Roger
Every week , I'll be interviewing two to three players and getting their input on fastball in the Greater Region of Sudbury as well as small personal history of themselves . Be on the lookout for Roger as he sees you following your regular season game at either the Rick McDonald Memorial Park in Azilda or in Garson at the Lorne Brady Memorial Park. Will I be the first guy Roger interviews? See you on the ball fields.
My first week's profile will be with one of our best pair of fastball fans for years now .Both Jackie MacDonald and her husband Ron , the parents of Bruce MacDonald from the Sudbury Athletics have been a fixture at our two playing fields of Rick McDonald (no relation) Memorial Park in Azilda and the Lorne Brady Memorial Park in Garson for several years coming to see their son play as well as other games . While talking to Ron on Monday night in Azilda during his son's game , he told me that his wife and him have been involved with fastball (it was called softball in the early days) for more than 50 years as he chuckle saying "I'm devulging my age now Commish (a name many still call me from the three years I directed the league)".Ron and Jackie now added they love the game because, " Its quick , its exciting , its live ball situations at all times and certainly far from being boring" .In continuing on I asked especially what is the camparison between yesterday and today ."I've got to tell you as you wellyou should know Roger that there is no comparison .In the 50's,60's and 70's it was much higher calibre and much better pitching .We have some nice young arms these days with Dennis Dewar from the North Shore , Matt Tobobundung with Parry Island Hawks , Aaron"Sixer" Owl on the Island mixted up with old veterans like Jordy "Swede" Dahlvick , Cory Stolar with the Spanish Smokers from the North Shore but sorry to say it , but they don't compare with the likes of Booker Thomas , Rick Petryna ,Gerry "Push" Gauthier , smooth Ezio Bevalaqua of the Capreol Mazzucas, Brad Ringuette and the one and only Metro Szeryk who'll be in town as the guest of the Brad Ringuette Northern Ontario Open Ladies and Men's Fastball Championships in the third weekend of August " . As Ron and Jackie walk away you can here Ron say "Are you blue guys (the umpires) going to make one good call tonight ? (just actually teasing the umps) ". I'd stay longer Commish but the bugs are eating us alive .See you next time ".You can catch both Jackie and Ron in the photo gallery underneath the caption The best fans of fastball.
These are only a couple of our regular nightly fans you'll see out at the ball games .Back then the crowds were no less than 400 to 500 every night either at Queens Athletic field , O'Connor Park in the Flour Mill or the old Sudbury Stadium where now stands the Data Centre at the corner of Notre Dame Avenue and Lasalle Boulevard. Well thats all for today . Stay tune for the next profile , it could be you as a player , former player , blue or a fan.
Today , Tuesday July the 28th is a very somber day for several of my fastball player friends , fans of fastball and the family of Rick McDonald .Its on this very day that Rick was killed in the line of duty .
Sergeant Rick McDonald was a twelve year veteran of the Greater Sudbury Police Force . Rick also played fastball and in his honor the league took his name .Every June the league holds a Rick McDonald Memorial Fastball Tournament as well as a Slo-Pitch tournament .A good part of the money gained here goes to help charitable causes such as buying bicycles for under privilege kids , send children with afflicted serious illnesses and their families to trips at Disneyworld as well as beautify the park named after him in Azilda . Our good friend who left us much to early is survived by his wife Corinne Fewster also a police officer.
On Thursday night July the 30th , at the Lorne Brady Memorial Park in Garson, just prior to the opening game between the Dog House Sportsbar North Stars and the Sudbury Athletics , we will honor the memory of Sergeant Rick McDonald . We hope that many fans , former players and friends will be out for the special ceremony planned for that evening.
Sergeant Richard McDonald
Sudbury Regional Police Service
30 July 1961 - 28 July 1999
On July 28, 1999, while deploying a spike belt, Sergeant Richard "Rick" McDonald was fatally injured when he was struck by a stolen vehicle which was fleeing police. A passenger in the suspect vehicle was also killed and two other youths were subsequently charged. Sergeant McDonald, a twelve-year veteran of the Service, was survived by his wife, a fellow police officer .
Mom Is it a double double or a triple triple . For every Pickerel River Cardinals fastball games , Fern Panamick better known as Mom is a permanent fixture either behind the bench or inn the bleachers cheering on her team ,her husband Ed Sr the coach and her son Ed Jr "Shaq" . You can't miss her and you certainly can hear her all over the park .She's the team's official scorer and biggest fan and cheerleader .She'll tease the blues once in while but always in fun . If her team doesn't produce the way they can she'll crack the whip. Mom we love you !Keep up your great work!
Yours in fastball,
Roger Legendre
Public Relations Liaison/Advisor
Barry "Hawk" Tabobondung OHL Allstar
Born April 3, 1961 in Parry Sound, Ontario
Personal: Nicknamed "Hawk."
Any conversation about great hockey players from our area must include Barry "Hawk" Tabobondung!
Even before it was known how he would soar on and off the ice, Barry Tabobondung became known as "Hawk". It was a nickname that he picked up from his grandfather, and it became a great match for the skills that were passed down from his family heritage. His grandmother Flora, a member of the Order of Canada, was an honoured Chief for many years and his father Les starred with local hockey teams, including the champion intermediate Sundridge Beavers in the late 1950s.
The Hawk showed outstanding athletic skills early in his life and easily excelled as a member of Parry Sound's Junior C Shamrocks. Throughout his life he was known as a fierce and honest competitor; as daunting on the pitcher's mound in fastball as he was breaking in over the blueline in hockey. As a hard-nosed winger with great speed and a blistering slap shot, Hawk moved up to the major Junior A ranks in 1980-81, his draft year, in which he played with the Oshawa Generals. During his second season in Oshawa he racked up 77 points while spending 320 minutes in the penalty box. He was a born leader in just the style of hockey that attracted the attention of the Philadelphia Flyers. He became the team's third-round selection in the 1981 NHL entry draft, #47 overall.
Never afraid of a challenge, Hawk applied his skills for two years with the Flyers AHL affiliate in Maine. He then joined the Erie Golden Blades of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League where he played defence during three seasons. In his first year with the Blades, the team captured the league championship and Hawk was named to the Second All-Star Team. During the 1984-85 season, he was chosen as the ACHL's Most Valuable Player and he was also named to the First All-Star Team. Before ending his professional playing career, Hawk spent the 1990-91 season with the Erie Panthers of the East Coast Hockey League.
Upon returning to the Parry Sound area, Hawk applied his tremendous leadership skills on and off the ice. He shared his passion for hockey as a mentor to community youngsters and behind the bench with the Parry Sound Junior A Shamrocks and the Couchiching Terriers. Hawk gained the respect of his players and they were both inspired and encouraged by the direction in which he lead them. He served as a member of Wasauksing First Nation Council, was very active in the community and started a family with his wife Sharon.
The Death of Barry Tabobondung
Barry Tabobondung died in a vehicular accident at age 39 in his native Wasausking First Nation neighborhood, July 11, 2000. The accident happened when Tabobondung and his 8-year-old son, Thomas, were riding in the cab of a road grater in which Tabobondung was working. The young boy fell out of the vehicle, and Barry jumped out of the cab to try to save his son from being run over. Both father and son became caught under the road grater's rear tires. Barry Tabobondung was taken to the West Parry Sound Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead. His death wasn't in vain. Police on the scene confirmed that Barry's death was not in vein stating there was no doubt Barry had managed to save his son's life. Thomas suffered a broken leg.
A banner of tribute now hangs in the Bobby Orr Community Centre where a capacity crowd gathered for Hawk's memorial service. He will always be remembered.
Its just grand to see Mr Lucien Dignard better known as Papa Lu out to most of our fastball games on any fastball diamond .Lucien will soon turn the right young age of 84 in November . He's been out to ball games since his early 20's .He remembers the Szeryk ,the Bevelaquas ,the Booker Thomas , the Blanchard .He was honored recently at the 5th Annual Northern Ontario "Brad Rienguette" Fastball Championships played in Azilda . Lets hope he's around with us for another 84 years .
Hawk was a hockey star in his playing days, but earned the right to be a Parry Sound hockey hero through his community involvement as one of Parry Sound's best hockey per
OUR BEST FAN
Every night almost you can see young 83 year old Lucien better known as Papa Lu Gignac at the ball field watching some fastball .He’s been doing it for more than 50 years now .He remembers the Booker Thomas, Ed Blanchard Sir, Reggie Fournier, Ed Bavalaqua, Eddy Gelinas, Metro Szeryk to name just a few. If you see him go sit with him and he’ll tell you some stories. Well Papa Lu we hope to see you around our fastball diamonds for another 50 years. Go Papa Lu Go!!!
705-969-7268 | nickelfastball@playsoftball.ca | www.nickelfastball.playsoftball.ca
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