Downs inducted into RRDFL hall of fame

In addition to the usual excitement and anticipation that accompanies the annual Rainy River District Fastball League awards banquet, this year’s event also had a very emotional tone as the late umpire, Kingsley Downs, was inducted into the league’s hall of fame.
Don Gall delivered a very impassioned speech highlighting Downs’ commitment to the game and his cheerful demeanor that touched so many lives.
Gall had a very tough time getting through the speech, shedding a few tears.
“I had the privilege of being a catcher for eight years with ‘King’ behind the plate,” he remarked. “He was always very complimentary of players and after the game he always socialized with them.”
Gall added the ball players really appreciated King’s commitment and thanked his family for sharing him with them. “He was a true friend and will be sadly be missed.”
Gall then presented Downs’ widow, Maureen, son, Scott, and brother, Howie, with a plaque commemorating King’s induction.
Scott Downs thanked everyone for the honour, and noted that truthfully the family hated all the time away from them King spent umping games.
“We loathed the time dad spent away from us, with you guys, but I see it was worth it because you appreciated him as much as we did,” he remarked.
He then read a prayer for an umpire.
Maureen Downs thanked everyone for the honour, adding, “He would be very proud and I am proud.”
She also thanked everyone for all the acts of kindness bestowed upon her family since her husband was killed in a car accident July 1 after umping a fastball tournament in Barwick.
Downs joins John Larson, George Olson, Gerry Harasymyk, Rod Rone, Cecil Wilson, Stan Peterson, and Art Bonot in the RRDFL’s hall of fame.
< *c>Awards presentations
Ed Vold and Don “Kimbi” Copenace of Sight and Sound were presented with the league and playoff trophies.
“This was a big year for us,” noted Vold. “In the 25 years Sight and Sound has sponsored the team, I don’t think we have ever had as big a year as this!”
Winning individual awards were:
•Home Run King—Don Copenace (S & S) with 10
•Best Utility Player—Don Copenace (S & S)
•Best Shortstop—Don Copenace (S & S)
•Best Manager—George Oltsher (Barwick)
•Best Fielders—Kevin Gemmell (Barwick), Ed Vold (S & S), and Jim Chorney (R.R.)
•Best Third Baseman—Kyle Langlais (Pinewood)
•Best Second Baseman—Rick Tymkin (R.R.)
•Best First Baseman—Derek McKinnon (S & S)
•Best Catcher—Justin Wagner (Pinewood)
•Best Pitcher—Warren Voth (S & S)
•Rookie of the Year—Jessie Tom (Big Island)
•The Shane Jarvis Memorial Sportsmanship Award—Ed Vold (S & S)
•The Gerry Harasymyk Memorial League M.V.P. Award—Don Copenace (S & S).
A toast also was raised to friends, former players, and family of league members who passed away in the past year. They included John Gall, Lise Langlais, Wes Felix, Al Aikenhead, Tom Kreger, Linda Landry, Kingsley Downs, Art Bonot, Earl Hanson, Blaine Ivall, and Carol Bourre.
Finally, RRDFL president George Oltsher said three of the engraved plates on the league trophy, which dates back to 1963, are missing. He’s hoping someone might remember who won in 1964, ’66, and ’68 so they can replace the plates.
Anyone who might know can call Oltsher at 487-2244.