Brad Rienguette tournament
July 22, 2014
Sudbury, ON
5TH ANNUAL BRAD RIENGUETTE “SHAMOU SHOOT OUT “ MEMORIAL FASTBALL TOURNAMENT
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                   Some nine years ago I put together the first ever Northern Ontario Fastball Tournament ( in 2005) . Then we lost our good friend Brad Rienguette after his long courageous battle with pancreatic/liver cancer ..                                                                                                                                                                                                                          For years he pitched in Sudbury and other parts of the province where once he was known as the #1 fastball pitcher in Canada as well as the #2 fastball pitcher in the world . We miss him very much after all these years when he passed away in September of 2009 . He was certainly known for his excellent pitcher with several selection s in his fine armor . He was also a great tutor to younger players but his biggest attribute was his smile as it would lid up a room . Later he took up the nickname of “Shamou “ which you will probably hear quite often this weekend as teams break out of their huddle before and after the games. Brad first made his mark in the late 1970’s winning provincial junior titles for the Garson Juniors . While still a junior he pitched the St Catherine team to the 1979 National Championship . At the Nationals that year in St John N.L. his fastball was clocked at 102 miles per hour . He’s bruised a lot of catcher in his long career . His change up was clocked at 30 mile per hour . He estimated he’s pitched a dozen no hitters in his illustrious career . What helped him earn the respect and regard of his fellow players was the respect he had for his opponents and of course the game itself . He could of thrown more no hitters but once his team had a substantial lead he throw pitches in there that players could hit put the ball in play .One of his final comments was : “The whole idea about ball is to have respect for everyone. Today’s Garson Hounds , a team he played for many years wear on the front of their jerseys the #17 in memorial to him as well as a second number that of 11 in memory of Sargent Rick McDonald police officer and pitcher for the Hounds whom we lost some years ago when he was killed in the line of duty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    By the way this weekend’s tournament will be played in Azilda at the Rick McDonald Memorial Sport Complex .
                           This weekend promises to be very exciting with the 8 teams in competition for the banner and trophy to be awarded to the champions .Games will get underway bright and early Saturday morning at 8 AM . Fans and teams are reminded that there are no games on Friday .Nothing starts until Saturday . There will be a food vendor all day Saturday while pizzas courtesy of Dan Bidal’s Fat Tuesday will be sold on Sunday at $2 a slice . There will also be a fantastic package deal to be raffled at the end of the day Sunday ., The raffle tickets will be $5 arm length .
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Attached for the team leaders , the fourth estate medias ( Sudbury Star , Sudburysports.com , Hot 93.5 , Northern Life and Al’s Fastball the players and you the fans of the real game fastball the following items-check them all out : the tournament rules , roster sheet to be filled out and sent to my email or given to me prior to your first round robin game ( you will receive a receipt for your entry fee ) ; the final drafted schedule , the list of very generous sponsors and the alcohool beverages rule .
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By the way today’s my 42nd wedding anniversary to the same beautiful lady I fell in love in the Summer of 1972 . She gave me two beautiful sons of which I've proud of . My oldest son has given me four beautiful grand children (two girls and two boys )- my oldest Christian starts University in Hamilton in September . Also just recently I celebrated my 50th anniversary in association with fastball . Also happy 50th anniversary to the Big Nickel todar July the 22nd .
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Have a nice day !
See you at the tournament !
See you on the league’s fastball diamonds
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Roger Legendre
