Canada vs USA
February 14th, 2007



Team Canada 5 1 1 0 0 0 2 3 4 = 16
Team USA 4 0 4 0 5 5 3 5 X = 26



The second annual Canada vs USA softball game challenge, held at the Winter Haven DiamondPlex on Fred White Field, went off without a hitch.
The managers for the event were Elmer Black for the Canadian team & Fred Dampier for the United States team.
Team USA was the host team this year so they were the home team.  The game began as a high scoring contests as Team Canada rapped out one hit after another to take a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the 1st inning.  Only one out was recorded in the top of the inning while Team Canada connected for seven singles & one double.  Hugh Lessard drove in two runs with the double.
Team USA wasn't to be denied as they scored four of their own in the bottom of the 1st frame on five singles, one walk, & a double by Don Erb.
Team Canada pretty much went into neutral for the next five innings, scoring only two runs.  Don Erb jacked a two run homer over the leftfield fence in the 3rd inning as Team USA scored four more runs & took an 8-7 lead in the game.
While Team Canada dried up & went scoreless in the 4th through the 6th innings, Team USA took advantage to extend their lead with a five spot in the 5th & 6th innings.  Four doubles were banged out in the 5th frame.  Those hitters connecting for doubles were Fred Dampier, Don Witmer, Jim Laffoon, & Don Erb.
Team Canada came back alive with 2, 3, & 4 runs in the last three innings.  Singles by Ken Wilson & Alan Walters accounted for two runs.  A big triple up against the centerfield fence by Doug McLellan was the most accountable hit in the three run inning.
Team USA also finished the game big by scoring 5, 3, & 5 runs in the last three frames.  A bases loaded triple by Denny Shaffer was huge in the 8th inning for extra icing on the cake for the game.
After all the dust had cleared, Team USA was victorious again this year by the score of 26-16.
The final score was Team USA 17 & Team Canada 15.
All the ballplayers, spectators, umpires, & grounds crew were treated to an after game cookout.
The menu for the day included chili & beans, hot dogs, potato salad, cold slaw, doughnut holes for dessert, & cold drinks.
Everyone had a festive time & the day was declared successful.
It is fitting to give appreciation to the volunteer umpires.  Joel Freedman umpired behind the plate, Doug Chamlee covered 1st base, & Chuck Duff was at the 3rd base line.
It is also suitable to give the wives a big thank you for the preparation of the food & also for serving the dishes to everyone.  Without all the volunteers, the event wouldn't have been quite the success.


Team USA Picture              Team Canada Picture




Individual Pics

Dampier      King      Leigh      McLellan      Palmer     Walters





Team USA - Batting order & results.

Jose Agosto C/DH 3 for 4 with 1 sacrifice fly.
Don Witmer 3B 3 for 4 with 1 double & 1 walk.
Jim Laffoon SS 3 for 4 with 2 doubles & 1 walk.
Don Erb R 4 for 4 with 2 doubles, 1 homer, & 1 walk.
Denny Shaffer RF 3 for 4 with 1 double, 1 triple, & 1 walk.
Wayne Mundy 2B 2 for 4.
Freddy Gonzalez RC 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Bill Rutan 1B/C 2 for 4.
Cal Leigh LF 1 for 4 with 1 double.
Ron Thompson DH/1B 2 for 3 with 1 walk.
Rich Palmer P 1 for 4.
Fred Dampier LC 1 for 3 with 1 double & 1 sacrifice fly.


Team Canada - Batting order & results.

John Ormsby 2B 2 for 4 with 1 sacrifice fly.
Ken King LC 3 for 5.
Jerry Remington 3B 1 for 4.
Hugh Lessard SS 1 for 2 with 1 double, 1 walk, & 1 sacrifice fly.
Doug McLellan 1B 4 for 4 with 1 double & 1 triple.
Bill Evans LF 1 for 3 with 1 walk.
Dick Wilhelm P 3 for 4 with 1 triple.
Ray Petrie DH 3 for 4.
Ken Wilson RC 2 for 2 with 2 walks.
Alan Walters RF 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Ron Carrothers C 1 for 4.
Reg Barnes C 1 for 2 with 2 walks.
Elmer Black DH 1 for 4.