AFW Early Bird Tournament in Napanee, ON
Blair Setford • December 27, 2022
Napanee AFW Tournament is Canada East Qualifier

The AFW Men’s Open Tournament is taking place May 19-21 in Napanee at the Fairgrounds Sports Complex. Registration is now open for Men's, U23 and U20 teams. Winner of the Men's division will get a berth in the 2023 ISC World Tournament. Entry fee is $600 CAD. For more info, click here or contact Ryan Reynolds or Cory Brooks.

At just 24 years old, Gian Paolo Ferrari is poised to make a major impact on the international fastpitch stage. Wearing jersey #48 , Gian Paolo heads into the 2025 ISC season with the Sandlot Merchants after playing with the NW Braves last year—bringing a powerful arm, sharp focus, and unshakable determination to every outing. A Chance Encounter That Sparked a Career Gian Paolo’s journey into fastpitch began unexpectedly. A Guatemalan pitching coach saw him casually trying pitching motions and told him, “You’ve got some wood to work with.” That invitation to the coach’s academy set Gian Paolo on a path toward elite competition. Inspired by his dad and mentored early by respected names like Sergio Vargas and Alain Roman , Gian Paolo learned the value of persistence: “Keep working, even if things don’t go as expected.” Personal and Team Goals for 2025 For Gian Paolo, the upcoming season is all about solidifying his role as a reliable starting pitcher and helping the Sandlot Merchants break into the ISC Top 10. He’s focusing on hitting specific spots with the ball, refining his pitching precision, and growing stronger alongside his teammates. “We’re developing together, and that makes us dangerous,” he says confidently.