Blackville’s Brian MacRae among softball hall of fame inductees
Softball New Brunswick Inc. Labatt Hall of Fame will induct three individuals and one team into the hall on the June 27 in Fredericton at the Fredericton Inn.
The Hall of Fame Inductees:
Gary Barley of Moncton. Barley, a stellar senior fast pitch pitcher with the Moncton Viponds from the late 60s and early 70s.
He was the first pitcher from the Atlantic Provinces to win a game at the Canadian Senior Men’s Fast Pitch Championships.
Brian MacRae from Blackville is going into the hall in the Official’s category.
In his 27 year career, Brian has umpired at three international, five Eastern Canadians and nine Canadian Championships.
He has given back to his sport as an instructor at Softball Canada Mechanics School, Blue Convention and regional umpire-in-chief.
John Jellison of Saint John will be inducted in the Builder’s category.
John started his softball career as a player, then coach and softball committee worker but finally found his niche in 1992 as founder and president of the Fundy Girls Orthodox Softball League for girls 9 – 18 years. This position he still holds today.
2009’s final inductees, the Moncton Viponds (1968-1970) go into the Hall in the Team category.
The Viponds won the Provincial Senior “A” Men’s Fast Pitch Championship in 1968 and again in 1969.
They won the Atlantic Championships in 1969 and 1970 and were the first team from Atlantic Canada to win a game at the Canadian Senior Men’s Fast Pitch Championships.
Larry Gould of Burtts Corner will receive the “Charlie O’Brien Memorial” at the induction ceremonies.
The award is given to a deserving volunteer who exemplifies the qualities of the late Charlie O’Brien of Saint John.
The qualities include honesty, perseverance, generosity, giving to the sport, leadership, dedication and caring.
Gould has been very active in the sport for the past 25 years serving in various capacities on the board of directors.
Presently he is serving on the board for Softball Canada and is still finding time to contribute to the sport through the youth in his community.
A new Memorial Award this year, “the Henry Kelly Memorial Award” for contribution to the sport both past and present, will be presented to Dave Oakley of Moncton for his involvement for many years in the softball community.
The ceremony will be held at the Fredericton Inn starting at 5 p.m. with a hospitality hour followed by the banquet at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, cost $35 each, contact Peter McLean at 506- 773-5343.