LEGENDS2008AlDoran.doc

FIVE FASTBALL

“LEGENDS”

TO BE HONORED

By John Thompson

(Kitchener May 31, 2008)

Congratulations to the five honorees determined by the Host Committee of the annual Legends Fastball Tournamnent to be appropriately designated as “Fastball Legends”.

All five will be honored today at 2 pm during ceremonies at the Peter Hallman Fastball Classic Tournament in Kitchener.

“Legends” Criteria

Selections of individuals who have been afforded recognition as part of the “Legends” tournament are based on varying contributions

to the fastball community and for their impact on the game.

Many considered for nomination as a “Fastball Legend” participated in the game in a by-gone eras, when the opportunities to be selected to a national team were limited. Previous honorees include:

· Players who had an outstanding career in the Woodstock area – Bill Fidlin, Chuck Hendricks, Dick Parker, Dan “Doc” Werby

· Players who represented Canada with distinction at the international level – Bob McKinnon, Brian Paton, Ray Tilley

· Players who had an out standing career in women’s softball, at either the local, national or international level – Lori Sippel, Marg Skillings, Karen Snelgrove.

· Individuals who made significant contributions to the game such as coaches, sponsors, administrators, media - Terry Baytor, Jack Fireman, Bruce Huff, Larry Lynch, Joe Todd

· True, unquestioned legends of the game – Dick Hames, Pete Landers, Steve Virag, Darren Zack

BRUCE BIERMAN

“Officiating Commitment”

Born – December 26, 1942

Hometown – Ayr, ON

Once umpiring gets into your blood, it becomes all-encompassing. Just ask Bruce Bierman, a member of the “blue” fraternity for more than a quarter century.

Bruce began his career with the Hespeler Umpires Association in 1980, and became a carded Softball Ontario/Canada official a year later.

In 1984, he officiated in his first provincial Sr. Women’s championships in Richmond Hill, and in 1985 became the Zone 3 Umpire-in-Chief, Umpire Instructor and Umpire Committee member for Softball Ontario. As well, he helped develop the Ontario Junior Umpire Development Clinic and served as PUIC for Softball Ontario from 1989-1994.

In 1987, he umpired at his first Junior Women’s Championship (Moose Jaw) and his last one was in the 2002 Senior Men’s in Winnipeg, where he was also an official for the 1999 Pan-Am Games.

He served as the UIC for invitational and provincial tournaments, including Waterloo CHYM’rs & Twins, Legends, Civitan Invitational Jamboree and the Orillia World Series (all 10 years from 1998 to 2007).

Bruce earned Level 5 International Umpire Designation in 1997 and was appointed as the Deputy UIC for Men’s Fastball in 2001 for the Canada Summer Games in London. He has also served as the UIC for the ISC II Tournament of Champions, 2002-2007 and was appointed as the ISC UIC in September 2006.

Bruce received the Softball Canada Umpire of the Year Award in 1995, was inducted into Softball Canada’s Indicator Club at the 1997 Blue Convention and received the 2007 Jim Bradford Memorial Award, Softball Ontario’s most prestigious recognition for Umpires.

Bruce has four children – Debbie, Laurie, Christa and Jeffrey – and resides with spouse Cheryl near Ayr, Ontario from where he commutes to his part-time position at the Brantford Casino.

DAN DONAHUE

“Walking and talking”

Born –

Hometown – Hespeler, ON

Fastball fans for decades know that Dan Donahue can “talk the talk”. He also proved he could “walk the walk”

Dan’s accomplishments are many and significant as he combined solid “in-your-face” defence as a gold-glove figure at 1B, with a menacing posture in the batter’s box that consistently resulted in solid extra-base hits.

From 1968 to 1975 Dan played for the Hespeler Simplicity team contributing to a pair of Inter-city championships, a 1973 OASA crown, and winning the batting title and earning MVP honours in 1974.

During 1975-1980, he was a key member of the successful Owen Sound King Farms team that won OASA Senior title (1975) and was the OFL champion (1979), the same year that Dan captured another batting championship (.340) & MVP title.

In 1981 he joined the Kitchener Edelweiss/Pride of Canada Club, the OASA runner-up to Sarnia Glis in 1982.

Dan competed in nine world tournaments with four different teams, and one ISF world tournament with Team Canada (1984). The squad won a silver medal with Dan batting .536 in eleven games. In another four-country tourney in New Zealand in 1982, his keen eye and patience at the plate resulted in a batting average of .543 in 12 games as the team earned silver.

In 1984, at the OASA Eliminations in Scarborough, Dan’s frustration during a losing game, led to a brief but serious infraction by abusing an on-field official. This indiscretion resulted in a lengthy suspension that brought Dan’s playing days to an abrupt end. With reinstatement, since 1990, he has coached Owen Sound Tiremen & Selects, Milverton Millwrights, and currently Jarvis Gamblers. During that time those teams have won seven national, seven provincial and a silver ISC medals.

Dan continues to immensely enjoy the ball park camaraderie and is quick to engage an audience. Did he really “walk the walk”? Of course he did - just ask him!

BARRY MUSSELMAN

“Multi-skilled & focused”

Hometown – Waterloo, ON

Born – August 9, 1955

A graduate of Waterloo Minor Baseball and Kitchener Minor Softball, Barry Musselman was the first KMSA product to compete at the senior level. He did so as a 19-year-old junior and member of the Kitchener Evergreens and also played with Woodstock and Newmarket Rays (top batter at 1980 OASA Eliminations) before settling in with the Waterloo CHYM’rs in 1981.

In the mid-1980’s, he helped maintain senior ball in Waterloo, serving as a Player-Coach in 1986-1987 and following retirement, once again coaching the Twins in 1996-97.

During the games, Barry was always fully focused and expected the same of his team-mates. That was appropriately balanced following the challenges on the diamond and he also knew how to party. However, at the opening pitch he was ALWAYS prepared and competed with intensity.

In the senior glory days of the 80’s and 90’s, when teams had to qualify to attend national and international championships, Barry participated in six Canadian championships and eight ISC tournaments.

During a twenty year senior career,

(retired in 1994) “Muss” was an All-Star 2^nd baseman nine times, earned four league batting titles and was twice named as the league’s MVP.

Barry maintained his fastball involvement, coaching the Waterloo Juniors from 2000-05, endeavoring to instill, in the younger players, his own passion and respect for the game. He encouraged players with skills to focus on the game from the first to last pitch, and display a commitment to the game that he loved.

Barry also excelled at hockey, competing for his hometown Waterloo Siskins and Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks. 

Barry is a 28-year employee of the City of Kitchener, and resides with his wife Elaine in Waterloo. 

DOUG NEIL

“Skills to share”

Born – December 9, 1943

Hometown – Wingham, ON

The adage that “those that can, do” and “those that can’t, teach” may be true – but not in the case of Doug Neil who has combined his considerable skills on the mound, with a personable teaching style that has resulted in his serving as a valued mentor and coach to a lengthy list of accomplished young pitchers.

Doug was born and raised in Tara and initially played baseball (catcher). He grew up watching Bill Underwood (Brad’s Dad) pitch, which may have been the motivation for Doug to start toeing the rubber. At age 17, he pitched for Allenford Int. “C” team and advanced to Intercity Fastball League for Waterloo CHYM’rs.

After his playing days he began coaching Wingham Int. C and Juniors (OASA title) and helped organize the Bluewater Fastball League.

Doug learned about teaching pitching from famous US pitcher and clinician, Herb Dudley. Doug assists more than 300 pitchers annually throughout Canada and as far away as Florida and Australia. He has produced videos on pitching and became involved in the Canada Games program as a pitching coach for Team Ontario boys (1993), assistant coach (1997) and head coach (2001).

He was a pitching coach for Team Canada Junior Men’s team in 2005 at the Worlds and assisted the Bridge To The Future program in the ISC tournaments in Kitchener in 2006 and 2007.

Many of the pitchers he has assisted have advanced on pitching scholarships in the US while others are pitching at high competition levels.

Doug graduated from University of Waterloo and taught Math at FE Madill SS in Wingham for 33 Years. He and his wife Gayle, an RN, have raised 3 children Scott, Kara and Kelly. Doug retired in 1999 and now serves as a Financial Advisor with Dundee Private Investors.

BRIAN STERE

“Longevity & impact”

Born – January 21, 1968

Hometown – Tavistock, ON

A native of Tavistock, Brian Stere joined the Waterloo CHYM’rs as a “walk-on” in 1990 and attended his first ISC World Tournament that same year in Victoria, BC. In 1991, the Waterloo Twins were born and for the next 16 years, Chubbs became the “man in the middle of the order”, a power hitter extraordinaire.

In 1993, on a memorable Midland MI weekend, he hit game-winning dingers off Brad Underwood, Chubb Tangaroa and Darren Zack, arguably the greatest pitchers of that area. He was shown the ultimate respect as the Decatur Pride walked him intentionally four straight times in the championship tilt. The final “free pass” loaded the bases, leading to a Twins championship when the winning run was walked across the plate. That same year as a potent DH, a new all-star spot was created by Softball Canada to honour his performance.

 In 1994, Chubbs hit an unbelievable 10 for 10 in the ISC Qualifier, and followed with an ISC All-World catchers award in Summerside, PEI .

Despite many opportunities to move on, Chubbs became the offensive mainstay of the Twins for his entire career.

He retired in 2005, and it was poetic justice that in his last week with the Twins he fashioned a twilight hitting rampage and an all-star berth at his final Canadian Championships. As a gifted musician he made road trips special for teammates throughout his career.

Chubbs is the only Twin to have his sweater retired - 16 years for #16, with so many huge hits, ending his career with 14 ISC World Tournament appearances.

Brian enjoys his fastball retirement with his wife Danielle and two sons, Blake and Carter. He is a successful self-employed contactor and enjoys golf, pick-up hockey and sharing special times with family and friends.