The softball fields here will host two of the game’s most exciting teams when the New Zealand Black Sox and the Argentina Men’s National Team bring international fastball to Mapleton Township and Wellington County on June 20.
A Moorefield group is proposing to place a large mural in the community under the township’s program that supports community groups with half of a project’s cost. The mural would be 12 feet high and 32 feet long, and be placed on the north wall of the K.A. Hammond building at the corner of Adam Brown and Hendrie Streets.
The club approached artist and muralist Allen Hilgendorf, who has done numerous similar projects. The cost would be $9,600 for the 384 square foot picture on four by eight foot panels at a cost of $1,200, plus $1,404 HST. The total cost is $12,204. Hilgendorf has visited Moorefield two or three times, and presented a sketch. It features the railway, a truck backed under a grain bin, cattle, and four baseball players. Campbell said with a grin that some of the boys in the sketch would have to be changed to girls.
Fundraising has already begun, and public works director Larry Lynch helped by arranging the game between New Zealand and Argentina, and mural proponents are hoping to raise $2,000 or more.
Lynch has been involved at international fastball for many years as a coach and manager and his clubs have won International Softball Congress titles. He arranged a few years ago for a doubleheader exhibition game between New Zealand and the South Perth Fastball League all stars two years ago in Drayton.
New Zealand, regarded as one of the top three fastball teams in the world, is a five-time International Softball Federation (ISF) World Champion. The Black Sox held that distinction for 12 years straight, from 1996 to 2008, when they lost the crown to the Australia Steelers.
New Zealand will get a chance to regain the world title when the team hosts the International Softball Federation world tournament on home turf in March.
Argentina is a fastball-crazed country that boasts some of the fastest players and three of the top pitchers in the game. Hurlers Lucas Mata, Juan Potolicchio and Sebastian Gervasuti are well known to ardent Ontario fans, and all three are capable of beating the New Zealand powerhouse.
New Zealand and Argentina are in the area to participate in the Legends of Fastball Classic, regarded as Canada’s number one men’s club tournament, from June 21 to 24 at Peter Hallman Ball Yard in Kitchener (tickets are available at the gate for that as well).
Moorefield has long been renowned for hosting softball events and many area fans will remember the tournaments featuring overnight camping, exciting local teams and the great aroma of ballpark hotdogs and onions.
Things have changed over the years but the cozy confines of Moorefield park still attract minor softball, local men’s and women’s teams and family reunions in a tree-enclosed setting. The opportunity to host an international event in Moorefield is very timely.
The ballpark is having a major upgrade this spring, with the outfield fence being replaced, moved back and heightened to eight feet. The biggest improvement will be the replacement of the 50-year-old wooden light standards, thanks to a partnership with the Town of Minto and the opportunity to pick up the redundant light standards in Teviotdale, which became available with the closing of the park there to make room for an OPP station.
The host committee for this event includes the Moorefield Optimists, Moorefield Athletic Association, Moorefield – Drayton Minor Softball, Drayton Kinsmen and Kitchener Fastball Promotions.
The double header action will start at 6:30pm with team introductions and a ceremonial first pitch to precede the games. Tickets are available at the gate at a cost of $5 per person. Children under age 12 are admitted free and all minor softball players are encouraged to wear their team jerseys. Both international teams will be available to sign autographs before and after the games.
