Induction 2024 - Team
Back Row: left to right Harold
Maciborski (Coach), Brad Dewhirst, Nehad Debaji, Norm Seiben,
Ken Lonsdale,
Dennis Hawkes, Clarence Rix (Assistant Coach)
Middle Row: Russ Dahms,
Glen Jevne, David Miller, Ron Shantz, Jerry Thompson
Bottom Row: Dwayne
Forth, Brad Rix, Brian Burke, Danny Crough
Three Years Practice to Achieve a Championship Title
The 1968 Wetaskiwin Bantam Fastball Team was the first
age-group fastball team from Wetaskiwin to win a Provincial Title. These fourteen 13 and 14 year old teenagers
had only been playing the game for three years when they won the title, quite
an impressive accomplishment and a tribute to their athletic ability and the
coaching they received.
Year One - Getting Comfortable in a Field Position
In 1966, there
was no Wetaskiwin minor fastball program available for youngsters. The Senior Men’s Fastball Team was approached
by parents of young boys that were interested in playing fastball. Harold Maciborski, a member of the Senior
Men’s team, volunteered to establish a program and coach the youngsters. At the first practice, ten boys showed up but
as the season progressed more kids joined the program and eventually there was
over twenty participants. The first year
the boys were organized into four teams and they played inter-squad games. In this format the boys were able to try out
different positions until they found a position that they were comfortable with
and best at.
For equipment,
donations were obtained from Wetaskiwin Motors and Street-Robbins-Morrow. Big hearted Al Arner at the local sport shop
matched purchases. If a dozen ball were
purchased Al threw in another dozen. He
did the same with bats and whatever else was required. Through these generous donations, the team
had all they needed.
Year Two Exhibition Games and Year Three the Provincial Title
In 1967, the
second year, some out-of-town teams were contacted and the boys played
exhibition games. By then there was
enough interest in the program that some of the other parents took on coaching
roles to help out Coach Maciborski and then each of the Wetaskiwin teams had
their own coach. The Wetaskiwin boys
were starting to excel so Coach Maciborski chose an all-star team and entered
them in the Provincial Playoffs. In the
provincial tournament the Wetaskiwin team lost to Beaumont. These all-stars team members were still
involved in playing in the Wetaskiwin inter squad games.
In 1968, the
following year and the third year that the boys played the game, the all-stars
were kept together. They played outside teams and for practice even played
against some senior men’s teams. Again,
they entered the Provincial Championships and this time they won. It was quite an achievement for these young
fellows and they were excited and happy. After winning the Provincial Title,
the boys were awarded with team jackets by their sponsor Street-Robbins-Morrow.
Naturally Talentented All-Stars Started it All
In 1969 the
City of Wetaskiwin Recreation Department took over the running of the age group
minor fastball program. Many of the 1968
players moved up an age category and became the Wetaskiwin Sport Shop team
under coach Al Arner. Under Al they
became some of the best ball players, not only in Alberta, but also in
Canada. These boys were able to win the
provincials at the midget, juvenile and junior levels under coach Arner. Three of them played on the 1975 Junior Sport
Shop team that played in the 1975 Canadian Championships and also won the
Provincial Junior A Championship. The
1975 Junior Sport Shop Team was inducted into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports
Hall of Fame in 2010.
The 1968 Bantam
Team started it all. They initiated one
of the best minor programs in Wetaskiwin that carried on to be the best in
Alberta. Winning and competing at this
level required effort, dedication, practice, team spirit, exceptional coaching,
parental support, as well as natural talent. We recognize the
achievements and abilities of the 1968 Bantams and are proud to induct this
team into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame.
Members of the Team