october2008

Niagara Falls Men's league awards night, 2008 wrap

October 6, 2008

Niagara Falls, ON

Niagara Falls Men's League
2008 Wrap up
 
Another season completed in Niagara Falls
 
The league held its annual awards banquet Saturday evening. The league would like thank Al Greatrix, Herb Beckman, Rick Lessard, Brian Crocker and Craig Smith for their time in administering the league in 2008. Sometimes a thankless job but its the reason we all get to play fastball in Niagara.
 
League champs for the first time, Doogall's Dawgs. The Dawgs broke through with their first regular season championship. Congratulations to them as they played great ball all year and finished 3rd in the GHFL as well.
 
Playoff champs for the third consecutive year, Storms Fury. Defeated the Dawgs in 5 for the playoff championship. One of the best series in recent memory out of Ker Park. Was in doubt until B7 in Game 5. Classic matchup between two of the best throwers around, Tom Berube and Scott Wagar. The series had bit of everything. When called upon Rich Vassos did a great job for the Fury and Gerry Bongers and JJ Keisler did the same for the Dawgs. This leads to the awards for playoff Most Valuable Player - Scott Wagar and Playoff Most Valuable Pitcher - Tom Berube.
 
The league recognized Berube again for the regular season Most Valuable Pitcher, an award he was also presented from the GHFL for 2008.
Rob Greatrix took home regular season Most Valuable Player.
 
The annual Janet Greatrix Memorial award for sportsmanship and dedication to the NFMFL was presented to Joe McMaster of Storms Fury. Janet was the heart and soul of the league until her passing in the spring of 2006. Fastball was a love and the league we play in today is in large part due to Janet’s efforts. We will probably never see again the kind of dedication and passion that Janet gave to this organization and she did so in a humble and unassuming way. Janet did most of her work behind the scenes and she also tackled the toughest and most tedious jobs. Janet was loved and admired by all who knew her and in turn met some of her closest friends at the ballpark.
  
The annual Rusty Dekker Memorial award was presented to Ron Winger of Red Hot Chili Pepper. Rusty was the consummate team player. Hard nosed yet the ultimate sportsman and gentleman both off and on the field. Whether he was hustling down the first base line to cover the infield throws, running out fly balls or taking foul balls off the body Rusty was a throw back old fashioned baseball player, but most of all he was he was a friend to all in the league. Rusty left us much too young.
 
The league I believe was a great success for 2008. Lots more camaraderie between the players during and after the games. The league would also like to recognize from the GHFL in 2008 Niagara Falls players:
 
Top Pitcher Tom Berube, Doogall’s Dawgs
Russ Dekker Memorial Defensive Player Award Phil John, Storms Fury
Janet Greatrix Memorial Dedication Award Herb Beckman, Storms Fury
Finalist for MVP Glen Crocker, Doogall’s Dawgs
 
 
The league would also like to thank Niagara Falls umpires, team sponsors, volunteers, fans, Ker Park grounds crew, City of Niagara Falls, GHFL executive and Niagara Falls players for their dedication to the game. It was indeed a busy year with three tournaments running at Ker and the GHFL games long with the local component.
 
Will be planning 2009 along with planning Florida AAU with various Fury and other Niagara players. As always your comments are welcome. I am sure I probably missed a thank you or perhaps missed recognizing someone's efforts and if so my apologies. Good luck everyone with their hockey seasons!
 
Rob.
 
 
 
Rob Greatrix, CGA
Chief Financial Officer
Integrity Health Group
12-111 Fourth Avenue, Suite 365
St Catharine's, Ontario
L2S-3P5
 
905-324-6341 (cell)
905-641-9111 (office)
905-641-9144 (fax)
rob@integrityhealth.tv
OUR SPONSORS

TRENDING NOW
@alsfastball
FRIENDS OF AL'S FASTBALL
AU Sable AFP Fastpitch Fastpitch West International Softball Congress Men’s Fastpitch SA North American Fastpitch Association Ontario Amateur Softball Association

Ontario Masters Fastball sports betting site betway Shooters Fastpitch League Softball Canada Softball New Zealand WBSC