Ontario East Challenge Cup thanks

Thanks to everyone that helped make the tournament in Fitzroy Harbour successful. Some that I'd like to highlight are:

- To all the guys on WC Electric that pitched in, especially Bud Hanlon, not only a great pitcher but an outstanding barbecuer. I believe he surpassed his personal best by flipping approximately 300 burgs this weekend. Thanks as well to "Lizzo" Hanlon for her excellent help including selling 50/50 tickets.

- Thanks to our sponsors that helped us out, including the Fitzroy Harbour Community Association, Campbell Fuels, Ontario Power Generation, MP Gordon O'Connor, Bromley Farm Supply, Lorne Montgomery Equipment Rentals, the Harbour Store, Councillor Eli El-Chantiry, and of course Dale and Laurie Hanna of West Carleton Electric Ltd. I guess we could also call Battlefield Equipment a sponsor for donating the use of the plate compactor for the weekend ;)

- The volunteer bartenders came from the community, including Karen & Simon Taylor, Mark D'Arcy, Jodie Brenton and Peter Lorincz.

- The groundscrew was led by Jeff Campbell. Jeff is only 14 (but is already 6'2"), loves fastball and throws in his peewee league. I'm confident that Jeff's name will be on here in a story with him playing for WC Electric in the next couple of years.

- Sal Gara and his umpires were easy to get along with and were professional all weekend. Good job blue crew.

- Our fans showed up in good numbers, especially Friday night and all throughout the weekend. There seemed to be a good mix of of new faces that found out about the tournament in the newspaper or on the Internet, and old faces that come back every year. I had one old fella come up to me and say "Are there any more tournaments here this year?". Another guy was camping in the provincial park nearby and saw a sign at the store and "just had to come by because I love watching fastball."

- I think the title of funniest fan goes to Jimmy Anas. Jimmy played in the Gil Read tournament this summer with the "Mano-Trics" after 10+ years away from the game. Jim, a teacher at Arnprior District High School, took one of his student's projects and used the other side of the bristol board to make a sign that said "GO CAVY GO" which he proudly displayed Friday night, cheering on #16 of the Electric.

- Lorne Rice was our announcer/scorekeeper and was there from Friday at 7pm right until the last game.

- Every team represented in the beer garden, which is great. Of course the Quyon Flyers led the way, with a contingent right remaining right up to the end of the final. Thanks to Kenny Fleck for staying around and providing NFL updates to all fans.

- Every year people that you would never think of pitch in to help without us asking. At different times we were stuck for BBQers and people just grabbed a flipper and sold some burgers. Delmer Cavanagh (Mike's dad) did a shift. Mr. Featherstone (Darren's dad) helped us out! And when Teddy Metcalfe wandered over near the BBQ and someone asked him for a burger he just started cooking for us. Thanks guys!

- Our "gatekeepers" including Ryan Kyte and his mom Leigh Ann were a big help collected toonies and giving out programs.

- Last but definitely not least, Mrs. Fitzroy Fastball was a big help and extremely patient with me. It's kind of shocking that she has let me do this for seven years in a row actually. Anyway, every year after the tournament it's like a bad hangover and "I'll never do that again"....but every year I have. But this year I think is different, I think I'm done with hosting for a bit. (Maybe).