The 2014 season, our 26th overall, saw the continued resurgence of London Lightning Fastball. It was another major expansion year, with Lightning Fastball adding another two teams to bring the total number of girl’s competitive fastball teams to six.
Novice Blue (U14), in their second season and led by head coach Chris Askew, entered three tournaments. The girls always played hard and earned the respect of the top teams.
“I’m very proud of the hard work my players displayed this year,” Coach Askew said.
Novice Red (U14), led by head coach Darren Walz, picked up where last year’s team left off, winning one gold, two silvers and a bronze medal during tournament play this season. The Novice Red team also accepted an opportunity to head to White Rock, B.C. to compete at the Canadians in the Tier II division in early August.
Head coach and LLF President Terry Woods and the London Lightning Bantam Blue (U16) began their inaugural season with a bang, winning five of six games at the season opening tournament and continued their winning ways for most of the year, earning a third-place finish at the Port Perry tournament in June.
Bantam Red (U16), led by head coach Tim Burden, competed in four tournaments, including one in Canton, Michigan. The team won bronze in the ‘A’ division at a tournament in Barrie in June, and won silver at the Provincial Qualifiers in the Tier II division.
Long-time London Lightning Fastball player, coach, association member and newly-appointed Fanshawe Falcons fastball coach Catherine Arthur and her Midget (U18) team had a successful year moving up to the Tier I division. They competed in Brantford, Humber College, Port Huron and the Motor City tournament in Canton, Michigan. The team finished 7th in Ontario.
This was the first year for the LLF Junior/Intermediate team coached by Bill Sword. Having played in the Tri-County league, the ladies had a fun and successful first season.
London Lightning Fastball would like to thank all of our head coaches, assistant coaches, parent volunteers and, of course, our sponsors for their support and commitment throughout the 2014 season. Open workouts/tryouts are scheduled for early September for squirt (U12) ages and up, and our winter workouts will take place in the January – March timeframe. Check out our website for more details: www.londonlightningfastball.com.
www.londonlightningfastball.com
— By Steve Nancekivell
