On Wednesday, Sept. 23, the four surviving members of the Exeter Kinsmen Midgets who clinched the 1956 all-Ontario C baseball championship were honored in a pre-game ceremony at Alvin Willert Field in Exeter.
Surviving teammates Jim Russell, Jim Hennessey, and Cy Blommaert from Exeter, along with Doug Kelson from Ottawa, received special pennants from South Huron Mayor George Finch on the field before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a game between South Huron District high school and Central Huron secondary school.
The 1956 win is special as it marked the first time an Exeter team claimed a provincial baseball championship. Russell, praised during the ceremony as “the best hitter in the area,” and “the hardest-throwing pitcher in the league,” reflected on that victory as a significant moment. He called the 70th anniversary celebration a wonderful event and expressed happiness at seeing his former teammates again.
From left, members of Exeter’s 1956 Midget all-Ontario champs Jim Hennessey, Jim Russell, Doug Kelson and Cy Blommaert throw out the ceremonial first pitch before a South Huron-Central Huron high school baseball game in Exeter. The four men were honoured as part of the 70th anniversary of Exeter’s first all-Ontario baseball championship. Scott Nixon
“This blew us away,” said first baseman Hennessey about the anniversary celebration. It was his sacrifice fly ball in the ninth inning that scored the winning run to secure Exeter’s championship back in 1956.
The team was managed by Alvin Willert-after whom Exeter’s ball diamond is named-and coached by Don Gravett and Jim Glover. They won their title with a nail-biting 12-11 victory over Caledonia on Friday, Oct. 12, 1956, in Ingersoll. An article from the Exeter Times-Advocate mentions that Exeter had an early lead of 8-2 before Caledonia made a comeback to take an 11-9 lead.
Exeter fought back to tie it up in the ninth inning and then scored when Russell slid into home plate just ahead of being tagged out.
The organization of this memorable 70th anniversary ceremony was led by Brad Gregus from Exeter, who realized a few years ago that this milestone was approaching. He reached out to all surviving members who he said were eager to participate. Kelson traveled from Ottawa wearing his vintage team jacket for this occasion.
Members of the 1956 Exeter Kinsmen Midgets who won the OBA C baseball championship. Front from left, Jim Mc Donald, Doug Kelson, Jim Russell, Jim Hennessey and coach Don Gravett; back from left, manager Alvin Willert, Doug Sillery, Fred Hunter, Al Rundle, Barry Glover, Ken Jackson, Simon Nagel, Elmer Ince, Cy Blommaert and coach Jim Glover. Submitted
When they returned to Exeter after their triumph in Ingersoll back in ’56 , they were celebrated with a parade down Main Street followed by a banquet. Russell remembers receiving silver dollars from Mayor Ted Pooley for each member of their winning team.
Since that remarkable win in ’56 , there have been another 23 teams from Exeter who have captured Ontario Baseball Association championships. The victorious club defeated Mitchell , Blyth , Port Elgin , and New Hamburg before overcoming Caledonia in their three-game series.
Gregus mentioned he hopes to honor more teams like this going forward.
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Members of the 1956 Exeter Kinsmen Midgets who won the OBA C baseball championship. Front from left, Jim Mc Donald, Doug Kelson, Jim Russell, Jim Hennessey and coach Don Gravett; back from left, manager Alvin Willert, Doug Sillery, Fred Hunter, Al Rundle, Barry Glover, Ken Jackson, Simon Nagel, Elmer Ince, Cy Blommaert and coach Jim Glover. Submitted
When they returned to Exeter after their triumph in Ingersoll back in ’56 , they were celebrated with a parade down Main Street followed by a banquet. Russell remembers receiving silver dollars from Mayor Ted Pooley for each member of their winning team.
Since that remarkable win in ’56 , there have been another 23 teams from Exeter who have captured Ontario Baseball Association championships. The victorious club defeated Mitchell , Blyth , Port Elgin , and New Hamburg before overcoming Caledonia in their three-game series.
Gregus mentioned he hopes to honor more teams like this going forward.
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