ISF SLOW PITCH WORLD CUP OPENS WITH OFFENSE

The ISF Slow Pitch World Cup made its debut in a big way with 144 runs being scored in six games.

The day opened with two afternoon games, both in the COED division. Great Britain II edged the Bahamas Sunshine 8-7 in what would be the lowest scoring game of the day. The Sunshine squandered a 5-3 lead after six innings.

The other game also saw a Great Britain team defeat one from the Bahamas. Great Britain I hung a 16-5 decision on the Bahamas Arawak. Great Britain scored runs in every inning except the sixth.

Game action was then put on hold for Opening Ceremonies, which took place in Plant City Stadium. Each of the eleven teams took part in a procession onto the field, followed by the ISF umpires. The flags of each of the three participating countries were then presented, before the U.S. National Anthem was sung by area resident Taryn Livingston, who recently completed her junior year of high school in Plant City. ISF President Don Porter then gave his welcome address, flanked by ISF 1st Vice-President Clovis Lodewijks from the Netherlands Antilles. City officials were introduced as well, with City Manager Phil Waldron following Mr. Porter at the microphone. The ceremony concluded with the customary “first pitch.”

Play was to resume immediately, but Mother Nature had something to say about that. After a 90-minute rain delay, the action resumed with a bang.

In MEN’S play, the Bahamas Junkanoos outlasted the Bahamas Lucayans, 14-11. The game was tied 5-5 after three innings, but the Lucayans didn’t score again until a six-run seventh inning.

The Bahamas Arawaks rebounded from their matinee loss, dumping Great Britain II, 14-10 in eight innings in COED play. Great Britain scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh – after holding the Arawaks scoreless in the top of the inning – to force extra innings, tied at eight.

Back over in the MEN’S bracket, the Bahamas Beaches made a big splash in their debut, pounding Great Britain I, 28-12. The Beaches led 12-0 after the first half-inning. They would score eight more runs in the top of the fourth. Every player scored at least one run for the winners.

The night concluded in dramatic fashion in MEN’S play with Great Britain II making their first appearance count, holding off Great Britain I, 20-19. After tying the game with a run in the bottom of the seventh, a base hit to center field with the bases loaded brought in the winning run later that half-inning, preventing extra innings. Great Britain I had taken a 19-18 lead with two runs in the top of the seventh.

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