July2014

Angels in the Outfield

July 30, 2014

Kitchener, ON

KITCHENER FASTBALL PROMOTIONS PRESS RELEASE  July 28th, 2014

 

“They may be gone, but are not forgotten”.

 

Nine Twin City individuals who dedicated considerable time volunteering to host local, national and international fastball/softball tournaments will forever be remembered. They devoted considerable hours over many years in contributing to running top notch tournaments and helping develop the Peter Hallman Ball Yard into a top-rate facility.

 

 A memorial tribute stone known as “Angels InThe Outfield” will acknowledge their major contributions.

 

It will include the names of the nine deceased: Bernie Daley, Doug Davies, Peter Hallman, Paul Hutcheson, John MacTavish,  Donald (Pete) McIlwraith, Laverne Reichert, Sue Sherry and Donna Weber.

 

 The carved sculpture stone, a project of Kitchener Fastball Promotions, is placed in Peter Hallman Ball Yard at the main entrance.   Thousands of volunteer hours were spent hosting fastball tournaments so it is fitting that the acknowledgment stands in this park.

 

The sculpture will be unveiled on Friday, August 8, on the eve of the International Fastball Congress World Championship Tournament which runs for eight days.   The program will commence at 8 pm.

 

Prior to the unveiling, the Kitchener Rangers will play the local media in an exhibition softball game scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

     Bernie Daly 

 

 Bernie was an excellent leader who brought an excellent business acumen to the table ensuring the financial side of events was in place while ensuring things flowed smoothly. 

He was an outstanding mentor who helped many young players achieve their potential and play to everyone’s expectations while helping them become well rounded citizens.

 

     Doug Davies

 

  Doug was a player, coach and manager who brought a lot to the game.

  He established a system and format for scorers and announcers during the 2002 ISC World Tournament that is still use today.  Doug followed that up with some excellent relationship building to ensure smooth working conditions and everyone working together during tournaments.

 

      Peter Hallman  

 

Fastball was a big part of Peter’s life. He was a sponsor of the Waterloo Hallman Twins and very involved as a coach in the Rural league for many years.

He loved coaching youth and his values encouraged them to play fair, ensuring that all would get an equal chance to play, while trying to get the most out of each player’s potential.  He was a tireless worker and an excellent leader in sports and community activities.

 

 

    Paul Hutcheson  

 

Paul was a classy leader in the Kitchener Fastball League and a lifelong fan of Baseball with a strong passion for Fastball that he passed onto his family. He always had the good of the game at heart in everything he did.

He participated often with hardships in his own life, but without a complaint as his faith and his personality stood out in all his endeavours.

 

     John MacTavish  

 

 An excellent ball player who could analyse a game and indicate what needed to be done to improve a team’s performance.  During tournaments as a controller or scorer, he and his close friend, JT would often predict the odds on favourites according to Hurleys and then the winners. 

A quiet unassuming person who quietly got jobs done. John attended all the fastball tournaments and went far and wide to watch  national, international  and World Tournaments.

      

 

      Pete McIlwraith  

 

Pete was a good ball player who assisted many organizations over many years.   He was the driving force behind the KW Civitan’s diverse Community efforts.

 His many accolades include: Softball Canada Hall of Fame and PWSA’s Outstanding Service Award as well as being installed into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame. 

Pete was Volunteer of the Year for Kitchener Minor Girls Fastball Association in 1995 and a founding member of the Guelph Boys Minor Softball Association in 1964;   and in 1969 he was a founding member and President of the Guelph Girls Minor Softball Association.

 

 

     Laverne Reichert

 

Laverne helped with the promotion of fastball and many championships and tournaments from both a hosting perspective as well as provincial organizational leadership with the Ontario Amateur Softball Association.

A boisterous leader who spent countless hours bringing tournaments to KW and could tease with the best of them and yet always got the job done.

 

     Sue Sherry 

 

Sue was our lady who could do it all.  When something needed to be done or worked at during tournaments, Sue was the one person who always had an excellent solution with a pleasant smile and was ready to help. 

She put in a lot of time over many years and tournaments which enhanced the reputation of our area as being one of the best at hosting major tournaments

 

     

 

 

   Donna Weber

 

A lovable lady who was a second mother to all her minor team’s players. 

Donna always had a way with getting her huge list of volunteers out to participate, have fun and enjoy their work.  An unflappable lady who was an outstanding cook and organizer without fuss or fanfare.

Donna’s early morning starts at getting breakfast ready and her excellent menu’s including the sale of Anna Mae’s pies, set a standard that has not often been matched, if at all.

 

 

 

For further information contact:

 

Tom Clancy - 519-748-0377 (home)

                    - 519-897-1716 (cell)

                  

                         or

 

Ray Alviano - 519- 893-4684

 

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