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Continued from page 23 but I helped organize an ac- tual league as a member of the league's executive.” Fate contributed to his find- ing his true calling in the sport. “The team I was with folded, so I gave up playing competi- tive ball for coaching. I found that satisfying, just in a different way.” Asa fledgling coach, Wayne inherited a juvenile team which gave him his first taste of suc- cess. “The kids on that Ballard Lumber team had already been together for several years when. Icame into the picture, and had had some success. But they hadn’t won it all. We wound up ' 5 ; to ave Venning, back left, is seen here wa son Graig, bac ght, ant in font from lf are a5 al Ontario champs in 1968. unger generations of his family, who than, 9, Alex, 5 and Reed, 7 who are alll avid jut perhaps Wayne's great- fonoong in their patriarch’s footsteps. That's conte gla ers. Photo by J. Peter Hvidsten est level of success — and enjoy- ment — came when his own sons followed the family tradition and began playing competitive ball for Port Perry. As had been true for the Ballard Lumber team, “growing up together” contributed to the Port Perry Merchants’ later success under Wayne's guidance. “You have to lose before you can win. By experiencing that adversity we appreci- ate the victory more.’ Wayne Venning “The core of that team stayed together for several years,” he says. “So the boys knew each other well, and so did we as coaches. We won three championships in a row in the mid-90's, playing in three different divisions. That's remarkable.” Strong competition throughout the season provided another key to the group’s ultimate success, in Wayne's opinion. “You have to lose before you can win. The league we played in was very competitive, and that helped us to develop more than if we'd domi- nated. And by experiencing that ‘ad- 24 FOCUS - JUNE 2011 JUNE FOCUS. 40 pages.indd 24 versity,’ we appreciated t the victory all the more, when they cai Wayne's youngest son, Chad, pitched for those powerful Merchant clubs, while older son Craig followed his father’s example by joining the team as an assistant coach. Father and son have continued their collaboration beyond those early days, this time with the roles re- versed, as grandsons Ethan and Reed. begin their athletic careers. “T help Craig with his practices,” he explains. “I don’t interfere, but found that I could help, and he ap- preciates that.” As you'd expect, Wayne’s lon- gevity and tireless efforts — he also coached hockey over the years, in- cluding a 1972 Bantam squad which captured an all-Ontario title - have not gone unnoticed. In 1996, he received the “Frank Feaver Award” from Ontario Amateur Softball for his outstanding contribution over the years. “Ym very proud of this,” he says, indicating the handsome commemo- tative plaque which identifies him as “Mr. Softball.” Locally, Wayne was inducted. into Port Perry’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 in the “Builder” category reserved for coaches, sponsors, and umpires. So what, based on his experience, makes a great coach? “Commitment,” he replies immediately. Then, after giving the topic some more thought, he adds: “Of course you have to have good players, and during my career, I was very fortu- nate to have many of those. They enjoyed playing and we enjoyed coaching them. That love of the game, on the field and on the bench, is very important for any team’s success.” Beyond his contribution to Craig’s team, Wayne currently serves as curator for Port Perry’s Sports Hall of Fame as well as a member of the Induction Committee for its Wall of Fame. Involvement with amateur athletics for almost 50 years has not dimmed Wayne Vennings’ passion for the game he first embraced as a lanky first baseman. “I still enjoy going to watch the local games,” he says with a wide smile. Games, played by today’s house league and Port Perry rep teams, which began with a man with a vi- sion - and a passion — five decades ago. By Scott Mercer Focus on Scugog 5/24/11 8:55:12 AM pon