Softball

Dick Turpin was a quiet man, a simple man, and certainly not one given to braggadocio, but when he walked down King Street in Downtown Cobourg, one couldn’t help but be aware of the impact he had on our community. Whether it was bumping into a countless number of his former players on the street, or the constant stream of yells that came from those driving past him in their cars, he was always greeted with the one moniker that suited him best and the one that he appreciated the most … “Coach”. Over the course of over thirty years spent coaching and mentoring hundreds of players in the Cobourg Legion Minor Softball League, as well as serving in an executive role, Dick spent countless hours on and off the diamond teaching his charges the fine art of softball and lessons in life. A well respected and talented player in his own right on the local ball scene, well versed in the art of laying down a bunt and using his speed to make his mark, his dedication to Cobourg Legion Minor Softball was complete. Dick took just as much pride in driving the Fire Engine in the annual Summer Sports Parade as he did in coaching the 1967  Winchester Juveniles to an OASA championship, and the 1968 Hillier’s Juniors to a provincial championship, to name but two of his many championship teams. In 1993, the OASA recognized Dick’s contributions by awarding him the F.R. Feaver Memorial Trophy for his outstanding contribution to the game of Softball. In addition, Cobourg Legion Minor Softball created the Dick Turpin Award, which was awarded annually to the player that best exemplified Sportsmanship and Dedication. Running concurrently with his involvement with local softball, Dick starred in the Cobourg Men’s Bowling League, excelling in 5-pin. Dick Turpin loved his family, his community, the game of softball, and the kids that he coached; all of which were a little richer because of him.

One would be hard pressed to detail the history of the Cobourg Men's Town (Fastball) League without devoting a chapter (and probably two) to the accomplishments of Craig Minifie. Possessing a rare combination of power-hitting and defensive prowess, in the forty-eight-year history of the league he is the All-Time Leader in Hits (473), Runs (288), Home Runs (65), Doubles (68), and RBI's (274) while ranking third All-Time in Games Played (471). Adding 7 Cobourg Town League Championships along the way, Craig was awarded the league's Most Valuable Player Trophy on five separate occasions in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, and 2000, all while playing for the Grafton Jays. Craig's talent and accomplishments were not limited to the Cobourg Town League – far from it. At the same time that Craig played in the Town League he also played in the Port Hope – Cobourg Industrial League and the Hamilton Township League, and one year in the Peterborough City League, where he won a Championship. With that schedule it often saw him play at least five Fastball games a week, and at multiple positions, from the pitching mound, to the infield and the outfield. In 1981 Craig was chosen by the Hamilton Township League as the player best combining sportsmanship and ability, and was given the Perc Baker Memorial Trophy. Beyond our area, Craig starred for the Rutherflo team that won the 1994 Men's Intermediate B Championship, the 1995 Men's Intermediate A Championship, the 1997 NAFA World Series AA Championship (where he was named to the All-World Team), the 1998 Eastern Canadian Intermediate B Championship, and the 1999 Eastern Canadian Men's Intermediate A Championship. With Colborne's Master Team, Craig added to his already extensive trophy case, winning the Canadian Master's Championship in 2004 and 2005 and the Provincial Master's Championship in 2006. He then joined the Cobourg Force and won the Ontario Master's Championships in 2007 and 2008. In 2014 he helped the Cobourg Force win the 2014 ISC World Over 50 Tournament. The Force also won the 2015 the ASA Master's Championship where Craig was named to the All-American team as well as leading the tournament in home runs. In 2017, three years later, Craig received the honour of being elected to the Ontario Master's (Fastball) Hall of Fame.

When Lionel Gutteridge passed away in 1991, Layton Dodge paid tribute to him in the pages of the Cobourg Daily Star, writing that “Gutteridge leaves an indelible mark on the fabric of sport in our town … it was his efforts as a volunteer administrator that set him apart from the crowd and led to his touching a lot of people”. A lifelong resident of our community (with the notable exception of his military service in the Second World War) “Tut’s” list of positions and contributions as a volunteer is immense. A founding member of Cobourg Legion Minor Softball in 1957, he also served as the association’s first-ever President in 1960, and for over twenty years as their Equipment Manager. His time and administrative talents were not limited to our town’s diamonds; as he was also an executive member of the Cobourg Community Hockey League, including serving as CCHL President, while acting as a referee and later in life, alongside his wife Gladys, as the Gatekeeper for Cobourg Cougars home games. In recognition of his years of volunteer service he was recognized with the Cobourg Legion Branch 133 Certificate of Merit (for 30 years of service to minor sport), was bestowed the status of Lifetime Member of both Cobourg Legion Minor Softball and the Cobourg Community Hockey League, which named their Coach-of-the-Year (House League) trophy in his honour. It should also be noted that he was a skilled golfer, claiming the Dalewood Golf and Country Club’s Senior Championship six times (in the first nine years of the event). A month after his passing, and acting upon a suggestion by Layton Dodge, the name of the park that was located beside his home, formerly known as the Stuart Street Park was formally renamed the “Lionel “Tut” Gutteridge Memorial Park. “In his later years, when the existing Legion softball executive purposely avoided assigning him any specific duties because of his personal health problems, Tut was miffed,” wrote Layton after his passing. “Even then, he still wanted to contribute. That’s the kind of doer he truly was. To the very end, we respected “Tut” Gutteridge for all he accomplished and what he stood for. We were proud to consider him a friend. We shall miss him. Cobourg will seem a little poorer, a little emptier now that he has gone to a better place – but his legacy will live on here forever”. 

In the long history of sports in our community few people were as memorable or as beloved as Bill Elliott. He was known by everyone who crossed his path as “Cowboy”. Moving to the area in 1964 to take on a new job, “Cowboy”, who spent his youth near Ivey, Ontario playing Baseball in the summer and Hockey in the winter, went looking around for a team to play on. Soon he gravitated towards a fastball team in the Cobourg Town League in need of a catcher, which in turn led him to the Cobourg Mercantile Hockey League where he tended goal. “Cowboy” would become a fixture of both leagues for the next three decades as well as in too numerous to count dart leagues, bowling teams, horseshoe and golf tournaments. In demand as a Fastball Catcher, he played for the Oshawa Tony’s team that won a Senior A Men’s Fastball title in 1978. Two years later he was a part of the Cold Springs Cats team that won a Senior A Provincial Championship and then finished in fourth place at the Nationals in Saskatchewan, where “Cowboy” set a record for most put outs in one day. He also played with the Masters Version of the Cold Springs Cats that won three consecutive Canadian Men’s Fastball titles in 1995, 1996, and 1997. For many however, Bill will always be remembered as a tireless advocate for sports in our community and his fundraising skills were legendary. Wherever “Cowboy” was a 50/50 draw ticket or a charitable Euchre tournament were never far behind. Over the years, he raised thousands of dollars for local hockey teams, baseball teams, various community causes, and for those individuals in need. The words “no” and “can’t” were not in his vocabulary and more often than not he wouldn’t wait for someone else to take the initiative on a pressing need, especially when he could fill that role. In 2021, Bill was recognized for all of his work through the years with Cobourg’s Citizen of the Year Award, a fitting tribute for a man who gave so much of himself – his talent, his energy, and above all, his time – to our community.

Referred to by Ron MacLean as Cobourg’s “Ms. Everything”, Jen has devoted a large part of her life to sports in our community; first as a player, and then as coach, a teacher, an executive member, a trusted mentor to so many, and as a tireless volunteer to countless teams, sporting organizations and athletic events. Jennifer first distinguished herself on the local sporting scene when she joined an All-Star Fastball team sponsored by Cobourg Tony’s Pizza. In 1977, that team captured the Ontario Bantam B Championship. In 1980, Jen began her 11-year stint with the renowned Cobourg Angels, helping them to win 4 Ontario Championships. She started her rep hockey career in Cobourg and then joined the Rice Lake Rebels, winning 2 Provincial OWHA Championships with them during the 1980’s. After graduating from C.D.C.I. West in 1982, where she was valedictorian, Jennifer attended the University of Toronto where she graduated with both Physical and Health Education and Teaching Degrees. During her five years at U of T, Jen played Varsity Hockey with the Lady Blues and won four OUAA (Provincial) championships. She also rowed varsity in her first year. Since then, she has won 8 more Provincial OWHA hockey Championships with Cobourg teams (4 as player; 4 as coach). Jen has coached hockey for over 30 years, as well as many other sports including track & field, fastpitch, basketball and more. Her CCI girl’s team earned the OFSAA Sportsmanship Award in 2016 and finished 4th in the Province. In Master Sports, she has been a three-time Gold Medalist in Women’s Softball at the World Master Games with the Canadian Free Spirits (Australia, Italy, New Zealand), won an Ontario 55+ Provincial Hockey Championship, won 3 track and field golds at the 2024 Canada 55+ Games (shot put, discus, and javelin), was the 2024 Ontario Masters Throws Triathlon Champion, and won a Masters Women’s slo-pitch provincial championship. She has also competed provincially in broomball and volleyball. Jennifer has volunteered her time for countless events, initiatives, and executive boards. Some of her proudest moments have been her major volunteer roles at events like the Parapan Am Games, Invictus Games, World Jr. A Challenge, RBC Cup, 55+ Ontario Games, OFSAA officiating and more. In 2015, she was presented Cobourg’s “Layton Dodge Athletic Award” for her “contribution to Cobourg’s Athletic Community in terms of skill, sportsmanship, participation, and leadership”

Few athletes are fortunate enough to be considered elite in one sport. Rarer is that athlete who is considered elite in two sports. Dave Waldie, born on April 8, 1965, in Campbellford and a life-long Alnwick-Haldimand resident, was a standout at the rink and the diamond. At five-years-old, Dave started playing Cobourg Church Hockey, and from Novice through Minor Midget he would be the Most Valuable Player and leading scorer every year. In 1980, he led his Major Bantam team to an All-Ontario championship, a first for Cobourg. The next year, as a sixteen-year-old, he suited up for the Cobourg Cougars and was named the OHA Jr. C Rookie-of-the-Year. 

Drafted by the OHL’s Cornwall Royals, he would split his first year between Cornwall and Newmarket (Tier 2), and then join the Royals full-time for the next two seasons, amassing 99 points in 1984-85. At the end of the year – due to a clerical error - Portland of the Western Hockey League was able to pick him up as an overage player. Dave enjoyed his greatest season in 1985-86, lighting the lamp 68 times, adding 58 assists for 126 points. He was named the WHL Rookie-of-the-Year and made the WHL first all-star team. He also won the Bill Anderson Sportsmanship Award for best leadership and dedication, and the Pat Shugog trophy for the MVP of the playoffs. That year Portland hosted the Memorial Cup. In four Memorial Cup games Dave tallied seven points. With his junior career now over, Dave had tryouts with both the Detroit Red Wings and the Hartford Whalers before eventually signing a contract with the Peoria Rivermen of the IHL. He played in eleven games, recording two goals and three assists before deciding to retire from pro hockey. 

He wouldn’t leave the game behind, exchanging his skates and a puck, for a pair of running shoes and a ball. He became an integral part of four Cobourg Ball Hockey League Championship teams. Dave’s success in hockey was matched by his softball accomplishments; 1 OASA All-Ontario Squirt Championship, 2 Peterborough Men’s Town League Championships, 7 Cobourg Town League Championships, 1 OASA Intermediate ‘A’ Championship, 1 OASA Intermediate ‘B’ Championship, 1 OASA Masters Championship, 2 OASA Masters Silver-Medals, 2 Canadian Masters Championships, 1 NAFA Championship, and 2 appearances in the ISC World Fastball Championships. 

One would be hard-pressed to find an athletic pursuit – Hockey, Softball, Basketball, Football, Track & Field – that Al Fenton did not excel in. A regular competitor at Kawartha, COSSA, OFSSA throughout his high-school career, Al’s athletic talents were on constant display. In 1967 he established six new records in six Junior events at C.D.C.I. West’s Field Day. He followed that up by winning 3 races at the Kawartha meet in Peterborough. Then in Oshawa he took home the COSSA championship in the 100- and 220-yard sprints. At the OFSSA championship in Hamilton Al ran a personal best in the 100-yard sprint. 

Al was also a valued member of the West’s Junior Harrier team, regularly competing in Kawartha Cross-Country events. He was one of three Cobourg runners chosen in 1967 to compete at the first Central Ontario-Maritimes track & field meet, held in St. John, New Brunswick. That same year – in team sports – Al was the top scorer on the Bantam ‘A’ Basketball team and was voted the Outstanding Junior Football Player by his teammates. Surprising no one and considering his many accomplishments, a just-turned 16-year-old Al was chosen as Cobourg’s ‘Athlete of the Year’ in 1967. 

Outside of school athletics, Al also played both All-Star Hockey and Softball. In 1968, along with many of his teammates, Al made the jump from Midget All-Star Hockey to the Junior B Cobourg Cougars, where he would be a prolific centreman for the next two seasons. In Softball, his talent at the plate and on the mound, helped his Dairy Queen team capture Provincial OASA championships in 1970 and 1971. Thanks to his athletic and educational prowess, Al received a four-year Division 1 Hockey scholarship at Colgate University, graduating with a BA in 1974. 

Upon invitation, he attended the Toronto Maple Leafs Rookie Camp that fall before returning to Cobourg to work at General Foods, play Fastball in the summer and Mercantile Hockey in the winter. At the same time he studied for his MBA from Western University. Upon receiving his MBA in 1978 Al, along with his young family moved to Wooster, Ohio where he settled into his life’s work, and was instrumental in introducing the sport of hockey to a generation of youngsters through the development and organization of Wooster’s Youth Hockey Club Program.  

Like many youngsters of his generation that grew up in Cobourg and the surrounding area, sports formed an important part of Jim Bradford’s childhood. And like many he didn’t limit his activities to one sport as he participated and excelled in Softball, Baseball, Hockey, Skiing, Football, Volleyball, Cross-Country Running and Basketball. Amongst his playing accomplishments on the diamond, Jim was a valued member of the 1962 Legion Bantam Ontario Championship Softball Team, the Winchester Western Jr. Provincial Championship Team’s in 1963 and 1964, and the Cold Springs Cats All-Ontario Championship squad in 1975 and 1976. 

It was thanks to the inspiration (and a drive to a Basketball officiating clinic) from Jerry Lawless, the Physical Education Head at the Cobourg West Collegiate, that Jim took an alternate path. Not only would he officiate the sport for many years, but would help found the South Kawartha Basketball Association. It was on the diamond where Jim achieved his greatest success as an umpire. In 1968, Jim began his umpiring career, mainly working local games and tournaments. Over the next three-plus decades, Jim would earn a reputation as the top umpire in our area and without question, the most accredited. 

Jim would work the Pan Am Games in Indianapolis, the Canada Senior Men’s Fast Pitch Championships in Fredericton, New Brunswick, the National Midget Boys Fastball Championships in Napanee; the Women’s World’s in Newfoundland, and numerous provincial championships, while also acting as an umpiring supervisor in various national competitions. Jim founded the South-Central Umpires Association and served for many years as the Vice-President of the Cobourg Men’s Softball League. Over his career Jim convened countless umpiring clinics, sharing his wisdom and experience with the next generation of arbiters. 

In 2000, Jim became the first-ever umpire in Canada to receive his Level 5 status in both softball disciplines: Fast-Pitch and Slow-Pitch. Three years later, Jim was elected into the Canadian Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame as well as into the Softball Ontario Hall of Fame.

With the notable exception of a three-year stint in the Air Force during World War II, Jack Bevan spent his entire life in Cobourg. As a youngster, Jack (born September 11, 1924) played some hockey, was an avid bowler, and during his high school years he excelled at basketball. Above all Jack’s passion was softball, where he starred as a catcher, first on local pick-up teams, and later in organized leagues. Throughout his life, Jack was a familiar, smiling, and constant presence in our town’s ballparks. 

One of the founders of the Cobourg Legion Softball League in 1958, Jack was involved in all aspects of the organization for many years that followed, whether it was coaching, umpiring, being in charge of the equipment, serving on the local executive, or being a member of the OASA executive board. In recognition of his length of service Jack was made a Life Member of Legion Minor Sports. Along with John Ryan, Jack coached the Legion Peewee Baseball team to Cobourg’s first Ontario Championship in 1960 and 1961. Two years later he was part of the group that helped found the Cobourg District Girls Softball League. 

He would spend the better part of two decades coaching girls’ softball teams. He also went on to coach Men’s softball and had his last-at-bat, a single, at the age of 60 for Burnett’s in the Cobourg Industrial Softball League. Jack passed away in 1993. The following year saw the opening of the Legion Fields facility on D’Arcy Street. A world-class Softball facility made up of three diamonds, the middle one was officially christened “The Jack Bevan Diamond” … a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to our community and one who spent most every summer night of his life at a diamond in his beloved hometown. 

One could not begin to write about the history of fastball in our area without at least devoting a chapter to Ewart Timlin.

Ewart was 15-years-old when he got the tap on the shoulder to take the field for the Cold Springs Men's team and in just five years he held the dual positions of player-coach, a position he would keep for the next two decades (after which he commenced a 25-year Slo-Pitch playing career). In that time Cold Springs would emerge as a fastball powerhouse.

After spending the 1960's and early '70's as a part of the Ontario Amateur Softball Association (OASA) and the Hamilton Township League, and in search of a higher level of competition, Cold Springs petitioned to join the Peterborough City League for the 1975 season. Despite misgivings about their ability to compete, Cold Springs was reluctantly added. A subsequent first place finish in the league and the OASA Intermediate C championship put those initial doubts to rest.

The following season, 1976, saw them repeat the accomplishment and then four years later, in 1980, the “Cats” captured the Ontario Senior “A” fastball championship. Still guided by Ewart, the “Cats” took home the OASA Intermediate B championship in 1989 and then came the establishment of the Masters level by the OASA in 1996.

Over the next fifteen years the reunited “Cats” participated in more than 20 Masters events, winning 2 Canadian Masters Championships, an Eastern Canadian title, plus 3 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze, OASA Masters Championships. In addition, the “Cats” dominated the North Bay World Senior Men's Fastball Championship in their ten appearances, winning 7 gold medals, and 2 silvers.

Along with all of the team success a multitude of individual honours have been bestowed on Ewart; Cobourg Legion Giving Back Award (2012); Honorary Vice-President of the OASA (2011/12); Ontario Masters Fastball Hall of Fame Inductee (2014) and the Hamilton Township Senior Citizen of the Year (2018).