Kitchener Awarded 2026 ISC World Tournament
Blair Setford • January 29, 2025
Kitchener Hosting for Sixth Time in 2026
The ISC is excited to announce the 2026 World Tournament will be returning to Kitchener, ON!
“It will be eight years since we last visited Kitchener and we’re looking forward to returning to such a hotbed for our game,” said ISC Executive Director Larry Fisher.
This will be the sixth time as host for Kitchener, with the World Tournament previously visiting in 2002, 2006, 2007, 2014 and 2018.
“All of us at Kitchener Fastpitch Promotions are happy to be able to host the ISC World tournament again in 2026,” said Jim Hallman. “We look forward to welcoming the best teams and the best fans to the Peter Hallman Ballyard complex in Kitchener.”
There will be 36 teams competing for the ISC World Championship and the ISC II Championship with another 12-16 teams playing in the ISC 50+ Legends division.
“Kitchener has been a mecca for fastball teams, fastball players and fastball fans for many years,” said host committee chair Kirk Lackenbauer. “None of these events would be possible without our key volunteers on the Kitchener Fastball Promotions committee and their knowledge and connections, the community volunteers who step up to cover all the various duties required to run these tournaments and our community sponsors who provide the needed financial and technical support to make these events a success.”
“We have an excellent group of people that are more than ready and able to put our best forward,” Hallman said. “With the help of our many volunteers and supporters, we are confident that the 2026 tournament will continue in the great tradition of the past ISC World Tournaments that we have hosted.”
The 2026 ISC World Tournament will be played from August 8-15, primarily at Peter Hallman Ball Yard.
The 2025 ISC World Tournament is being hosted at Caswell Park in North Mankato, MN July 26-August 2, earlier than usual to accommodate men’s fastball being a part of the World Games in Chengdu, Sichuan China.
For more information on the ISC, please visit www.iscfastpitch.com.
At 25 years old, Megwan Muswaggon has already become a household name in fastpitch circles across Northern Manitoba. Pitching and playing first base for the Can-West Thunder , Megwan brings power, precision, and pride to the game every time he takes the field—carrying the hopes of his hometown, Cross Lake , wherever he goes. Carrying on a Family Legacy For Megwan, fastpitch isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life. “I was about 7 or 8 when I started pitching,” he says. “My father, David, was a pitcher himself and introduced me to the game. I grew up watching him and always wanted to be like him.” That influence became even stronger over time, with Megwan also spending three summers training under Canadian fastpitch legend Darren Zack . Fastpitch has deep roots in his community. “It’s the top sport in Cross Lake. We have over 25 youth teams, eight women’s teams, and up to 18 men’s teams. Fastpitch is alive and well in Northern Manitoba.” From Local Diamonds to the World Stage Transitioning from community games to the global fastpitch scene hasn’t always been easy. “Early on, learning the mechanics of pitching was a challenge. But later, the biggest test became mental—adjusting from reserve ball to the world stage,” Megwan explains. Now entering the prime of his career, Megwan sees himself as a key piece of the Can-West Thunder roster. “Without pitchers, your team falls apart,” he says candidly. “So I know I’ve got a big job—keeping the score close and giving my team a chance to win.”
At 36 years old , Mathieu Roy stands as a seasoned presence in left field—sporting jersey #16 . Having played for the New York Gremlins in 2024 and playing for the newly named Bear Creek Gremlins next season, this St-Gervais, Québec native has crafted a storied career that’s still going strong. Off the field, he’s a strength and conditioning coach , as well as a baseball and softball coach, using his expertise to guide the next generation of athletes. Early Start and Family Ties Mathieu’s fastpitch journey began at an incredibly young age—he was swinging at a tee by 18 months old and playing organized softball by the time he was four. The main inspiration? His dad, Jean Roy , who played fastpitch and passed on his love for the game. Growing up in a hotbed of softball, Mathieu quickly discovered his passion for the sport’s high intensity and sense of community. Rising Through Challenges When Mathieu first started playing in ISC-level competition, he noticed a significant gap in pitching velocity during local practices—few pitchers could throw over 75 mph. Still, he found ways to adapt. “I worked on my arm strength in the offseason, and I gained two or three miles per hour,” he explains. “At my age, that’s a big win.” He also aimed to increase his hitting power, recognizing that consistent performance at the plate would help anchor the top of his team’s lineup.