2008 Inductees

1949 Berwick Red Sox Juvenile Baseball Team

n the summer of 1949 baseball was the game in Berwick and the Red Sox Juveniles was the team. With a combination of the ’48 Junior and Midget teams, Don Hall and brother, Frank formed the Berwick Red Sox. Fundraising had gone well and the players were excited to begin the season.

Art Raynor, star import pitcher of the Kentville Wildcats, was brought out to help coach the boys. With Don Hall as player-coach and brother, Frank, as manager, the team was ready to take on all comers. They played intermediate and junior teams during the season, winning most of their games. With great pitching, timely hitting, and a lot of enthusiasm the boys put on a show every game they played. Many of the boys were called on to play multiple positions. Sometimes due to work commitments they had very few extra players per game.

The team had great pitching in Don Weir, Frank Hall, Ron Doane, Pat Hampsey, and Earl Fuller. Don Hall did most of the catching, with George Wheeler and George Hamilton as back-ups. The nucleus of the infield consisted of Gordie Morse and Louis Irvine taking turns at third base, short stop Eddie Nichols, second base Garnet Parker, and Frank Cleveland and Frank Hall sharing first base. Sharing outfield duties were Al Botbyl, Harry Morse, Carroll Kinsman, Paul Ward, Keith Wheeler, George Anderson, Amos Bennett and Don “Rocket” Haley. Co-bat boys and number one fans were young Darrell Corbett and John Hampsey.

The boys travelled from Liverpool to Truro to play, often with the entire team loaded onto the back of a truck. One highlight was playing in Greenwood because they were always provided a meal after the game.

The team was in fine form by the time play downs arrived and, with the summer work being completed, the entire team was available and the first playoff series with Windsor was a great one with Berwick winning the series. Next came Truro. After losing the first game, Berwick came back to win the next two games in an exciting series. The team ended their season by losing to a powerful Halifax team in the finals. All in all, it was a great year and a great time for the boys of summer in 1949 in Berwick.

1949 Berwick Red Sox Juvenile Baseball Team Players

George Hamilton
Amos Bennett
George Anderson
Gordon Morse
Garnet Parker
Frank Hall
Paul Ward
Pat Hampsey
Harry Morse
Ed Nichols
Don Hall
George Wheeler
Frank Cleveland
Ron Doane
Don Weir
Al Botbyl
Carroll Kinsman
Earl Fuller
Don Haley
Keith Wheeler

Co-Batboys: Darrell Corbett & John Hampsey

It is with pride that the 1949 Berwick Red Sox Juvenile Baseball Team is recognized by the Berwick Sports Hall of Fame.

Inducted June 2008