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 History |
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Tuesday, November 23
BC -- Before Complex
North Canton was granted a charter to begin play under the Little League umbrella in 1948. We were the first Little League charter granted west of the Allegheny Mountains. The first Little League game ever played in Ohio featured a North Canton team. Back in the spring of 1949, two days of rain washed out other contests that had been scheduled, allowing us to claim that honor.
Beginning in the early 60's, we played on a stretch of land at the end of 6th Street, adjacent to the Hoover Company. The property expanded to 2, and then 4 fields. This tract became known as the Fred Huth Fields site, and provided many memories for generations of North Canton youth. Mr. Huth was the driving force behind North Canton Little League baseball for 30+ years. Stories of his field preparation still abound.
In 1963, North Canton hosted the North Regional Tournament. Teams from Duluth, Mn., Naperville, Il., Clinton Township, Mi., and Painsville, Oh., met with Duluth advancing to the LL World Series in Williamsport.
In 1971, 1979 and 1991, our major league Williamsport All-Star teams captured the Ohio District 4 championship and advanced to state tournament play. In 1997, our Junior all-stars (13-yr olds) played for the state crown. A group of minor league (10 year old) boys played in the state tournament in 1993, and another in 1996. A group of Senior Boys (15 & 16 yr olds) advanced to the State tournament in 1995. In 1994, a 10-yr old team coached by Bob Fox defeated a 9-yr old team in an all-North Canton district hometown tournament final. In 1997, our 10-year olds, coached by Jim Griffin, won the District Hometown championship by beating Tuscarawas County in extra innings on a field where it was almost too dark to see the ball.
The last team to be crowned City Champions were the 1998 Blue Jays coached by Mark Radosevic.
The last Ohio state Little League tournament hosted at Huth Fields was in 1997.
Tuesday, May 5
AC -- After Complex
On May 5th, 1999, we officially opened the Hoover Community Reserve Fields Complex, on Easton street next to Hoover Park. 7 brand new baseball/softball fields sparkled on a warm spring day just made for baseball. This complex was the culmination of a decade of planning and hard work spearheaded by long-time board treasurer, Carl Young. The first home run hit on the fields was by Matt Shilling. In June, the regulation distance Junior field opened.
In July 1999, we hosted the District 4 home tournament finals, which we have continued to host every July since. Our first hosting of a state tournament was in July 2000 as the 10 best Junior teams from around the state met here in North Canton to deturmine a state champion. We followed up by hosting the same tournament in 2001.
City Champions for 1999 were the Major Reds, coached by Jeff Walsh. City Champions for 2000 were the Major Orioles, coached by Larry Merten. City Champs for 2001 were the Rockies, coached by Mike Draime. City Champs for 2002 were the Marlins, coached by Joe Monnot. City Champs for 2003 were the Mariners, coached by Steve Anderson. City Champs for 2004 were the Pirates, coached by Mike Appleby. City Champs for 2005 were the Indians, coached by Chris Willams. City Champs for 2006 were the Indians. Claiming the title in 2007 were Fred Thomas's Cubs. Mike Appleby repeated with the 2009 Pirates.
The past few years have shown the North Canton Little League to be one of the elite programs in the state. The 2003 minor league Williamsport team advanced to State. That same year the Junior Williamsport team won our first state championship, and gave a strong representation at regionals. We were all over the state in 2004, capturing the first 11-yr old state tournament, competing in states at the Junior level, while falling one game short in the majors. Perhaps most telling is that North Canton placed all 4 finalists in the Minor Hometown Tourney. 2005 was highlighted with our 10-yr old team winning the state Minor Williamstown Tournament here at our facility. But we also sent our 11's and 12's to state play. 2006 got even better with our juniors winning state and just missing at regionals, our 11-yr olds winning state, our 12's participating in state, and our 10's falling a game short of going to state (losing to the eventual state champs.)
The complex continues to expand and undergo additions. In 2000, a large baseball shaped clock was added to the concession stand. Bulletin boards now list important information and show past championship teams. We lengthened the outfield distance on field #8 in 2001, and a pavilion was added to the infield area in 2003. Memorial bricks decorate the concession area with rememberances of past players. Dugout roofs were added in 2005. 2006 saw Field #8 get a completely makeover, including the addition of a grass infield. 2007 started with Field #3 getting leveled. Kevin Brewster re-built most of our maintenance sheds in 2008. The City of North Canton practically doubled our parking with the acquistion of the lot on the far side of the parking lot in 2009.
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