It was a team from Ontario that took the 2024 International Softball Congress (ISC) World Men’s Fastpitch Championship title in South Surrey Saturday.
For the first time since 1997, British Columbia played host to the best fastball players in the world Aug. 10-17 at Softball City, where Ontario’s Hill United Chiefs defeated the New York Gremlins 7-1 in the championship game, winning their sixth ISC title in team history.
The Gremlins, who won the ISC title three times in the past five championships, were the top-seeded team heading into the competition.
Alan Peker led the way for the Chiefs with two home runs and was later named tournament MVP, winning the Cleo Goyette Award for his efforts, a release notes.
The tournament featured 50 teams and some of the best fastpitch players in the world representing 15 countries, including Canada, USA, Australia, and Mexico. B.C. was well-represented with eight teams in the Championship Division (ISC 1), with an additional five teams in the Legends Division (50+).
“This was a huge opportunity to rejuvenate the men’s game in BC,” says Hill United assistant coach and Vancouver native John Stuart.
“We hope we provided plenty of excitement for future and past fastpitch players and that they were able to witness the absolute best men’s players in the world.”
In addition to the action on the diamond, Surrey was also the site of the ISC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The International Softball Congress Hall of Fame was opened in 1965 and honoured Rob Schweyer-Scott, Donny Hale, Jeff Goolagong, and Brad Rona. Vancouver native Craig Donaldson was also posthumously inducted for his years of service as the Commissioner and VP of the ISC.
