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8 Castor Review, June, 1982 Russell Lions intermediate fastball tourney set tO gO The Russell Lions 19th Annual Fastball Intermediate Tourna- ment is set to go July 16-18th. Twenty-four teams are being ac- cepted and in case of inclement weather the Tournament will be held the following weekend. The first game will commence at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 16 and the final game will be played Sun- day afternoon, July 18th. Winners of Divisions A and B will receive the Labatts Trophy to be kept per- manently by the team. Individual prizes for Most Valuable Player will be given in the last 5 games of both "A" and "B" Divisions. A number of top quality teams have already entered. Top prize for the "A'"' cham- pion is $1000 with the runner-up receiving $500. Third place finisher will be awarded $250. On the "B" side $500 will go to the winner with $250 to the runner-up and $100 to third place. A total of $2600 prize money is being of- fered. Both diamonds will be in opera- tion and a meal will be available on Saturday and Sunday. EDWARDS AND AREA LOB BALL CHAMPS -- Under 25 division. Back Row: Phil Zuger, Bob Martin (Captain), Tony Hendrikx, Danny Brookson, Chuck Milligan, Perry Dozois. Front row: Sandra Wells, Jane Kingsbury, Lorie Brind'Amour (coach), Shelly Loubert, Janet Steele. Ramblings Russell's fastball situation By Jack McLaren I must admit that I am concern- ed and somewhat disappointed that for the first time in recent years there is no- fastball team operating in Russell this season. This is particularly so after assembling a good Junior team last year and the outstanding season they put together. Many people have asked me '"'What happened?"' First of all I suppose I must accept part of the blame for the team's demise. After having coached the team last year I was not prepared to put the time into it this season. I felt very strongly that if the team was to operate this season it would have to.get involved in an Intermediate. league. To do so .ould mean additional travel. The South-Carleton house league no longer was a challenge to many of motivation and motivation was becoming a problem. Besides, we had about six players who should have been playing at a higher level last year. In intermediate competition last season the Junior team won the Embrun Tournament "A" Cham- _ pionship, the Russell Tournament **B'? Championship and we lost the Berwick Tournament "A" Championship finals to Cornwall 1-0. Not bad for a first year team. However, a coaching staff has to have a lot of dedication to give up two nights during the week plus just about every weekend during the summer for tourna- ment play. I'm not sure Jim Sullivan, Frank Thompson and myself were prepared to do that again this season and replacements are hard to find. Secondly, it is costly to operate a competitive team particularly without a sponsor. We were most fortunate last season to have local businesses and private individuals purchase a set of uniforms for the team at a cost of about $800. On top of that league entry fees average at least $400. Tournament entry fees average $75 each-for the season this is another $750. Aluminum bats cost about $35 each and a dozen balls about $70. Even though players will probably use the same two or three bats all season they usually like about 10-12 from which to choose. Of course, some of this cost can be offset by winning tournaments, however, in April you might have a difficult time convincing the friendly bank of this. The bills have to be paid whether you win or lose. At one time Russell residents were quite proud of their local fastball team. With the exception Daryle Ross | 445-3469 Hwy. 31 at Greely M.D. Realty Ltd. LOCAL AGENTS AT YOUR SERVICE Ross Claude Gregoire 445-5772 821-2362: of a faithful few that no longer Cutbacks appears to be the case. Even some kj ll of the players expressed concern l about this. So the good ones have gone. programs Three top Juniors have gone to Kemptville where the team main- Walking through the halls of St. tains a very high profile, and three others to the Ottawa Senators in an Ottawa Intermediate League and Russell is left without-a team. With the minor softball pro- gram now underway in the town the day may return when Russell will once again field a competitive ° junior team but I doubt very much if it will be as good as the one we Joseph's school in Russell in the evenings from September to May is anything but a solitary ex- perience. At least that was the case during the past year when pro- vince of Ontario grants funded the costs of instruction for various recreational and interest activities which the school encouraged through the generous lending of just lost. their facilities. Phil Potter photo St. Joseph's principal M. Reynald Boulerice, together with Mme. Claudette Lalonde of 'his staff, administered the two-year- _old program. The two were recently informed that their grant has fallen victim to the fiscal axe. Only credit courses, French and English language training, for ex- ample, will continue to be friendly supported by the province. The onus is now on those who would like to see similar activities back this Fall to assume respon- sibility for the costs involved. Our community can't afford not to have programs like those run at St. Joseph's -- conversa- tional French, volleyball, cake decorating, women's exercise, children's art, ballroom highland dancing. The 19th Annual RUSSELL INTERMEDIATE Fastball tourney -- JULY 16, 17, 18 With a total "tl ies pot of $2,600, the tournament is all set to go. Twenty-four teams are being accepted. First game at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 16. Final game Sunday afternoon. All games at Russell ball park. Runner-up prize in 'A' division is $500. And $250 will goto the third place finishers. The'B' top three prizes are $500, $250, and $100 respectively. Winning teams keep their trophies, permanently. And individual prizes for Most Valuable Player will be given in the final five games of both divisions. Meals will be available on Saturday and Sunday. A full weekend of fastball and family fun. Plan to attend. Sponsored by Russell Lions Club