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Vin fondly cites the hospitality of the Railroad Inn and media support from The Port Perry Star as significant contributors to the health of the association as well as the town’s growing reputation as a preferred site for tourna- ment play. Another attractive feature of Port Perry’s facility was its hittertempting ‘short porch’ on the lakefront left field. iting teams just couldn’t resist trying to drop one in the fake” Wayne laughs. “At one tournament, some- one even printed ‘I Hit a Homer in the Pond’ t-shirts and gave them to anyone who actually did it!” He recounts when then-Mayor Jerry Taylor came to the rescue of the “shortcoming” in the early 1970's. “There was construction somewhere in town. Jerry had the fill trucked over to the shoreline, and extended left field by probably 50 feet!” From the same era, Leanne contributed another fond Association memory. “They advertised ‘Vinnie’s Minnies’ as a club - we were led to assume they were from the USA - coming to play a fundraiser against the Port Perry women’s team. Turned out the ‘Minnies’ were local men, dressed up as female ball players. People still talk about that one!” Despite its rich history in the area, softball registration has declined sharply in recent years. “From 900 participants in the early 90's, we have only 200-300 today,” Leanne reports. “Kids have so many choices of activities these days: lacrosse, rugby, and of course, summer hockey.” In 2010, the Ontario Amateur Softball Association honoured Port Perry’s Minor Softball Association for its organizational excellence. Beyond this formal recogni- tion of the organization's dedication and stability, Leanne and Vin point out the satisfaction their years of volunteer work have provided them personally. “Our whole family is involved,” Leanne says, then adds, laughing: “I tell my husband he’s a ‘volunteer by association!’ Over those years, we've made a lot of friends and gathered some wonderful memories.” “T’ve met lots of great people during my time in softball,” Vin reflects on his involvement. “And I can remember watching seven guys I'd coached as kids stand in the line up for the Oshawa Tony’s [men’s fastball team] at the Canadian championship. That's your reward.” BRIAN NEALE & NORTHERN HARBOUR With guests, Speedo Tuxedo Friday, August 17 at 8pm Summer Breeze Tailgate Party 5:30 pm fown Hall 1873 302 Queen Street, Port Perry ickets $29 Sponsored by: (ERNEST Tova ¢ DD ‘Sponsored by: gr One of baseball's endearing qualities is its timeless nature. Its rules, the strategies: they’ve been virtu- ally untouched by our fast-evolving society, lending a comforting, wholesome, and “traditional” element to the game, whether it’s played by adults at an elite level or as a pickup game among local kids. There’s an echo of an innocent past every time an umpire shouts, “Play Ball!” And this summer, that familiar cry will serve also to remind players and spectators alike of 50 years’ of softball history woven into our community. By Scott Mercer Focus on Scugog OTY. PEEKIN’ Fashion Bostqae Trophies, Awards, Corporate Promotions Embroidery * Graphic Design Engraving © Screen Printing Pineridge Impress 135 North Port Road, .. Port Perry's only locally owned and operated Funeral Home since 1846 ... Peace+Comfort*Family 216 Queen Street ort Perry, Ontario LOL 1B9 Tel: 905-985-2171 ~ Fax: 905-985-4572 \wyies.G. O'RIORDAN www.waggfuneralhome.com Funeral Director / Owner Family concert for all ages! lultiple Juno-award winning entertainer K GRUNSKY Saturday, August 18 at 2pm Tickets $10 Scugog Memorial Public Library 231 Water Street, Port Perry Tickets only $6, Family of 4 - $20 ae PUCKRIN & LATREILLE. ALiterary Evening with Author Thursday, August 16, 7pm at Piano Café Sponsored by Books Galore SUMMER BREEZE oe Saturday, August ies Canadian a ee The Jesters Court « Pickles & Olives Bistro Queen Bean's Coffee House * Salvatore’s Trattoria Whittington’s Smokehouse & Grill For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.scugogarts.ca or call 905-982-2121 08.FOCUS, AUGUST.32 pgsindd 7 FOCUS - AUGUST 2012 7 1207-23 8:59AM