Snow may be falling across Britain, but it's only a month before the Great Britain Men's Fastpitch Team .JPG)
will be heading Down Under, first to Australia and then to New Zealand to play in the 13th ISF Men's World Championships from March 1-10 in Auckland.
This will be the third straight World Championship for the GB Team, which finished ninth in 2004 in Christchurch, New Zealand and made the playoffs with an eighth-place finish in 2009 in Saskatoon, Canada.
The aim this time will be to make the playoffs again – and then go further. “We are more athletic and stronger than in 2009,” said Head Coach Russ Snow, “and I think we are capable of some more upsets. Even the medal round is not impossible if things go our way.”
Game schedule
The GB squad will assemble in Australia on February 19 and 20 to acclimatise and play warm-up games before flying to New Zealand for a further four or five games. GB will then play the very first game of the World Championships at 9.30 am on Friday, March 1 against Samoa.
GB will play Venezuela on March 2, Australia on March 3, Indonesia on March 4, South Africa on March 5, the Czech Republic on March 6 and the United States on March 7 to complete the round-robin stage.
The playoffs, in the form of a double Page Playoff, will run from March 8-10, with the Gold Medal game at 1.00 pm local time on Sunday, March 10.
Playoff opportunity
Great Britain's chances of getting to the playoffs have been slightly enhanced by being seeded in Pool A, which appears to be the easier of the two eight-team pools. GB will expect to beat Indonesia, Samoa and South Africa (though nothing can be taken for granted), and will then have to find at least one more win from their games against the Czech Republic, Venezuela, the United States and World Champions Australia to be reasonably sure of reaching the second round.
“We have the better pool,” said GB Manager Steve Fullan, “but there are no real easy games, just like in international football, and you still have to go out there and compete.”
But GB will be glad to have avoided a really strong group of teams, including New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Argentina, who recently became World Champions at Under-19 level, all of whom will slug it out in Pool B along with the Philippines, Mexico, Colombia and the Netherlands.
Key players
A key player for GB will be their flame-throwing pitcher James Darby,
now playing his fourth international tournament for Britain. Backing him up in the pitching department will be Mark Elson, Richard Haldane, Curt Taylor and James Chalmers.
Another key player will be shortstop Steven Hazard, who now combines fastpitch and slowpitch for GB. “Steve's athleticism in the infield is essential,” Steve Fullan stated, “and his partnerships with Ryan Martin and James Chalmers means we have a reliable infield.”
Kevin Stockford will have the important job of calling the games from behind the plate and working well with the GB pitching staff.
Head Coach Russ Snow said: “The addition of Ryan Martin and Steven Hazard will really shore up our infield defensively. Steven has really started to blossom at the plate as well, showing no fear against top pitchers. Kenny Pregnell will add depth in the outfield and provide back-up behind the plate.
“James Darby feels more comfortable pitching with our team now than in the last Worlds, having competed with us in the last two European Championships,” Russ added. “Rich Haldane has been on a tear, beating everyone he has pitched against in North America over the last year. Mark Elson will not only get time on the hill, but his athletic ability will get him some swings at the plate as well as some time in the outfield.
“I’m very excited for our young, homegrown newcomers to fastpitch, getting the chance to see the game at the top level. They all have improved greatly and are anxious to test their skills against the competition. We also have a much deeper bench this time around, with veterans like Luke Peters, Morgan Ottridge and Curt Taylor ready at a moment's notice.
“Steve Rice and Darrin Newsome will contribute in the outfield and at the plate,” Russ concluded. “We’re very excited to be attending these World Championships and everyone has worked hard to give their best for GB.”
The players
James Chalmers, 34 (3B, C, P)
Based in Australia, played for GB in 2008 and 2010 Euros and 2009 Worlds.
James Darby, 28 (P, IF)
Based in Australia, played for GB in 2010 and 2012 Euros and 2009 Worlds.
Mark Elson, 27 (P, OF)
Based in UK, played for GB in 2010 and 2012 Euros and 2009 Worlds.
Rich Haldane, 43 (P, 1B)
Based in Canada, played for GB in 2001,2003 and 2008 Euros and 2009 Worlds.
Steven Hazard, 26 (SS)
Based in UK, played for GB in 2012 Euros.
Darryl Herrmann, 33 (IF, OF)
Based in UK, played for GB in 2005, 2010 and 2012 Euros.
Michael Lee, 31 (IB, OF)
Based in UK, played for GB in 2012 Euros.
Ryan Martin, 21 (2B, OF)
Based part-time in UK, played for GB in 2012 Euros.
Darrin Newson, 23 (3B, C, OF)
Based in Canada, no previous GB tournaments.
Morgan Ottridge, 42 (1B)
Based in Canada, played for GB in 2001, 2010 and 2012 Euros and 2009 Worlds.
Josh Peat, 19 (OF)
Based in UK, played for GB in 2012 Euros.
Luke Peters, 31 (3B, OF)
Based in New Zealand, played for GB in 2012 Euros.
Kenny Pregnell, 33 (OF, C, IF)
Based in UK, was Assistant Coach for GB at 2012 Euros.
Steven Rice, 38 (OF)
Based in UK, played for GB in 2010 and 2012 Euros.
Kevin Stockford, 27 (C)
Based in Denmark, played for GB in 2008 and 2012 Euros and 2009 Worlds.
Curt Taylor, 42 (OF, P)
Based in Guernsey, played for GB in 2008, 2010 and 2012 Euros and 2009 Worlds.
Michael Williams, 28 (OF)
Based in UK, played for GB in 2010 and 2012 Euros.
Reserves
Richard Devey
Zaac Doney
Steve Jackson
Roger Marshman
The staff
Head Coach:
Russ Snow
Assistant Coaches:
Stanley Doney and Barry Doney
Pitching Coach:
Steve Jackson
Team Manager:
Steve Fullan
Physio:
Sandra Achterburg
Scorer:
Christine Jacka