Canada vs USA
February 20th, 2008

Team USA			0 0 0				3 5 0				0 2 2 = 12
Team Canada			2 0 0				1 0 1				0 1 0 =   5

The third annual Canada vs USA softball game challenge was played under cloudy skies but the weather was cooperable throughout the contest.
Elmer Black managed the Canadian team & Fred Dampier piloted the United States team.
Team Canada was the home team for the game this year since Team USA was the home team in 2007.
Dick Wilhelm, pitching for Team Canada, seemed to have Team USA figured out for the most part. He was forcing many batters to ground out to the infield.
After a three up, three down inning to begin the game for Team USA, Team Canada jumped on the boards with two critical errors that allowed two runs to cross the plate in the opening inning. Jerry Remington drove in two runs with a single after the two mishaps in the field.
After managing only one single (Don Erb in the second inning) in the first three innings, Team USA finally mounted a rally in the fourth and took a one run lead after three runs crossed the plate. Jose Agosto, Don Witmer, Tim Gallagher, & Cal Leigh each singled and Don Erb hit a sacrifice fly to account for the scoring in the frame.
Team Canada responded with one run to tie the score 3-3 after four innings of play. Ed Gazarek connected for a gapper inside-the-park solo homer to the opposite field.
The fifth inning was monumental for Team USA as they scored the maximum five runs in the frame. Don Witmer had a big double in the inning and Don Erb drove in the fifth run with a single.
Team USA put together back-to-back two run innings in the eighth and ninth. Don Witmer slammed a triple and scored in the eighth. Denny Shaffer connected for a double in the ninth and Floyd Welton had an RBI single.
The scoring opportuniteis for Team Canada was few and far between. Jerry Remington doubled and scored on a single by Bill Evans in the sixth inning. Lloyd Hopper doubled and scored in the eighth frame.
The final score was Team USA 12 & Team Canada 5.
Elmer Black brought a trophy to the game. The trophy will be presented to the winner of the game and held until the competition the following year. It is aptly named the "Americanada Cup". On the lower portion of the trophy are individual recognition stickers for the previous winners. "USA 2006" and "USA 2007" have aleady been applied to the trophy.
All the ballplayers, spectators, the umpire, & grounds crew were treated to refreshments after game. The menu for the day included chili & beans, hot dogs, chips, and cold drinks.
Everyone had a festive time & the day was declared successful.
It is fitting to give appreciation to our volunteeer umpire.  Tom Mohler umpired behind the plate and did an admirable job because he called the entire game without any help. Thank you Tom.
A huge "Thank You" is extended to the two manager's wives for the preparation of the food & also for serving the dishes to everyone.
Hats off to the DiamondPlex grounds crew! Besides chalking the batter's box and the foul lines, they also chalked CANADA VS USA, along with a star, in the infield behind the pitcher's mound. Thank you, gounds crew - you went above and beyond your expected duties.


Team USA Picture              Team Canada Picture




Individual Pics

Agosto      Linton      Laffoon      Stewart      Palmer     Carrothers      Dampier     Black     Welton


The DiamondPlex grounds crew did a fantastic job of preparing the field for the game.
Team USA manager Fred Dampier standing next to starting pitcher Rich Palmer.
Managers Fred Dampier and Elmer Black shake hands before the game above the Canada and USA prints on the infield.
Team USA manager Fred Dampier, speaker Hank Gomez, and Team Canada manager Elmer Black hold the trophy before the presentation after the game.
Winning manager Fred Dampier displays the trophy to speaker Hank Gomez and Team Canada manager Elmer Black.
Fred Dampier sits next to the trophy with Sarah, his Sheltie dog.