Alvinston
Indians
-
2012
Hall
of
Fame
Inductees
The 2002 version of the
Alvinston Indians will be inducted into the
Sarnia-Lambton Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday
evening,
September 29, the Indians will be inducted into the
team category section, at the enshrinement dinner,
being held at the Camlachie Community Centre. The
team is being recognized for their ISC II World
Championship that they earned in 2002, after
compiling a record of 6-1 in the five day tournament
that was held in Kitchener, Ontario.
The team was composed of
several of Lambton County's finest fastball players
at the time. After fastball teams and players began
dwindling in Lambton County in the mid to late 90's,
it was Alvinston that was fortunate, as they built a
powerhouse that is still going today, thanks to
their triumphant success in 2002. They went 3-1 in
the round robin portion of the ISC II Tournament of
Champions, and then were a perfect 3-0 in the
playoffs, en route to their highest achievement as a
team, over their 17 year history.
Point Edward's Brad
Young and Doug Charlton of Strathroy, gave the
Indians two legit number 1 pitchers, that made them
tough to beat in the 2000's. Young led the Indians
at the 2002 ISC II Tournament of Champions, after
posting a 5-0 record, and a 0.20 earned run average,
allowing only 10 hits in 35 2/3 innings pitched,
with 42 strikeouts. His efforts earned him Most
Valuable Player of the Tournament.
Behind the plate was
Scott Smith of Wyoming, who ended up catching over
500 games in a Indians uniform, collecting many key
hits in his career in blue and red, as well as
eliminating most base runners that ever tried his
arm.
Randy Livingston of
Wyoming only suited up one year in an Indians
uniform, but had a dominant season in 2002, earning
all-world honours and recognition, after driving in
10 runs over the course of the tournament.
At second base and still
at second base is long time Alvinston Indian Joe
Triest, who has been playing with the Indians since
1995, which is 17 seasons. In 2002, Joe batted .500
in the tournament, pounding out 11 hits in 22 at
bats. Joe has now played over 1100 games in an
Indians uniform.
At third base for the
Indians was their leadoff hitter Mike Black, from
Glencoe. Mike was selected to the all-world team as
well, as he had 15 hits in 22 at bats, which is a
.682 average. He always set the table for Alvinston,
and was widely recognized as one of the best leadoff
hitters in Ontario in his prime.
At shortstop was
silky-smooth Scott McAuley from Petrolia. Scott was
always a standout defensively, and offensively he
was underrated. In the 2002 ISC II Tournament of
Champions, McAuley had the big hit in the
championship game, putting the Indians up 4-0 early
when he cleared the bases with a timely grand slam.
In centre field was
Corunna's Marc Greenwood. There was no better
defensive centre fielder. Marc was best known for
his defence, but often his hits were big, and of the
extra base hit variety.
The Manager of the team
and still the Manager of the Indians is Paul "Chico"
McCart. His years of dedication and commitment to
the Indians, is what has helped to keep them so
competitive for so long. He has kept the team a
winning product since 2002, and he is who
constructed the roster to make it a winning team in
2002. Chico, since 2001, has guided the Indians to
520 wins, against 282 losses, over that 11 year
period, with many league, tournament, and Ontario
Championships over this period.
The balance of the
Indians roster in 2002 also made incredible
contributions to the team, but no one on the team
would argue against the core players addressed
above. Ian McEachern played in the outfield and was
an original Alvinston Indian, from when the team
started up in 1995. Ian was a pesky batter who was
always a speedy runner and threat on the bases
Murray McLean was a utility player from Melbourne.
Murray could play any position and was always known
for being able to get the clutch hit when needed.
Jim McNally of Inwood, had a long career in the
sport of fastball, and came over to Alvinston late
in his career, to help mentor some of the players,
to coach third base, and to put an exclamation point
on his career with the 2002 ISC II World
Championship. Andy Triest and Ryan Chapman of both
Alvinston and Inwood respectively, were both very
young in 2002, but still suit up for the Indians in
the present, and are now core players. Kevin Morgan
of Sarnia was a very strong defender in the
outfield, with a strong and accurate arm, and now
helps out the Indians as a member of the coaching
staff. Ron Pazitka of Glencoe provided a threatening
bat off the bench for the Indians, and was often a
home run threat. Brett Neal was a promising young
pitcher for the Indians in 2002, and was a very big
reason why they made it to the ISC II Tournament of
Champions that season. Chris Wismer and Dan Beecroft
are both from St. Thomas, and were added to fill the
roster. Wismer ended up playing an important part,
as he helped to solidify the outfield and the lineup,
as he provided key offensive hits. Adam Swan
completed the roster for the team, while Brady
Davenport and Justin Scott were out bat boys.
Saturday will be a
reunion of sorts for many of the Indians players. A
night that will bring this championship team
together once again. A chance to reminisce and to
remember what they accomplished in 2002, and to
finally be recognized on a higher scale for their
efforts. And most of all, be a team that is very
deserving of being inducted to the Sarnia-Lambton
Sports Hall of Fame.
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