Article on Cornwall Men's Fastball League

In the swing for fastball
Cornwall Standard-Freeholder
By Todd HAMBLETON
Posted 1 day ago

CORNWALL - It's time for some spring training, in the Cornwall Men's Fastball League.

Players from the league will gather on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Optimist Park, for the first workout of the 2012 campaign.

The first registration session is tonight, at the Navy Club on Sixth Street in Cornwall, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and league organizers are again hoping that players new to the sport will give it a try.

It could be the key to the league's future.

"We always need new players coming in," said Brian O'Neill, one of the league's founders.

"We've looked (in the past) to former Cornwall Black Sox (baseball) players, who may be interested in making the transition (to fastball)."

The league has in past years welcomed women, as well. It's all in an effort to keep the sport alive.

It had died, or was at least dormant, during the Nineties and early last decade.

But in 2004, O'Neill, along with Jim Martell, Frank Marceau and Steve McGillis, got fastball back on its feet.

All four are still on the executive today - Martell is the league president - and their goal each spring is to have a big registration surge to ensure enough players sign up to create four teams.

"We need four, that's what we're hoping for," O'Neill said.

Sometimes it's a struggle, but the league has managed to keep the game alive in Cornwall - and even to represent the city and the country every four years at the World Masters Games.

Seven years ago, a team comprised mainly of Cornwall league players competed at the Games in Edmonton, Alberta. Three years ago, Cornwall-Team Canada won the silver medal, at the Games in Sydney, Australia.

Already, plans are being made to field at team in Turin, Italy, in 2014.

"We're actually looking at having maybe two teams in Turin, we're beginning fundraising," said O'Neill, mentioning that the league may be able to send both a 45-and-over squad and a 35-and-over squad overseas.

At home, the league plays all its games at King George Park, on Tuesday and Thursday nights, with doubleheader action, the games starting at 6:30 p.m. and at 8:15 p.m.

The format is similar to how it was nine years ago, when fastball first enjoyed its revival. There'll be a draft system in place, with each team initially allowed to protect three players.

It's a format that has led to good competition each spring and summer.

"It's amazing, it's always been different teams (winning championships)," O'Neill said.

Regular season play for the league is expected to begin during the second week of May.

• Registration sessions for the league will continue for the next three Wednesday nights at the Navy Club, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The registration fee is $120.

For more information, contact Brian O'Neill (613-936-1960) or Frank Marceau (613-938-5644).