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By Michael Oleksyn, The Journal
Former Melfort resident Dean Holoien was inducted into the International Softball Hall of Fame over the weekend in South Bend, Indiana. Holoien recognizes the sacrifice it takes to become a member of a International Softball Congress (ISC) Hall of Fame.
“It’s a lot of years, it’s a lot of sacrificing with work, with family, with pretty much everything life in general when you’re playing the ISC at that level. You are going 10 or 12 weekends a summer for 20 some years. To get the recognition after the fact is pretty nice,†Holoien said.
The Hall of Fame is part of the 2015 ISC Men’s Fastball World Tournament each year, which began on August 8 and will run until August 15.
The inductions were held at the World Tournament on Sunday, August 9. Holoien retired from the Canadian National Team in 2009 and from the ISC level at 2013, he took 2013 off from competitive ball and played last year with the New York Gremlins before completing his career with the Scarborough Force this season.
Growing up in Melfort in a family that played fastpitch is something he will always remember. The oldest son of Doug and Maxine Holoien there were at least nine Holoien family members that would pitch for Melfort teams and another half dozen that played other positions.Â
“For as long as I can remember we were playing softball, we never ever did any baseball. I have to do that before I get too old and decrepit and I actually see what it feels like,†he explained.
He explained that it always seemed like he was around softball while growing up. According to Holoien his father Doug was a big influence on his career as well.
“He not only coached all the way through our minor ball but we would pitch in the yard and just a lot of encouragement that way. When I wanted to do something else we wouldn’t†Holoien said.
Under his father and coach he had a minor and junior career that included a midget and junior National Championship with the legendary Melfort 222’s.
According to Holoein his father’s influence helped him develop the work ethic to play at such a high level for so many years.
“He was a big part of that for sure,†he explained.
Holoien was a great pitcher and hitter during his fastpitch career. He recorded 35 wins, the 12th most in the history of the ISC. From 2001-2011 he was named three times All-World as a pitcher and another three times as a Designated Hitter.
He ranks in the ISC top 20 Players in strikeouts, wins and home runs. Â Â Â Â
After junior he moved to the west coast to start his senior career that would take him to teams across North America. Â Â His first ISC World Tournament was in Kimberley Wisconsin in 1993 as a member of Saskatoon Rempel Brothers and over the next 23 seasons he would wear a few different uniforms that included stints with the Heflin Builders, The Farm, Aspen and Kitchener.Â
Perhaps his greatest performance was in 2009 ISC when he was named MVP leading the Kitchener Riversharks to the Championship title. Â Â Dean was named First Team All World Designated Hitter and also recorded the win in the circle, striking out the side in the bottom of the seventh to win the title.
Holoien’s resume includes a silver and bronze at the International Softball Federation World Championships as a member of Team Canada, four Canadian National Championships and two ASA (American Softball Association) National Championships.
Holoien remains active in the game as part of the 222s Fastpitch Elite Training and Instruction program, which also includes another former 222s player Keith Mackintosh on the staff. They will be holding a camp in Melfort on August 29 and 30.
“That’s where lot of my passion is these days in instruction. It’s absolutely fantastic, it’s nice to have something to fall back on after. I will miss the playing but now you’re putting in the effort and it’s about the kids,†Holoien explained.
michael.oleksyn@sunmedia.ca
@melfortjournal
