Selects win season opener
Selects vs. Classics
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Selects opened their 2012 KFL campaign on a winning note, defeating the Classics 1-0 in the KFL's first televised game on Rogers TV (Cable 20). In a rematch of last year's championship series, the Selects exacted a small measure of revenge behind a tremendous performance from Scott Clark, who threw a complete game two-hitter while striking out six.
The Classics threatened in the top of the first when John Sexton drew a one-out walk and Brad Maunder reached on an error, moving Sexton to third. Clark, unfazed, induced a tapper back to the mound for the second out and then notched a timely strikeout to escape the jam. The Classics would manage just two baserunners the rest of the way - leadoff singles in the third and fourth innings before Clark retired 12 straight to secure the victory.
For a while, the Selects were similarly stymied on offense. In the bottom of the fourth, however, Kevin Ryrie hit a well placed leadoff double, moved to third on a fielder's choice by Chad Fink, and scored on a hard hit grounder by Tim Coverdale, which was misplayed by the Classics' shortstop. It wasn't a lot, but on this night, it was all Clark needed.
The Selects are in Woodstock this weekend and resume KFL action Thursday at 7 against the 1-1 Thunder.
MVP: Scott Clark, P
Season Opener Less Than A Week Away
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Kitchener Selects are less than a week away from their 2012 KFL season opener, a rematch of the 2011 championship series against the Classics, with the boys in green seeking to exorcise some demons. The game will take place at Budd Park at 7:00 on Thursday, May 17 and will double as the Selects' television debut, on Rogers TV (Cable 20). For more information about the KFL's TV partnership with Rogers, check out the May 2 release at
kitchenerfastballleague.ca.
The Selects would like to officially say goodbye (at least for now) to Glen Hall and Doug Hoffman, two of the players who have been synonymous with the Selects name for many years. Hoffman and the Selects have amicably parted ways and we wish him all the best with the Diamond Jaxx this year (except when they play the Selects, naturally). He has been an immense part of the team's success over the years. We're particularly sad to say goodbye to Hall, who was the only player that had been with the team for every year since its 1999 founding. He is taking a year away from ball for health reasons and his contributions on and off the field will be missed.
Though the 2012 roster hasn't yet been finalized, we'd like to welcome Chad Fink to the team. Fink is a teammate of Dan Clark and Brent Furtney with the Sebringville Sting, and he will help to pick up some of the pitching slack in Hoffman's absence. We're also excited to have Tim Coverdale on board for his first full season with the team after joining us part-way through 2011.
The Selects will be competing against the Barons, Classics, Diamond Jaxx, Moonshiners, Phillies, and Predators in the KFL's Black Division. For a preview, check out the May 9 release on the KFL site. For the Selects' full schedule, check out the link at the top of the newly-designed site.
Six of the team's regulars will also be in Millgrove this weekend, and the Selects have confirmed entry to tournaments in Woodstock (May 18-21) and Brussels (July 27-29). Check back regularly for the latest news and follow us on Twitter (@selectsfastball or
twitter.com/selectsfastball, for the uninitiated).
Selects Go 2-2 at AAU
Orlando, Florida
Saturday, January 28, 2012
The Kitchener Selects went 2-2 in their first ever appearance on American soil at the 2012 AAU Men's International Fastpitch Tournament, held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
In their first round robin game, the Selects downed AOZ of Oklahoma, 2-1, behind a 16-strikeout performance from Doug Hoffman, who allowed just one unearned run. Jeremy DeLeeuw scored the eventual game-winner on a Mike Brown single. They then fell to the Lanzeros of Venezuela, 10-0, with Marvin Smith taking a tough loss before a strong relief performance from Mike Pullin. In their final round robin game, the Selects met the 2-0 Desert Kings of Mexico. Hoffman pitched another gem, striking out 14 and this time provided the heroics with his bat as well. Down 2-1 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, he laced a walk-off double to right-centre, scoring Craig Sarson and Sean Fitzgibbon for an exciting 3-2 win.
Despite finishing 2-1, the Selects' finished third in their pool due to their plus/minus, drawing an elimination round match-up with the Brewers of Venezuela. Doug Hoffman again got the ball, carrying a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh. Unfortunately, the Brewers rallied with a one-out, two-run triple and, after a pair of intentional walks, a sacrifice fly to right field to secure a 6-5 win, breaking the Selects' hearts and ending their tourney.
Thanks to Herb Beckman, Pete Chambers, Jeremy DeLeeuw, Sean Fitzgibbon, Rick Hames, Mike Pullin, Craig Sarson, Marvin Smith, and Brandon Viol for donning Selects' green for the tourney.
