Monkton, Ont.
Yes, I am extemely tired! - but YES - I'm EXTREMELY PROUD and HAPPY with the events over the week-end.
I feel the need to write this, as my time is limited right now. I must pack and move (nearby) this week, and get back over to the ballpark to "dis-mantle" and get the park back to it's normal set-up. I also wish to put my thoughts, occurances, events and things witnessed on paper - as they are still fresh in my mind, and would erode with each passing day.
This, for me, is almost a sad day. We prepare for so long, and in a flash - it's gone.
Upon the dispersal of the hundreds and hundreds of fans and players after yesterday's final game, and before our volunteers and committee members began the clean-up and "tear-down" process, I (along with the best damn Exec. Committee on the planet) had a chance to take a break, sit down in the now vacant and cavernous tent, enjoy a couple cold drinks - and stare out upon the field. It is empty. Not three hours had passed, in which we had some of the worlds best players battling it out in the finale, approx. 1000 fans surrounding the park - many congregating near the beer-tent listening to the live broadcast on the radio - cranked loud for all to hear. The atmosphere was incredible! - yet now, it is gone. But my - and thousands of others memories are not.
We had a spectacular week-end from start to finish - and some awe-inspiring moments. None greater than us witnessing one of the most heart-warming and surprising stories that we may ever see in fastball. As I was scurrying about ( as I usually am) on Sat. afternoon prior to an important match-up between the Saskatoon Aspen Back Sox and the Midland Explorers, I was standing near the beer-tent surveying the large crowd for one of my counterparts. As I turned to look toward the arena, I see a tall gentleman walking toward the ballpark with his wheeled ball-bag in tow and wearing a Midland uniform. At first glance I simply thought one of their guys was a little slow getting dressed in the locker-room. I couldn't have been more wrong. My heart dropped, my eyes popped wide open, and a lump grew in my throat. The player making his way to the field was none other than DOUG GILLIS!!!! I ran to greet him, shook his hand, and told him that I was VERY gald to see him. He obliged, attempted to say something - which I couldn't catch, but I didn't need to. I knew what he wanted to say, and knew what was on his mind. As both teams warmed up on the field - and the entire ball park unaware of who had just walked in, I quickly ran to the scorers table and grabbed the microphone. Something needed to be said - everyone needed to know this! As I made the announcement that Doug had just entered the playing field, his teamates ran to greet him and circled around him - giving hugs, handshakes, and words of welcome back! No-one knew he was coming other than Midland coach Clint Beane - who later told me Doug had called him an hour or two earlier and said he was on his way. I will admit, and some may have heard it in my voice - I was choking up. My eyes reddened. As I finished my announcement the crowd erupted in a standing ovation. The opposing team applauded and they too greeted him. We were witnessing something very special.
Midland - uplifted with the arrival of their long-time pitcher, went on to defeat Sasatoon and make the play-offs.
I also want to share something I had the pleasure of seeing, before everyone had left the park yesterday following the final.
As I mentioned earlier in this post - the organizing commitee enjoyed a cold drink in the beer-tent late in the day - to relax and "congratulate ourselves" so to speak. I noticed a few players still mulling about, they too enjoying a last cold one, chatting with folks. I realized that it was County pitcher Andrew Kirkpatrick - who has strong ties to this area - chatting to some folks he was close to and got to know very well while here. I also noticed his teamate Zenon Winters was still here too. Some time had passed - perhaps 30 or 40 minutes, when I heard the "crack of a bat" on the diamond. To my utmost delight, I could see both Andrew and Zenon out on the diamond, playing ball with a handful of youngsters! Still in their uniforms, they pitched, fielded and chased down balls being hit by these future stars for quite some time - and this coming after they had played 2 games in some hot sunny weather. I'm not sure if anyone else knew what was happening out on the diamond, but I did, and those kids certainly will too!
We were blessed by Mother Nature to be spared the rains that had fallen all around Monkton, and save for a few raindrops on Sat. evening in our Twins. vs Patsy's game, we had glorious sunny skies and warm July temperatures.
As for the action on the field - it speaks for itself. Congrats to County Materials on winning their 3rd straight title here, and congrats to the Orillia Riversharks for coming in as our finalist. Thank you to all the teams - owners, managers, coaches and players for your dedication, and professionalism. I cannot hold a tourny like this without you. I look forward to seeing you all for the remainder of our tourny schedule, as well as the World's in Kitchener.
I could not write a summary without also saying once again - we have the best organizing committee and volunteer base bar none. I said it in my "letter from the chairman" in our tourny program, I mentioned this in both the opening and closing ceremonies, and I'll say it again. This tourny is not all me, it is the approx 200 people who dedicate their time and efforts to make this happen.
To the umpiring crew - another job well done. Thanks you guys.
The grounds crew - fantastic! The diamond was in terrific shape all week-end, and the grounds immaculate.
My scoring and announcing crew - great job as always.
To the Fireman who put on a scrumptous Sunday brunch for well over 1000 people - amazing!
The churches who took care of the beef BBQ dinner on Sat. evening for 500 plus - excellent!
The figure skating club for selling those famous pis and ice-cream - I think a few of our fans tried every kind! Wonderful work once again!
I cannot forget the fantastic job that Easton did for us and our inaugural Home Run Challenge. The nine participants: Todd Budke, Dan Smet, Jason Hill, Travis Wilson, Eduardo Leonardo, Kyle Beane, Dale Levy, Jarrod Martin and Pat Shannon did a fantastic job entertaining the huge crowd with some absolute "Monster" shots, and, by taking the youngster to whom they where paired-with, adorning them with a matching jersey and sitting with them on the bench while we watched balls go flying out of the yard. Well done guys. You are all classy individuals. Congrats to Travis (Patsy's) for taking the title with a total of 12 bombs!
We did something new this year, and broadcast our final game live on am920, and on the internet around the world. I'm not sure how everyone else feels, but my sentiments, and feedback that I've received thus far - are fantastic! We will definitely do this - and perhaps more next year! Thanks to Steve Sabourin and crew with am920, and George Nahrgang for a job well done.
I must wrap-up here, but to all the fans in attendance - thank you.
We all do this because we love it. Whether you are a fan, a player, a coach or manager - we all share the common bond of our love for the game. We hope you enjoyed yourselves in Monkton, and look forward to seeing you all back next year. And yes - somehow, someway, we will be biger and better!!
Heartfelt thanks to you all.
Brian Baillie - Chairman
World Fastball Invitational
baillie@cyg.net
http://www.monktonfastball.com/
http://www.alsfastball.com/uploads/File/MONKTON2006.htm
