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Abbotsford slo-pitch Hall of Fame members
Al Sorenson
Al is considered by many to be the best outfielder B.C has ever had. His outfield arm is the stuff of legend. A consistent power hitter back when that was a rare thing. A perennial MVP with the powerhouse Royals team through the seventies and early eighties. Al won many provincial and National titles along with a Softball Canada championship with the Batts in 1982. A true legend of the sport.
Howie Williams
Howie started playing in the Abbotsford mens league in 1971. A member of the legendary Royals team thru the seventies and early eighties. Howie shifted his focus to umpiring in the nineties and continues to umpire to this day. Howie has volunteered his time to the game for many years. His passion and love for the sport is unparalleled .
John Molner
John started his slo-pitch career in 1969. The first year of the Abbotsford league. A major contributor to the game of softball in Abbotsford in its early years. John played over 35 years in the Abbotsford league before hanging them up. An incredible string of longevity that will probably never be touched. There was once three generations of Molner’s on the Schols team! Another amazing milestone.
Bob McFarlane
Bob is considered the founder of slo-pitch in Abbotsford. Bob had seen the game being played in Bellingham and came back and started a small league here in 1969 that has since grown into the 71-team men’s and ladies league, as we know it. The sport of slo-pitch softball owes Bob a tip of the cap.
Willie Reimer
Not enough could be written to describe the impact that Willie had on the Abbotsford league and slo-pitch softball in this province. Willie started playing slo-pitch in 1971 and along the way played for what seems like every great team through the seventies and eighties. Bradner Royals, Wilson&Reimer and EFF jets to name a few. In 1972 Willie started organizing umpires for the Matsqui/Abbotsford league. A move that would eventually become the Abbotsford umpires association of which Willie would become one of its presidents. In the 70’s Willie helped organize the Abbotsford league in signing up with softball B.C. A move that would lead to teams being able to compete for provincial and national championships. He would later become the B.C slo-pitch coordinator and later yet the director of slo-pitch for B.C. In 1979 Willie was instrumental in changing the slo-pitch ball from its then 14” diameter to its current 12” diameter. A move that would see the game get new life. Another major impact he would have on the game in Abbotsford was the organization with the district of Matsqui for the construction of Ellwood park. Ellwood would go on to be one of the major parks in slo-pitch softball which continues to this day. Many Provincial and National championships along with Western Canadian championships would be held here over the years. An umpire for over 30 years Willie could handle games at any level in both slo-pitch and fast pitch. If all this was not enough, Willie was also the president of the Abbotsford league from 1979 to 1992.
Ray Arnold
Ray has played in the Abbotsford men’s league since 1983. Ray is a competitive and dedicated player who has been the main force in keeping the Sunrise Toyota Rats together for all these years.
Maria Fatkin
Maria started playing slo-pitch in 1985 in the Abbotsford league. Maria has played in the ladies league from its lowest point of 2 teams to its current high point of 30 teams. In between she has been actively involved in growing the sport through her efforts on the executive, as a player and as a coach. Maria is well known as an outstanding player and coach.
Ron Gass
“Deuce” was another member of the famed Royals team of the seventies and eighties. An outstanding power hitter with a great arm Ronnie helped his teams win many provincial and national titles. A fierce competitor who elevates all those around him, Ron’s longevity in the sport playing at the highest levels is a testament to his outstanding athletic ability. One of the truly nice guys in the game.
Betty Johnson
Betty has played in the Abbotsford women's slo-pitch league virtually since its inception in 1984. She has played,coached,organized and managed the team known as "Able Cresting Breeze" for the last 22 years. From the team's beginnings as "Sunlife Insurance", to "Coppertone Farms, Finnegan's Pub and VRC, Betty has been instrumental in holding the team together and finding sponsors. She also helped to keep the league going when it was down to just three women's teams! She continue's today to be a player/manager. Betty has also helped support the Womens league through her work with the Parks and Rec. commision.
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