerun of the season, a solo shot to left field putting th 56ers up 4-1. That brought a disgruntled Nystedt back to the plate for his third appearance. Tyler then pounded a ground ball off his own foot which changed direction and ended up in Will Martin's glove at first base. Nystedt was still hobbling around the box when he was called out at first, and just couldn't believe it. He argued to no avail the ball hit his foot and was mostly upset that his honest reputation was being called into question asking the umpire if he was calling him a liar. Craig scrambled onto the field to rescue Tyler as the they only had 9 players and after the umpires refused to discuss t he play, the call stood. One can only imagine the top of the 6th and 7th were quiet innings behind the plate.

Other game highlights include a diving catch by Ottawa Blitz left fielder Derek Bergeron, and a crafty over the shoulder basket catch by 56ers Scott Herriot in shallow left which he then flipped back to second for a double play. Kyle Jamieson also grabbed a shallow bunt that he flipped back to first in one of four 56ers double plays.

That pretty well wrapped it up as the 56ers pick up a 4-1 victory where Featherstone had the win, and a loss to Bulley.

Game 1

Stittsville 9 Barrhaven 2

Billy Gerber took to the mound for the 56ers in the first game of a double hitter in Manotick. Herriot scored in the first for the 56ers with Barrhaven countering in the bottom. From then on the game was tied at 1-1 thru 5 innings of play with a pitching dual between Gerber and Ceppi. In the 5th the 56ers used some rarely seen small ball to get a run across. Nystedt singled to lead off the inning moving to 2B on a perfect Sac bunt by Laddy. Gerber followed by driving a hard single up the middle to score the run. In the 6th the 56ers got another run which saw Junior Jessiman single to lead off the inning, Featherstone hitting into a FC. This brought Kyle Jamieson to the plate in a dreadful slump which he promptly broke out of by lining a single to centre field moving Featherstone to third. Nystedt followed this up with a single driving in the go ahead run. In the 7th the 56ers broke it open when Gerber doubled to lead off the inning followed by Herriot hitting a triple off the wall in center field. Craig and Featherstone followed with hard singles. Jamieson then stepped to the plate and put his slump to bed by rediscovering last years power driving a ball over the right field fence on what one fan described as a moon shot. Bradley finished off the inning hitting a triple to center after a long drawn out at bat. Barrhaven countered in the 7th with a run before Gerber got out of the inning with a ground ball.

Game Stats

Herriot 3-3 with 2 3B
Craig 1-4
FeatherStone 1-4
Jamieson 2-4 HR
Bradley 2-4 2B 3B
Nystedt 2-4
Gerber 2-3 2B

Game 2

Stittsville 2 Barrhaven 0

The rain finally came in the second game of the double hitter limiting the game to 1 complete inning. The 56ers got off to an early start by two walks to Craig and Junior Jessiman. A wild pitch moved them over before Featherstone singled to Right to score the 2 runs. In the bottom of the first Barrhaven threatened but Featherstone got a ground ball to get out of the inning stranding two Barrhaven runners.

Game Stats

Featherstone 1-1 2RBI

North Gower jumped out to an early start in the first inning with Shannon Borho doubling to score Nick Bowman. Manotick tied things up in the third inning and would jump to a 3-1 lead in the fifth. Gord Flannery came in to start the sixth and shut down down the Blues. However, the Blues would get 5 in the 7 to take an 8-1 lead. Nick Bowman would replace Gord to finish off the inning.

After giving up a run in the first, Paul Ceppi struck out the next 7 batters. He finished with 12 strikeouts on the evening.

Barrhaven Broadway Blues
Joe Allan 3-5 2R 2B SB
Jordan Adams 2-3 R RBI SAC
Trevor Power R 2RBI SAC
Trevor Lahey 2-4 R HR 3RBI
Monty Davis 2-4
Rob Soublier 2-4 R

Kars top Blitz in first half of double dip in Manotick

The Blitz opened the scoring in the bottom of 1 as Andrew Bruce walked, stole second then scored as the throw to the bag ended up in shallow left. Kars responded with 6 runs in the top of the 2nd. Chad Milne and Cory Morrison hit back to back homerun's then singles by Andy Davey, Kurtis Summers, Scott Marion followed by a 3 run inside the park homer by Kristian Knapp put the visitors up 6-1. After the Blitz made it 6-2 Kars added two more runs as Milne and Morrison walked then were plated by singles off the bats of Davey and Summers. In the 4th Will Mood replaced Derek Bulley on the mound and Kevin Chevrier singled, Dave Tubman was HBP, Chad Milne Tripled, then Cory Morrison singled to put Kars up 11-2. The Blitz chased Kars starter Brad Porter in their half of the 4th by scoring 5 runs to put the score at 11-7. Cory Alkerton pitched the last 3 innings giving up 1 run to earn the save. Final score was Kars 11 Blitz 8.

Blitz Pitchers
Derek Bulley 3IP 8Runs 8Hits 2BB 3K's
Will Mood 4IP 3Runs 3Hits 1BB 6K's

Kars Aces
Kristian Knapp R HR 3RBI
Chad Milne 2-3 3R 3B HR 3RBI BB
Cory Morrison 2-3 2R HR 2RBI BB
Andy Davey 2-4 R RBI
Kurtis Summers 2-4 R RBI
Scott Marion 1-2 R RBI BB

Ottawa Blitz
Russ Mitchel 2-4 R RBI
Will Mood 1-1 R BB
Derick Bulley 3-4 2R RBI
Jamie Blakely 2-4
Brett Dugan 1-1 RBI
Ron Hrycak R 2B 2RBI

After a short delay, the stats on the site now appear to be working. Teams will be entering them from their past few games, so I expect that they will be up to date in less than a week. if there are any issues, let me know.

The former Manotick Lomor Printers will now be known as the Barrhaven Broadway Blues, as per an announcement today from team captain Tony Riches.

Trevor Power of the Broadway restaurant in Barrhaven is the new sponsor of the veteran GOFL team. Visit the sponsor site at http://www.broadwaybarrhaven.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.