Last weekend on August 14th and 15th, the Westman Border Fastball Museum held its official grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony.
The weekend included various different games highlighting the sport of fastball. The main spectacle was the Hall of Fame game held on Saturday; which included players ranging from ages mid-fifty to their mid-eighties.
The weekend was an opportunity to highlight fastball, but for many of the players, it was an opportunity to rekindle old relationships and remember the comradery that they enjoyed decades ago.
The organizing committee planned to hold the event last year, but due to delays from covid, it was delayed to this summer. Finally after a long wait, the ribbon was cut on Saturday morning which signified the beginning of the weekend of fastball.
Saturday also saw action between the Inglis Nightmares against the Roblin Hoods. On Sunday, there were two exhibition games held between the Wayway A’s and the Borderline Selects.
Murray Blight was there representing the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame Museum during the Westman Border Fastball Museum Hall of Fame pre-game ceremonies. He recognized the efforts of the WestMan Fastball Museum during his speech, saying there were only about 10 fastball museums in the province and he encouraged the group to continue looking for more exposure for their efforts. He presented a cheque in the amount of $2500 from the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame Museum to help with their continued efforts.
Murray donated a cheque for $100 to spur the day’s fundraising efforts as the crowd was canvassed for donations to help the cause.
Organizer Larry Nernberg utilized his opportunity with the microphone pre-game to recognize many former players who are no longer with us.
After the “play ball!” shout from umpire Miles Parr, the first pitches were thrown in ceremonial fashion.
Jim Bali, aged 83 threw one of the ceremonial opening pitches. Jim mentioned his arm was as good as it currently will ever get. He mentioned he could have trained a little more prior to the event, but that he was in his element on Saturday. He said, “I love it when it’s warm. I can’t pitch worth anything when it’s cold.”
Kal Nernberg and Glen Hawcutt also pitched for Team Saskatchewan, while athletes like Sheldon Didick, Reg Klaussen, Bev Ottenbreit and more were also eligible to pitch, but with the shoretend game there was no opportunity.
Ken Gaber is 82 years young and was one of the honorary first hitters during the ceremonial opening pitches.
Speaking about the event, Ken said, “It’s great to see there are so many people who used to play ball, are still interested in the sport, and are willing to come out on a hot Saturday. They’ve sacrificed all that to see teammates; even if they were competition, they became great friends in the future.”
The organizing group collectively hosted an event that was described as the catalyst for bigger things; there is talk of continuing the matchup of Saskatchewan vs. Manitoba years into the future.
There were too many people involved to state all names, but a few other notable mentions include Brad Bulbuck who made announcement calls and brought the PA equipment, Jack Coulson who established the home run derby contest, as well as all the fans who came out to support the fastball event.
For the home run derby, Jack Coulson was in charge of organizing. The competition was set up near the ball diamond at Asessippi and handed out a cash prize to the winner. Jack said he and some others came up with the idea of the home run contest after reminiscing about a previous one held at Sandy Lake years ago at a slo-pitch tournament. 30% of the participation fees went to the winner as their prize, 20% went to second place and 50% of the funds went to the museum. Both winners contributed their prizes back to the museum. Jack’s contest helped to raise an extra $580 for the museum.
Daryl Nernberg, a member of the organizing committee, said, “Thanks to everybody who was a part of the event.” He mentioned how special it was seeing Team Manitoba versus Team Saskatchewan with all the legends in one area, receiving the tremendous monetary support from the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame and the attendees, as well as talking to Murray Blight and the rest of the guys.
Larry Nernberg, a member of the organizing committee said, “As a coach, I put Team Saskatchewan together. A lot of players either donated to the museum or we played together over the years.”
For Team Saskatchewan, players came from Flemming, Stockholm, Esterhazy, Grayson, Kendelton, Melville, Kamsack, Wroxton, Langenburg, Churchbridge, Saltcoats, Gerald and more.
Jim Bali received Team Saskatchewan’s gold award at the end of the game. Bob Sapsford received Team Saskatchewan’s second star and Dennis Koch received the third star.
Nernberg talked about the event, stating, “The players all did well, although due to the heat we had to cut our game down from 9 innings to 3 innings; we didn’t want any injuries.”
Everybody playing was able to bat and field, and hopefully next year there will be even more of an opportunity; they are currently looking at a June date.
He added, “As a member of the Westman Border Fastball Museum, I think it was a huge success.”
As an organizer, Larry said it took about a month to get the team together. Some guys couldn’t play due to being busy with work or on the farm, while others couldn’t play due to health reasons.
Cliff Zimmer, another member of the organizing committee, ensured to add, “The media was fantastic.” He shared that seeing so many people from the grassroots level was emotional. “It’s not about the stars of the game, it’s about the people who played. It’s about the comradery we had when we were kids.”
Speaking about the preparation, Cliff stated, “The whole weekend, from preparing the ball diamond, to making sure the umpires were lined up and the bases were there, the volunteers were great.” Zimmer mentioned there were many volunteers and their help was greatly appreciated.
Cliff stated how it was hard to fathom all the years of experience present at the hall of fame game. From Jerry Halyk, to the Inglis Regal crew, Gene Daum and Kelvin Nernberg, “it was just fun”, he said.
The seed was planted that weekend which will ensure the continued development of fastball happens in the area. Many travelled tremendous distances to make the game and their effort is appreciated.
Fellow organizer Harold Zimmer talked about the Westman Border Fastball Museum and the Hall of Fame Game being his two biggest highlights of the weekend.
Harold said, “The museum brought back so many memories of my playing days some 50+ years ago, the teams I played with and against. The museum was three years in the making, through the dedication and commitment of Daryl and Larry Nernberg the museum is a treasure at Asessippi Beach (the home of the Inglis Regals).”
Harold Zimmer added that a special thanks goes out to Murray Blight and the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame Museum for their generous donation to Westman Border Fastball Museum and for everyone’s participation in the weekend festivities.
Speaking about the game on Saturday that recognized the past greats, Harold said, “The Hall of Fame Game and conversations with former teammates and former opponents was just great, a great opportunity to catch-up and reminisce.”
As the saying goes, “The older we get, the better we were”.
“I had an uncle (Audie Zimmer) at the age of 86 throw out the first pitch for Team Manitoba and an uncle (Dennis Koch) at the age of 77 playing with Team Saskatchewan,” Zimmer informed. “The seventeen participating Zimmer’s ages ranged from 86 to 16.”
It was Cliff Zimmer and Larry Nernberg who developed the Hall of Fame game on Saturday and the exhibition games on Sunday. These two found the teams, umpires and groomed the “Field of Dreams” to make it happen (with other volunteers as well).
Harold Zimmer also mentioned, “A special thanks goes out to Brad Bulbuck for moderating the proceedings and also to the umpires who keep the games going. Also a special mention should go out to the Four-Town+ Journal for their support in this journey.”
Rick and Karen Goraluk were thanked prior to the game as well for all their work to continually develop the Asessippi Beach and campground area.
James Poctlitar of Inglis was the Manitoba Hall of Fame Game’s First Star and MVP at the age of 87 ½ (James was the oldest player to play in the game). Clifford Tetzlaff received Manitoba’s second star and Ken Gaber received their third star award.
Team Saskatchewan
Jim Bali – Stockholm, Brian Waldbauer – Melville, Orey Hudym – Fleming, Vern Schick – Duff, Norm Achtemichuk – Yorkton, Harvey Nixon – Wapella, Herb Rooke – Saltcoats, Rick Hamm – Flemming, Lorne Boychuk – Kamsack, Delvin Szunutku – Stockholm, Dennis Koch – Regina, Gary Cooper – Yorkton, Gerry Schwitzer – Stockholm, Rolly Zimmer – Saskatoon, Herb Kempin – Moosomin, Kelvin Nernberg – Moose Jaw, Bev Ottenbreit – Grayson, Edgar Radbourne – Langenburg, Don Vermeersch – Langenburg, Glen Banga – Stockholm, Phil Hamm – Fleming, Larry Nernberg – Esterhazy, Paul Mack – Langenburg, Gene Daum – Churchbridge, Sheldon Diduck – Springside, Reg Clausson – Stockholm, Trevor Hudym – Rocanville, Glen Hawcutt – Atwater, Bruce Nixon – Gerald, Dexter Campbell – McLean, Ken Perpeluk – Yorkton, Thad Swidzinski – Yorkton, Brian Ingjaldson – Langenburg.
Associate players included- Jerry Halyk – Esterhazy, Bob Hawcutt – Atwater, Gordon Curtis – Esterhazy, Ernie Derworiz – Kamsack, Roy Derworiz – Kamsack, Ken Miller – Melville, Clayton Foley – Langenburg, Barry Calanchi, Stewart Torrie – Saltcoats.
Runners included – Ryan Stanko – Churchbridge
Team Manitoba
Audie Zimmer – Russell, Jim Poclitar – Inglis, Clifford Tetzlaff – Binscarth, Ken Gaber – Roblin, Geordie Galatiuk – Inglis, Dave Onufrechuk – Calgary, Glen McKenzie – Swan River. Ray Ungrin – Inglis, Ernie Galatiuk – Brandon, Dale Zimmer – Flin Flon, Harold Zimmer, Calgary, Brian Zimmer – Brandon, Doug Billy – Russell, Dave Falkevitch – Rivers, Ed Zimmer – Winnipeg, Earl Nernberg – Penticton, Murray Hedly – Brandon, Terry Bone – Keeseekoowenin, Les Ellchuck – Onanole, Murray Blight – Onanole, Frank Foord – Onanole. Jim Richards, Clan William, Jeff Alex – Minnedosa, Dick Gawiuk – Elphinstone, Al McPherson – Clan William, Jack Coulson – Erickson. Terry chwaluk – Oakburn, Norm laschshan – Shoal Lake, John Derhak – Oakburn, Nester leganchuk – Oakburn, Ken Jakeman – Winnipeg, Mel Antosh – Roblin, Hubert Carriere – Calgary/Roblin, Marty Yeroschak – Winnipeg, Jerry Yeroschak – Inglis, Dave Yeroschak – Winnipeg, Bob perchaluk – Shortdale, Wally Matskiew – Brandon, Ron Hojnoci – Roblin, Herb Lovas – Russell, Gerald Liske – Bousursure, Willis Dilts – Russell, Bill Sawyer – Beulah, Bob Sawyer – Beulah, Daryl Jackson – Souris, Brad Bulbuck – Redvers, Myles Parr – Russell. Linton Zimmer – Winnipeg, Al Nernberg – Russell, Sid Nernberg -Winnipeg, Daryl Nernberg – Russell, Cliff Zimmer – Calgary.