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 My Site News: Masters of the Game - Nov. 2004 - Jack Green |
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Masters of the Game - Nov. 2004 - Jack Green
 |  | | Jack Green |
Masters of the Game - Nov. 2004 - Jack Green
A tribute to people involved in Masters Fastball in Ontario
Jack Green - From Softballs to Golf Balls
Jack Green from North Bay, Ontario is the first ever person to be featured in " Masters of the Game. " Jack has been involved with the World Senior Men's Fastball Tournament held annually in North Bay for the past 18 years. Al Jeffries ran the tourney pretty much by himself the first 2 years which saw 14 teams involved in 1987 followed by 23 teams in '88. In 1989 the North Bay League took over the tournament and Jack Green acted as Tournament Chair and saw the number of teams expand to 32. Jack acted as Chair again from 1991 -1994 and once again in 1999 until 2004.
Jack has also been involved in scheduling, publicity and awards.
Jack is the first to admit that he has had a tremendous amount of help and support from a group of about 8 guys who in Jack's words
" have performed admirably over the past 12 years which has made my job as Chair much easier. " Jack originally joined the league executive in '86 as a team rep. Jack has also served as League President ( 87 - 92 ) and has remained as Past President until 2003.
Jack also handled accommodations and registration in the early years and points out that Dave Cerisano now handles these duties wonderfully.
In his mid 20's Jack pitched in the Toronto Swansea League ( 1966 - 1969 ) Jack moved to North Bay in 1970 and did not start playing ball again until 1984 at the age of 42 in the old six team North Bay Oldtimers League. Jack played outfield for 5 years and then moved to firstbase for the remainder of his career with the Fraser Tavern Oldtimers ( now King Henrys. ) In the past 20 years Fraser Tavern have won their league championship 6 times and the World Senior " A " Tournament once, in 1996 and were " A " finalists from 1999 - 2003. Jack was an all around athlete playing football, basketball and track & field at highschool in Etobicoke.
Jack continued playing football at the intercollegiate level at the University of Western Ont.( offensive and def. end),offensive end and punter at McMaster University.
Jack had dreams of playing in the CFL and was drafted in the 3rd round by Winnipeg in 1966 but due to a serious knee injury chose to continue with a teaching career.
He also enjoyed playing basketball in the North Bay Mens league until the age of 48 and touch football in the mens league until 42yrs of age. Jack played some minor baseball pitching for Kingsway in 1961 and defeated Leaside to win the Metro Toronto Baseball League JR.Championship.
Jack went to Burnhamthorpe C.I. from 1956-62. He started his teaching career at West Humber C.I. in northern Etobicoke(P.E. and History)( also met his wife there) & promptly got out and went to Lawrence Park C.I. for two years where he taught Phys.Ed and history and coached football and basketball. His claim to fame there is that he had the pleasure of coaching Peter Muller who went on to play and captain the Toronto Argos(tight end) for 8 years partly during the Leo Cahill years. Jack married in 69 and moved to North Bay in 1970 where he taught for 28 yrs. at West Ferris S.S. P.E. science, math and special ed. Jack finished his 31 year teaching career as Community Relations officer for the school. He coached football, basketball and Track & Field and was fortunate enough to win numerous Nipissing District and NOSSA championships through the years. Jack is now in his seventh year of retirement!
Jack is a proud father who was able to live his track and field dreams through his daughter. Jack's daughter went to the University of Jacksonville Florida on a scholarship where she won the silver medal in the heptathalon in the SunBelt Conference.
At age 62, Jack has been forced to retire due to arthritic knees and an unstable back. Jack has gone from chasing softballs to chasing golf balls. Jack states that his wife has now taken up golf which has added to the mix !!! Jack expects to lend a hand to the World Senior Tournament on occasion but will not assume a leadership role.
Jack sums up his involvement with the North Bay League and World Senior Tournament with the following ......
" It has been a most important and enjoyable part of my life. "
On a personal note, I contacted Jack and asked if I could feature him and pay tribute to him for his contributions to Masters Fastball in Ontario. I could not think of anyone more fitting to be featured in the inaugural edition of " Masters of the Game. "
Jack's last thoughts in his e-mail were as follows .....
" Thanks for thinking of me Dave and congrats to you for all you have done for Masters Fastball in Ontario. We have have worked hard at keeping fastball alive here in Northern Ontario but your commitment has kept the sport in the forefront throughout the province."
Jack is currently enjoying a golf holiday in New Orleans and then on to Biloxi, Mississippi. Thanks Jack for all you have done for Masters Fastball and good luck chasing golf balls in the jungles of the Bayou.
Please send me your nominations for future editions of " Masters of the Game "
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