Joanne Langford

Joanne Langford, a long time fan of our game and volunteer including at softball events in Carp, has died at 65.

Joanne, from the Woodlawn area, helped out at numerous tournaments with her husband Jeff who died this past August.

Joanne and Jeff's son Joel, who died in 2015, was a national level softball player.

She leaves behind her daughter Kelsey, two grandchildren and many friends and family who will miss her.

Obituary here.

Update: A moment of silence for Jeff and Joanne was held prior to the Final game of this year's Shootout to honour their commitment to the game over the years.

 

Maurice Beauregard Memorial fastball game this Saturday

The Maurice Beauregard Memorial is back for the fourth time. This year's fastball game is Saturday May 23rd at 6 p.m., an exhibition match in the midde of the annual 3-pitch ball tournament. There will be refreshments available at the bar onsite.

This annual tournament and fastball game celebrates Maurice’s legacy and raises money for the Maurice Beauregard Community and Leadership awards given to three high school graduates in the Pontiac region, and the Maurice Beauregard Park. 

The tournament, and the exhibition fastball game, will be held in Campbell’s Bay at the Maurice Beauregard Park (2 Second Street, Campbell’s Bay, Quebec, J0X 1K0).

Here is info on last year's game.

For more about Maurice, father of Hunter Beauregard of the GOFL's Pontiac Flyers, visit this link.

Greg Perrin Celebration of Life, Cornwall

Info from David Herbst, EOUA

Greg Perrin, a long-time umpire and pitcher in Eastern Ontario and upstate New York, passed away in January.  The Blog posted a notice of his passing on January 25, 2026.  At that time, it was mentioned that there would be a Celebration of Life for Greg in Cornwall, his hometown, in the spring.  This Celebration will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 in Cornwall at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 205 Amelia Street.  All are welcome.

Leigh Ann Kyte

Leigh Ann Kyte, 54, of Fitzroy Harbour died this week. 

She was a very close friend of mine and my wife Lisa for decades.

Leigh Ann did a lot of work for minor softball in Fitzroy and West Carleton. She was the one who got me involved in helping out with minor softball back in 2006. She was a big supporter too, attending Harbour Ball and West Carleton Electric games and other softball events as a fan, and helping out at tournaments in Fitzroy and Carp.

She was a great person, and I will really miss her. Her obituary is here: Obituary of Leigh Ann Kyte | Pilon Family Funeral Home | Serving al...

Conner Hopper wins Ottawa Sports Award for 2025

The Ottawa Sports Awards honour the Ottawa area's finest athletes annually. They have recognized a softball player of the year since 1955. 

This year's winner is Conner Hopper, who also won the award in 2023. This is the third year in a row that a Fitzroy Harbour resident has been given the award, as Colton Lecuyer got the nod in 2024.

Hop received his award at a gala event on February 4.

The write up on the OSA site for Conner's 2025 successes in softball was as follows:

Softball – Conner Hopper: Conner hit a momentum-shifting grand slam for Team Ontario at the Canada Summer Games, helping the squad capture gold. As a member of the West Carleton Electric U20 squad, he won bronze at the Ontario Amateur Softball Association provincial tournament. He also suited up for the Plattsville Lightning at the Softball Canada U20 Men’s Championship, contributing to a medal-round finish, and competed in ISC World Tournament qualifying events earlier in the year. 

Conner played locally last year in the Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League, as well with West Carleton Electric U20 in the Glen Cairn Men's Fastball League and with West Carleton Electric in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League. He also participated in the OASA U23 Men's elimination tournament with West Carleton Electric U23 and at the OASA Men's elimination tournament and the Softball Canada Men's Canadian Championship with the Micksburg Twins

Many past recipients of the award have been featured on the blog, including Don Cox, Kyle Jamieson, Randy Peck, Bruce Casselman, Kevin Chevrier, Matt Bowman, Joel Langford, Andrew Putnam, Grace Lonergan, Erin Durant, Elissa Sivel, and Joran Graham.

Bill Rump

Bill Rump of Carp died back in December at 75.  

An entrepreneur who started and operated a few different businesses,  "Wild Bill" was also sponsor of men's fastball teams in the 80s and 90s, including starting the Carp Valley Pride, an ISC team that brought in New Zealand imports.

Obituary here. 

Blog story about a Carp Valley Pride article from 1990 here. 

Greg "Peck" Perrin (updated)

Greg "Peck" Perrin, a familiar face at softball diamonds in eastern Ontario, western Québec and upstate New York, has died.

Greg, originally from Cornwall, was 65. He was a former umpire and was also involved recently in coaching. 

Peck was friendly guy with a deep love of fastpitch softball. For more information on memorial services, his obituary is here.

*****************

Update - a message about Greg from Eastern Ontario Umpires Association president, Gary Findley.

 

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of one of our most respected members and a true pillar of the softball community, Greg "Peck" Perrin. Greg passed away on January 18th at the age of 65.

 

For Greg, fast-pitch was truly his life’s work. He started playing ball at a very young age, and by the time he was 14, he had already begun his journey as an umpire. After a storied career as a pitcher, where my father, George Findley, recalls he earned the nickname "Peck" for his ability to "peck the corners" of the plate, he transitioned into a lifelong career in officiating that spanned half a century.

 

Greg’s commitment to our sport was immense. In addition to serving as a Zone Umpiring Chief for Softball Ontario, he served as Vice President of the EOUA on and off for ten years between 2009 and 2021. In 2023, he was awarded our most coveted honor, the John Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award. Beyond our local association, Greg was a fixture throughout the softball circuit in Eastern Ontario, Quebec, and Upstate New York.

 

On a personal level, I have known Greg since 2016. I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship he provided me; his guidance and deep knowledge of the game were instrumental in helping me become the umpire I am today.

Fitzroy family wins big

Congrats to local Harbour Ball veteran Joey Sawyer and his spouse Shelley Eckford on their big win.

Harbour woman wins $2.45 million Russell Catch the Ace prize - West Carleton Online

Woody Cameron

Dwayne "Woody" Cameron died on Tuesday. 

Woody was an avid follower of men's fastball in the Ottawa Valley. He was frequently seen at local tournaments, Greater Ottawa Fastball League games, and Harbour Ball games. Woody for a time was on the coaching staff of the Ottawa Valley As of the GOFL. On at least one occasion he made the drive down to watch the action at Elkland, PA Labour Day after hearing so much about the event.

Woody, who was in his mid-60s, was a catcher when he played in area leagues including the former Arnprior Men's Fastball League. He loved to tell stories about "back in the day" playing with various legends of the area. Woody also was an umpire for a period of time in Harbour Ball. 

He had a unique passion for the game - for instance a few local players have been introduced to an invention of his related to fastball.

To say Woody was a character would be an understatement. If he knew you and liked you he was a friendly guy who loved to talk ball.

Woody died as a result of a car accident. In typical Woody fashion, after the accident left him badly injured, he struggled on for a period of time before succumbing to his injuries.

Life wasn't alwasy easy for Woody - harder than for most people. Now that his time has come to an end, may he rest in peace. 

Obituary: https://pilonfamily.ca/tribute/details/3581/Woody-Cameron/obituary.html

Jeff Langford

Jeff Langford, a fixture at local diamonds as a volunteer and spectator, died on August 28.

Jeff, who grew up in Fitzroy Harbour, was a kind person who loved the game of softball and played it as a younger man for teams like the Fitzroy Goldenmen.

He was generous with his time to help out at events such as the Canadian Championships put on in Carp, doing whatever was asked to assist with the event.

Jeff and his wife Joanne traveled the province and beyond to watch fastball tournaments and was often a contributor of stories for the blog in the '00s, chronicling the exploits of the Orleans Rebels and Orleans Gators.

In 2015, Jeff's son Joel, who was an extremely talented player, tragically died which was a shock to Jeff, Joanne and their daughter Kelsey and to the men's fastball community locally and beyond.

From a personal standpoint, Jeff, who is a secònd cousin to my wife, was supportive of this blog and always asked about how my two boys' teams were doing and had kind words of support. I will miss him, as will many others.

Obituary: posted here.

Tom Dexter

Tom Dexter, a former player with the Elkland Softball Association teams, has died in a workplace accident. Dex was a big man with a big heart, very generous, and a great softball player. My condolences to his wife Angie and his family and friends.

Obituary here.

Campbell's Bay game on Saturday

From Hunter Beauregard

Come join us on Saturday May 24th at 6 p.m. to cheer on our local fastball players during the exhibition fastball game at the 3rd Annual Maurice Beauregard Memorial 3-pitch ball tournament. There will be refreshments available at the bar onsite.

This annual tournament celebrates Maurice’s legacy and raises money for the Maurice Beauregard Community and Leadership awards given to three high school graduates in the Pontiac region, and the Maurice Beauregard Park. 

The tournament, and the exhibition fastball game, will be held in Campbell’s Bay at the Maurice Beauregard Park (2 Second Street, Campbell’s Bay, Quebec, J0X 1K0).

Here is info on last year's game.

For more about Maurice visit this link.

Reminder: Trivia night in Fitzroy

The committee that hosts the Carp Shootout and has brought several major fastpitch tournaments to Carp is hosting a Trivia Night fundraiser on Friday night in Fitzroy Harbour. It's $20 a person, with Trivia Master Jason Marshall hosting.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16T8K2oHu8/

Micksburg fundraiser

The Micksburg Twins are fundraising for a run at the Softball Canada Men's Canadian Championship in Kitchener this summer.

They are hosting a gold tournament on May 10 in Cobden.

Mark Schultz - now with obituary

If you have been to play or watch ball in Elkland, PA in the past decade or so, you know Mark Schultz even if you didn't know his name.

"Schultzie" was mainstay at the ballpark, wearing one of his many football shirts. You could hear him across the main diamond as he alternatively cheered and jeered the action on the field.

He was definitely loud and could sometimes be obnoxious. He was usually funny and was always creative.  A selection of classics include:

"WHO PUT THE CREAM IN THE COFFEE!"

"GET YOUR PANTS DIRTY!"

"WE GOT ALL KINDS OF GATORADE! ALL KINDS OF FLAVORS!"

"THAT ONE IS DOWNTOWN, WHERE THE LIGHTS ARE BRIGHTER!"

"TUNE UP THE BAND!"

Here is an audio example of Schultzie in action.

Here are some well-written words that Lorna Sherman posted on Facebook:

The moment Mark Schultz walked in, the atmosphere changed. He was a magnet, drawing everyone closer. At every tournament, his cheering was the soundtrack. It rang out above the music, the chatter, everything. People gravitated towards it, wanting to be part of the fun. He was a reminder that joy can be found anywhere, anytime. That's the gift he left us.

Schultzie was never quiet at the ball diamond, but he is silent now as he died on Friday. 

He will be missed.

Update - his obituary Obituary

Jamie Bramburger obituary - service details

Jamie Bramburger of Pembroke, a community leader in the Upper Valley and a big supporter of men's fastball in the area, has died.

Below is a write up in the Pembroke Observer, a newspaper to which Jamie frequently contributed stories about the Greater Ottawa Fastball League, especially covering the Micksburg Twins. Jamie was also instrumental in Cogeco's local TV broadcast of GOFL games in the past.

Jamie was also a huge supporter of junior hockey and literally wrote the book on the Pembroke Lumber Kings.

Pembroke Observer - Jamie Bramburger

Update - service details are now posted: https://www.mdbfuneralhome.com/obituaries/jamie-bramburger

Colton Lecuyer wins Ottawa Sport Award for Softball

This past Wednesday, Colton Lecuyer of Fitzroy Harbour was honoured with the Ottawa Sports Award for softball. 

Colton Lecuyer accepts Ottawa Sports Award from City Councillor Clarke Kelly. Photo credit: Sheri Lecuyer.

The write up on the OSA site for Colton's 2024 success at the National level was as follows:

Softball – Colton Lecuyer: Lecuyer played for Napanee Express U17 men’s fastpitch softball team this season. His team finished second at Canadians and he was named an All-Canadian infielder. In nine games he batted .409, with 9 hits including two triples and a home run, batting in 15 runs, and walked 7 times, with no fielding errors.

In local play, Colton was the Most Valuable Player in the Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League. Lec also played for West Carleton Electric in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League for some games in 2024.

This is the second year in a row that a teenager from Fitzroy has been the recipient, as Conner Hopper from West Carleton Electric Men's and U20 won for 2023. Lecuyer will be joining Hopper on WC U20 this upcoming season.

The Ottawa Sports Awards have honoured a softball player of the year since 1955, and many players in both the men's and women's game featured on the blog have been past recipients, including Don Cox, Kyle Jamieson, Randy Peck, Bruce Casselman, Kevin Chevrier, Matt Bowman, Joel Langford, Andrew Putnam, Grace Lonergan, Erin Durant, Elissa Sivel, and Joran Graham.

Ward Gosse dies

Ward Gosse from Torbay, Newfoundland has died.

Gosse was a true Legend of fastball, and a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame for both softball and hockey.

Gosse was most recently active in the ISC Legends circuit, pitching and playing for the Sudbury Relics and earning MVP honours at the ISC Legends World Event in both 2018 and 2022.

He leaves behind a wife and three children.

More info on X and Facebook. 

Fundraising campaign to support Shawville and District RA

The Shawville and District Recreation Association, led by local fastball player Matt Greer, are coordinating a campaign to raise money for training and certification for youth coaches and leaders. Donations are matched!  

For more information, visit La Ruche

Exhibition game in Campbell's Bay

Campbell's Bay, Quebec is a town in the Pontica with a great fastball history, including the legendary Bay Bash tournament back in the early 2000s. 

On Saturday, at the 2nd Annual Maurice Beauregard Memorial 3-Pitch tournament, an exhibition men's fastball game was played between a group of young lads and a team of seasoned veterans.

The young guns prevailed 11-9. Noah Fleurie pitched for them and hit a home run, as did Cade Kuehl. The old fellas had Jeff Tanguay, Blake Bramburger and Ralph Horner pitching.