HIGH ACHIEVERS: Stay-Safe Edition
COVID-19 played havoc with the men's fastpitch leagues this summer. Some leagues cancelled their schedules. Others waited and played a late season. One pitcher played and wondered. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada @jorangraham

Pitcher Joran Graham greatly appreciated the work of Matt Greer and the Shawville R.A. to stage the two-month Shawville Men's Fastpitch League regular season and playoffs. But he also had something else on his mind. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada @jorangraham

Playing for the Trudeau Collision Brewers, the top-level pitching of @jorangraham shone in the playoffs and in the 8-2 win over Gannon/Blackburn Electric Bucks in the championship final. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada @jorangraham

But what if the pandemic never slapped us in the face and the world was normal. If that were the case, @jorangraham would likely have learned if he had made the grade to be named to the Canadian men's fastball team. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada

In late October, 2019, @SoftballCanada named 44 players to its men's national team athlete pool and @jorangraham was a surprise selection. At age 30, he thought his days for national-team consideration were history. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch

@jorangraham played for Canada as a pitcher and designated hitter in the 2008 world junior championships in Whitehorse, Yukon, and earned a silver medal. For the past 12 years, he has been a quality league and tournament player. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada

The first player from Micksburg, ON., to be considered for the national men's team, @jorangraham is truly motivated to make the most of what is likely his one and only chance to play for the No. 4 world-ranked squad. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada

Having a chance to play in a 9-week regular season plus playoffs in Shawville Men's Fastpitch League was a blessing for @jorangraham. He kept his game sharp, hoping to get a positive call from @SoftballCanada, which cancelled national team plans. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch

The @SoftballCanada men's national team athlete pool includes 15 players from the 2019 squad, which won the bronze medal at the world championships. @jorangraham is one of eight first-time players named to the athlete pool. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch

The pennant-winning Brewers stormed into the Shawville league final. @jorangraham pitched back-to-back shutouts in the double elimination playoffs, defeating Tubman Autobody Twins 9-0 and Gannon/Blackburn Electric Bucks 1-0. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada

His pitching performance against the Bucks was masterful, tossing a no-hitter, walking only one and striking out 20. Losing pitcher Gregg Garrity also had impressive numbers _ a one-hitter, 15 Ks, three walks. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada @jorangraham

The no-hitter also earned @jorangraham Player of the Week honours on the Outside The Chute podcast for fastpitch enthusiasts. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada @outsidethechute

It's too bad the region's fastball fans couldn't watch @jorangraham and the other Shawville league players as Outaouais health directives banned anyone from attending the games because of the pandemic. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada @jorangraham

Meanwhile, the Glen Cairn Men's Fastball League celebrated its 50th anniversary with a bubble loop of 4 12-player teams and 2 umps in August and September. Doubleheaders were played each Tuesday night for six weeks. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada @jorangraham

Jefferson Roman and Wilmer Lovera hit home runs and Kevin Daize was the winning pitcher as Don Cherry's used some late offence to rout Wild Wings 13-2 in the championship game. Don Cherry's led 3-2 after 5 innings. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada @jorangraham

The Orleans Men's Fastball League championship will be decided later this week, when pennant-winning White will face Orange, and Blue takes on Red in the B final. Jeff Barber of Orange was named regular season MVP. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada @jorangraham

The pandemic forced organizers to cancel the Greater Ottawa Fastball League and Blackburn Men's Fastball League seasons as well as Canadian U23 men's Fastpitch Championship, which will be held July 27-Aug. 1 in Carp. @fitzroyfastball @shawfastpitch @SoftballCanada @jorangraham

Coming up Wednesday, Oct. 7, HIGH ACHIEVERS: Stay-Safe Edition will give you an update on the status of the 2021 Ottawa Sports Awards Dinner. @OttSportsAwards