2012 NEWS

GFI Prize Money Increases

The Grand Forks International is pleased to announce that the total prize money for the 2012 tournament will be $54,000. This represents an increase of $11,000. This is the first adjustment to the prize money since 2001.

The winner of the tournament will now receive $20,000 and the runner-up $12,000. The semi-finalists (3rd and 4th) will each receive $5,000 and the quarter-finalists (5th through 8th) will pick up $3,000 apiece.

The GFI is probably the richest invitational baseball tournament in North America. The Executive acknowledges the generous sponsors and advertisers, loyal fans and dedicated volunteers for making this possible. The GFI Board of Directors and Committee are presently involved in planning for the 2012 event and announcements will be made over the coming months concerning the lineup of teams and other news.

Make your plans to be at the 2012 edition of the GFI, August 29 – September 3.

2011 NEWS

Canada is Golden at the Pan Am Games Canada’s national baseball team, with 3 GFI Alumni on the roster, defeated the United States 2-1 tonight (October 25) in a nail-biting thriller, to win this country’s first Pan Am Games gold medal in Guadalajara, Mexico. This, in fact, is the first time Canada has won Gold at any International Baseball championship. Their only other Pan Am Games medal was a bronze, on home turf in Winnipeg, in 1999. An early headline in the Vancouver Sun announced, “Canada stuns U.S. to claim baseball gold.” The article began, “Canada won its most improbable gold medal…!” This comes only 10 days after the team had won a bronze medal at the World Cup in Panama, only their second medal in World Cup history. With the United States picking up the silver medal, Cuba would have to settle for bronze. To put all this in perspective, Cuba had won the last 10 gold at the Pan Am Games, going back to 1971.

GFI Alumni Emerson Frostad, Chris Kissock and Mark Hardy, who participated in a combined 7 Grand Forks International tournaments, played important roles on this double medal -winning Team Canada squad. What a great year for baseball in Canada! Frostad and Kissock attended Lewis Clark State College and Mark Hardy is a University of British Columbia grad. They were all born in BC.

Frostad was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2003, Kissock was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007 and Hardy was selected by San Diego Padres in 2010. Kissock, from Trail BC, pitched the last two innings in relief yesterday for Canada to pick up the save in the semi-final game against host Mexico, before a partisan and noisy sold out home crowd.

In the gold medal win Canada received excellent pitching from Andrew Albers (North Battleford SK) and Scott Richmond (North Vancouver BC). They were trailing in the game until James Van Ostrand (Vancouver BC) ripped a two-run double in the sixth inning.

As this is being written, October 25th, it is exactly two months until Christmas. What a gift this Canadian national baseball team has given to baseball fans and baseball in Canada! Congratulations to the players, manager and coaches, and to all the people at Baseball Canada headquarters.

MONEYBALL movie features GFI Alumnus Scott Hatteberg Over the 31 year history of the Grand Forks International Baseball Tournament there are many interesting stories that have developed regarding players who have participated in this grand event; currently the Hollywood movie MONEYBALL, based on the book by Michael Lewis (author of The Blind Side), highlights former GFI player Scott Hatteberg. Hatteberg played in Grand Forks at the GFI in 1988 and 1989 with the Washington State Cougars. He was selected in the first round of the 1991 draft by the Boston Red Sox. In the movie his character, played by Chris Pratt, has a major role in the true story of the Oakland Athletics major league team adopting a new approach to building a winning team on a low budget. Scott Hatteberg was a catcher in college, at the GFI and afterwards with Boston. In Oakland he was transformed into a first baseman which was called by one, “a deeply satisfying scientific discovery.” The infield coach for Oakland in in 2002 was Ron Washington, now the manager of the Texas Rangers, who, as this is being written, is about to lead his team into the World Series for the second year in a row. The movie is playing at the GEM theatre in Grand Forks October 21-23 and 26-27. It has received excellent reviews by both critics and viewers. MONEYBALL, starring Brad Pitt, is a very entertaining film with one movie critic, Lisa Rosman, commenting, “You don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate MONEYBALL.”.” And for Grand Forks and area residents there is the fascinating added dimension of someone who has been to our community and displayed his talents on the stage of beautiful James Donaldson Park. Scott Hatteberg’s wife Elizabeth, or Bitsy, played by Tammy Blanchard, also plays a significant role in the movie. They live not far from here in Gig Harbor, Washington.

Canada’s Favourite Ballpark James Donaldson Park in Grand Forks is one of 16 finalists from across Canada in the first Canada’s Favourite Ballpark contest which is sponsored by Baseball Canada. Submissions from across the country were invited and the Grand Forks International responded on behalf of Grand Forks. The finalists were announced on July 9th. The 16 qualifiers have been divided into four groups. Grand Forks finds itself in division 1 and will be up against Charlottetown PEI, St. Thomas ON and Okotoks AB. The voting for this first group began on Monday, July 11th at 12:00 pm ET and fans and supporters can vote online at baseball.ca. This is the website of Baseball Canada. Voting for this first division continues until 10:00 am ET Monday, July 18th. The judges have made their decision and now it is up to fans and supporters from across the country. Please vote, and vote often, for Grand Forks. Contact your friends and relatives and ask for their support as James Donaldson Park in Grand Forks competes for the title of Canada’s Favourite Ballpark. Our ballpark in Grand Forks will now be showcased on baseball.ca for the week of voting. What great publicity for our city! And if we receive the most votes we will move on to the semi-finals in a few weeks when another round of voting takes place. The Aussies are Coming The Grand Forks International Baseball Tournament is pleased to announce that for the first time in tournament history Australia will be coming to Grand Forks. The Geelong Baycats will be representing the Australian Baseball Federation. Their team manager, Nathan Holmes, said, “The Geelong Baycats are extremely proud to be offered an invitation to this prestigious tournament. Our players are thrilled at the opportunity of representing Australian baseball and the Geelong community on the international stage in Grand Forks.” Australia will take its place alongside other nations who have previously participated at the GFI. Taiwan, Japan, China, Russia and Mexico have all been here. However, one tournament record will be broken even before play begins on August 31st. This will be the farthest any team has travelled to attend this tournament. Geelong is a city of almost 200,000 and is in Victoria, the second most populous state in Australia. Melbourne, 75 km. from Geelong, is its capital. The Geelong Baseball Club has been very active in developing the sport in Australia. This season the Baycats won their first ever Division One Club Championship and made their second appearance in the Championship series, losing a hotly contested final to the Waverly Wildcats. They were selected as the Club of the Year and Nathan Holmes received Coach of the Year honours. They have arguably the best playing facility in Australia. There are about 25 baseball players from Australia who have made it to the Major Leagues. The Geelong Baycats organization has long been an excellent breeding ground for young baseball talent and their most recognizable export to the big leagues in the United States is Graeme Lloyd. Lloyd pitched for 10 years while playing for 7 different clubs which included helping the New York Yankees to World Series titles in 1996 and ’98. Most fittingly he also played for both the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos during his pro career. His birthplace was Geelong, Victoria, Australia. And years later the team from his home town will participate in Canada’s richest invitational baseball tournament. In the letter confirming their attendance at the GFI they wrote, “We can’t wait for the umpire to call ‘Play Ball’ on our first game in Grand Forks. City of Grand Forks, province of BC and yes, even Canada, get ready, plan to be at the GFI August 31 to September 5 for the Aussies are coming!

Brent Lillibridge – GFI Alumnus part of History Brent Lillibridge played in the 2003 Grand Forks International with the Seattle Studs. He is seen here crossing home plate after belting a home run against the Reno Astros in the championship game. Lillibridge was an outstanding player at the University of Washington and would be chosen in the 4th round of the 2005 amateur draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Later he was traded to the Atlanta Braves and made his MLB debut April 26/08. He was then traded to the Chicago White Sox.

He was part of White Sox history earlier this season when, on April 11, he hit the 10,000th home run in the history of the Sox franchise. One article describes Brent as outgoing and an individual of deep faith who tries to connect with the White Sox fan base. Apparently he makes as much usage of Twitter as anyone on the team. (Lillibridge homering for the White Sox) Just a couple of weeks after he hit that milestone home run for Chicago he was once again in the news: Versatile, skilled Lillibridge makes statement, screamed one headline. Another said, Utility player secures White Sox win with pair of defensive gems. This occurred in the 9th inning of a 3-2 victory over New York in Yankee stadium. To make back to back game saving catches is a rare feat. After watching these sparkling defensive plays on video one can only shake their head. In fact, two of baseball’s all-time greats, Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter were doing just that, reflecting some exasperation and frustration but no doubt accompanied with admiration for the athletic ability and hustle of Lillibridge. Making this night in the Big Apple even more remarkable was that Brent, normally an infielder, was playing in right field for only the eighth time in his career. White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen quipped, “I finally found my closer.” From Grand Forks to Chicago, from this small town in Southern BC to New York and Yankee Stadium, from James Donaldson Park, an intimate ballpark on the United States/Canada border to 40,000 seat US Cellular Field (formerly Comiskey Park)… and the story continues… the GFI – don’t miss it! http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/5052025-574/in-case-you-missed-the-game-saving-catches-by-white-sox-of-brent-lillibridge-video.html

GFI BULLETIN - August 23/11
14 weeks ago we launched the first issue of the GFI Bulletin. As the old adage says, “My how time flies when you are having fun!” This is the last edition as the 2011 tournament begins next week. Thank you to all the businesses who displayed the Bulletin, and to those who read it and passed on all the exciting news.

So who will win the tournament this year? Pundits like to hazard a guess but I will simply suggest that the majority would pick defending champion Seattle or 7 time winner Lewiston. Certainly the San Diego Stars, with 2 titles and several top 3 finishes, would also be a popular choice.

There is great anticipation with Australia coming. It is indeed a wonderful moment in the history of this event. They have worked hard to get here and have some excellent talent in their line-up. A new entry from BC is the Langley Sr. Blaze. Traditionally clubs in their initial trip here rarely make it to the final. The last time was in 2001 when the Caldwell Coyotes stunned the huge crowds with a second place finish. Most are in agreement that pitching depth is the key to going deep into this tourney. We’ll find out soon enough

Dane Donegan from Denver Colorado is a terrific example of the special athletes who appear at the GFI. He will be a freshman at UBC, was a top student in high school, and the MVP on his varsity baseball team in Colorado.

.Last week’s Trivia A: Steve Decker.

GFI BULLETIN - August 16/11

	We can barely keep up with the news pouring in that relates to players coming to the 2011 GFI. Over this past weekend Johnny Caputo (see photo) and Gabe Mark, both from Ontario, became champions at separate events. Caputo and the rest of his Team Ontario mates won the Canada Cup (age 16/17), played in Moncton NB. Johnny was selected to the tournament All-Star team. This is the most important annual event for Baseball Canada. Mark meanwhile was part of the Toronto Mets team which captured the NABF U18 World Series in Youngstown PA. They defeated Houston TX Raiders in the final. Mark batted .409 with 7 RBIs and a homerun in this huge North American tourney. These 2 players will be freshmen at UBC and come to Grand Forks wearing the Team Canada jersey.
	Cody Malloy will also be on Team Canada. He is the son of the Toronto Blue Jays Clubhouse Manager.
	Just got off the phone to Mickey D (San Diego Stars) and he continues to build his roster for the trip north. He said he is bringing more pitchers than last year and seems intent on being in the championship final.

Last week’s Trivia A: Prize money was raised to $43,000 in 2001.

This week’s Q: At the GFI in 1987 with Lewiston, played 10 seasons in the Majors, and is now a top Manager in the minor leagues for SF Giants.

Congrats to Jennifer Dorner and Angelina Ebanks, who won T-shirts at the GFI Volunteer Fair last Saturday.

GFI BULLETIN - August 9/11
GFI Alumni, Larry Walker, said about the GFI, “Here is your chance to see tomorrow’s stars today”. It has proven to be an accurate tagline. However, the 2011 event is shaping up to be a variation of that idiom. Adjust it to include today’s stars today!

	Jeff Hutton had an outstanding season at Tabor College in Kansas, completing the year with a .378 batting average, 20 Homers and 78 RBIs. The last two totals were 2nd and 3rd respectively in the entire NAIA! (Includes at least 200 teams) Tabor Head Coach, Mark Standiford, commented, “Jeff had one of the best years in Tabor College history.”
	Meanwhile Taylor King, currently pitching in his first pro season for the Sioux City (Iowa) Explorers will complete his season on August 30th before making the trip to Grand Forks. Both Hutton and King will suit up with the Langley Blaze. Watch out for this new team!
	Kevin Biro, a freshman at UBC this fall, will be on the roster of Team Canada. Kevin was the 2011 MVP of the Premier Baseball League. Last month he received the Save-On-Foods Amazing Kids Award. He also played for Canada’s junior team when he was in grade 10.

These are but 3 of the players to watch for at this year’s tournament. Several other exciting stories have emerged which you will be hearing about as we countdown to the GFI.

Last week’s Trivia A: The Orlando Juice was the Florida team that played in 3 GFIs.

This week’s Q: What year did the GFI Total Prize money increase to $43,000?

GFI BULLETIN - August 2/11

	One of the new entries at the GFI this year is the Cali Showcase. They come from California, a state which historically has supplied the GFI with several teams. A few of their players run the Showcase Baseball Academy in the Sacramento area. One of them is Antonio “Tony” Aldridge, an MVP at Indiana Tech University.
	One of Norman Rockwell’s famous Saturday Evening Post cover paintings was The Rookie (1957.) With this in mind here are a couple of rookies to look for at the 2011 GFI. A great story has unfolded of a player who will be on the Kamloops roster, Lee Harty. He will be attending Thompson Rivers University this fall. Lee will be a long way from home which is Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Yes, folks the team he played for is indeed the Geelong Baycats. He possibly could be facing his old team wearing the uniform of the Kamloops Sun Devils! Incredible! Only at the GFI!
	Matt Trimble will be a freshman at UBC this year and will play for Team Canada in Grand Forks. He has been on Canada’s national junior team this season as well as being one of the top pitchers in the BC Premier League. This LHP finished the 2011 season for the Coquitlam Reds with an ERA of 1.13 and registered 95 strikeouts in 74 innings. Don’t miss these and other Rookies at the GFI!

Last week’s Trivia A: Josh Beckett led the Florida Marlins to the World Series in ‘03. This week’s Q: Name the Florida team who played in 3 GFIs incl. 1997.

GFI BULLETIN – July 26/11
The 2011 GFI – Aug. 31-Sep. 5

As announced a few weeks ago Australia will be at the GFI for the first time. The Geelong Baycats will, in fact, be making their North American debut here in Grand Forks, just as China did in 2001.

Here is what the Australian media is saying, “The Grand Forks International is considered the largest invitational tournament in Canada.” One player summed up his thoughts in a newspaper story, “This is the pinnacle of baseball, to play overseas in Canada and America.” He added, “It’s the ultimate trip really.” Make plans to be at James Donaldson Park to welcome Team Australia.

Tournament Passes are available at Pharmasave and Sears in Grand Forks. Great way to support this huge event for our community while enjoying the convenience of easy ballpark entrance and exit with no line ups. Passes are $115.00 and per game admission is $6.50 ($5.50 for Seniors and Students). It is noteworthy that the GFI has held these prices since 2003!

Trivia answer from last week:
Kosuke Fukudome, now with the Chicago Cubs, played for Japan at the 1997 tourney.

Question for this week: GFI Alumni Josh Beckett was a World Series MVP in what year and for which team?

Yogi Berra and his wife Carmen went to see the opera Tosca. Afterwards she asked him what he thought. Yogi replied, “I really liked it. Even the music was good.”
GFI 2011 Programs now available at local businesses.
ph.250-442-8323

GFI BULLETIN – July 19/11
THANK YOU to everyone who voted for James Donaldson Park and Grand Forks in Canada’s Favourite Ballpark contest. Okotoks AB won last week’s voting. Great support for our submission within the community and beyond; the publicity generated for the upcoming GFI was invaluable. Good work everyone!

Lots of fun downtown last Friday at the GFI table during Moonlight Madness. Thanks to all for dropping by. The 2011 Programs arrived only minutes before the Moonlighters started showing up. Look for a free program of this year’s tournament in various locations around town. Congrats to the GFI draw winners Diane Klein (Hat) and Elisha Sheremeto (T-shirt).

*Sport Tourism is now the fasting growing sector of the Tourism industry which certainly places even more importance on the GFI for our community.

	The answer to last week’s quiz asking which team represented China at the 2001 Tourney is Tianjin City Lions. Trivia question for this week: Who played for Japan in the 1997 event (pictured here) and now plays for the Chicago Cubs?
	Currently there are 20 players in the Minor Pro leagues, still seeking their dream of making it to the Majors, who played in Grand Forks with teams from Lewis Clark State. Don’t miss any Lewiston games. They’ve got talent!

GFI BULLETIN – July 12/11
James Donaldson Park in Grand Forks has been chosen as one of the 16 finalists in Canada’s Favourite Baseball Park contest. Grand Forks is in the first group of four and now it’s up to the fans to vote, vote, vote! You can support this by voting at www.baseball.ca. The voting began on July 11 and continues till July 18. Please vote and ask your friends and family to also vote. Thanks!
History was made on June 30th when former UBC Pitcher (and GFI participant) Brandon Kaye became the first UBC player to pitch for the hometown Vancouver Canadians, minor league team of the Toronto Blue Jays. Incredibly, you could say it happened ‘twice’ in the same game as UBC/GFI alum Eric Brown followed Kaye to the mound in the next inning. More remarkable GFI chronicles!
The Minnesota Twins have just signed Australian high school pitcher Sam Gibbons to a minor league contract. He will report to the Twins next April. The news release added that “he has also been selected to the Geelong Baycats team who will be participating this year in the Grand Forks International.” Wow! Buy your GFI Tournament Pass now at Pharmasave or Sears.
Trivia Quiz answer from last week: Tim Lincecum was at the GFI in 2004. Trivia question for this week: Which city/ team represented China at the 2001 GFI?

GFI BULLETIN – July 5/11

	What a fun Canada Day in downtown Grand Forks! The GFI thanks all who dropped by their booth. The winners of the draw are Maureen Haworth (GFI Hat) and Hunter Lloyd (GFI T-Shirt).
	The Seattle Studs and their long-time manager Barry Aden won the Kelowna Canada Day tournament for the second consecutive year. They defeated Thurston County Senators in the final. Seattle is arguably one of the finest amateur baseball organizations in North America. They will be at the 2011 GFI to defend their title.

Canada’s Junior baseball team is playing a series of 9 games in Cuba this week. 3 players on the 2011 Junior roster have committed to UBC for the upcoming season. In Cuba are Jerod Bartnik (Surrey, BC) and Brody Hawkins (Delta, BC). They will be at the GFI this year along with Matt Trimble from Coquitlam. From Cuba to Grand Forks – a busy summer for some of Canada’s outstanding young athletes.

Answer to last week’s quiz asking for the name of the US radio station which broadcast games from two previous GFI events is KCRK in Colville, part of the Seattle Mariners network. This week’s trivia question: What year did 2 time Cy Young Award winner (best pitcher in the Majors), Tim Lincecum, play at the GFI?

After once attending the GFI a couple from the Okanagan wrote, “Of all the sports events that we have been to over the past 50 years, the GFI is at the very top.” Awesome! Let’s work together to keep it there.

GFI BULLETIN – June 28/11
The 2011 GFI – Aug. 31-Sep. 5
The lives of college baseball players have interesting journeys. Take Nick Senior from Surrey, BC. He is a student at UBC and this spring completed his 2nd year playing for the Thunderbirds. This summer Nick is playing for the Melville Millionaires of the Western Major League. Most on their roster are American players in a very competitive league. He is having an outstanding summer, 2nd in the league with a batting average of.426! Senior will be in Grand Forks at the GFI with Team Canada.
KIDS RUN THE BASES has been a popular feature at the GFI for several years. Sponsored by Pharmasave kids from 6-12 are encouraged to enter now. Great fun and super prizes! Kids can also be part of the unforgettable Baseball Buddies program. You can sign up for this also at Pharmasave and realize a dream.
The answer to last week’s trivia quiz asking which 2 GFI teams have won the NBC World Series in Wichita but were unable to capture a GFI title: Taiwan and Chicago. This week’s question: Which US radio station broadcast games at both the 1999 & 2001 events?
Yogi was asked, “when you were young, what did you like best about school?” His reply, “When it’s closed.”
Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun wrote an article about the GFI and called it Grand Times in Grand Forks!
Yes, it’s the party of the year-plan to attend.

GFI BULLETIN – June 21/11
The 2011 GFI – Aug. 31-Sep. 5
Pictured is Shayne Willson who is on the roster of the Langley Blaze. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2006. He played for Canada in the World Junior Championships. In two years at Canisius College in Buffalo NY he batted .340, with 19 home runs and 93 RBI. Also playing for the Blaze is Sean Callegari who, as a freshman pitcher this season, led Douglas College in Strikeouts. Meet Shayne and Sean at the 2011 GFI.

“The GFI is easily the best tourney around and the ball facility and fans are the best.” -Todd Plaxton of Saskatoon

The answer to last week’s trivia quiz asking for the year that Gifi the Mascot made its debut is 2003. This week’s question: One of the top amateur baseball events in North America, the NBC World Series in Wichita KS, is very difficult to win. Which two former GFI teams were champions in Wichita but never managed to win in Grand Forks? (Answer next week)

In action with the Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres) is GFI Alumnus Mark Hardy. He played at the GFI in 2006, 08 & 09 with Team Canada and leads his pro team with a sparkling ERA of 2.26. You saw him first in Grand Forks!

“I can remember a reporter asking for a quote, and I didn’t know what a quote was. I thought it was some kind of soft drink.” – Joe DiMaggio

GFI BULLETIN – June 14/11 The 2011 GFI – Aug. 31-Sep. 5 Head Coach Scott Kelly of the Thurston County Senators. Scott is also the Pitching Coach of St. Martin’s University Saints and is considered one of the top pitching coaches in the Pacific Northwest. As a player in college in 2001 he was an All-American and the Heart of America Pitcher of the Year. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres. Join Scott and the Senators at the 2011 GFI.

A former GFI umpire Stephane Dupont also had assignments at the Pan Am Games and the World Juniors. He said, “I’d sooner be in Grand Forks!” And wouldn’t you? Plan to attend the 2011 GFI.

The answer to last week’s trivia question asking for the number of tourney wins by the Lewiston Truckers is 7. This weeks’s question: What year did Gifi the mascot make its debut? (Answer next week)

Pitchers Sheldon McDonald (Chicago Cubs) and Eric Brown (Toronto Blue Jays) were taken from the UBC Thunderbirds in this year’s annual Major League Draft. Also Brandon Kaye (Blue Jays) was signed as a free agent last week and Shawn Hetherington signed a pro contract recently with Calgary Vipers of the North American (Independent) League. You saw them all last year at the GFI. Be in the stands this year to watch more potential draft picks.

When Yogi Berra was asked if he wanted his pizza cut into 4 or 8 slices, he replied, “Four. I don’t think I can eat eight.”
ph. 250.442.8323

GFI BULLETIN – June 7/11
The 2011 GFI – Aug. 31-Sep. 5
THE AUSSIES ARE COMING!!
Australia will be at the GFI tournament for the first time. The Geelong Baycats will represent their country at this year’s event. Team manager, Nathan Holmes, said, “We are extremely proud to be offered an invitation to this prestigious tournament and represent Australia on the international stage in Grand Forks.” Read more on the GFI website.
A few years ago Vancouver Province Sports Reporter, Steve Ewen, attended the GFI. He opened his article by saying, “A sign seen as you head into this tiny community boasts of its borscht. It should brag about baseball as well. He described the event this way, “Looking for one of those best-kept secrets in amateur sport? Try here” (Grand Forks).
The answer to last week’s trivia question asking when the tournament changed its name to the Grand Forks International is 1993. This week’s trivia teaser: How many GFI tournaments has the Lewiston Truckers team won? (Find the answer next week)
GFI Alumni Sean Halton (GFI 2008) currently leads the Huntsville Alabama Stars in hitting with a .321 avg. This is the Double A team of the Milwaukee Brewers. And today, June 7, is his birthday!
Not only did Yogi Berra have a unique way of speaking, it also rubbed off on his family. His wife Carmen once said, “I need to go shopping for clothes to shop in!”
Hey Kids! Run the Bases and Baseball Buddies will be back. Watch for the news and be ready to sign up.
ph. 250.442.8323

GFI BULLETIN - May 31/11
The 2011 GFI – Aug. 31-Sep. 5 Circle your calendar!
George Bowering, Canada’s first parliamentary Poet Laureate, was in Grand Forks in 2005 to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. A great author and poet with 100 books published. In a recent book, Baseball Love, he mentions the GFI, and says, “Every August/September Grand Forks is home to the greatest baseball tournament in the world.” A nice endorsement! Bowering was recently referred to by one journalist as “Canada’s literary giant.”
The answer to last week’s trivia question about the 4 managers who are in the NSPBA Hall of Fame and which teams they brought to the GFI: Al Oremus (Chicago Prairie Gravel); Dick Orcutt (Colorado Sox); Mark Dietz (Cincinnati Cobalts); Joe O’Brein (St. Louis O”B Clarks. This week’s question: What year was the tournament name changed to the Grand Forks International? (Find the answer next week)
Tim Lincecum (2004 GFI) has won back to back CY Young awards in the big leagues (08-09). What a talent! May 4 of this year he set a SF Giants record when for the 29th time he struck out 10 or more batters in a game. This surpassed Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson. He was the guy who said in 1914, “Many fans look upon an umpire as a sort of necessary evil to the luxury of baseball, like the odour that follows an automobile.” Rest assured the 2011 GFI will have an outstanding umpiring crew.
Yogi Berra said it: “Slump? I ain’t in no slump…I just ain’t hitting.”

GFI BULLETIN - May 24/11
The 2011 Grand Forks International Baseball Tournament is set for August 31 - September 5. The dedicated committee is enthusiastically working to once again bring this superb event to our area. Sponsorship, volunteerism and committed fan support is the formula for success.

This is the first edition of the GFI Bulletin and it will be printed weekly, every Tuesday leading up to the tournament.

More interesting GFI history turned up a few weeks ago when the NSPBA in the US (National Semi-Pro Baseball Association) inducted 7 Team Managers into their Hall of Fame. Remarkably 3 of the 7 honourees have managed teams at the GFI: Mark Dietz, Dick Orcutt and Joe O’Brien join Al Oremus , an earlier honouree. The trivia question is: Name the teams they brought to the GFI. Look for the answer in the next GFI Bulletin.

Once again total prize money at the GFI will be $43,000, making it the richest invitational tournament in North America. However it is more than the prize money that makes this event attractive. The coach of a Los Angeles team a few years ago wrote: “The atmosphere created by the people of Grand Forks make it a baseball player’s dream come true.” All of us in Grand Forks have a role to play in making this event numero uno in all of Canada.

Over these next few months announcements on the line-up of Teams will be made, along with Ticket information and Volunteer sign up opportunities.

2010 News

The Grand Forks Blues started out 3 years ago playing in the West Kootenay XBL league. The team started by Tom Starchuk, Sam Ross and Kenny Starchuk has had 3 good season's and this year topped off with a showing at the Senior Men's Provincials in Trail. The opportunity for the team to participate in the G.F.I is a major goal for some of the more senior guys and long time Grand Forks’ residents.

The Grand Forks Blues will be bringing a solid core group of local players such as Tom Starchuk, Kenny Starchuk, Sam Ross, Sean Dunlop, Lance Federico and Jordan Konkin to the G.F.I this year. As well as a good group of supporting local players the likes of Adam Sofonoff, Ryan Grant, Grant Mills and Paul Mason. They even have a couple of young up and comers from the south of the border in Danville, Tanner Someday and Chris Browning. The Blues will be bringing in some pitching talent from the lower mainland and hope to surprise some teams in the G.F.I. So come on out and show your support and cheer on your local guys!

Seattle – a GFI Fixture

Luke Hetherington (Toronto Blue Jays) at the plate for the Dunedin, Florida team.

Over the past 30 years many baseball teams have made the trip to Grand Forks to participate in the Grand Forks International. From all over North America and beyond thousands of ball players have discovered this community and the Boundary area because of the GFI.

Many teams have made only a single appearance at the tournament while others have displayed their skills at beautiful James Donaldson Park on several occasions. When you look back over the history of the event Seattle is as much a fixture as any. In 1975 the Seattle Stoen won the first Grand Forks tourney and teams from the Emerald City would go on to capture the title four times in the first six years. In 2001 the Seattle Studs were the victors, the last time a team from the unofficial coffee capital of the continent has won the GFI crown.

Founded in 1954 the Studs are one of the oldest semi-pro teams in US amateur baseball. They know what it takes to win and along with outstanding play exemplify class and respect for the game and for the fans. Their rosters over the years have been filled with ex-pros, and former and current college stars. In 2003 Brent Lillibridge was with the Studs in Grand Forks, now he plays professionally for the Chicago White Sox. The following year another University of Washington star travelled with the team to the GFI. In 2006 Tim Lincecum would be selected by San Francisco in the first round of the Major League player draft. Since then he has won back to back National League Cy Young Awards (top pitcher), only the fourth player to accomplish this.

Barry Aden is Seattle’s manager. He was with the team from 1990-93 and from 2001 to the present. Barry has an impressive .710 winning percentage including a 51-7 won-loss record in 2010. The team recently finished second, out of 32 teams, in the prestigious National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita. Earlier in the season they won Canadian tournaments in Kelowna and Kamloops, breezing through undefeated.

Players to watch on Seattle’s roster at the GFI include NBC All-Americans, shortstop Derek Jennings and relief pitcher Taylor Thompson. Thompson has pitched the last four years in the Kansas tournament and in 44.1 innings on the mound has allowed only one earned run. To accomplish this against some of the best amateur players in North America is truly remarkable.

The Studs line-up will include former Toronto Blue Jays draftee, Luke Hetherington. He was a three sport athlete in high school. His high school coach said, “He’s just a tremendous athlete.” Former Western Oregon University standouts, Kyle Boe and Kevin Corrigan will also add some punch to the offense. Boe led his college team in hitting this year with a .365 average as did Corrigan in 2007, batting .367. In the championship game in Wichita this month Boe hit a grand slam and Corrigan a two-run homer in the same inning.

The 30th anniversary year of Canada’s finest and richest invitational baseball tournament would not be complete without the Seattle Studs.

March 2010
Lincecum, hefty deal report to training
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona - Tim Lincecum might have thought he was on a mound last Friday, not outside a St. Petersburg arbitration hearing room.

"My adrenaline kicked in a little bit" the two-tim Cy Young award winner said.

Lincecum, who reported to Giants camp with pitchers and catchers on Thursday, avoided an arbitration hearing at literally the last hour, when he agreed to a two-year, US$23-million deal with the Giants.

He will make $8 million this season wand $13 million in 2011, with a $2 million bonus to be slit between the two seasons.

The 25-year-old Lincecum's contract was the richest signed by a first-year arbitration-eligible player, exceeding the $6.25 million contract Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon signed last January to avoid arbitration

The Associated Press

Russian Team in Prague Tournament Final The Russian National Baseball team just finished competing in the Prague (Czech Republic) Baseball Week Tournament. This is considered one of the top tournaments in Europe.

On July 18th Team Russia lost the final, 7-1, to the United States. The US team, made up of current college players, avenged an earlier 6-5 loss to Russia in the round robin. The Prague tourney featured teams from European countries plus the United States. After a seven team round robin the top two teams play a sudden death final.

In other Russian baseball news their Juvenile team won the 2010 Euro Juvenile Championship with a 6-4 win over the Czech Republic. The Russian squad outscored their opponents 64 to 15 in the 4 games played en route to the European title.

There have been a few Russian baseball players who have signed professional contracts over the years including second baseman, Alexander Nizov, who played for the Russian team at the 1999 GFI. He spent two years in the LA Angels of Anaheim (minor league) organization. In 2007 Nizov donated his #12 jersey to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown.
Currently Andrei Lobanov, just 20 years old, is pitching for Beloit (Wisconsin) Snappers in the Class A Midwest League (Minnesota Twins Organization). He was pitching earlier in the season in the Florida State League. His combined stats for the season include a sparkling ERA of 1.80.

Seattle and San Diego in Wichita, Kansas

Two teams who are GFI regulars and fan favourites are presently participating in the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kansas. This annual 32 team, two week extravaganza, is considered the most prestigious summer baseball tournament in America.

This year the San Diego Stars and Seattle Studs are on a bit of a roll at the NBC and as this is written both teams have reached the final eight. Last night (Monday, August 9th) the Studs blew a 5-0 lead but regained their composure and defeated the Gunnison Colts from Colorado 8-7, scoring the winning run in the 8th inning. The Stars meanwhile made the headlines in the Wichita Eagle newspaper this morning. The headlines announced, “Stunning rally puts San Diego back in NBC spotlight.”

The Stars rallied from an 8-0 deficit after two innings to overcome the Valley Center Diamond Dawgs from Kansas 12-11. Mickey Deutschman, San Diego’s manager said afterwards, “Disneyland scripted that game.”

Seattle and San Diego played each other earlier in the tournament and can you believe it, tonight they will have to face each other again with the winner moving on and the loser heading home. The Studs beat the Stars on August 5th 10-1. Whatever happens tonight the question for GFI fans is, “Will they meet again in Grand Forks in the first week of September?” They will be in different divisions so it won’t be in the round robin. But the matchup could take place in the Money Round. Now wouldn’t that be something!

The above story in itself is a great reason to be at the 30th anniversary of the Grand Forks International. Seattle and San Diego combined have more history at the GFI than any other two teams.