Kemptville Midget Fastball 1966

The 1960’s saw the emergence of a fastball dynasty in the Kemptville area. A group of young boys started to play together in a Bantam league. Under the guidance of Head Coach Keith Forbes and assistant coaches Forrest Christie and Ken Burchill, the team easily won the Eastern Ontario Championships. With sponsorship provided by Ken Seymour Motors and Christie Transport, the young team entered the Ontario playdowns.Although this age group garnered no honours, a different result occurred two years later. In 1966 at the ripe old age of 15 and 16 years, they decided to play against teams in the South Carleton League. The team was now playing against men. Despite the age and size differences, the skill of the players shone through. Now Midget age, they entered the Ontario playdowns with much more confidence.

In order for local teams to advance, they first had to win their own district and then progress to other districts until an eventual winner would be declared. All the series consisted of the best two out of three games, one at home, one away and if a third game was necessary, it was usually on a neutral site.

It was a great commitment of time, effort and money from players, coaches, parents, sponsors and the many fans that travelled with the team. First up was Kingston. It was a close series but the locals won the third game to take the series. Next was Picton who had ousted the team in Bantam, two years in a row. It was no contest as Kemptville swept them two games to none. The third series went against the Western Ontario winner which was Binbrook. This turned out to be a very tough engagement even though it was another sweep. Finally, the Northern Ontario Champion Cochrane hosted the entire Thanksgiving weekend where all games would be played. Again, it was two games to none for the victors.

The team was crowned 1966 All Ontario Champions, marking for the first time any Kemptville team had won a provincial championship. When the boys arrived home they were honoured by a spontaneous downtown night parade, another first for Kemptville. The next year the team entered the South Carleton Fastball League and went on to win many local, area and a provincial championship again in 1969.

 

1966 Roster:

Clarke Christie – Catcher

Mike McGinn – Catcher

Murray Hyndman – Pitcher

Doug Montgomery – Pitcher

Gerald Christie – 1st Base

Gary Christie – 2nd Base

Neil Forbes – 3rd Base

Bill Forbes – Short Stop

Ron Donnelly – Outfield

Dave Gaw – Outfield

Bryan Burchill – Outfield

Alan Forbes – Outfield

Eric Buckingham – Outfield

Head Coach & General Manager – Keith Forbes

1st Base Coach – Forrest Christie

Assistant Coach – Ken Burchill