8 New Members To Be Inducted Into Softball NL Hall of Fame – Class 2019

2018 Provincial Awards To Be Presented

Galway Hitmen – 2018 National Champions – To Be Recognized

Joe Devereaux – Canadian Indicator Club Recipient – To Be Recognized

Softball Newfoundland Labrador is extremely pleased to announce that the Softball NL Hall of Fame Committee will induct 8 new members into the Softball NL Hall of Fame and the Softball NL Awards Committee will present Provincial Awards to 10 deserving individuals.

In addition to the Softball NL Hall of Fame Inductions and the Softball NL Awards Presentation, the Softball NL Board of Directors – on behalf of the entire membership – will recognize the Galway Hitmen Team on winning the 2018 Men’s Canadian Fastpitch Championship with a presentation to each team member and present Joe Devereaux with his Canadian Indicator Club Award.

The inductees, award recipients, Galway Hitmen & Joe Devereaux will be honoured at the Softball NL 2019 Hall of Fame Ceremony and 2018 Provincial Awards Presentation taking place on Friday, April 12, 2019 at GlenDenning Golf commencing at 7:30pm.

Tickets Now Available
Tickets for the Softball NL 2019 Hall of Fame Ceremony and 2018 Provincial Awards Presentation are $50.00 each and may be purchased by contacting Dave Feener (Softball NL Executive Director) at executivedirector@softballnl.ca or by calling the Softball NL Office at (709) 576-3418.

Softball NL 2019 Hall of Fame Inductees
Joe Fagan (Athlete Category)
John Farrell (Athlete Category)
Bob Gulliver (Umpire Category)
Harold Kelly (Athlete Category)
Walter (Wally) Layman (Builder Category)
Len Wakeham (Athlete Category)
Bas Whelan (Athlete/Builder Category)
Sean Whitten (Athlete Category)

Softball NL 2019 Hall of Fame Biographies

Joe Fagan (Athlete Category)
Joe Fagan (St. John’s) played in the St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League for 31-years and is the All-Time Leader in Games Played with 589. He played on two senior league championship teams, was a five-time All-Star at the outfield position, was a member of seven St. John’s Day Tournament championship teams and was named to the Senior League All-Decade Team – Outfield (1997-2006). At the provincial level, Joe played on one minor, three junior and three senior championship teams. At the national level, he represented Newfoundland Labrador at two U19 men’s, three junior men’s and seven senior men’s nationals.

John Farrell (Athlete Category)
John Farrell (Holyrood) played in the St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League for 23-years, he captured seven senior league championships, was an eight-time All-Star at the catcher position, was a member of six St. John’s Day Tournament championship teams and was named to the Senior League All-Decade Team – Catcher (1997-2006). At the provincial level, he played on one minor, one junior and six senior championship teams. At the national level, John represented Newfoundland Labrador at one U19 men’s, three junior men’s (2 Bronze Medals) and 14 senior men’s nationals (1 Gold & 3 Silver Medals).

Bob Gulliver (Umpire Category)
Bob Gulliver (St. John’s) was an active member of the softball community for 24-years. He was an active member of the St. John’s Metro Umpires Association for 13-years and served as association scheduler for three-years. He represented Newfoundland Labrador at two national tournaments – Junior Women’s (1977) and Junior Men’s (1986). Bob obtained his Level 3 Umpire Designation in 1983 and was considered by many to be one of the top officials to ever call games in the province. He also served on seven organizing committees for national championships.

Harold Kelly (Athlete Category)
Harold Kelly (Outer Cove) played in the St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League for 19-years, was a member of three senior league championship teams and five St. John’s Day Tournament championship teams. At the provincial level, he played on two minor, two junior and three senior championship teams. At the national level, Harold represented Newfoundland Labrador at two U19 men’s (1 Gold Medal), three junior men’s (1 Silver Medal) and three senior men’s nationals.

Walter ‘Wally’ Layman (Builder Category)
Wally Layman (St. John’s) was instrumental in the formation of the Cabot Street Athletic Association, an organization that focused on a variety of sports. He was a founding member of the Inter-Street Softball League and served on the executive for six-years as secretary-treasurer. Wally was the founding President of the Cabot Street Minor Softball Association in 1979 (for kids 8-15 years of age) and the league operated for 18-years from 1979 to 1996. He was also involved with the creation of the Constable William Moss Memorial Softball tournament in 1980.

Len Wakeham (Athlete Category)
Len Wakeham (Placentia) was a standout in the Placentia Junior League. He played on one provincial junior championship team and represented Newfoundland Labrador at three junior men’s nationals (1 Bronze Medal). Len enjoyed success in the St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League and played on two St. John’s Day Tournament championship teams. He played on five consecutive Conception Bay North Senior Men’s Fastpitch League championship teams. Len also represented Newfoundland Labrador at four senior men’s nationals.

Bas Whelan (Athlete/Builder Category)
Bas Whelan (St. John’s) enjoyed a 28-year career as a player, coach and executive. He was a member of three St. John’s Junior League championship teams, one Inter-Street Softball League championship team, one Commercial Softball League championship team, one Civil Service Softball League championship team and eight Mercantile Softball League championship teams. Bas also served on the Mercantile Softball League Executive for 12-years: 10 as President and 2 as Vice-President. At the provincial level, he was a member of six provincial senior “B” championship teams as player/coach.

Sean Whitten (Athlete Category)
Sean Whitten (Petty Harbour/Maddox Cove) played on four St. John’s Junior Men’s Fastpitch League championship teams, captured four provincial junior men’s championships and represented Newfoundland Labrador at five junior men’s nationals. He played five years in the St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League and represented Newfoundland Labrador at six senior men’s nationals (5 Medals: 3 Gold, 1 Silver & 1 Bronze). Sean also represented Canada on several occasions and earned three medals: Gold at Pan Am Games in 2003, Silver at ISF World Men’s in 2004 and Bronze at ISF World Men’s in 2009.

Softball NL 2018 Provincial Award Recipients
Dave Connors (Minor Coach of the Year)
Emily Hawco (Minor Female Player of the Year)
John Webber (Minor Male Player of the Year)
Abigail Gambin (Junior Female Player of the Year)
Eric Healey (Junior Male Player of the Year)
Jeff Kirk (Adult Coach of the Year)
Jenna Connolly (Senior Female Player of the Year)
Jason Hill (Senior Male Player of the Year)
Brady Hanlon (Junior Umpire of the Year – Len King Memorial)
Wayne (Hughie) Clarke (Umpire of the Year)
Wayne (Hughie) Clarke (Bob Whelan Memorial)

Softball NL 2018 Provincial Award Recipients Biographies

Dave Connors (Minor Coach of the Year)
Dave Connors (Conception Harbour) coached T-Ball, U12 & U16 divisions in the CBC Minor Softball Association house league, coached one CBC entry at the U8 Timbits Jamboree and the U12 & U16 CBC Girl’s teams that participated in the Softball NL Provincials. Locally, his U16 Girls’ team captured Gold at the Constable William Moss Memorial Softball Tournament. At the provincial level, his CBC teams finished 1st & 2nd at U12 Girl’s Slo-Pitch Provincial, his U12 Girl’s Fastpitch team captured the U12 Girl’s Provincial Fastpitch crown and his U16 Girl’s Fastpitch team captured the U16 Girl’s Fastpitch Provincial crown. Dave was a member of the Coaching Staff with the U16 Girl’s NL Selects that traveled to Cole Harbour, NS for the U16 Girl’s Eastern Canadian Softball Championship.

Emily Hawco (Minor Female Player of the Year)
Emily Hawco (Chapel’s Cove) was an impact player at the Local, Provincial and Eastern Canadian levels in 2018. Emily’s U16 Girl’s CBC team captured Gold at the Moss Tournament, she participated in the St. John’s Women’s Fastpitch League with the U16 NL Selects and her Roncalli Central High School team won their Regional Qualifier and finished 2nd place at the 4A Provincial Slo-Pitch Tournament. At the Eastern Canadian level, Emily was an integral part of the U16 Girl’s NL Selects team that traveled to Cole Harbour, NS for the U16 Girl’s Eastern Canadian Softball Championship.

John Webber (Minor Male Player of the Year)
John Webber (Placentia) had an impactful season at the Local, Provincial and National levels in 2018. Locally, his U16 Boy’s Fastpitch team captured the 2018 Constable William Moss Memorial Fastpitch Tournament Championship and he also participated in the St. John’s Intermediate Men’s Fastpitch League. At the provincial level, John participated in the U16 Boy’s (3rd Place), U19 Men’s (1st Place, named tournament Top Batter) and Senior Men’s provincials. He represented Newfoundland Labrador at the Canadian U16 Boy’s Fastpitch Championship in Innerkip, Ontario.

Abigail Gambin (Junior Female Player of the Year)
Abigail Gambin (Placentia) was an impact member the NL Women’s Fastpitch team at the Local/Provincial, Atlantic and National levels in 2018. At the provincial level, she helped her Impact Signs team capture the Softball NL Women’s Provincial Fastpitch crown. Abigail helped her NL Women’s Fastpitch team finish 3rd Place at the Lloyd Poirier Memorial Women’s Tournament in Truro, NS. At the national level, she represented the province at the Canadian Women’s Fastpitch Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Eric Healey (Junior Male Player of the Year)
Eric Healey (Chapel’s Cove) had an outstanding season at the Local, Provincial and National levels in 2018. Eric led his CBC Junior Canadians Intermediate Men’s team to first place finishes during the Regular Season, Swing into Summer Tournament, Intermediate Provincial and a second place finish in the Intermediate Playoffs. He was named Intermediate League Regular Season MVP, led the circuit in Wins (9), Strikeouts (131) and was selected to the All-League Team – Pitcher. Eric was named MVP of the Swing into Summer Tournament and Intermediate Men’s Provincial. He represented Newfoundland Labrador at the Canadian U23 Men’s Fastpitch Championship in St. Leonard d’Aston, QC.

Jeff Kirk (Adult Coach of the Year)
Jeff Kirk (Goulds) guided 3 Cheers Pub Bud Light Dodgers to a successful season taking home the Triple Crown of Championships (League, St. John’s Day and Provincial). In Senior League play, he steered his team to a strong 3rd Place finish (16-7 Record) during the Regular Season and capped off the season capturing the St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League Championship with a 7-1 Record. In tournament play, Jeff coached his team to a 1st Place finish (4-1 Record) in the St. John’s Day Tournament. At the provincial level, he coached his team to a 1st Place finish (4-1 Record) in the Senior Provincial. Jeff’s team finished the 2018 season with a 31-10 Overall Win-Loss Record (.756 Winning Percentage).

Jenna Connolly (Senior Female Player of the Year)
Jenna Connolly (Goulds) was a key member the NL Women’s Fastpitch team at the Local/Provincial, Atlantic and National levels in 2018. Provincially, she led Impact Signs to a perfect 5-0 Record in capturing the Softball NL Women’s Provincial Fastpitch Championship in Corner Brook. Jenna led her NL Women’s Fastpitch team to an impressive 3rd Place finish (4 Wins, 2 Losses) at the Lloyd Poirier Memorial Women’s Tournament in Truro, NS. At the national level, she represented Newfoundland Labrador at the Canadian Women’s Fastpitch Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Jenna is one of three finalists named for the Sport NL 2018 Senior Female Athlete of the Year Award.

Jason Hill (Senior Male Player of the Year)
Jason Hill (St. John’s) enjoyed an outstanding season on the softball diamond at the Local, Provincial and National levels in 2018. Jason was instrumental in leading his 3 Cheers Pub Bud Light Dodgers to the Triple Crown of Championships – St. John’s Day, Senior Provincial & Senior League Playoffs and was a solid contributor to the Galway Hitmen’s Canadian Men’s Fastpitch Championship Crown. In the St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League, Jason was named Regular Season MVP, Top Batter (23-for-53 .434BA), led the league in RBI (23), captured his first Golden Glove Award (.984FP), was selected to the All-League Team (Infield). Jason was named the St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League Player of the Month in June, July and September/October. At the provincial level, Jason led his team to the Softball NL Senior Men’s Fastpitch Provincial crown and was named tournament MVP. At the national level, Jason and his Galway Hitmen teammates went undefeated at 9-0 to capture the province’s sixth Canadian Men’s National Crown. In September, Jason was named (along with 6 fellow Newfoundlanders) to the 2019 Men’s National Team that will be participating in the 2019 WBSC Men’s World Softball Championship from June 13-23 in Prague/Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic. Jason is one of three finalists named for the Sport NL 2018 Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award.

Brady Hanlon (Junior Umpire of the Year – Len King Memorial Award)
Brady Hanlon (Shea Heights) had a busy season on the softball diamond at the Local, Provincial and Eastern Canadian levels in 2018. He officiated 73 games (24 Adult Division & 49 Minor Division) in 2018. At the local level, Brady worked Regular Season & Playoff games in the Ladies Fastpitch League and he also worked Regular Season games in the Intermediate Men’s Fastpitch League. At the provincial level, he officiated four Softball NL Minor Provincial Tournaments: U12 Girl’s Fastpitch, U12 Girl’s Slo-Pitch, U14 Girl’s Slo-Pitch and U16 Girl’s Fastpitch. His commitment and dedication to umpiring paid off as he was assigned to officiate in the U14 Girl’s Eastern Canadian Softball Championship held in St. John’s at Lions Park. Based on his performance and evaluation during the tournament, Brady is now a full Level II Certified Umpire.

Wayne ‘Hughie’ Clarke (Umpire of the Year)
Wayne ‘Hughie’ Clarke (St. John’s) had a busy season at the Local, Provincial and Eastern Canadian levels in 2018. Hughie, a Level II umpire, officiated a total of 78 fastpitch games: 54 Adult Division & 24 Minor Division. At the local level, Hughie umpired Regular Season and Playoff games in the St. John’s Senior and Intermediate Men’s Fastpitch Leagues. He also worked the Senior St. John’s Day Tournament, the Intermediate Swing into Summer Tournament and the U16 Boy’s Goulds Fastpitch Invitational. At the provincial level, Hughie worked three Softball NL Minor Provincials (U12 Boy’s Fastpitch, U16 Girl’s Fastpitch and U19 Men’s Fastpitch) and one Softball NL Adult Provincial (Intermediate Men’s). At the Eastern Canadian level, Hughie was assigned to the U14 Girl’s Eastern Canadian Softball Championship held in St. John’s at Lions Park. He also made time to mentor and evaluate four umpires this past summer and all four were promoted to the next certification level.

Wayne ‘Hughie’ Clarke (Bob Whelan Memorial Award Recipient)
Committed, Dedicated & Passionate are just a couple of words to describe Wayne Clarke, better known throughout the Softball Community, as Hughie. As a player, he captured two Inter-City League championships, four Mercantile League Championships, one Civil Service League Championships and three consecutive Senior Men’s Provincial ‘B” Championships. As a coach, Hughie captured two Senior League Championships, three St. John’s Day Tournament Championships and six Provincial Championships: one U14 Boy’s, two U19 Men’s, one U23 Men’s and two Senior Men’s. At the national level, he represented Newfoundland Labrador at 13 Canadian Men’s Fastpitch Championships in a coaching capacity and captured two Gold Medals and two Silver Medals at the U23 Men’s Nationals and 2 Silver Medals and 1 Bronze Medal at the Senior Men’s Nationals. As an umpire, Hughie has been an active umpire for 16-years, is a Level II Umpire, and has umpired numerous Minor & Adult Provincial Tournaments, as well as Senior & Intermediate Leagues and Tournaments. On top of that, he has also mentored and evaluated umpires.

Galway Hitmen 2018 National Champions
The Galway Hitmen captured the 2018 Men’s Canadian Fastpitch Championship in St. Croix, Nova Scotia. The Galway Hitmen went a perfect 9-0 and outscored the opposition 68-2 (+66). The Galway Hitmen claimed the province’s 6th Men’s Canadian Fastpitch Championship.

Members of the Galway Hitmen Championship Gold Medal Team
Ryan Boland, Shane Boland, Sean Cleary, Daniel Dalton, Blair Ezekiel, Brad Ezekiel, Kyle Ezekiel, Jason Hill, Peter Kavanagh, Sheldon Keough, Ryan Kirk, Stephen Mullaley, Jeremy O’Reilly, Nick Pittman, Jordan Pomeroy, Mathieu Roy, Colin Walsh, Luke Newton (Bat Boy), Les Howey (Coach), Mark Dwyer (Coach), Eddy McDonald (Coach), Sean Cadigan (Coach), Brian Roche (Coach) & Danny Williams (General Manager & Sponsor).

Joe Devereaux Canadian Indicator Club Award Recipient
Joe Devereaux (Conception Bay South) is one of 29 umpires from across Canada who were selected for induction into the 2019 Class of the Canadian Indicator Club.

Joe Devereaux is the 6th umpire from Newfoundland Labrador to be named a recipient of the Canadian Indicator Club Award.