New Brunswick edges Ontario for games fastball gold

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Though they had outscored their opponents 38-4 in games leading up the men's fastball at the North American Indigenous Games, it wasn't enough for Team Ontario. They gave up three runs in the first inning to New Brunswick and were unable to get themselves back into the game.

The team was made up mostly by members of the Tyendinaga Eagles from the Tyendinaga First Nation at Deseronto, Ont. These Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte were joined by selected other players from around the province to travel to the games. The Eagles were the 1994 Ontario Indigenous champions, and were set to defend their title two weeks after the end of the games in Minnesota.

Team Ontario "mercy ruled," or had the game called early to spare the team embarrassment, three of the four teams they played in the relatively disorganized competition. Gord Crowe of Kingston, Ont., one of the team's management, explained that the early lack of competition may have cost them in the final against the solid club from the Maritimes.

"We didn't come out that sharp," he said. "It was like the guys weren't ready for the game because they'd had it so easy all week." It had been easy, with two of the four runs scored against them coming in a no hitter in the opening game off pitcher Jeff Van Hooser, who conceded all the runs given up by Ontario.

"Jeff is usually a great pitcher, but they seemed to get runs off him in funny situations this week," said Crowe. "Barry (Van Hooser) didn't give up a run, and he'll pitch in the (International Softball Congress) world championships for Ashland later this year." Jeff plays for a team in Washington, D.C.

"It was an unusual start to the game. They got a walk and several hits in the inning. I can't remember when that last happened to Jeff."

The team has been together for five years, under manager Murray Miracle and pitching-batting coach Bubs Van Hooser.

"He was one of the best pitchers ever," said Crowe of the senior Van Hooser. "And we've eased young guys into the team, worked with them, and now they're part of the team."

Because of the huge fields on which they played in Blaine, there were few balls hit out of the park. Top hitters, such as Murray, who plays in right field in addition to managing, and Mike Miracle, also an outfielder, and first-baseman Ted Brant couldn't reach the 300-foot fences as they can in normal fastball parks, which are usually as much as 100 feet smaller.

"But (the North American Indigenous Games) are a worthy thing," Crowe affirmed. "It just needs a little more organization, that's all."

The senior men's team had decided to travel to Blaine and so skipped the national Native championships in B.C. because of the costs involved. While junior teams were funded in various ways, the senior teams did not receive any travel dollars. Crowe said that they were disappointed by the level of competition they'd faced.

"There are a lot of teams, most of the teams in Ontario, probably 20 teams, playing off to come here," Crowe said. "There are only about four teams here as good as those playing off."

"In Ontario, it's usually us or Curve Lake who are the champions," he continued. "They used to have our number, but now we seem to have theirs."

In the long term, Crowe believes that his sport will develop so that there will be a regional Native championship leading to the national finals.

That way, there could be funding arranged for the one team instead of having three or four needing to raise enough to travel.

Needless to say, Crowe is confident that his team, which formed the base for the silver-medal-winning Team Ontario, will have a good chance of qualifying for it.