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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-06-06, Page 14SPOTLIGHT GEORGE HAMILTON of Wroxeter is well known to most Howick-area residents for his years of dedicated work with local baseball and hockey teams. The Milton -born Mr. Hamilton moved to this area in 1960 and has been involved with community sports ever since. Geo. Hamilton is active in Howickrea sports By Margaret Arbuckle For over 20 years, George Hamilton of Wroxeter has been a permanent fixture at Howick baU parks and arenas. Through the organizing of teams and tournaments, he has tried to impart his own sense of fair play and good conduct to young area sports- men_ Mr. Hamilton has been involved in sports vir- tually all his life, whether playing, coaching or in administration. And be has watched two generations of Howick hockey and ball players grow up, since moving to this area in 1960_ Bornand raised at Milton, he played hockey and baseball as a boy. After World War II, he and his brother formed their own construction company and they stayed in business until 1954 when Mr. ,Hmmilton..bought his own farm at .Acton. ' the timebe was farming at Actor, he *indigo wife were looking around for another farm. When he got a chance to buy a farm in Hawick, he took up the offer and has never regretted it once. "This is great country," he said. The Hamiltons retired from the farm in 1974. Never one to sit idly by, he got out into the com- munity and became involved in organizing an In- termediate ladies' ball team. He had great success with a. ladies' team he coached in Streetsville, wuming four all -Ontario championships m a row. He said he always liked working with ladies because he found them to be hardworking, con- scientouus. and good listeners. When he started coaching local ladies' bail, the team was getting "blown out" by outrageous scores, but his patience (and that of the ladies) pad off: each year he'd get one or two more good players until the team grew into one that made it to the finals on more than one occasion. He also coached the Howick Midget hockey team for several years. Now he does some scouting for the Hawick Optimist Juveniles, which he enjoys because he finds that group "the nicest bunch of boys anybody could hope to work with." But something of a pall has fallen over sports in the past few years, he said, and it disappoints him. Some young people it seems, though not all, have taken a sour attitude toward officials, coaches and referees, and it is spoiling the game in his view. Playing hockey, or any sport, is a privilege not a right, to be enjoyed and appreciated. In his years as a coach, Mr. Hamilton always had very strict rules for the conduct of his players_ He said he would not, and does not, tolerate swearing, smoking or talking back to people in authority and it pains him when he sees young people doing those things_ He said it's no wonder that young peopte are losing their respect for authority, when he sees the professional sports rote models they have to look up to, like the stick -swinging New York Islander goalie Billy Smith or the back -talking manager of the New York Yankees, Billy Martin. With men like that to influence them, what are kids supposed to think? But, all in all, Ise has many wonderful memories of his years in sports and no doubt there will be many more. He is busy now organizing events for this summer at the local ball park, in particular, the annual Wroxeter fast ball tournament. In addition to sports, Mr. Hamilton also enjoys hunting and fishing and is kept busy running back and forth to the ball and hockey games of his 10 randchildrers. J Antique Car Show and Flea Market At the Fairgrounds in Clifford, Ont - June 1 1 and 12 9 a. rut. to 6 p.m. Admission 1, children free 40 Antique Cars on Display Chicken Barbecue - Saturday 4 to 8 p.m Sponsored by Maitland Valley Region 11 Ae. S. G For more information photic Morley Fanner 881-0947 Daer suffers injury urns goes the distance as - Ps win tournament By Peter Bauer The Wingham Bob Foxton BPs entered the Brodhagen Invitational Fastball Tournament knowing full well that their luck in the ' past left a lot to be desired. In the past years, the best they had done was come away with a 500 record. This year proved to be different as they came away with the championship, but paid a tremendous toll for that title. The pitching staff was decimated before the final day's action was completed. Don Edgar and Ron Riley saw limited action and Ed Daer suffered multiple head injuries when struck by a line drive in game two Sunday. Daer lay on the field for 40 minutes before being transfered to Stratford hospital via ambulance with the extent of his injuries yet to be determined. With that injury case load, the pitching duties fell on the shoulders of Dave Burns. Burns had pitched the BPs to a 2-0 win over Walton in game one and he came in in relief after Deer was struck by second batter he faced after coming in to `relieve Riley. Burns shut out the Ayr Vics in the final two innings, but Ayr still came away with a 4-1 win. Burns then was called upon to pitch the final three games as the BPs came back to win three straight decisions for the championship. IreLIVGIRAM OVER BRODIIAGEN The BPs were not very polite to the host team as they bumped them off by a 3- 1 score in the first contest of the tournament. Burns was the winner, hurling a one - hitter and giving up one run while striking out six men through the seven -inning game. The BPs scored twice in the second inning as Pegg scored from third base on a pass ball .and- Ron -Smith ca ire Antoine after Glen Gallaher doubled. The third BP run came in the sixth as Neil Bieman doubled, went to third on a pass ball and scored on a suicide squeeze by Smith. Brodhagen's only run came in the fourth inning when Brad Fischer doubled. He was sacrificed to third by Rob Hickman; then scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Phil Avery. WINGHAM, 4 SHAKESPEARE, 3 The BPs were not im- pressive in their next victory as they committed four fielding errors and were Lucky to emerge with the win. Pegg was the first man to cross the plate as he singled and was sacrificed to second, went to third on a t and then scored as Bill Robinson laid down a perfect bunt, which the third baseman hesitated to throw. Shakespeare replied with two runs on three fielding errors in the fourth, but Pegg replied once more as he cranked one over the left - field fence to tie the score at 2-2. In the sixth inning, another fielding error eventually cost another run and the BPs trailed 3-2. But in the bottom of the sixth, Gallaher con- tinued with the hot bat to double once more. Daer, who had come in to relieve Riley, evened the count once more as he punched out an RBI single. The game winner came in the seventh as Jim Seip climbed aboard as a walk. He went to third as Smith safely went to first on an error and scored when Bieman singled down the first -base line. WiNGHAM, 2, WALTON, 0 In the fast game of Sun- day's action, Burns scat- tered four hits to register a 2- O shutout over Walton. Gallaher rounded the bases as he drove a sinking line drive to right field in the second lining. Thefielder charged the ball, but it sunk below his outstretched glove and as he fell in a wet right Wingham duo wins. snooker challenge A snooker -playing duo from Wingham Family Fun and Games has finally brought home the Challenge Cup won the past two years by Hanover. After dropping the first set of the match four games straight at Hanover May 22, the Wingham pair of Willie Rodger and Paul Steep made a remarkable comeback to win the Cup in a gruelling, four-hour match at Wingham the following weekend_ After winning the second best -of -seven set four games to three to tie the match, Rodger and Steep won the tiebreaker 4-3 in a game that went right down to the ack ball in the final frame. Scott Davidson, owner of Family Fun and Games in Wingham, explained that the Challenge Cup originated three years ago when his brother owned Family Fun . and Ganges in Hanover and they used to argue about which town had the, better players_ The rivalry developed from there_ Now he is thinking about expanding the competition to include teams from Walkerton and Owen Sound. A rematch with Hanover is tentatively set for sometime in January. This time it will involve six -man teams,. with three junior players and three seniors. field, Gallaher beat the throw to the plate. The BPs added one more in the third inning as Bruce Skinn led off with a single, was sacrificed to second by Seip then scored as Smith came through with an RBI single. To this point in the tournament, Gallaher had gone six for eight at the plate and Burns had chalked up nine more strike outs. Rick McDonald took the loss for Walton giving up two runs on five hits while striking out three. WINGHAM OVER AYR The BPs had a three-hour layoff before meeting their next competition as the two undefeated teams met head on. Ayr made the most of its opportunities as they scored three times on identical plays. After a leadoff single, Ayr moved the runner into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt and then followed with key hits to bring the runner home. The first run of the game came on the first pitch as Bill Wells cranked one just over the eentrefield fence. The loss meant the BPs had to play three games to take the title and their first competition was Walton. WINGHAM, 2, WALTON, 0 The BPs scored both runs in the first inning as Skinn led off with a double, went to third on a pass ball and scored as Walton made an error on a Ben Blackwell ground ball Smith singled and the bases were loaded when Bieman was struck by a pitch. Pegg hit into a fielder's choice and Black- well lackwell was thrown out at the plate. Bill Brown also hit into a fielder's choice, but Smith scored as the out was made at second base. Burns gave up two hits and added six more strike outs to his total. McDonald took the loss for, Walloon, WINGHAM, 1, AYR, 0 In this rematch, Burns added his batting ability to his pitching performance, doubling in the third inning. .Skin's sacrifice bunt ad- vanced the runner to third and he scored while Seip punched out a sacrifice fly. Burns scattered five hits, striking out three. Bill Tilt took the loss for Ayr, giving up one run on six hits while Belgrave euchre Ten tables were in playt the weekly euchre which Was held in the WI Hall Wednes- day, June 1. Winners were: high lady, Mrs_ Wilfred Caslick; low lady, Mrs. Eva McGill; lone hands for ladies, Mrs. Verena Bone; high man, Wilfred Walker; low man, Mrs. Jas. R. Coolies (play- ing as a man ) ; lone ban& for men, Jas. R. Coultes. There will be euchre Wed- nesday, June 8,, same time. Everyone is welcome. MIII.MMONMENIMOMMENEENOME, CHALLENGE CUP WINNERS -,-Willie "-Pre Stkrrug" Rodger and Paull The Carve" Steep brought home to Wingham the snooker Challenge Cup which Pia been worn the past two years by Hanover. With Them is off Davidson, owner of Family Fran and Games in Wingham which co -sus the tournament - notching seven strike outs. WINNING MATCH The rubber match began with Ayr taking an early 2-1 lead in the fist inning as Henry Chistette singled to score two runs with the bases loaded. Rieman got those two rum back for Wingham in the fifth as he too singled with the bases loaded. The BPs added four more in the sixth, with Shinn getting two RBIs while Burls and Smith had one each. In the bottom of the sixth, Don Wells tripled for Ayr and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mike Schnell. Ayr used three pitchers, but Burns went the distance for the BPs. He gave up five hits in the final game. Throughout ,the tour- nament, Burin: pitched 37 innings and all five games he started. He came in on relief in game four and surren- dered no rums. However, he was not awarded the tour- nament's MVP award due to the voting system in which a player was picked in each game played. McDonald of Walton narrowly beat Burns out for the honor, much to the consternation of virtually everyone at the park. The top batter of the tournament was Bill Wells of Ayr. The BPs were the tour- nament champions, Ayr was second and Walton was third, while Caledonia finished fourth The BPs will continue to play league games in the Blusewatea Fastball League until the weekend of June 17-19 when they will hold their own fastball tournament with eight teams entered in a true double knockout tour- nament. The Wingham Advance -Tunes, June S, 1963—Page 13 TIM BROWN chases down a shot in the season - opening tournament held by the Wingham Tennis Club on Sunday. The tournament had been postponed a week due to rain, but organizers were rewarded with a nearly perfect day Sunday. Steve Gaunt and Lynne Marr finished in top spot. Tennis dub holds its opening tourney The Wingham Tennis Club had an excellent turnout for its opening tournament Sunday, after being rained out the previous weekend. The tournament was run by Bob and Peggy Pike, who reported that 20 enthusiastic members took part in the five rounds of mixed doubles play. Prizes for top male and female players went to Steve Gaunt and Lynne Marr, both of whom won all their sets. The ..club's next tour- naments are scheduled for Saturday, June 25, in the morning for juniors and Sunday, Jung 26, in the af- ternoon for intermediates and seniors. Anyone still interested in joining the club should contact Mrs. Pike this week at 357-1845. k ALL MODELS MOTORCYCLATC's gIM600- S Just in Time for Graduation! No Gimmicks . Just Down to Earth Values! 1Ih SILVER NAING INTERSTATE. k see Lynn Hoy Enterprises Ltd. Hwy. 86 Wingham ingharn 357-3435 1