Celebrating Baseball Manitoba’s 50th

Friday, 15 June 2018 09:35

Celebrating Baseball Manitoba’s 50th

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On June 8, Boissevain Minor Ball held a celebration for the 50th anniversary of Baseball Manitoba just before the Centennials home opener against the Souris Cardinals. As a part of the festivities, they honoured Boissevain’s Hall of Fame members, both the 1991-96 Centennials and their player/manager Ken Pringle, with an on-field ceremony. Eighteen former Centennials in the Hall of Fame, plus team founders made it out to the Baseball Manitoba’s 50th anniversary celebration in Boissevain. (L-R): Ryan Albrecht, Junior Brake, Donnie Vandoorne, Ken Pringle, Todd Turner, Ryan Bell, Curt Gray, Greg Workman, Kevin Wood, Lee Sprott, Darin Martin, Dan Ransom, Al Hicks, Jeff Ransom, Jay Ransom, Chris Graham, Keith Forsyth, Murray Duncan, Ivan Strain. PHOTOS BY PAUL RAYNER

A large crowd came out to celebrate Boissevain’s past baseball heroes while cheering on the next generation.

On Friday, June 8, Boissevain Minor Ball held its celebration of Baseball Manitoba’s 50th anniversary. Each minor ball association in the province was asked to note this major birthday and in Boissevain, they decided to honour some of the town’s Hall of Fame inductees before the Centennials’ home opener against the Souris Cardinals. According to Minor Ball’s Crystal Fluker, it could not have gone over better.

“It was awesome,” Fluker stated. “It was a really good turnout.”

With a beer garden and steak supper in a tent out at right field, Fluker said they were able to draw about 200 people. She was not sure exactly how much money they were able to raise from the event, but said it was likely in the $2-3,000 range. Plans are for it to go toward improving the diamonds in town and getting some new equipment for Minor Ball.

Boissevain Minor Ball held a steak and spud BBQ at their celebration that went over very well with the large group who attended the 50th anniversary for Baseball Manitoba. (L-R) Mackenzie Hole, Martin Paradis, Tyler McRuer and Jo-Anne Neufeld introduce some fresh beef to the flames.

Prior to the game, members of the 1991-96 Centennials, who were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013, including their manager Ken Pringle, who was inducted as an individual in 2015, were honoured on the field. Seventeen players, some of who have not been to Boissevain for a while made the trip, as did team founders Ivan Strain and Murray Duncan. It was a nice, nostalgic moment.

“The ceremony was great, short and very good.”

As well, Marvin Mills, a 2017 Honour Society inductee, threw out the first pitch.

Marvin Mills tosses out the first pitch at the Boissevain Centennials home opener. Mills has been a tireless volunteer for Minor Ball in town and was a 2017 inductee in the Honour Society with Baseball Manitoba.

Fluker said she was happy with the impact the event had on participants. Pringle sent her a text thanking Minor Ball for hosting the ceremony, which allowed former players to catch up with each other. They are thinking of holding a day like this next year, maybe for the softball players. Fluker feels they did a good job in honouring both Baseball Manitoba and local players.

“It was really good,” she said. “I’m glad everyone had a good time.”

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff

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