Baseball Canada’s 50 for 50 contest is designed to find the top moment or story in the 50 year history of the organization.
Week 9 (Voting: June 30th 12pm ET-July 4th 10am ET)
Out of the following five choices, which one do you feel should move on to the semi-final round?
1) Newfoundland wins gold at Junior Nationals in 1966
The proudest moment in the history of Baseball Newfoundland occurred July 25th, 1966 at St. Pat's Ball Park in St. John's when the Newfoundland Terra Novas won the All-Canadian Junior (21U) Baseball Championship. Pandemonium broke loose at the ballpark as the final strikeout was registered by young 16 year-old Mac Rideout. The Terra Novas had comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the first inning to earn a 4-3 victory over a powerful Ontario team that was heavily favoured to win the title. For Coach Gordon Breen it was a very satisfying climax to two years of hard work molding the best Junior team from the province. For Newfoundland it was the province's first Dominion (National) Championship and ironically enough it occurred in 1966, which was Newfoundland's 'Come Home Year'. Also, Newfoundland player Ed Hurley was selected as the tournament Most Valuable Player.
As a side note, long-time Baseball NL Executive Director Ken Dawe, who was 16 at the time, fondly remembers that game. “I can clearly recall the wild celebration at the end of the game, he said, there was also quite a ‘rhubarb’ late in that game on a disputed call at home plate in which an Ontario runner was called out by home plate umpire Duey Fitzgerald. The Ontario coaches and players went a little crazy arguing the call at the plate.” Dawe went on to add that Coach Gordon Breen is still alive and in his mid-80’s, regularly attends local league games at St. Pat's Ball Park.
2) Women’s National Team wins silver at 2008 IBAF World Cup
The Women’s National Team’s quest for their first World Championship fell just short in 2008, as Canada lost to powerhouse Japan by a score of 11-3 in the final game. The team showed great resilience and character throughout the tournament, twice rallying from early deficits in elimination games. To obtain a passage to the semi final game, the Canadians disposed of Team USA in a rollercoaster game that saw the lead change 5 times. Canada was able to flawlessly execute three squeeze plays in the late innings to come up with the victory, including a clutch, pinch-hit single from Stephanie Savoie (La Pocatière, QC) in the seventh inning to tie the game. Also leading Canada’s offensive attack against the US was Kate Psota (Burlington, ON), who was 3-for-4 with an RBI and Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, ON) who went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Canada also came up big the following day with a thrilling 7-6 win over Australia in the semi final game. Canada gave up three runs in the top of the first inning but responded with one run in the bottom of the first and again in the second to cut the lead to one. Then the Canadian women posted three runs in the bottom of the third to take a 5-3. Australia rallied in the top of the fifth inning with another three-run frame to regain the lead 6-5. Leading off the bottom of the sixth, Nicole Luchanski (Edmonton, AB) singled to right and scored the tying run on a follow up triple by Autumn Mills (London, ON). With Mills standing at third, Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, ON) singled to left field with two outs and cashed the go-ahead run to beat the Australians. This stellar performance by the Canadians in 2008 proved that the national program was amongst the best in the world, and that Canada could beat any country on any given day.
3) Kindersley, SK hosts 1984 World Youth World Championship
Over 10,000 fans showed up on the opening day of the 1984 World Youth Championship in Kindersley to welcome some of the top 18U players in the world. Team USA featured the likes of Jack McDowell and Albert Belle, while a Canadian shortstop from Maple Ridge, BC named Larry Walker wore the Maple Leaf. Cuba dominated the event defeating the United States in the gold medal game and while Canada finished well out of the medal standings the event will be remembered for the legacy of two brand new fields that has since hosted the 2009 and 2010 Baseball Canada Cups, and the entire town of Kindersley putting on a great show with great crowds and hospitality. The 1984 championship also unofficially kicked off Canada’s large appetite to host the 18U Worlds as Canadian towns and cities have hosted 12 of the 26 championships including three stops in Windsor (ON), two stops each in Brandon (MB) and Edmonton (AB), while Trois-Riviéres (QC), Moncton (NB), Sherbrooke (QC) and Thunder Bay (ON) have hosted once. Thunder Bay will host for a second time when the IBAF 18U World Cup comes to town in 2017.
4) Blue Jays/Baseball Canada partnership
The Toronto Blue Jays take their role as supporters of amateur baseball across Canada, seriously. Throughout their existence, the Blue Jays have provided financial support for Baseball Canada programs, assisted with National Teams and supported National Championships including the Baseball Canada Cup that was known as the Blue Jays Cup for many years. In 2010, the Baseball Canada/Blue Jays partnership went to a new level as Canada’s only major league organization re-affirmed their commitment to amateur baseball in Canada through the creation of the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Academy. The Academy is a branch of the organization that is fully dedicated to the advancement of amateur baseball in Canada and Baseball Canada is fortunate to work with the Blue Jays on many of their initiatives. The Blue Jays continue to be an integral partner in the development of baseball across the country with the partnership extending from National Teams to grass roots initiatives such as Honda Super Camps, a National Coaches Clinic, Tournament 12, National Championships, Challenger Baseball Clinics and Girls Days. The Blue Jays offer advice, provide expertise and continue to enhance the relationship between professional and amateur baseball in Canada.
5) The legend of Stubby Clapp
Perhaps no other baseball player best exemplifies the true meaning of suiting up for the red and white than Stubby Clapp. Determination, grit, strength of mind and playing the game the right way were all characteristics of the Windsor, Ontario native. Clapp was first introduced to the baseball world in 1991, where he helped the Junior National Team win the 1991 world championships in Brandon, Manitoba in front of 5,000 fans. That was only the start of Clapp’s legacy. Standing at five-foot eight, he didn’t necessarily posses off the chart baseball tools, but he exemplified the true definition of a ‘gamer’. When the game was on the line, Clapp was your go-to guy and he rarely disappointed. In 1999 at the Pan-Am Games, he brought in the winning run against powerhouse Cuba on a scratch blooper to shallow left in extra innings, adding yet another accomplishment to his impressive international resume. The St-Louis Cardinals drafted Clapp in the 36th round in 1996, where he hustled (and backflipped) his way through minor league ball starting at the age of 23, before finally being called up to the show in 2001. In close to 911 minor league games, Clapp posted a .270 batting average with 46 home runs, 50 triples, 196 doubles, 365 RBI, and 83 steals. Always popular amongst his teammates wherever he found himself, Clapp belonged in the same category as Larry Walker in terms of fan appreciation. Former teammate Chris Begg would actually refer to him as Mr. Baseball Canada, which goes to show you how great of an impact he left on the game North of the border.
