FISHERVILLE — The Townsend Tide’s journey to next year’s ISC Worlds started with a pitch – and a whole lot of heart – at this year’s Fisherville Classic.
Held from May 30 to June 1, 2025 at the Fisherville Community Centre, the inaugural Fisherville Classic fastball tournament brought together six teams for a weekend of competition and community fundraising.
Hosted by the Townsend Tide, the event raised money to support the team’s upcoming trip to the 2026 ISC World Tournament in Minnesota.
Six teams took to the diamond for the tournament: the Townsend Tide, Harwood Corners, Jarvis J’s, Curve Lake, Niagara Snappers, and eventual champions, the St. Thomas Elgins.
“This is our first annual tournament,” said Corey Mac-Lean, who co-organized the event alongside Kent Wardell.
“We started through the winter to organize this tournament, and we hosted it as a fundraiser towards rooms, travel, and rides – all that stuff – for the team,” said Mac-Lean.
He confirmed that the St. Thomas Elgins clinched the top spot, with strong play carrying them through the weekend.
Though Townsend didn’t take the title, the real victory came off the field as local support poured in.
The weather on Sunday was ideal for fastball, with sunshine and steady winds drawing out a strong crowd.
“It was great today, but very windy,” MacLean told The Press in an interview Sunday afternoon.
“The sun came out for us, but it was pretty windy and dusty, and the balls would go in the air and take off,” he said. “But it was great though, because the sun came out and we got a lot more people. Yesterday, it was cold, shadowy, and dry, so that put a real damper on people sitting in the stands.”
The Townsend Tide currently has 16 players on its roster, and this marked the team’s first major fundraising effort for the ISC trip.
While the tournament was the centrepiece, the team has also been selling hats and shirts and has received support from local sponsors and donors, including some generous contributions from local businesses.
“This is our first time fundraising for this,” said Mac-Lean. “We’ve had very generous donations and sponsors from various businesses and factories that have helped us out.”
He added that while the Tide are excited for their first ISC Worlds, they recognize that getting there will take more than just skill on the field – it’ll take teamwork off the field as well.
MacLean expressed deep gratitude to the people and organizations who made the tournament possible.
“We couldn’t have done it without the support,” he said. “A big thank you to all who helped us organize and run this tournament.”
He specifically extended thanks to the Fisherville Lions and Mark Schweyer, noting, “This tournament wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Mark Schweyer.”
With community support behind them, the Townsend Tide now sets its sights on Minnesota.
