The organizing committee of the 2012 Legends of Fastball Classic are proud to announce this year’s tournament will be dedicated to the memory of Michigan ISC Commissioner and Midland Explorer founder Lee Isenhart, and Kitchener- Waterloo sportsman and super fan John MacTavish.
“The Legends event has always found a way to remember the players, coaches, administrators and volunteers who have made fastball special for generations of fans,” said chairman Larry Lynch. “ We decided right from the beginning that we would always honour those individuals who have gone way beyond to build the game and keep it strong. Lee has been bringing a team to Kitchener-Waterloo for decades and no matter what the Explorer roster boasted it always performed to the highest level when it crossed the border into our community. In many ways the character of all those great Midland teams reflected the personality of the great leader Lee always was. More than anything though the people of our area came to appreciate and respect Lee as a true gentleman. I know from personal experience you could not walk through a park at any major venue without Lee coming by to say hi. He was always smiling and that is the memory Legends will celebrate this year.
Lee Isenhart passed away in October of 2011 after a lengthy illness.
A more recent loss to the Kitchener sports community was the ubiquitous John MacTavish, who succumbed to a year long illness in late April of 2012. Over 400 friends of fastball celebrated John’s life at a celebration of “Life Well Lived” on May 6. “ John was one of the lawn chair crowd, nestled in his prime spot behind home plate, pencil and score book poised for action, friends on all sides and the ever present smile that signified his passion for watching the game of fastball,” said friend Dennis Dosman. “ John didn’t just watch games, he analyzed them, coached them, cheered them and always found excitement in watching the skilled players ply their trade. He could debate a play, question a coaching decision or simply take in the atmosphere that made big time softball blood churn.” “Johnny Mac was as much a part of the fabric of the game as the strike out, stolen base or home run. He didn’t care who delivered, he only cared about sharing the experience with his friends and all the players he came to support,” added Lynch. “
The Legends Of Fastball Classic will kick off on Thursday June 21 and run through Sunday June 24, at Peter Hallman Ball Yard in Kitchener.
18 teams will compete in 3 divisions including 10 team major men’s, 4 team junior men’s and a 4 team Masters division. In all, 43 games will highlight one of the best lineups of softball in North America this summer.
