Members

Miramichi Fireballs 1982

Category: Softball
Year of Induction:
2018

The 1982 Miramichi Fireballs were the most powerful ladies softball team ever assembled on the Miramichi. During the seventies, ladies fast pitch softball took root and grew in the Miramichi River’s small communities. In 1981, a senior ladies team was assembled to compete for the Softball New Brunswick Senior “A” Ladies Fast Pitch Championship. Thus, was the formation of the Miramichi Fireballs, with the bulk of the players coming from the Newcastle Fireballs and the Loggievlle Gems. In their breakout ’81 season, the team rode the arm of pitching ace, Wendy Dealy , to capture the NB Senior “B” and Eastern Canadian senior “B” Championship crowns. The pinnacle of this team’s success came in 1982 when they captured the NB Senior “A” Ladies title in dramatic fashion; gaining two seven-game series victories after falling behind three games to one in each. They continued their success at the Canadian Championships in Newfoundland, finishing fifth. This was New Brunswick’s best finish ever. This team was a close-knit group that featured stellar pitching, steady defense and timely hitting. Team members include: Front Row (left to right): Julia (Walsh) Whitney, Gwen (Loggie) Kelly, Sandy Hill, Cindy MacDougall, Sue Woods, Colleen Reinsborough, Henrietta DeWolfe, Vicky (MacDonald) Malone. Back Row (left to right): Bette Sullivan (Manager), Debbie Norton, Paula Richard, Sharon Rose, Donna Carter, Marie Paul Doucet, Wendy Dealy (deceased), June Dobson, Jack Upham (Manager), Connie (Upham) Green and Peter McLean (Coach).