Travel Suggestions for Entering the US for 2025 Season
Blair Setford • April 18, 2025
Travel Suggestions for Players Coming Into the US
Reminder for all out-of-region (OOR) players that they must send an email to iscfastpitch@gmail.com stating their name, their hometown, state/province and country that they currently live in along with the name of the team that they intend to play for and the ISC region of that team. The deadline for OOR player registration is June 15, 2025.
With the heightened emphasis on security at the U.S. border, the following are suggestions for teams and players to potentially smooth entry across borders.
- Flying vs driving - while potentially not as affordable, travellers may find flying from airports with U.S. pre-clearance is more convenient than crossing at a land-border.
- Using the CBP Mobile Passport Control (MPC) App to expedite clearance through U.S. customs. Available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with approved ESTA. The app is free to use and is available for both Android and Apple devices.
- Enrol in the Global Entry Program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers from selected countries upon arrival in the United States.
- The SENTRI Program provides a streamlined arrival process for international travelers coming into the U.S. from Mexico and the NEXUS program provides similar, streamlined arrivals and is available for Canadians. The wait time to successfully enrol in any of the Trusted Traveler Programs may be 12 months or more, however your SENTRI or NEXUS card is good for five years from the date you are approved.
We urge all international players to arrange required travel documentation early to avoid disappointment.
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.
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.