ISC Welcomes New Personnel

Blair Setford • February 9, 2025

Three New Commissioners, Three Player Reps & One Specialist

 The ISC is pleased to welcome three new commissioners, three player reps and a new specialist to the organization as we continue to evolve to make the ISC World Tournament better than ever.


Chris Hopewell, Elmsdale, NS, joins us as Regional Commissioner for Atlantic Canada. Chris is currently president of Softball Nova Scotia and is active in the men’s game with the Shooters Bar & Grill Men’s League, the top league in the province, and also coaches the Nova Scotia Mastodons, the 2017 Canadian Champions. In his spare time, he co-hosts the popular Outside the Chute podcast.


Ferdi Nelissen, Portage La Prairie, MB, re-joins the ISC as a Canada West Regional Commissioner after serving a 17-year stint as a commissioner and VP through 1990s and 2000s. Ferdi, who was elected to the ISC Hall of Fame in 2018, is an active volunteer in Manitoba Hockey and in other organizations in his home province.


Scott Perry, Oshawa, ON, is joining the ISC as a Regional Commissioner in Canada East. Scott has previously been the coach of the Toronto Batmen and currently suits up for the Cobourg Force Legends team. Well known in one of the game’s hotbeds in Ontario, Scott will work with closely with Canada East personnel to continue the pipeline of teams in ISC.


Brian Eradus, Vancouver, BC, comes aboard as Communications Specialist and will apply his top-notch talents to expanding the ISC’s presence even further on social media, conducting additional out-reach to players and teams. If you saw any of the social media presence from Softball City for the 2024 ISC World Tournament, then you’ve seen Brian’s excellent work!


Shane Boland, St. John’s, NL, is the newest player representative from Atlantic Canada. Shane, currently a member of the defending ISC World Champions Hill United Chiefs, has been playing in the ISC since 2012.


Jeff Lyons, Glencoe, ON, joins as a player representative for Canada East. Jeff, who played with Bear Creek Express in 2024, has participated in the ISC for the last decade with multiple Ontario teams.


Chris Norris, St. George, UT, is joining the ISC as a player rep in US West. Chris has played for the Pueblo Bandits for many years and is the Director of Player Development for the softball team at Utah Tech.


Welcome aboard to all of our new personnel – we look forward to your contributions!


You can find all of the ISC commissioners, specialists and player reps on the ISC website Contact page at: www.iscfastpitch.com




By Brian Eradus May 20, 2025
Kelowna, BC – Under the sunny skies of British Columbia’s Okanagan region, the GP Pirates emerged victorious at the 2025 Kelowna May Days ISC Qualifier , defeating the Sooke Loggers 2–0 in a tightly contested championship final held at King Stadium . In a classic pitching duel, Steven Normand took the ball for the Pirates and delivered a brilliant shutout performance against Sooke ace Devon McCullough . The game remained tense and scoreless until Sam Burns broke it open with a solo home run, giving the Pirates a 1–0 lead. An RBI by Corey Jones in the top of the seventh added crucial insurance, sealing the win and the tournament title. The Loggers, who had dominated their pool with shutout wins over the GP Pirates, Prince George River Kings, and Seattle Dirt Dogs, reached the final by blanking STK Fastball 3–0 in the semifinal. The Pirates earned their ticket to the championship with back-to-back playoff wins, including a 4–2 semifinal victory over the Lacey A’s.
By Brian Eradus May 19, 2025
At 25 years old , Tyler Damon is stepping into a key leadership role as the starting catcher for the newly named Kegel Black Knights . A fast-rising talent from Madison, Wisconsin , Tyler is ready to help guide his team through a competitive 2025 season and into the heart of international play with Team USA . When he’s not behind the plate, you’ll find him hunting, golfing, or hitting the ice for a game of hockey. Professionally, Tyler works in property maintenance —but on the field, he’s all business. A Baseball Turned Fastpitch Journey Tyler made the switch to fastpitch at 18 years old , shortly after wrapping up his baseball career. “I grew up watching my dad play, and that’s what got me into it,” he explains. “The biggest challenge early on was adjusting to the speed—fastpitch is a completely different pace compared to baseball.” His father’s guidance and example lit the spark, but it was Tyler’s own dedication that helped him rise through the ranks. And now, his presence behind the plate is a steadying force for one of the most competitive teams in the game.