Niagara Falls wrap up

October 15, 2012

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Niagara Falls Canada

 

 

Niagara Falls Men's League

2012 Wrap up

 

Another very busy season completed in Niagara Falls

 

The league held its annual awards banquet Saturday evening with over 100 people in attendance. The league would like thank Al Greatrix (President), Mark Korten (Niagara Fury), Dave Rotella (Tazco), Darrin Newson, Rich Vassos (Can Am), Perry Bartley, Jay Paylove (Niagara Snappers), Rick Lessard, Herb Beckman, Brian Crocker (Dawgs), Mike Joseph (Hill United)  and Wes Short (Jordan Jays) for their time and commitment  to our game in administering the league for 2012. Sometimes a thankless job but it’s the reason we all get to play fastball in Niagara.

 

Onto the awards

 

League champs for the regular season, Niagara Snappers. The Snaps catch the young Can Am team on the last day of the regular season and edge them out for first place.

 

A large part of Tazco’s success is due to their ace Tom Berube, who is rewarded and recognized by the league as the regular season Most Valuable Pitcher. Berube was also a finalist for the GHFL Most Valuable Pitcher award. Berube goes 74 innings giving up only 22 runs and striking out an incredible 136 batters. He also finishes with an 8-3-1 record.

 

The regular season MVP was awarded to Adam Dearborn of the Niagara Fury. Dearborn hits in the middle of the Fury order and brings instant offense everytime he walks into the park. This is in addition to his stellar catching duties. Dearborn was also the GHFL MVP. Dearborn hit 6 HR’s, had 22 RBI’s and hit .546 for the season.

 

Playoff champs again goes to the Niagara Snappers. The Snaps defeated the Fury for the playoff championship in a one game final 11-8.  It was an exciting game to end our year with and for the second consecutive season the Snaps are champs. The Snappers run the table beating the Dawgs 2-0, Tazco 2-0 and the Fury in the final game.

 

This leads to the award for Playoff Most Player and we have co-winners Scott Young and Peter Dobbin both from the Snappers.  Young finishes the playoffs 6/15 with 4 HR’s and 10 ribbies while leadoff man Dobbin goes 6/11 with 4 walks and 4 ribbies in leading the Snappers throughout the playoffs.

 

The annual Rusty Dekker Memorial award was presented to Dawgs pitcher Gerry Bongers. Gerry a long time member of the league has improved every year as a pitcher and hitter for the Dawgs. Coach Rick Lessard commented in his presentation how well liked and respected Gerry is within the league not only to his fellow teammates but all the players in Niagara. Like Rusty, Gerry leaves it all on the field every time he takes the ball for the Dawgs.

 

The annual Janet Greatrix Memorial award for sportsmanship and dedication to the NFMFL was presented to Ray Turner of the Jordan Jays. Ray took on the responsibility or mentoring and helping to organize one of the new teams to Niagara this year, the youngsters from Jordan. The team as expected started slowly but began playing better and better as the year progressed and by the end of the year the team was competitive in all their games and winning their share as well. Great job by Ray navigating this team through their first full year of fastball in the league.

 

The league again was a great success for 2012.Growing from 4 teams to 7 was a bit of a challenge administratively but with the help of all the teams and their organizers/coaches we managed to get through it.. Lots of camaraderie between the players during and after the games. The league would also like to recognize from the GHFL in 2012 Niagara Falls teams and players:

 

Regular season champions and playoff Champs, Niagara Snappers

Most Valuable Player – Adam Dearborn, Niagara Fury

Rusty Dekker Defensive player of the year – Kevin Newhouse, Niagara Snappers

Janet Greatrix Memorial award – Mark Korten, Niagara Fury

 

The league would also like to recognize the Niagara Snappers for their great run at the World tournament in Midland Michigan and local players Mike Bateman and Darrin Newson for their 2^nd team all world selections

 

The league would also like to thank Niagara Falls umpires for their continued support of Niagara fastball, 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 four tournaments running at Ker and the GHFL games along with the local component. Al as always thank you for posting Niagara Falls results and information and for your continued support of Fastpitch in Niagara.

 

Will be planning 2013 in the new year. As always any 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, best wishes for a safe winter and look forward to catching up with whomever is lucky enough to be in Florida at AAU in January!

 

 

Thanks Rob