Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-07-29, Page 9Taking a bead The outfielder .easily made the play in this B championship game Sunday between the Bits and Pieces and the McNichol team. The contest was part of the exciting tournament action in Brussels hosted by the Junior C Bulls this past weekend. Twelve teams took part. The A championship was won by Just A Team from Blyth, which defeated Higgy's squad from Brussels for the win. Second match tough for tired Pre-Mites tions. 01 JOHN McKERCHER CONSTRUCTION LTD. • backhoeing • bulldozing • loader and truck rental • sand, gravel and topsoil • stone pile and rubble removal * septic systems R.R. #2 Bluevale 887-9061 if busy 887-9999 Fax: 887-9999 BUYING Standing Timber and Logs Let 6 generations of experience in Purchasing and Resource Management work for you! NEED FIRE0/00 Call the Firewood People for a Price we have HARDWOOD SLABS - BODY WOOD or a combination of 1/2 SLABS - 1/2 BODY WOOD RAIG HARDWOODS LTD. AUBURN. ONTARIO 519-526-7220 Te-em Farm's ▪ OW0:1J12- Cii4jalaD \4&, Nursery Stock can be our own. come see our selection! planted anytime... FIELD TOMATOES READY SOON! our own... r , r ;4• 1,7 • SWEET CORN TE-F .M FARM CUKES! A 0,-cir6lerier- (519) 482-3020 7 SUMMER HOURS RR#1 Bayfi4d, Ot. NOM I GO 9-6 DAILY, 31 ,", „iPerennlals fiat of 13 Wallis- 4 2 5 " THE PERENNIAL GARDENS ARE A MUST TO SEE! ...lilies are now flowering and add a beautiful accent to your gardens -numerous colours to PEACHES / ik dc.t y & CREAM ./ - ry or ) Y ;-41../ takedefrs choose from '\‘ Pottg!coalsiter,Conotx,tioa:ner 00,0 4 ; THE CMZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1998. PAGE 9. From the sidelines Brussels hosts 27th invitational fastball tournament By Hugh Nichol As stated in a previous column inter- mediate men's fastball has always enjoyed a strong following in our area. The Huron County Bluewater and South Perth Leagues all provide excellent entertainment, while the close proximity of each produces a favourite pastime for fans and players alike. Since the beginning of baseball our competitive nature has led to discussions on how to measure the athletic calibre of each hometown team as compared to neighbouring rivals. When regular schedules and playoffs were not possible, local centres began to organize and host annual challenges or tournaments in order to settle the issues, award bragging rights, and fuel the fire of future debates. Two of the more successful and longest running tournaments in the area have been Goderich, celebrating its 30th anniversary in September, and this weekend's Brussels Invitational in its 27th year. Each has withstood the test of time and while Goderich has introduced a ladies' division and round-robin play in order to survive, Brussels has remained relatively unchanged since its inception in 1971. The first tournament was a 10- team single loss elimination won by the Stratford Memorials. Following a brief experiment with 20 teams in 1972 the present day format was established and with the exception of 1977 when 24 teams were entered the traditional 16 team playdown has remained intact. Bob Pegg of Bluevale was a member of the Stratford team and also played on championship clubs from Wingham and Bluevale. Pegg is the only player to have won titles with three different teams and in later years has returned to the scene of his success as coach of entries from Belgrave and Wroxeter. The Brussels., Recreation Board sponsored the first tournament and continued to organize the event through the mid 1980s. In 1987 the Brussels Optimist Club stepped forward to help and remained involved until 1992. The Brussels Tigers fastball club joined the Optimists in 1988 and have, with the help of the Brussels Crusaders hockey team, carried on the tradition. 1972 saw the arrival of Fullarton and Walton, two teams who have The Hullett Squirt Girls came up on the losing side of a battle against Goderich Twp. away on July 20. The squad let,a first inning four- run lead slip away in the second, allowing seven runs, and scoring none. Then the home team permit- ted just two runners across in the third, while having six of their own cross the plate. The back and forth action contin- ued for the next two innings, but the early home lead was too much to bridge. Kelly Ann Vandendool, Becky Bylsma and Dawn Dolmage split the pitching duties, with Dolmage sitting down five and Vandendool striking out two. participated every year since. Jim Skinner was a member of the first Fullarton team and although he defected to Sebringville for a couple of seasons will be making his 26th tournament appearance. During those years Fullarton has won six championship and four finalist titles including a second place finish to Camlachie in last year's consolation final. Ritchie's Rockets are the only Brussels team to have won a title, winning the "B" championship in 1973. The Rockets returned to the "B" final the following year while the Brussels Tigers have lost twice (1984 and 1996) in consolation final play. The Tigers remain the only hometown team to reach the championship semi-final game, a feat they have accomplished in each of the last two years. While success has eluded many of the local clubs, two teams have reached dynasty status in tournament history. The Wingham BPs are the only team to have won three consecutive championships (1978-79-80) and reached the finals in 1976, 1982 and 1983. Note: There was no tournament in 1981 due to the Morris Twp. centennial. Their five consecutive final appearances were matched in later years by the Mitchell Mets, who also hold the record for most "A" championships. The Mets shared the title in 1985, the only year the finals have not been played, in this case due to rain, before winning in 1993, 1995 and 1996. The 1979 final continues to be the greatest game played with Wingham defeating Sebringville 1-0 in 15 innings although for pure entertainment the Mets 12-10 win against Monkton in 1996 was equally exciting. Thanks to the many volunteers the ball tournament expenses are held to a minimum. Entry fees become prize money while gate receipts cover the cost of the umpires. Any remaining cash flow is used for miscellaneous items such as park fees and administration costs, hopefully on a break even margin. To compensate a concessions stand is made available with success in Sales in direct proportion to the profit and loss statement. This figure is then divided between the Tigers and Crusaders and reinvested into the community through the individual operating costs of each organization. This year's lineup has a distinctively local flavour with 12 of the 16 teams within a half-hour travel time of Victoria Park. Continued from page 8 Lindsay pushed in another run with a single. Three quick outs in the bottom of the second, two in good relays from Justin Pipe to Becker at first, got Brussels back to the plate, but they were only able to add one run in the third. Keffer came home after a sin- gle from McLean and Miners and a sacrifice from Raynard. Ethel took a 13-10 lead through three with seven runs. Becker led off the fourth with a double, followed by a single from Lichty and a three-run homer by Justin Pipe. Quesenberry's triple brought home Lindsay before keffer, McLean and Marissa Pipe each sin- gled but were stranded on the 10- batter rule. Ethel sealed the 20-15 victory with seven in the fourth. The second match was tough for the Brussels Pre-Mites as they took on an unknown opponent from Bel- U-9s edge Newton The Brussels U-9 Its soccer squad edged a visiting Newton team 4-3 July 20. Scott Somerville led the way with three goals, while Jake Van- Beek-Coultes scored a single. Coach Lori Coultes said, "The team played awesome. They double shifted and remained strong throughout. Great goaltending and strong and persistent defense, helped the half backs keep Newton at bay and allowed the forwards and centre to get into scoring posi- Dynamites keep on • • winning June 30 the Dynamites travelled to Newry to meet Elma at Newry Park. Good defence kept the score low. With only half of the squad the Dynamites showed ijnpressive endurance for a final score of 2-1 for Brussels. Scoring for the Dynamites were Taylor Prior and Jonas Schwarz. Dynamites met Listowel on July 7 with home field advantage. Listowel blasted one off the top early, showing any victory was to be hard-fought. Brussels then took control with 11 goals. The scoring Dynamites were Jonas Schwarz, three; Ben Gowing, one; Brianne Wheeler, two; Cody Subject, four and Brian Burgess, one. Awesome goaltending and defense was played by Evan Ducharme, Justin Pipe, Thomas Johnston, Ryan Smith, Emily Warwick and Taylor Prior. Just like the weather, the U-7 Brussels Dynamites were still hot when they took on Elma July 14. Good offence gave Brussels the edge with a 5-2 final. Scoring for the Brussels squad were Evan Ducharme, one; Jonas Schwarz, one; Ryan Smith, one and Joel Wilkinson, with a pair. Great goaltending was by Sean Slater, Ben Gowing and Taylor Prior. The remaining squad Cody Subject, Justin Pipe, Nicholas Durrell, Brian Burgess, Thomas Johnston, Emily Warwick and Danica Zwep kept the Elma squad challenged. The Dynamites travelled to New- ton Co play the Tigers on July 21 and came home defeated 7-2. Ryan Smith and Joel Wilkinson found the net for the visitors. more. The stronger team quickly jumped ahead, blasting seven runs in the first and second and eight in the third and fourth. A tired Brussels squad stayed in the game for the first two, bringing home 11 but was slowed to only one run in the final innings. Justin Pipe smacked a triple and single for three RBIs; Keffer, two doubles and a single, two RBIs; McLean, a double; Becker, three singles, Lichty, two singles, RBI; Stretton, three singles; Lindsay, three singles, three RBI; Quesen- berry, single; Marissa Pipe, single, Raynard, two singles and Bone, two singles. Hullett loses to Goderich Twp.