It is with great pleasure that we share the news of Darren Zack's upcoming October 29 induction to the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. Information courtesy of Lorenzo Gavilan Vargas Digital Marketing Coordinator at Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (CSHoF). ...
Darren Zack is a legendary Ojibwe pitcher who dominated the softball diamond in the 1990s. Growing up on the Garden River First Nation, Darren mainly played softball and hockey with his numerous uncles and cousins. Everyone on the team was part of a large extended family, and this nurturing, family-oriented style shaped how he viewed his teammates throughout his career.
Spending countless hours honing his skills with his father, John, Darren expanded his pitching arsenal into one of the finest in the world. His vast array of pitches included the overpowering rise ball, the mystifying drop ball, the elusive screwball, and the tantalizing curveball. To further disarm batters, he threw each of these pitches with variations in speed and location. These changeups left batters across the world shaking their heads in bewilderment.
In 1974, “Z-Man” began his career with the Garden River Braves at first and third base at just 14 years old. He established himself as a formidable pitcher by age 19, playing for teams across Canada and the United States. In 1991, Darren was called up to the Canadian National Team. His time wearing the maple leaf included a gold medal at the International Softball Federation (ISF) World Championships in 1992, and two silver medals in 1996 and 2004.
He also won three consecutive Pan American Games gold medals with Canada: 1991 in Havana, 1995 in Argentina, and 1999 in Winnipeg. Darren’s most storied tournament run came at the International Softball Congress (ISC) World Championships in 1995, where he did not allow a single run in ten straight games, striking out a record 150 batters. Darren and his Toronto Gators went on to win the ISC World Championship for the second time, after becoming the first Canadian team to capture the title in 1993. “Z-Man” was the go-to pitcher, adding two more ISC World Championships in 1998 and 2000. He earned the Most Outstanding Pitcher award in 1992, 1993, 1995, and 2000.
Darren was recognized with a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 1997 and the Tom Longboat Award in 2000 for his outstanding contributions to sport in Canada. In 2009, he was inducted into the Softball Canada Hall of Fame, and in 2010, he entered both the ISF and ISC Halls of Fame.
Throughout his career and into retirement, Darren has remained a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights and youth engagement in sports. A lifelong resident of the Garden River First Nation, he continues to be actively involved in his community, focusing on youth mentorship, promoting healthy lifestyles, and encouraging participation in sports. His work with organizations dedicated to Indigenous youth has been pivotal in creating opportunities and fostering a sense of pride and identity among young athletes.
There are two livestream opportunities that people can sign register for:
The 69th Annual Order of Sport Awards Presentation and Acceptance Speeches, and an engaging fireside chat featuring Conversations with Scott Russell and the Class of 2025, presented by Canadian Tire.
LA PAMPA, Argentina (Box Score) – The U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team rode a dominant pitching performance and a decisive fourth-inning rally to secure a 3-0 victory over Venezuela today, improving to 2-1 in the Pan American Championship.
The Eagles finished the game with three runs, two hits and zero errors with their three runs being the most of the tournament for Team USA so far. USA’s defense only allowed two hits and zero runs.
GAME LEADERS Pitcher Marco Diaz was nearly untouchable across all seven innings, only allowing two hits – striking out 11 Venezuelan batters. He faced 24 total hitters, finishing the game on 89 pitches with 62 total strikes.
USA’s two hits came from Alex Bodnar (1-for-2, 2 RBI, 1 BB) and Parker Hopkins (1-for-3, RBI double), bringing in Braden DuCharme, Cody Gibbons and Bodnar (pinch runner) for the three runs.
GAME BREAKDOWN Scoreless after the first inning, Venezuela challenged the Eagles in the top of the second, hitting back-to-back singles with two outs on the board. Diaz didn’t falter though, striking out the final batter of the inning to keep the scoreboard clean.
Two more innings passed with both pitchers battling for their teams to stay in the game, setting up Team USA for an explosive fourth inning. With two outs on the board, Bodnar came to the plate and drilled a ground ball to right field, allowing both DuCharme and Gibbons to score and put the Eagles in the lead.
It was then Hopkins’ turn, blasting a double on a line drive that would send Bodnar across home plate for USA’s third run of the game.
Heading into the final three innings, the defense stepped up to seal the victory. Diaz threw five more strikeouts along with Gibbons and Jacob Hartranft putting in clutch performances at first base and right field, respectively.
UP NEXT Team USA will look to keep the momentum going when they face Peru tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 16) at 8:30 a.m. CT/10:30 a.m. ART. Fans can follow along with the action at this link.
Follow the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team on GameChanger for live stats and game updates.
The countries that will compete for the Pan American title are:
Canada
Venezuela
United States
Dominican Republic
Peru
Guatemala
Mexico
??? La Pampa becomes the heart of softball! The WBSC Americas Softball U23 Men’s Championship 2025 ? has its official schedule. pic.twitter.com/Xsl4PYPTTl
LA PAMPA, Argentina (Box Score) – It was another pitching standoff for the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team in the second game of the Pan American Championship, but the Eagles were edged by Mexico, 1-0. Team USA is 1-1 in tournament play, finishing the game with just one hit.
GAME LEADERS Marco Diaz matched zeros for most of the game, allowing only two hits and one earned run over seven innings with 11 strikeouts. He had 82 total pitches with 57 strikes.
Outfielder Brennan DuCharme recorded USA’s lone hit, a triple in the bottom of the seventh to challenge Mexico.
GAME BREAKDOWN For the second game in a row, it was a pure defensive battle between USA and Mexico with Mexico only earning two hits in the game along with the Eagles’ one.
Mexico would go on to score its winning run in the top of the fifth inning on a single to center field, taking the lead that would secure them the victory.
Enter the seventh inning, Brennan DuCharme would step up to bat. Sitting at the plate with two strikes and a ball, DuCharme rocketed a line drive to right field for a triple, putting the Eagles’ in scoring position.
Unfortunately for Team USA, the lineup couldn’t find a way to push him across, ultimately falling to Mexico, 1-0.
UP NEXT The Eagles will look to regroup and look for an offensive spark tomorrow (Monday, Sept. 15) when they battle Venezuela at 11:30 a.m. CT/1:30 p.m. ART. Fans can follow along with the action at this link.
Follow the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team on GameChanger for live stats and game updates.
The countries that will compete for the Pan American title are:
Canada
Venezuela
United States
Dominican Republic
Peru
Guatemala
Mexico
??? La Pampa becomes the heart of softball! The WBSC Americas Softball U23 Men’s Championship 2025 ? has its official schedule. pic.twitter.com/Xsl4PYPTTl
Follow the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team on GameChanger for live stats and game updates.
The countries that will compete for the Pan American title are:
Canada
Venezuela
United States
Dominican Republic
Peru
Guatemala
Mexico
??? La Pampa becomes the heart of softball! The WBSC Americas Softball U23 Men’s Championship 2025 ? has its official schedule. pic.twitter.com/Xsl4PYPTTl
Follow the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team on GameChanger for live stats and game updates.
The countries that will compete for the Pan American title are:
Canada
Venezuela
United States
Dominican Republic
Peru
Guatemala
Mexico
??? La Pampa becomes the heart of softball! The WBSC Americas Softball U23 Men’s Championship 2025 ? has its official schedule. pic.twitter.com/Xsl4PYPTTl
