The 17 members who attended the Beachburg Fastball Team’s reunion are, back row from left, Bob Brown, Keith Brown, Stan Whalley, Eric Price, Mervyn Dougherty, Murray Brown, Bill Burnett, Dave Dougherty, Ron Gamble and Dave Shields. Middle row from left: Terry Martin, Howard Metcalfe, Randy Price, John Deboer and Grant Robertson. Front row from left: Ron Burnett and Brian Cotnam. Photos submitted
The 1966 Beachburg Fastball team that won the Upper Ottawa Valley Men’s Fastball League that year. Back row, from left: Doug Kenny, Ron Hawthorne, Randy Price, Bill Burnett, John Deboer, Bob Brown, Ron Burnett, Doug Weedmark and Brian Cotnam. Front row, from left: Eric Weedmark (Sponsor), Dave Shields, Eric Price, Murray Brown, Brian Davidson, Keith Brown, Mervyn Doughtery and coach Vernie Price.
The wives of the ball players who attended this year’s reunion are, Back row from left:Judy Deboer, Elaine Moore, Donna Burnett, Jane Doughtery, Susan Shields, Jenny Brown, Maureen Burnett and Liz Brown. Front row from left: Sandy Metcalfe, Gisele Robertson, Pat Krose and Pat Price.
BEACHBURG — A former fastball team gathered in the Beachburg Lions Hall Saturday evening, but it wasn’t to play fastball – as the average age of each player was around 70 years old.
Liz and Keith Brown decided it would be a nice idea to organize a second reunion of the Upper Ottawa Valley Men’s Fastball League Champions from 1966. The first reunion was 30 years ago in 1986.
“I was amazed at the response I got when my wife Liz and I decided to send out invitations for a 50th ball team reunion” said Mr. Brown.
Seventeen players accepted the invitation. A caterer was hired, the hall booked and tee-shirts ordered for this special occasion.
The evening included catching up, eating and enjoying entertainment provided by some of the players.
Fastball History
In the 1960s, the Upper Ottawa Valley Fastball League (UOVMFL) consisted of 10 teams. They were Beachburg, Foresters Falls, Queens Line, Cobden Lakeview Flyers, Cobden Playboys, Micksburg, Eganville, Golden Lake, Locksley and teams from Greenwood, Augsburg and Haley Industries would come and go. The league was divided into East and West divisions. At mid season, there would be an Allstar Game consisting of the best players from each division squaring off.
The UOVMFL had very strict rules to keep the teams even and competitive. Players from the respective teams had to live within a seven-mile radius of the predetermined community centre. Players could not play both baseball and fastball. This rule was put in place because when there was a conflict in league schedules, players chose baseball and teams would default fastball games. Large centres like Pembroke and Renfrew were not allowed in the league because they had a large number of players to chose from and their teams would be too powerful.
The community support for their teams was incredible. Many communities had lighted ball diamonds and admission was charged at the gate. Communities would be upset when the admission went up from 25 cents to 50 cents for play-off games. Admission fees went towards paying umpires and ball field maintenance. In Beachburg, the bleachers were almost always full so many people sat in their vehicle behind the outfield fence to watch the game. When there was a home run or good play, they would blow their horns. Ball games became a social event. Communities would follow their team around. Game schedules were posted in stores and restaurants. Schedules consisted of a home-and-home game with each team.
– by Dave Shields
