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.

At just 23 years old , Cody Smith is already proving he belongs on the world’s biggest fastpitch stages. A utility player wearing jersey #11 , Cody enters the 2025 ISC season with The Bar Buzz , following a 2024 campaign with the Circle Tap Dukes . Hailing from Melbourne, Australia , Cody’s versatility, confidence, and team-first mentality make him a key piece of any lineup he’s part of—both on and off the field. Off the diamond, he brings that same focus and energy to his work as a primary school teacher . From Cricket to Fastpitch Cody’s introduction to fastpitch came by chance. “I was a 12-year-old cricketer , and a mate needed someone to fill in for his softball team,” he explains. “The moment I played, I was hooked.” What kept him around? The possibility of Australian national selection and, more importantly, the lifelong friendships he found in the sport. From juggling softball with other sports to managing expectations at a high level, Cody has leaned on a group of mentors—including the Jansen family, Jon Hudson, Kris Kiefel, Michael Dyson and Phil Puketapu —to help guide his journey.

11th Annual Calgary Stampede Stomp is Canada West Qualifier for #ISCWT2025

The Redmen Fastball 2025 ISC Qualifier is in Melville, SK May 31 - June 1. Entry fee is $800. Contact Mike Sutherland 204.806.5712 or Ferdi Nelissen 204.871.2072 for more info.

At 32 years old, Yuya Yamawaki continues to rise in the fastpitch ranks as a key pitcher for the Georgian Bay Giants . Returning for another ISC season, Yuya isn’t just focused on controlling the game from the mound—he’s also determined to contribute at the plate and build on his team's past performance. Early Start and Family Influence Yuya’s love for fastpitch was born early. “I started playing when I was eight,” he says, “because my father played softball. He inspired me to get into the sport and pursue it seriously.” That early family connection helped lay the foundation for a disciplined and focused athlete. Yuya’s biggest mentor? Former national pitcher Nobunori Nishimura , whose influence helped Yuya develop both technically and mentally. The ISC Experience Yuya first competed in the ISC World Tournament last year and described the experience as unforgettable. “The speed of the game and the intensity—it’s something you don’t get even in baseball,” he says. “It was an honor to compete against top players from around the world.” For ISC newcomers, Yuya offers thoughtful advice: “It’s okay to feel nervous, but try to relax. When you're enjoying the moment, you'll often perform your best.” One of his most memorable ISC moments came simply from being on the field with elite talent from across the globe. “It was eye-opening to see the level of play up close.”

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At 30 years old, Yusef Davis Jr. is entering the 2025 season as a key outfielder for Bear Creek Express , bringing with him a lethal mix of speed, power, and leadership. After playing for San Antonio Glow Worm in 2024, Yusef joins a new chapter with Bear Creek, aiming to be the spark at the top of the lineup—and a threat every time he steps on the basepaths. Late Start, Fast Rise Yusef’s journey into fastpitch began later than most. “I started in late 2015,” he says. “My dad got me into a league in Whittier, California, and I took a liking to it right away.” The intensity, speed, and chess-like quality of fastpitch instantly hooked him. Growing up in Long Beach, CA, Yusef looked up to fastpitch veterans like Kevin Castillo and Lumar Goss , both of whom inspired him through their leadership and talent. "They’ve helped mold me into the player I am today,” he explains. Overcoming Early Challenges Transitioning from baseball to fastpitch wasn’t easy. “Hitting consistently was tough—especially against guys like Folkard , Cleary , and Kirkpatrick . I started out as a slapper just to make contact, then adjusted over time.” He credits those challenges with shaping his current approach: “Now, it’s all about getting on base and causing problems. My goal this season is consistency—be a spark plug and produce every game.”

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It’s hard to ignore the impact of a player like Erick Ochoa when he steps onto the diamond. At 31 years old, the 1st baseman for the NY Gremlins—soon to wear the Gremlins jersey again in 2025—has already built an impressive legacy in men’s fastpitch. After all, he was crowned with the most RBIs at the 2024 ISC World Tournament in Surrey, and shows no signs of slowing down. Growing Up with the Game Born in Yuma, Arizona, Erick discovered fastpitch softball in 2011 through his family’s team. “My family was always around the sport,” he recalls. “They were the ones who got me into it, and my brother became my biggest mentor.” Even though he was drawn to baseball in his free time, fastpitch quickly claimed his heart—thanks to the camaraderie, the swift pace, and the thrill of competition. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Erick laughs when asked about the biggest challenge he faced in his early days: “Hitting the rise ball! That pitch can humble even the best hitters. Learning to time it and get on top of it was huge for me.” Rituals, Family, and the Path to Success If there’s one detail that stands out about Erick’s pre-game ritual, it’s his tradition of crossing himself multiple times. “Persígnate,” he jokes, letting everyone know he takes his faith—and his routine—seriously. “It keeps me focused,” he says, grinning. “And maybe a little superstitious, too.” Outside of softball, you’ll often find Erick at home, enjoying time with family or honing his skills on the baseball field. That balance, he believes, keeps him mentally fresh and physically sharp. “I go to the gym regularly and try to hit three days a week. The extra reps really help when I step into the batter’s box against top-level pitchers.”

Reminder for ISC and Legends teams to send in their pre-season roster. NEW for 2025: Official ISC team rosters are limited to 16 players. The limit is still 20 for Legends. You can download the roster form from the ISC website on the Forms page. Team rosters are due four times per season and are to be sent to the email addresses on the form. 2025 Due dates are: May 15 (preliminary season roster to be eligible for ISC rankings) June 15 (PRAWNs declaration and OOR exception) July 1 (deadline for rosters to appear in championship tournament programs) Monday preceding start of ISC World Tournament (final and official championship roster) Each team must acknowledge that at least one team official has reviewed the concussion protocol training by checking the box on the roster form and including the name of the person in the identification box. This is a requirement for insurance eligibility. Please download the form, fill it out in Microsoft Excel or a compatible program, save it as an Excel file (.xlsx or .xls) and email it as an attachment to the email addresses shown at the bottom of the form. Please DO NOT send pdfs, files in formats other than Excel or photos of hand-written hard copies. Anything other than an Excel file will not be accepted.