Times Advocate, 1999-09-08, Page 2222
ExaeM Times -Advocate
Wednesday, September 8, 1999
Sports
St.Joseph native chasing the major league dream
By Craig Bradford
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
ST. JOSEPH -- Pursuing your dreams
can take you to the darndest places.
Shawn Gillespie knows.
Gillespie, 24, spent the summer as a
right handed short reliever with the
Cook County Cheetahs pro baseball
club of the Frontier League, the same
league the London Werewolves play in.
The St. Jogeph native was ` "k home
fora few days when the Cht'Is fin-
ished the season with : ` ' game
series versus the Werewoh .t Labatt
Park. The Cheetahs were swept as
were their chances of overtaking
" Evansville for first place in their divi-
sion and a playoff berth. Cook County
had swept Evansville in the series
prior to the London one to get to with-
in a half game of Evansville.
Though disappointed about not play-
ing in the post -season, you get the feel-
ing Gillespie doesn't mind having a lit-
tle down time. The Frontier League
has a grueling schedule with a game
practically every day in ballparks all
over much of the U.S.
"It's hard, especially playing every-
day," Gillespie said. "Your body starts
to get really sore but you get to sleep
in a lot and that makes up for it."
Like many baseball players,
Gillespie's road to the pro ranks was a
long and winding one.
His first stop in the U.S. on his way to
the pros was at Centerville, Michigan's
Glen Oaks Community College. Then
he was off to Saginaw Valley, Michigan
to a Division II team. Next was Division
I play at Kent State near Akron, Ohio.
For some fun, Gillespie joined a friend
on a send -pro team in Seattle next.
Then he got the call to attend a try-
out with the Cheetahs. Gillespie said
the fateful call came after a Cincinnati
Reds scout liked what he saw while
Gillespie was pitching for Kent State
and told the Cheetah brass about biro.
Gillespie attended the tryout in
Jackson, Michigan in June and was
signed shortly later.
Along the way
Gillespie has earned a
Bachelor of Science
degree from Western
Michigan University of
Kalamazoo after he
transferred from Kent
State. Gillespie was at
Kent State on a schol-
arship. Gillespie
majored in social sci-
ence with an eye on a
future career as a col-
lege pitching coach.
"There's lots of
things to do in base-
ball," he mused,
including coaching
and scouting.
After meeting some
great guys with Cook
County (located near
Chicago), Gillespie plans on making
the squad again next season.
"It was a good experience," he said.
"I had a pretty good year. I was sad to
leave. It was so much fun."
Gillespie finished the season with a
2-4 record with two saves in 20
appearances that included a couple of
starts. He was the go -to guy in tough
situations and was expected to get the
big out or two with runners on base.
�•4:...�I tom. �.{•.: �: ..
"It was always exciting," Gillespie
said, adding he liked the pressure and
the opportunity to throw hard right
away and focus in over a short period
of time.
When asked what it was like to be a
Canadian on a U.S. pro ball team,
Gillespie said one of the American
players noticed he was from a `foreign'
country especially since the Cheetahs
boasted six
Australians and a
South Kore*i.
The Frontier League
may be the farthest
away a player can
play from the Big
Leagues while still
being a pro. No
Frontier League
t+ms have affiliation
'with the Major
Leagues. While the
Cheetahs paid for
Gillespie's travel,
accommodation and
food expenses, he was
only paid $550 U.S. a
month.
Gibe sie "It's almost a token,"
P = i Gillespie said with a
smile.
But it is pro ball, something Gillespie
has been dreaming of achieving since
he was a youngster. He started playing
fastball before age 10 and switched to
hardball at 11. Gillespie had to think
when asked what he loves most about
baseball.
"1 love Bing with the guys on the
teams" he said. "All my good friends
are from baseball."
Gillespie also likes competing at a
Shawn
SNO sIow
PIJLLS
S DRACS
S°°°w'"°' 111 IUUUZEXS SOWM
..... ..... ....... ... .. .. ..... ..�.. ...... .... z .......'ice.': :•:.': �.`.•:.: ..
Grand Bend Motorplex - Sept. 29
Inglis Cycle Centre Summer Sizzler
Name Car Rif ET MPH
Top Bike
(Rob Budgell Sr.. Pt. Huron 97 Kaw. 0.544
Kenny D., Michie GS 1150 0.895
Super Bike
Paul Crane, Cam.' 85 Suz. GS 1150 0.577 9.667 123.94
Craig Mark, Brantford 72 Kawa'kci 0.672 9.995 126.52
Street Fighter
Paul Crane, Cambridge 96 Suz. GSXR 0.566 10.616 120.49
\. James Gladstone, Ypsa.89 Suzuki 0.561 10.446 131.84
Harley Eliminator
Trevor Turner, Belle R. 0.563 13.166 94.41
Kevin Shepherd, RZ Moun. 91 HDFXR 0.819 11.459 113.96
• Trophy Bike
Jerry Cockerline. TOWS. 94 Suzuki 0.761 10.636 130.07
Lee Ranger, St. Thomas 88 Suzuki 0.864 12.315 101.26
September 4
Super Pro
Mike Warner. Bayfield 74 Nova 0.506 10.840 115.54
Teresa Haugh, Hensall 79 Camaro 0.544 9.771 13623
Pro
Jim Moore, Petrolia 69 Camaro 0.589 10.795 12
Randy Bilcke, Exeter 82 Camaro 0.492 11.942 11641
Modified Street •
Tom Chatterley, Lond. 80 Corvette 0.561 13.105 103.66
Rick Stewardson, Forest 66 Malibu 0.573 13.488 91.11
Super Bike/Sled
Robert Fitzsimmons, Wind. 78 Kaw. 0.545 9.593 129.38
Mike Pines, Kitchener 84 GS 1150 0.498 15.952 51.68
September 5
• Super Pro
Wayne Nielsen, London 69 Chev. SS 0.505
Tom Rogers, Sterling H. 34 Roadster 0.512
Pro
Peter Hrudka, Exeter 84 Chev S10 0.542
Austin Ward, St. Thomas 67 Camaro 0.000
Modified Street
Rick Stewardson, Forest 66 Malibu 0.592
Christine Hoips, Sarnia 79 Malibu 0.470
Top Sportsman
Ken Hishon, Stratford 39 Wiil s 0.507
Kim Dineen, Goderich 33 Ford 0.525
Super Dragster
Larry Kilpatrick, Lon. 94 Dragster 0.508
Tom Rogers, Stor. tit. 34 Roadster 0.499
VDRA Funny Car
Rob Atchison, London 97 Firebird • 0.475
Ilorb Rodgers, London 97 Mustang 0.527
8.110 152.49
8.112 154.21
9.159
8.353
10.762
0.000
13.547
13.543
8.805
8.318
7.285
8:343
6.333
6.443
141.44
155.87.
124.51
0.00
98.58
100.28
152.28
156.65
182.62
156.00
219.78
212.51
OAS
SEPTEMBER 11 & 12, 1999
SEAFORTH FAIRGROUNDS onside the Seeforth
AN PULLS - SAT., SEPT 11 ` • GRASS DRAGS
1:OOp.m.-?
Kern CAT/
MINI 2 DRAGS
* Pre -registration only by Aug. 30/99
* Trophies for each entry
SUN., SEPT. 12 ONLY
* Registration 8 a.m. - 10:30am.
* Racing starts at 12 noon
(Rain Day: Sunday, Saptsmber 26/99)
SNO SHS HOURS
SAT., SEP'L 11', t p.a. to 7:00 p.m.
SUN., SEPT. 12, itera m. to 6:0o p.m.
On Display: Snowmobiles & ATVs, Trailers, Clothing aqt
After Market Parts & Accessories
For further info contact Darryl Seigner, h: 519-348-9648, w: 519-348-8703,
fax: 519-348-9063 a Jim Bauer PIK Tire & Battery), 519.345-2248, Fax 519-345-2790
Lucaji.La
OPENING FOR THE 1999-2000 SEASON ON
• SEPTEMBER 11th, at 1 pint
Bowling for Senior Citizens will start on
Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m.
No smoking league will start on
Tuesday, September Tat 6:45 p.m.
Y.B.C. Registration for Bantams and Juniors - Tuesday &
Wednesday, Sept. 14 and 15 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Seniors Y.B.C. Registration -
Sunday, Sept. 12 from 1 - 4 p.m.
LEAGUES ARE NOW FORMING. WE HAVE OPENINGS
FOR MEN'S, LADIES AND MIXED LEAGUES.
For. reservations of lanes or for information regarding the
above, give us a call.
Lanes 227-4236 Home 227-1034
Bowl all games for $1.00 each (with this ad)
during Public Bowling. Offer valid until Oct. 16.
1999 (excluding all other promotions)
high level and likes the feeling he gets
after striking out a couple batters in
tougittituations.
Gillespie plans on playing winter ball
in Florida where he is moving this
month to unite with his dance Amy
Harmon whom he met in university.
After winter ball, Gillespie will likely
report to Cook County but he also is
holding out some hope a Major League
farm team may show some interest in
him. If they do, there's always a
chance Gillespie could get his chance
to make the Big Show.
"It's a goal of mine," he said. "But
I'm pretty realistic about things. I've
continued to improve throughout my
career."
With each progression to a higher
level, Gillespie has gained strength and
experience on the mound. When he
started college ball, he could only
throw about 80 mph. Now his fastball
maxes out over 90 mph. Other than his
two seam fastball that "moves,"
Gillespie also pitches a curve ball, a
slider and a change up.
Gillespie credits his college coaches
for giving him good advice as well as
his own "motivation."
"Baseball is a sport where you can
improve yourself through dedication,"
he said. "Baseball rewards hard
work."
Gillespie was sorry to hear his friend
Derek Masse of Zurich was cut from
the London Werewolves earlier in the
season. He and Masse played ball
together while growing up.
"It's tough to stick (in the ' pro
ranks)," Gillespie said. "There's a lot of
politics involved too. You really have to
perform or you'll get released."
Bud's Driving School
NEW LOCATION TO SERVE YOU BETTER
63 Maki St. 5., Exeter
Above R.M. Flooring
8 week class • Sept. 15 - 3:45 p.m.
• 4 day class • Nov. 6-13-20-27
Evening classes available
City- - Highway - Gravel Roads - 401 Driving
D.S.A.O. Approved - 0.S.L. Certified since 1968
To register - 284-3348 or 1-888-297-0475
County of Huron
AMBULANCE
PUBLIC
MEETINGS
The Province of Ontario has decided totransfer
responsibility for land ambulance services in Huron
County to the County. Over the next year, the County
is faced with the decision of determining whether to
deliver this service itself, contract it out, or continue
with the five existing providers in the County. As a
result, five public meetings have been scheduled to
provide you with the opportunity to raise any issues,
concerns, or questions you may have about the future
of land ambulance service delivery in Huron County.
The meetings are being held:
Sept. 7
Sept. 8
Sept. 9
Sept. 13
Sept. 14
Alt live meetings start at 7 p.m.
For' more Information, please contact the County's
offices at (519) 524-8394.
Clinton Town Hall Auditorium
Seaforth Community Centre
South Huron Recreation Centre, Exeter
Wingham United Church
MacKay Centre, Goderich