Blast from the past - how the 56ers got their name

Most softball fans in the area are probably aware that the Stittsville 56ers got their name due to the fact that the won the Ontario Amateur Softball Association Senior Men's provincial title in 1956. But did you know that their nickname at the time was the Stittsville Lumbermen?

As well, at that time it was a best-of-three series that determined which team advanced to the next round and was named champion, not a tournament. This "series ball" method of determining a provincial champion continued at least until the seventies as per the stories that Jim Ryan used to tell us over pints when he reminisced during his stint as an Electric. I also believe that "back in the day" that OASA games were 9 innings as well, not the wimpy 7 innings we now play.

Check out this article from September 24, 1956 about the big win:

Stittsville Lumbermen Provincial Champions
Ottawa Citizen; September 24, 1956

Len Parks grabbed the hero's role as Stittsville brought the first All-Ontario softball title to this district over the weekend.

Parks hit a pair of solo homers in the deciding game of a best-of-three final against Windsor Len Kanes to give his team a slim 2-1 triumph and the title.

Parks circuit clouts climaxed a long comeback by the Lumbermen. They lost first game, 6-2, on their home field Saturday night.

Playing twice yesterday at Hull's Fontaine Park they came through with the big triumps. Yesterday afternoon's tying game went to Stittsville, Eastern Ontario champs, 1-0.

Keith Russell was the hero of the second game. He batted in the only run of the game in the second game and also blanked the losers on six hits.

Windsor hurler Gord Haidy, who worked all three games for the losers, turned in yeoman service. His long blow to center field accounted for the lone Kane run in the final game.