Debbie Baker
Athlete Category | Deb Baker began her ball career playing hardball graduating to organized softball at the age of 13. At that time she joined the Souris Blues senior ladies team. Always positive, Deb was a great role model for her teammates and a great team player. She was known for her defensive skills and her long hit balls. She competed in numerous Canadian and Western Canadian championships winning gold many times. She continues to play competitively, but also finds the time to serve as assistant coach to her daughters’ team. |
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Wayne Banman
Athlete Category | Wayne Banman started his pitching career in his hometown of Steinbach. From 1977 to 1980 he demonstrated his pitching prowess as a member of the Steinbach Steelers playing in the Senior A Division. He soon became recognized as one of the top pitchers in the province. From 1982-1986, Wayne played for KK Penner. Being their main pitcher, he was instrumental in the team’s success in provincial and Western Canadian championship play winning silver in 1984 and 1986. However, all that pitching took its toll and he retired after the 1986 season. |
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Barry Braun
Athlete Category | Barry Braun began his softball career playing in southern Manitoba first for the village of Sommerfeld and then for the Altona South End team. In 1968 he joined the Black Knights and played for them through the 1972season. The Knights competed at the National Championships in 1970, 1971 and 1972 and. His consistency at shortstop, his speed on the base paths and his clutch hitting earned him All-Star recognition at both the 1971 and 1972 championships. In 1973 and 1974 Barry covered the left side of the infield as a member of the Winnipeg Colonels. He retired from Senior A ball in 1979, but was persuaded to join the Manitoba Masters in 1985, 1986, and 1987. |
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Steve Clark
Athlete Category | Originally recruited from Windsor, Ontario in 1947 to play baseball for the Brandon Greys, Steve Clark joined the Brandon Army-Navy Vet. Senior fastball club in 1953. The fleet-footed outfielder starred with the Vets for the next five years. Batting lead-off, patrolling left field, and frequently leading the league in individual batting statistics, Clark helped the Vets capture four provincial titles and reach the Western Canadian finals twice. In addition to his baseball and fastball commitments, Clark still found time to take part in umpiring from the minor softball leagues to the senior baseball level, a career that spanned thirty-five years (1950-1985). Clark passed away in 1987. |
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Dave Shyiak
Athlete Category | Dave Shyiak started playing as a 12 year old right fielder with Rorketon Senior Men in 1956. Playing with the Portage Bisons in 1964, the Portage Seals in 1966, he then joined the Molson Canadians in 1968. Though he has played every position, he had the greatest success as catcher/first baseman. From 1973 through 1975 he played with the Winnipeg Colonels. Dave played in the Brandon Commercial Fastball League from 1979 to 1985. He played with the Brandon Merchants, City Centre, Scarth Merchants, and Elphinstone Outlaws - winning the Sr. B provincials in 1979, 1983 and 1984. Like many other players, Dave has now moved into slo-pitch and continues to enjoy the game of softball. |
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Jim Slevin
Athlete Category | Born in Rivers, MB and raised in Brandon, Jim Slevin began his softball career in 1950. He played in the Brandon and District Fastball League as a member of the Brandon Scory Stylist and then the Brandon ANAF Vets. His main position was catcher though he did play some outfield as well. His ability to get the most out of his pitching staff was definitely one of his defensive strengths. Offensively, Jim was known for his place hitting and exceptional base running. Coming out of retirement in 1996, he joined the slo-pitch ranks and continued to play through the 2006 season. He and his fellow Mudhens won gold (70+ Division) in 2006 at the Canada Senior Championships in Portage la Prairie. |
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Bev Workman
Athlete Category | Bev Workman’s pitching career started back in Grade 8 where he pitched windmill in a game for Minto School. Pitching all the games in the championship and going undefeated, he led Boissevain’s Pringles Pirates to the Provincial D championship in 1975. His outstanding career with the Minto Mustangs began in 1977 and ended in 1998. Over this period of time Bev was chosen as top pitcher and MVP numerous times at provincial and Western Canadian championships. Before moving into Masters competition, Bev won two additional intermediate provincial championships with the Clanwilliam Greys. |
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Bev Neufeld
All-Around Category | Bev Neufeld has done it all. She has been a player, coach, umpire and administrator. She began playing softball at age of 10, joining the Souris Blues senior ladies team at age 14 and two years later was the starting second baseman for Team Manitoba at the Canada Games. A highly motivated, competitive and skilled player, she competed in numerous Canadian and Western Canadian championships. She has been a tireless worker at the executive level in the Westman area. Currently she is the head coach of the 2009 Manitoba team going to the Canada Games in mid August. |
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Allan McPherson
Coach/Manager Category | Born in Minnedosa, Allan McPherson started his fastball career at age 17 in 1968 with the Clanwilliam Greys. Over the next four decades, with McPherson as their player/coach/manager, the Greys captured numerous league titles in the Minnedosa and District Fastball League, the Neepawa Fastball League and the Brandon Commercial League. Under his leadership the Greys competed in eighteen provincial championships - winning the Sr C Provincials in 1973, 1987, and 1999, the Intermediate C provincials in 2001 and 2004 and a provincial Masters Championship in 2003. His commitment to the game and accomplishments are truly noteworthy. |
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Wayne Griffin
Builder Category | Wayne began his fastball career in Sandwith, Saskatchewan. Moving to Brandon, he played with the Simplot Blues in 1967 and 1968. In 1969 and 1970 he played with the Brandon Merchants and then as a player /coach for the Mid City Esso Fastball team in 1971. He returned to the Simplot Blues in 1972. Retiring as a player in 1977, Wayne commenced his umpiring career. He has umpired at five Nationals, six Western Canadians and countless provincials. He served from 1992-2006 as Delegate Umpire-In-Chief at six additional Westerns. Throughout his career Wayne has been the recipient of numerous awards for his dedication not only to softball but to sport in general. |
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1930-1932 Brandon Empire/Olympias Girls Softball Team
Team Category | In 1930 the Brandon Empires lost the provincial Intermediate title to St. Vital Rovers 3 games to 1. The following year, as the Brandon Olympias, they played in the provincial final against the Winnipeg Golden Keys, splitting the first two games at Sherburn Park in Winnipeg on Sept 4, 1931. Then on Sept 7 in Brandon, the Olympias took both games of a doubleheader from the Golden Keys by scores of 19-8 and 12-10. This was the first provincial softball title to go the Wheat City or to western Manitoba. Again, in 1932, the Olympias reached the intermediate softball final losing to Norwood Collegiate three games to one. |
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1947-1952 Sperling Girls Softball Team
Team Category | In 1947 in the small community of Sperling with a population of two hundred, Donald Thom, the high school principal, organized a girls softball team. The team went undefeated winning twenty-one tournament and exhibition games that first year. In 1951 the senior girls high school team lost in the finals at the prestigious Red River Valley tournament at Fargo, N.D. At tournaments in Manitoba they defeated such teams as the St. Boniface Athletics with Bea McKenzie and her sisters playing for St. Boniface as well as Poplar Point with Olive Little pitching for Poplar Point. Then in 1952 after being runners-up in 1951, the Sperling girls won the Red River Valley tournament in Fargo. |
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1965-1969 Brandon 7-Up Fastball Team
Team Category | From 1965 to 1969 the Brandon 7-Ups won the Brandon & District League four out of five years. When the league picked all-stars from 1964 to 1969 the 7-Ups won at least twenty-two All-Star awards and four Most Valuable Player awards. Spanning parts of two seasons, the Brandon 7-Up team won twenty-seven consecutive tournament games. In 1969 they won the Intermediate A provincial championship. The Brandon 7-Ups definitely promoted fastball and became the fore-runner in returning Senior A fastball to Brandon. |
