A tradition of more than 15 years continued in September with the Fall Ball Classic, and on the mound was more than 150 years of experience.
The Fall Ball Classic Slo-pitch tournament has become a Labour Day tradition. Originally played out at the Rosedale Diamond, it has grown over the years and now includes the Hoodoo Campground. Originally, there were eight teams, this year they hosted 16.
Tracy Symowoniuk and her family have been organizing the tournament for the last 12 years.
“We never had to ask teams to come back because they have always wanted in, because they had such a great time,” she said. “They were guaranteed five ball games, a steak supper, they were guaranteed camping and team challenges.”
Dating back to the original event, Tracy’s father Willie Samel, was an avid player but had not played in a number years. When they began brainstorming on how to celebrate the 15th annual event, they thought of putting together a legends team.
“It pulled together players from the previous 14 years onto one team to create this team,” she said.
There were players from Brooks, Carbon, and the former Outlaws team.
Willie Samel, now 81, was on the mound. Remie Defoor, who is 69, also pitched.
He (Willie) had been asking to pitch for years,” said Symowonuik. “He has not played for the last 10 years, we retired him at the age 70, but he didn’t take no for an answer.”
She adds he did not disappoint. “Dad pitched 8 KOs in his first game.”
Samel went on to pitch three games, and Remie pitched two. The team was 4-1.
“We would have been in the playoffs but our points for–and-against wasn’t the greatest. But to me, we won.”
In fact, there were three generations playing at the tournament. They included Willie and Tracy, Willie Samel Jr. and grandsons Joey Conroy and Treighton Samel. Remie was joined by his daughters Dodie and Wendy and grandchildren Christina and Nathan.
They presented Willie with a plaque and license plate for his efforts.
