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History
of Edmonton 50+ Seniors’ Slow-pitch Association
The roots of
The Edmonton Seniors Slo-Pitch Association (ESSPA) go back to 1983
when a small group of men gathered twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday
at Borden Park to play catch and bat out flies. A couple of wooden
bats and used soft balls were the extent of the equipment.
The following
year, with the help of The Alberta Senior Citizen Sports and Recreation
Association, (ASCSRA), seventeen players were recruited and that
team represented Zone 6 in the Senior Summer Games in Camrose where
they won a silver metal. (ESSPA has been represented at all Senior
Summer Games since).
An ambitious
membership drive was held in 1985 resulting in approximately 37
members who were 50 years of age or older. Annual membership fees
and a New Horizon grant enabled them to purchase equipment and construct
a ball diamond which was located on crown property immediately south
of the Northgate Lions Centre (NLC) located at140 Ave. and 76 St.
The ball diamond was complete with infield shale, back stop and
benches, all by means of volunteer labor provided by our members.
A second diamond
was started near the NLC in the fall of 1987 but both were lost
due to the sale of the land during the winter. As a result, the
members were compelled to play on school diamonds in the Londonderry/Dickensfield
area for the following two seasons. This did not prove very satisfactory
as other user groups needed the same diamonds. Also, the diamonds
were not very safe as the base paths were badly rutted.
The livelihood
of our Association has been due to the commitment of our members
who have had to make difficult decisions to ensure Senior Slo-Pitch
thrives Edmonton. After long and arduous searching for a suitable
sight a five year lease agreement was reached with the City early
in 1990. This allowed ESSPA to use two diamonds (3 and 4) at Airway
Park (113 St. and 113 Ave.) These two diamonds have since been developed
to top grade diamonds complete with infield shale, safety fencing,
dugouts and sprinkler system, mostly by volunteer help from our
members and with the assistance of the City of Edmonton. Approximately
$100,000 (material purchases, contract labor and labor in kind)
has been spent developing these two diamonds. Although other groups
use the diamonds, they are maintained by ESSPA.
2006 marks the
completion of the $300,000+ Washroom facility which has showers and
a multi purpose room and a large covered deck.
ESSPA membership
has increased steadily each year and it is anticipated that the
300 membership level is not too far in the future. However, to satisfy
the present and growing membership, a long term commitment to the
availability of facilities at Airway Park (including a permanent
storage facility) with possible expansion to a third diamond is
a must.
1983
– Present day History
| 1983 |
Seven
or eight seniors were recruited from various drop—in centers
and, using a couple of wooden bats and used softballs, members
met twice a week at Borden Park on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
to play catch and bat out some flies. During the summer, posters
were placed on the bulletin boards of drop-in centers and in
the early spring of 1984, the Alberta Senior Citizen Sport and
Recreation Association of Zone 6 assisted us in recruiting players
so that we could enter Senior Games at Camrose, AB. |
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| 1984 |
We were
on cloud nine when we had 22 players and were able to send a
team for the Senior Summer Games at Camrose. We were very pleased
to win the Silver Medal on this, our first entry into the competition. |
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| 1985 |
Membership
increased to 37 as a membership drive was instigated. We needed
money for equipment and plans were made to build a diamond on
the vacant land south of Northgate Center. We became an association
in order to qualify for New Horizon grants. A ball diamond was
constructed using our own labor. Bylaws were enacted to make
membership open to anyone 50 and over, regardless of ability.
Bylaws also reserved the right to select members to each team
and no teams would be eligible to enter the league as a unit.
We made our first out of town visitation to Settler and took
part in a Zone 5 tournament at Barrhead. Held a Muscular Dystrophy
Benefit Tournament and raised $900.00. |
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| 1986 |
Membership
rose to 70, nearly a 50% increase. League members won the gold
medal at Senior Games at Grande Prairie. The league held it’s
first local tournament, province wide. |
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| 1987 |
Membership
now 86. League built a second diamond on vacant area next to
first diamond. Benefit tournament for muscular dystrophy made
$2,400.00. Hosted second annual tournament province wide. Entered
float in Klondike Parade. Took part in several provincial senior
slo-pitch tournaments. Started helping Northgate Lions at their
Friday night bingo, as they did not have enough workers. |
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| 1988 |
Membership
now 103 but we lost our diamonds and had to play in the school
grounds. A team entered the Senior Games at Vermilion and took
the silver medal. The league held it’s 3rd annual provincial
tournament and it’s third annual Muscular Dystrophy Tournament
which netted $3,700.00 for research in Alberta. No diamonds
for the league yet. |
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| 1989 |
Joined
a SCGRA and received accident coverage. Hosted team from U.S.A.
for a week of slo-pitch. Muscular Dystrophy tournament raised
$6,000.00. Total now $13,000.00 for research. Membership 145. |
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| 1990 |
A banner
year for our club as we have a five year renewable lease on
two ball diamonds at Airways park through the Edmonton Parks
and Recreation Department. Under this lease, we have rebuilt
the two diamonds to a first-class facility using hundreds of
hours of volunteer labor and about $12,000.00 of our money.
Attended many tournaments during 1990 and won medals at several
of them. Hosted the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy slo-pitch
tournament netting $5,000.00 for this charity. Membership continued
strong at about 143 players participating regularly. |
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| 1991 |
League
expanded to twe1ve teams.149 players participated. Our representative
at Kelowna in the 55+ division won the Canadian Championship
(Slow-Pitch Nationals). They went on to the World Series of
Slow-pitch at West Palm Beach, Florida in September 1991 to
give us credible representation. Hosted two tournaments for
Muscular Dystrophy and raised another $ 6,200.00.Total proceeds
raised to 1991 are $24,000.00 |
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| 1992 |
1992 Twelve
teams and 166 members. Two MDAC tournaments raised $5,860. Two
teams to SPN Nationals, Chilliwack, BC played in the 50+ &
55+ divisions respectively. |
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| 1993 |
Fourteen
teams and 190 players. Two MDAC tournaments raised $4,673. Three
teams to Seniors World Series, Houston, Tex. Played in the 50+,
60+ & 65+ divisions respectively. Constructed four new concrete
block dugouts at a cost of $15,773. |
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| 1994 |
Fourteen
teams and 203 players. Two MDAC tournaments raised $8,083. Two
teams senior’s World Series, Scottsdale, Ariz. in the
65+ & 70+ divisions. Waterline installation and diamond
improvements, $7,300. |
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| 1995 |
Fifteen
teams and 198 players. Two MDAC tournaments raised $6.504. Total
funds raised for muscular Dystrophy 1985-1995 $49,320. One 55+
team to SPN nationals, St Albert, AB. |
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| 1996 |
Fourteen
teams and 208 players. Two MDAC tournaments raised $7,401. Total
MDAC funds raised is now $ 56,721. One 55+ team to SPN Nationals,
in Saskatoon, Sask. One 65+ team to Utah senior games, St. George,
Utah, USA. |
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| 1997 |
Fourteen
teams and 202 players. One MDAC tournament raised $1,943. Total
MDAC funds raised $ 58,664. One 55+ team to SPN Nationals, Burnaby,
BC. One 65+ team to Utah Senior Games, St. George, Utah, and
USA. |
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| 1998 |
teams consisting
of 191 players. One MDAC tournament raised $1,833. Total MDAC
funds raised $60,497. |
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League
members Accomplishments |
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One 60+
team to SPN Nationals, Burnaby, BC.
One 55+ team to St. George, Utah, USA.
65+ team wins Alberta and Canada Senior Games gold medals.
60+ Senior games team was a semi-finalist at Three Hills, AB. |
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| 1999 |
Seventeen
teams and 225 players. George Cuthbertson and Roy Brawner are
honored and plaques are on put on display. At Airway diamonds,
Brawner and Cuthbertson divisions are established for league
play. |
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League
members Accomplishments |
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Alberta
senior games - 65+ win gold and 60+ win bronze at Olds, and
Didsbury.
Three teams to Huntsman World Senior games St. George, Utah.
55+, 60+, 70+. |
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| 2000 |
Seventeen
teams and 248 players. Clarence Hirsch honored. |
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League
members Accomplishments |
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At the
2000 Millennium Games in St. Albert, league representatives
won bronze medals in the 60+ division and silver medals in the
65+ division.
Two teams attended the Huntsman Senior Games in St. George,
Utah. in the 50+ and 60+ divisions.
Lilydale Legends won 50+ gold medals in the “A”
division
Edmonton Nuggets won 60+ “B” division bronze medals. |
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| 2001 |
Seventeen
teams and 252 players. Hirsch division established.
Special recognition to Rollie Ulmer and Ernie Jackson. |
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League
members Accomplishments |
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Alberta
senior games in Lethbridge.
60+ win gold medals. 65+ first in consolation.
SPN – Alberta Provincials
Lilydale Legends 55+ win gold medals in 55+ division
Lilydale Legends 50+ win bronze medals in 50+ division
Two 55+ teams to Huntsman Senior Games.
Lilydale Legends win bronze in 55+ “A”
division.
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| 2002 |
2002 Construction
of underground sprinkler system on two diamonds at a cost of
$15,318 and purchase of a riding lawn-mower at a cost of $9,880.
Negotiations started with the City to obtain the rights to Dia#1
and Dia#2 and include them in our home base agreement.
City withdraws service of portable toilets and offloads cost
($107/month/unit) to organization and adds cost of water.
Seventeen teams and 258 players. (10 Ladies now part of league.)
Special recognition to Karl Hanson, Roy Matvie and Don Humphrey.
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League
members Accomplishments |
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SPN –
Alberta Provincials
Lilydale Legends 55+ win bronze medals in 55+ division
2002 World Softball Championship
Global Thermal Kings win bronze in the 60+ “AA”
in Salem, Oregon.
Huntsman Senior Games
Lilydale Legends win silver medals in the 55+ “AA”
division |
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| 2003 |
2003 Construction
of new Dia. #3 and #4 fencing. Negotiations continued with the
City to obtain the rights to Dia#1 and Dia#2 and include them
in our home base agreement.
Alberta Gov. awards ESSPA with a $95,000+ matching grant to
use toward ball diamond improvements and the proposed washroom
facility but building plans put on hold by City "Masterplan"
revisions.
Eighteen teams and 262 players. (10 Ladies now part of league.)
Special recognition to Metro Wishewan, Wes Holben, and Dick
O’connor
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League
members Accomplishments |
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Alberta
Senior Games
60+ and 65+ Gold medals
2003 World Softball Championship (NSA)
65+ Gold Medal
Huntsman Senior Games
55+ and 60+ teams attended
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2004 |
Seventeen teams and 250 players. (12 Ladies now part of league.)
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League
members Accomplishments |
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Huntsman Senior Games
55+ and 60+ teams attended |
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| 2005 |
$317,000 spent on construction of the Washroom Facility which
will be ready for use in the spring of 2006.Eighteen Teams and
227 membersSpecial
Recognition Honorees
to Dan
Martiniuk, and MIke Sawchuk.
Alberta Gov. awards ESSPA with an
additional $115,820+ matching grant to use toward ball diamond
improvements and the proposed washroom facility.
League members Accomplishments
65+ KD Auto Cruizers - Gold Medal
at Alberta Senior Games
60+ Angels - Silver Medal at
Alberta Senior Games
55+ Classics - Silver Medal at
World Master Games
55+ Nuggets - Bronze Medal at World
Master Games
65+ Dinosaurs - Finish Fourth
at World Master Games
60+ team attends
Huntsman Senior
Games
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2006 |
Eighteen teams
and 264 members
"AA" division
has been created to combine the "Tournament Division and the "Cuthbertson
Division". Teams only will be allowed into this new "AA-Cuthbertson
Division". The league DRAFT will be only for the Hirsch and
Brawner divisions.
$100,000 spent
as final (part 4) of the ball diamond and facilities upgrade
project.
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| 2007 |
Eighteen Teams and 260 members and 14 spares
Special
Recognition Honorees
to Harvey Ford
, and Stan Zimmerman
League members Accomplishments
70+ - Silver Medal at Alberta
Senior Games
65+ - bronze Medal at Alberta
Senior Games
60+ - Gold Medal at Alberta Senior
Games
55+Mixed - Gold Medal at Alberta
Senior Games
60+ and 65+ teams attend
Huntsman Senior Games
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| 2008 |
Twenty Teams and 296 members
Special Recognition Honoree
to John
Vanzwoll
League members Accomplishments
55+Mixed –(Representing Edm. -
Zone 6) Silver Metal at Canada Senior Games
55+Mixed –(Zone 8 representing
Sherwood Prk) Gold Metal at Canada Senior Games
60+ and 65+ teams attend
Huntsman Senior
Games
Central Lions newly renovated building opens c/w an office
for ESSPA.
ESSPA gains some rights for use of building.
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| 2009 |
Twenty One Teams and 295 members
League members Accomplishments
60+ Zone 6 Gold medal –Equibuilt
Classics at Alberta Senior Games
70+ Zone 6 Silver medal –Edmonton
Selects at Alberta Senior Games
55+Mixed - Gold Medal at Alberta
Senior Games
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| 2010 |
ESSPA will
Celebrate 25yrs since incorporation. |
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