ISC Male Developmental Fastball Program Announces 2000 Dates

ISC Male Developmental Fastball Program Announces 2000 Dates

The ISC Male Developmental Fastball Program (formerly named the ISC Youth Program) announced its North American tournament schedule for 2000.  ISC Male Developmental Fastball Vice-President Wayne Fisher and ISC Canadian Male Developmental Fastball Director Mike Goodridge are excited about the ISC's expanded slate of tournaments.

"There is no question that the ISC Male Developmental Program represents the future of the game we all love," said ISC President Ken Hackmeister. "The ISC is taking this program very seriously.  We plan to maximize our efforts to increase the number of boys and young men playing the game."

The ISC assumed a more aggressive role in the development of young men's fastball as a result of a key summit that occurred last August during the 1999 ISC Men's World Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa.  Approximately 50 concerned and interested individuals from throughout the United States and Canada attended the one-day summit to discuss the need to preserve and enhance men's fastpitch by developing a program for boys and young men. During its annual meeting, the ISC Board of Directors elected Wayne Fisher as Vice President for the redefined Male Developmental Program.

 "The best way to strengthen and sustain men's fastpitch at all levels of competition is by developing interest and talent among our young athletes," comments Wayne Fisher.  "You can't have a well-built house without a strong foundation, and we won't have a strong foundation in men's fastpitch unless we encourage boys and young men to pursue the sport."

The Developmental Program, created to breathe new life into men's fastpitch, has increased the number of U19 tournaments and has also added an incentive program to benefit newly formed U19 teams.

The year 2000 will see seven continental tournaments in five age divisions, to be held at five different sites throughout the United States and Canada.  The full complement of male youth fastball events, listed elsewhere in this publication, consists of one Jr. Men's 23 & Under, three Under-19 Boys', and one each at 16-U, 14-U, and 12-U Boys' Fastball championships.

The 16-U, 14-U, and 12-U tournaments, to be played July 21 - 23 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a new venture for the ISC Male Developmental Fastball Program.  The ISC decided to provide tournaments for these age brackets when the North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) announced its decision last Fall to discontinue its boys' fastpitch program.

2-2-2-2-2
ISC Male Developmental Fastball Program Announces 2000 Dates

The ISC Male Developmental Fastball Program also plans to include a three-or four-team playoff among the winners of the three ISC Under-19 Boys' North American Fastball Tourneys, which will be held in Calgary, Alberta (Western Tournament; June 9-11), Frankenmuth, Michigan (Central Tournament; July 14-16), and Moncton, New Brunswick (Eastern Tournament; July 21-23). ISC officials are also pleased to be announce that the 2000 Jr. Men's 23 & Under Tournament will be held at Caswell Park in North Mankato, Minnesota, site of the 1990 ASA Major Men's Fastpitch National Tournament.

Also at work to stimulate participation is Schutt Sports of Litchfield, Illinois, an official sponsor of the International Softball Congress and its Male Developmental Fastball Program.  Schutt Sports will provide new softball equipment, valued at $500, to five U19 teams newly formed in 2000.  Applications to participate in this innovative incentive program may be obtained from Wayne Fisher.

To further assist in the Male Developmental Fastball Program, the ISC has instituted a commissioner system.  Several men's fastball mentors throughout the United States and Canada have accepted appointments as Youth Deputy Commissioners.  It will be the responsibility of the Youth Deputy Commissioners to promote and encourage the development of male fastpitch talent and competitive teams in their states and provinces.  Youth Deputy Commissioners, appointed jointly by Fisher and Hackmeister, are ex officio members of the ISC Board of Directors.

Current Youth Deputy Commissioners include: Del Benson (Michigan), Bob Evans (Montana), Eric Lewis (Missouri), Tom Looft (Minnesota), Rich Markham (California), Steve Morgan (Arizona), Dave Parker (Wyoming), Terry Rudd (Illinois), Bob Smith (Washington), Bob Tomlinson (Wisconsin), Vince Trivelpiece (Pennsylvania), and Roger Utley (South Dakota).

Contact information for the Youth Deputy Commissioners will soon be available on the ISC Web page.  In the interim, anyone interested in serving as a Youth Deputy Commissioner in their state or province, or anyone interested in forming young men's fastball teams may contact either Wayne Fisher (319-351-2429; wpfisher@home.com) or Mike Goodridge (905-387-4730; goodies@netcom.ca).

Specific information about the tournaments, including the tournament registration form, can be found on the ISC Internet Web page: www.fastpitch-softball.com. For additional questions, you may contact Wayne Fisher.

02/17/00