Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Softball Napanee was well represented at the 99th annual Ontario Amateur Softball Association general meeting, which was held virtually on Saturday.
The 2021 season was a challenging one for all athletes as a summer’s worth of softball was squeezed into a six-week period due to a late start stemming from the pandemic. Though nationals were cancelled, Eastern Canadians were held with seven of 12 medals won by teams from Ontario.
After a brief year in review, the individual awards were announced.
Conner Brooks of the Napanee U19 Express goes into his windup. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
A trio of pitchers with ties to the Express were awarded top pitching awards, including U-14 Express’ Dylan Kemp (Ron Taylor Award), U-19 Express’ Conner Brooks (Barry Ellerbeck Award) and Napanee’s Riley Manion, who suited up for the U-23 Owen Sound Selects to earn the Bob Domik Award. Special recognition was given to the Express’ Gavin Brooks, who tossed a no-hitter at the U-16 eliminations, picking up 14 strikeouts in five innings.
Logan Willis of the U-14 Express was named MVP for his age division.
Three members of the U-19 Express-Robbie Barker, Tyler Franklin and Connor Brooks, were awarded OASA scholarships in part for their on-field accomplishments as well as their volunteer work off the field. Barker was awarded an additional Softball Canada Ethel Boyce Award.
Softball Canada/Home Run Sports Coach of the Year went to U-19 Express coach Cory Brooks. His busy summer included winning eliminations, provincials and the Eastern Canadians. Among the highlights of his 18 year coaching career include three Canadian championships, six provincial championships and a pair of Eastern Canadian titles.
The Express will also have representation on next year’s OASA executive, as Napanee’s Karen Mills will be returning as secretary.