Q & A with Rick Hames :

1)         Family  - I have been happily married for 21 years to my Wife Janie. We have 3 children ranging in ages 12-17, all born in Burlington. Jackie (17), Dana (14) and Bryan (12) have all played softball at some points in their youth. My Father, Dick Hames, had an illustrious fast-pitch career and was most recognized as leading Canada to the ISF World Championships in 1971 with Richmond Hill Dynes

2)         Age – 46

3)         Occupation – Sales Director for Continental Ingredients Canada

4)         Education – High School diploma earned at Neil McNeil (9-11) and Agincourt Collegiate (12-13). Also attended Ryerson and Seneca evening programs

5)         What positions have you held in Fastball ?   Player / Coach / Executive etc. Mostly as a player but have contributed by serving as Past President of Burlington Mens Fastball League (BMFL) and co-President of Waterdown Mens Fastball League (WMFL). Also served as team representative in Dieppe Major Fastball League in East York, ON as well as Golden Horseshoe Fastball League (GHFL)

6)        How long have you been involved in Fastball – Since I moved to Toronto in 1972 from London beginning with the Corvette Fastball Association in Scarborough, ON

7)         Other sports / interests you’ve been involved in and accomplishments  - Hockey where I served as goaltender with Wexford “Sam the Record Man” hockey team for many years culminating in a GTHL Midget championship and a European tour in 1977 

8)         What are some of your fastball career highlights & accomplishments  -  OASA Intermediate ‘A’ Championship in 1983 and a OASA Masters Championship in 2001 with Toronto McMurphy’s, Finalists in Dieppe Major Fastball League 

9)         Who are some of your favourite teammates / associates and opposing players to play with and against over the years – always remember championship years so the Metro Merchant team from Dieppe Park in 1983 were a special breed of characters including Jose Lego, Wayne Butt, Dave Ayton, John Hendrick, Rob Sarson, Larry Weidenfelder and Harold Passmore who I have played with or remained friends with over the years. In the Burlington area I have been privileged to play with Nick Vetrone for many years but also played with stand up guys like Dan Ribbecon, Billy Zuk, Trevor Moses, Scott Patterson and Carl Boomhower for many years 

10)      Favourite tournament – Elmvale in 1987, Huntsville 03-06, Dunkirk 94-98, St. Catherines, Junior and Sr elims 

11)      Plans for 2008 & beyond – Help coach my son’s baseball team and contribute to a local team if they will have me

 12)      Any additional thoughts – I have sadly watched recently as towns were left void of fastpitch and leagues were reduced by 50% in participation. I was fortunate to have seen a spike in interest when the Toronto Gators recaptured local fan support during the early 2000’s. I had the opportunity to travel to an ISC World Tournament in Kimberly Wisconsin in 1978 with my Father’s Oshawa Tony’s team. I got to see many great pitchers and players over the years including my Father (Dick Hames), Bonnie Jones, Wally Dyck, Peter Landers, Bill Drennan, Bob Domik and many more. I have met people and maintained many friendships over the years. I have seen some zany characters and some strange and wacky things come from this sport. Wish more players contributed back to the game so it could continue to flourish.