HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-08-30, Page 33Greetings.
from the
Chairman
BY DOUG CURRIE
Chairman of the
Goderich Industrial
Fastball League
On behalf of the players, management, fans
and executive of the Goderich Industrial
Fastball League I would like to extend.a warm
welcome to the many visitors to our 11th
Annual Labour Day Tournament. During the
busy four days of the tournament we all look
forward to meeting old acquaintances who
have been coming back year after year and
watching the many games of high calibre ball
that have become a trademark of this tour-
nament.
The competition by the 10 teams in our league
has been very.keen to achieve one of the four
positions in our tournament. Good luck to
Canada Company, McGee Pontiacs, French.
Dry Cleaners and Lakeport Steelers as our
representatives. -.
Special thanks should also go to the tour-
nament executives_ and their ball player
helpers of the last 10 years who have done so
much to build this tournament to be one of the
most successful tournaments in this part of
southern Ontario. As a direct result . of their
actions we now have one of . the finest ball
diamonds in this area. This ball league has
spent in excess of $13,000 over the last three or
four years from the tournament profits to
provide such, things as new lights, sod, fences
as well as participating in the grandstand
project. Besides the 'direct profits of this
tournament the tournament has also generated
many extra benefits for the „town and
surrounding area.
Special thanks must also be extended to Doug
Fisher and his tournament executive for their
hard work in' organizing and promoting
Goderich's 11th annual tournament. They have
worked very hard to continue to improve this
tournament. I believe the addition of the beef
barbeque and dance on Saturday night will be a
popular attraction to this year's tournament.
In closing I wish to thank all teams who are
participating and •wish them good luck and an
enjoyable weekend.
The Galeria Industrial Feetbsfl Le.9ue presents the
11th annual
fastball
tournament
Behind the scenes
BY DOUG F>SHER
tournament chairman
May 9, 1979! The first tournament executive
meeting seemed rather late m the season.
However, looking around the room, I soon
realized that the executive members were
basically the same people that I had worked
with two years ago.
The fastball tournament in G.oderich is ad-
dictive. Not being directly involved for just one
year, I had forgotten the highs and lows of
organizing an event such- as this. This year
would be a cinch! Alam, with Labor Day
weekend upon us, we are still not convinced
we're ready.
Petrolia, Walton: top seeded
The 11th Goderich Industrial Fastball
tournament features 32 teams competing in two
divisions for trophies and big prize money.
In the A division, favorites are the Petrolia
- team, which has'won the division three years in
a row, and the London Ted Dilts, Petrolia's long
time rival. A new team from Amherstburg may
create strong competition. Their record for the
season is 26-1.
In the B division, Walton has been top seeded
because of its victory last year: Also seeded in
the_.B division is Wingham,'Goderich Canada
Company, and the Ingersoll McNabs.
Again, efficient umpiring will be provided by
the -Ingersoll Umpires Association.
No tournament can be properly executed
without a capable executive making the
decisions.
The chairman for the 11th tourney is' Doug
Fisher, and his vice is Ray Donnelly. The
treasurer,, i$ Bill Kirkey; secretary is Jim
Durst.
Taking care of the gates are Ron Ritchie and
Jim Bell; in charge of the bar are Greg Hansen,
Arnie -Parker, and John Hoy; Jim Durst will be
-taking care of the grounds; and the scoring will
be handled by Gerry Durst, and Frank
MacDonald; special draws will be handled by
Doug Currie and Shelley Fisher; Deb Shoefelt
is in charge of the bar -b -q.
The tournament coordinators; are Jack
McKinnon, Doug Fisher, Ray Donnelly, and
Dick Eisler.
These fellows are the hardest workers before,
during, and after the tournament, and they
don't receive trophies for their work.
1
Inside:
Tournament schedule -
Team rosters
Stories, pictures, and more...
Supplement to The Godeckh Slensl.sler, thersd y. August 30. 17
Thirty-two teams had been accepted. The
schedule had been drawn. However, this final
tranquility was short-lived.
Do we accept Petrolia? The perennial win-
ners had sent an application but keeping
everything above board' had indicated that they
were in senior Ontario Amateur .Softball
Association (OASA) playdowns. Initially, o'Ur
rules stated that no carded senior players were
allowed into our tournament..
This condition was Set to prevent individual
players participating in a senior OASA league
from entering on a team roster as an "add-on"
player. The executives unanimous decision was
to accept Petrolia on their league play (London
and District) and not to reject this fine club on
the basis of signing senior cards for playdowns
only.
Problem solved! Wrong! Five 'B' 'division
teams are informed of illegal players, and or
leagues, and are forced to enter the -'A' division
or withdraw.
Mary Bell never had it so good. The phone
rang constantly. Concerns as to playing times,
accommodations, reservations, prize money,
bar -b -q and dance etc. etc. etc. are handled.
Nevertheless, individual committees that
were set up had proved to be superlative in the
tasks at hand. Fourteen dedicated individuals
that had volunteered.to organize this year's*
activities had responded "above and beyond
the call of duty" once again.
The weekend is virtually sleepless. The bar is
closed at 1:00 a.m. with straglers being issued
out shortly thereafter.
The next day's supplies are prepared and
arrival at home is usually between 2:30 and
3:00 a.m. One ear is kept open all night listening
for raindrops. Six -thirty comes early as
executive members start stragling in to the
park to prepare the diamonds for 8:00 games.
Meetings are held each morning to discuss
potential problems and discuss the upcoming
day's criteria, and on, and on, and on.
What does all this mean to our executive? It
means that at the end of the weekend, the final
meeting is held. An approximation of ' the
financial success is arrived at as well as' the
achievement of our goals - whether immediate
or ultimate. .
Who actually ends up winning the tour-
nament? Each and every person that -attends,
participate "* or in any way is involved with
sports in Goderich is a winner. The meaningful
thank you from friends and strangers 'alike
indicatesanother successful weekend.
How do we improve for next_ year? The
wheels are already in motion and everyone is
contemplating new ideas for improvement.
The call of the umpire, the roar of the crowd
and the crack of the bat are upon us once again.
Enjoy, yourself. -