Hill United Chiefs Number One in PreSeason Rankings

Defending Champions Chiefs Enter Season at #1

Hill United Chiefs are the unanimous #1 in the ISC Pre-Season Rankings as they begin the defense of their ISC World Tournament title.

The newly named Bear Creek Gremlins were the unanimous #2 ranked team, with the NorthEast Drillers, Bear Creek Express, and JDT First Energy rounding out the Top 5.

The Rankers see substantial improvement from the Ostrander Norsemen, jumping to 6th in the rankings after finishing 13th at the 2024 ISC World Tournament. Toronto Batmen, Kegel Black Knights, STK Fastball and Midland Explorers round out the Top 10.

Due to the compressed 2025 season, the Final Rankings will be released following the June 27 weekend, with the being 2025 ISC World Tournament schedule coming shortly thereafter.

The ISC rankings committee is overseen by Greg Nydick, Rich Haldane and Bill Berkenpass. Committee members have been selected from across North America and is comprised of players, coaches, administrators and associates. We hope this diverse selection balances each other out and allows for all teams to have rankers that see them.

Here's the full rankings list and below is the raw data from the committee.

1 Ohsweken, ON Hill United Chiefs

2 Chippewa of the Thames, ON Bear Creek Gremlins

3 Richmond, VA Northeast Drillers

4 Chippewa of the Thames, ON Bear Creek Express

5 Chippewa of the Thames, ON JDT First Energy

6 Lake Crystal, MN Ostrander Norsemen

7 Toronto, ON Batmen

8 Fargo, ND Kegel Black Knights

9 Kamloops, BC STK Fastball

10 Midland, MI Explorers

11 Amsterdam, NY Team 518

12 Waterdown, ON Hammer

13 Pueblo, CO Bandits

14 Stevens, PA Sandlot

15 Olympia, WA Lacey A's

16 Wiarton, ON Georgian Bay Giants

17 Fond du Lac, WI AHI Reapers

18 Kingston, ON Axemen

19 Appleton, WI Bar Buzz

20 Houston, TX Aces

21 Townsend, ON Tide

22 Sebringville, ON Sting

23 Walton, ON Brewers

24 Seattle, WA Dirt Dogs

25 Cross Lake, MB CanWest Thunder

26 Brisbane, AU Southside Stingers

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Scott McDonald: Veteran Leader on the Mound for the Walton Brewers

By Brian Eradus • May 27, 2025

At 40 years old , Scott McDonald is the definition of a seasoned competitor. A pitcher for the Walton Brewers , Scott has spent decades around the game, and in 2025, he’s not just lacing up his cleats—he’s helping guide the next generation of talent in one of fastpitch’s most storied tournaments: the ISC World Tournament . A Life Built Around the Game Scott’s journey in fastpitch began before he even truly understood it. “My parents took me to games from a young age—my dad Rick McDonald played,” he recalls. “I was just five years old when I started.” Following in his father’s footsteps, Scott found himself drawn to the competitive fire of the sport. Over the years, that competitive nature helped him thrive on the mound and build a reputation as a player who not only performs under pressure but also leads with purpose . A Pitcher, Mentor, and Builder of the Game Now one of the most experienced players in the Brewers’ dugout, Scott sees his role shifting. “I’m doing less playing and more coaching ,” he says. “I want to grow the team , help develop younger players, and pass on what I’ve learned.” He’s focused on teaching the finer points of the game—especially how to approach challenges mentally and tactically. His on-deck routine and superstition—“ Right cleat on first ”—might be a small detail, but it represents the kind of structure and preparation he instills in others.

Weekend Recap: Grass Valley Greens and Pueblo Bandits Win ISC Qualifiers

By Brian Eradus • May 26, 2025

This past weekend, two major ISC qualifier tournaments took place — showcasing top-tier talent, fierce competition, and memorable moments on the road to the ISC World Tournament. Clark Evans Memorial ISC Qualifier (US West Qualifier) Location: Newberg, Oregon The Clark Evans Memorial saw a strong field of competitors battling for the top spot. After a weekend of intense matchups, the Grass Valley Greens emerged victorious, edging out K-Club in a tense 1-0 final. Pitching and defense ruled the day, as both teams put on a masterclass of tight, disciplined play. Final Standings: 1️⃣ GV Greens 2️⃣ K-Club 3️⃣ Westside Jacks 4️⃣ NW Braves 5️⃣ MT Pine Bettles 6️⃣ MT Young Guns Congratulations to the Grass Valley Greens on their impressive tournament run! Joe Santos Memorial Tournament Location: Pueblo, Colorado In Pueblo, the Pueblo Bandits claimed the Joe Santos Memorial title with a decisive 3-1 victory over Shock . Bandits’ starting pitcher Gus Valdes was dominant, going the full six innings and surrendering only three hits. The big blow came in the third inning when catcher Alex Del Valle launched a crucial 3-run homerun , ultimately sealing the win. Shock managed to push across a single run in the fourth, but Valdes closed the door, finishing the game in style with a strikeout. These tournaments continue to highlight the competitive spirit and talent across ISC fastpitch. Stay tuned for more qualifier results as teams battle for their place at the ISC World Tournament ! 👉 Follow all the action at: iscfastpitch.com