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20 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" aN od = raser tosses no-hitter gi Seagrave's Ryan Fraser untouchable By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Funny how things can turn around for you. Take Ryan Fraser, who felt a little less than red-hot as he warmed up for a game in a tour- 'nament held in St. Thomas on the Father's Day weekend June 16 and 17. His team was already out of the tournament, and the squad was playing Halton, which was fighting for a berth in the finals. "Actually, I didn't do very well in my warm-up," said Fraser, a 19- year-old Seagrave resident who is both a pitcher and position player for the Oshawa Legionnaires Juniors of the Metro League. "I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn." Something obviously clicked, however, as Fraser went on to pitch a seven-inning no-hitter, facing 25 batters and walking just three, while another reached base on an error. Fraser notched eight strike-outs, throwing 68 strikes and 40 balls in a match that was a tight one-run affair until his teammates exploded for six runs in the top of the seventh, giving him a 7-0 win. Fraser, a power pitcher whose heat registers in the low 80s and who depends on a sharp curve to keep hitters off balance, said he was pitching well and gaining momentum through the first sev- eral innings, when he realized he was on the verge of tossing a no- hitter. "By the fourth inning | realized I had a little extra stuff on my pitches," he said. "My curveball was breaking really well." He said the age-old rule of silence among players whose pitcher is on his way to a no-no prevailed as the game wore on; nobody mentioned the mounting number of outs, but it began to play on his mind somewhat. "I've been close (to a no-hit- ter) before, but I've never done it," said Fraser. "I've gone six innings (without allowing a- hit). That's good, but it's not the real thing. A no-hitter is a real big thing." Fraser just tried to stay in the groove he'd found, working with catcher Dan Wilson. "Dan was totally in sync with me," said Fraser. "I'd be holding a curve ball, and he'd call the sign." Fraser remembers just one - really well-hit ball, a long drive to right centre that was hauled in by a fielder. and as the game wore on, frustration mounted on the Halton bench, he said: "You could hear them yelling, 'Come on, come on, we gotta get a hit!" Fraser took a seat on the bench as his team went to bat in the top of the seventh, the final inning, and watched as his team mates rallied for six runs. He appreciated the insurance runs, but at the same time wished for the at-bat to end so he could take to the mound and wrap the no-hitter up. As he walked to the rubber to face Halton"s hitters, he was plot- ting his pitches - and hoping for a few breaks. "I was hoping for a lot of luck," said Fraser. "It's usually a little bloop that does it." He got the opposite. With one out, a Halton batter smashed a grounder that was booted by the first baseman. The hitter got the base, but the play was ruled an error: no hit. Fraser and his teammates regained their composure, and went back to work. The final out of the game was a grounder to short who tossed the ball to sec- ond, forcing out the man who'd reach first on the error. Game. over. Fraser was still on the field when his dad, Ken, approached him with congratulations on the no-hitter. "He had the game ball, and he tossed it to me," said Fraser. "I tossed it back and said, 'Happy Father's Day." Fraser had a three-and-a-half- hour car drive home to let the accomplishment sink in, which it did, gradually. Fraser, who's studying web development at Durham College - where he also plays ball - and working for the summer with the township parks and rec department, looks for- ward now to the rest of the regu- lar season with his Legionnaires Ryan Fraser, who plays for the Oshawa Legionnaires Juniors of the Metro League, tossed a no-hitter on June 17 in a tournament game versus Halton in St. Thomas. It was the first no-hitter for the 19-year-old Seagrave man. teammates, as they aim at a berth in the playoffs in August. He has hopes for a successful really well," he said. ries, too, like that game on season. "The team's bonding Father's Day in St. Thomas. And collecting some memo- ------ a i win Bh hadi l Sid Sophia Brendon and Ken Elliott, above, were the winners of the "A" Championship of the Port Perry Tennis Club's recent Mixed Doubles Tournament. Rd Port Perry Tennis Club is in full swing [t's tennis time in Port Perry By Diane Burt The Port Perry Tennis Club has enjoyed two months of activities and it's still June. To date there has been a Fun Tournament, which was open to all members; a Jay Neill Clinic," a "Century Doubles Tournament" - the two partners ages totaling a minimum of 100 years and creat- ing some interesting match-ups - won eventually by Sophia Brendon and Hans Gotthelf. The on-going Tuesday and Thursday evening doubles house league which operate on a rotat- ing format, as does the ladies and men's singles ladders. The club members make up three Durham Region teams. These teams travel on a weekly basis to clubs in the area for dou- bles action. The "A" and "B" teams were regional champs in 2000. "Ladies Day" is on Wednesday mornings and "Senior's Play" on Monday. The six weeks of junior and adult group lessons has just been completed. Our certified level II coach, Ken Crosina, is an organi- zational whiz. The Port Perry club shares his talents with the Oshawa Goodlife Club. He is available all summer for his excellent brand of private and/or group lessons. Check out the bul- letin board at the courts for fur- ther information and registration sheets. The juniors have their own league and times. They get spe- cial attention and coaching from Ken. A Junior Summer Tennis Camp has been popular and on-going for at least 20 years. It is sched- uled for July 23 to 27. One week of tennis fun and games for young people, eight to 16 years. This new and updated formula runs daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginners to advanced, all are welcome. Cost to members is $85 and non-members is $100. One half day prices are also available. Space is limited for the camp. Finally, just completed, the clubs Mixed Doubles Tourney. A popular and enjoyable event with some excellent and inspirational tennis. Champions of the "A" sec- tion of the tourney are: Sophia Brendon and Ken Elliott, against Michele Cook and Andrew Stark. Winners of the "B" portion were: Rebecca and Steve Aked (a daughter/dad combo), against Mary and lan Bellinger. Congratulations go to all partici- pants.