Hopes for an underdog upset proved close but ultimately futile as Team One topped Team Two 12-10 in the Rainy River District Fastball League’s annual all-star game last night at Sabaskong.
The story wasn’t how the “visiting” Team Two made a 12-8 game close in the final inning, but the rash of home runs Team One hit in the first to make the all-star game seem more like a home run derby.
Vaughn Wilson, Bob Andy, and Kevin Gemmell went back-to-back-to-back with three-consecutive dingers—quite a feat considering the tall walls of the Sabaskong outfield.
“The home runs at the first were pretty awesome,” Team One manager George Oltsher remarked after the game.
While the sluggers all were quick to thank a wind blowing to the outfield early in the game, Oltsher, who also pitched representing the Barwick Blue Knights, still was impressed.
“Wind or no wind, it was still pretty good. You still got to hit the ball,” Oltsher said.
The home runs came in the midst of six-consecutive hits against Team Two pitcher Murray Armstrong to start the game. When he finally got an out against fellow Rainy River player Jim Chorney, he turned around to his teammates, raising his arms in mock victory.
The production from the top of Team One’s batting order also proved itself in the second inning when lead-off hitter and RRDFL home run leader Jessie Tom started things with a double.
That was followed by Wilson with a triple, Andy with another home run, and Gemmell also with another dinger—this one an impressive line drive over the fence to give Team One an 8-7 lead.
While Armstrong admitted the all-star game is always fun, his personal experience was “not very good.”
“Give up five dingers, not very good,” he laughed.
He also gave a thumbs up to Sabaskong’s hosting of the game.
“They put on a good show with the fish fry [plates were offered throughout the evening] and the crowd here was great,” Armstrong said of the dozens of locals who turned out behind the backstop.
Charlie Kelly, first baseman for Team One and the lone Sabaskong Cub on the victorious squad, said the win was “pretty good, especially with the crowd here.”
He hoped the turnout, including numerous Onegaming youth, was a sign of good things in years to come.
“They’re starting the pitching [training] now on the reserves with the kids,” Kelly noted.
“Hopefully the league’s still around” when they’re old enough to play for teams like the Cubs, he added.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
