HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-09-08, Page 3erich Industrial fastball league presents the
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-Last year Petrolia burned up the A Division
by Doug "Brooks" Fisher
Play Ball!!!
That familiar cry by the umpire will soon be
heard as the 9th annual Goderich Industrial
Softball Tournament gets underway.
Local favourites, McGee Pontiacs will take to
the diamond to kick off the tourney at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 2 against Conroy Abattoir.
Nine years ago' this weekend, the first tour-
nament was organized by Gerry Pitre with
twelve local teams vying for top spot.
Hottaiesville walked off with the honours during
the weekend.
Since that time, the tournament has taken on
several new looks as different and unique in-
novations - some successful, o hers not - have
been attempted. Pitre, an avid player, umpire
and fan, kept the "ball" rolling for the next three
years with the assistance .of a few interested
players and individuals and gradually the
tournament expanded its contour and the
drawing radius of competing teams increased
with each new year.
The secOfld, third and fourth tournaments saw
such tearrfs as Petrolia eham's, Gord's Sports,
Sandy's Clippers, Toronto City -Wide Catering, to
name only a few, as annually competing for
honours in the expanded twenty-four team
tourney. Vern and Kitty Smith, operators of the
concession "stand at that time, were also quite
active during those formative years.
In 1973, Doug Fisher took over the chair-
manship of the tournament committee and
remained as such for the next four years. Thirty-
two teams were entered in the fifth annual,
consisting of 16 "A" division teams and 16 "B"
division teams.. Any teams drawing players from
a populace of over 10,000 were placed in the "A"
category. The calibre of softball increased
during, the succeeding years as the attractive
prize money lured in such teams as Bodenoch,
London Ted Diltz, Stratford Memorials, Kit-
chener Evergreens, Picton, Ingersoll etc. etc.
etc.
Why do the 800 - 1500 people crowd the stands
on Labour Day Weekend? They came to see such
distinctive award-winning players as Brian
Lightfoot, Lucan Irish Nine; Larry Forbes,
Petrolia Squires; Dan Dohonavich, Pctrolia
Squires; Wayne Cope, Petrolia Squires: Ken
L'Heureux, London Ted-Diltz; Ross Hislop,
Stratford and Bill Gallow, Goderich French Dry
Cleaners.
With • tournament net profits in 1976 over
$3,000., the league was able to pay $3500 of the
$5000. it owes to the town for the new light in-
stallation at the ball park. This year will pay off
that debt a year early, with hopeful future
considerations for expenditures to include new
grass outfield, fence and possible dugouts for the
players.
This year, Gerry Durst is tournament chair=
man and he has accepted 40 teams into the
softball competition. As an added feature, an
eight team slow -pitch tournament will take place
onSundayand Monday.
Top calibre umpiring supplied by the Ingersoll
Umpires Association also generates added en-
thusiasm throughout the stands as precise and
professional decision are consistently made.
This year's tournament has the makings of the
biggest and best yet. The tournament fervor has
"been brewing for the past few weeks and is now
finally upon us. Make sure you are there when
the first batter is in the box, the pitcher on the
mound, is set to deliver and the umpire hollers,
"Play Ball!"
Supplement To The Goderich Signal -Star,
Thursday, September 1, 1977
inside . • •
• complete
schedule
• team rosters
• pictures
• stories
• and more...