2007 Inductees

Rod Dorey

Rod Dorey was born in Berwick in 1946. His family moved to New Brunswick when he was two years old and he stayed there for the next ten years. His introduction to sports was playing pond hockey and baseball with his older brothers. When he signed up for Pee Wee baseball in Black’s Harbour, he was five foot ten inches tall and was sent home to get identification to prove he was only ten years old. He went on to become the league’s top hitter and pitcher. At age twelve, the family moved back to Nova Scotia, settling first in Waterville, where softball and hockey were very popular at the time. With the coming of artificial ice in Berwick, a Boy Scout Hockey League was formed and the Waterville Scouts, led by Rod, won the league championship. The softball league followed the next summer and the Waterville Scouts once again won the championship. Rod led in pitching and hitting.

The family then moved to Berwick where Rod joined the minor hockey program and, from Bantam through Juvenile hockey, was always among the top in scoring goals. He joined the Berwick town team at age seventeen and was leading the league in scoring when he broke his ankle and was out for the season. The following year he won the scoring championship. In one game he scored seven goals and six assists in the team’s 13 – 2 victory. He often scored multiple-goal games.

In 1966, the Berwick Shell Junior Hockey Team was formed. It quickly became Berwick’s most popular team, drawing huge crowds every night. Rod says “It was a highly talented team, which excelled in scoring and the rougher parts of the game.” The team won the Valley Championships and went on to finish second in the provincial championships, losing to Halifax in a six-game series. Rod’s height also added to the team’s scoring feats. His ability to score goals from any angle, even reaching from behind the net to knock in pucks always excited the crowds.

After junior hockey, he moved to Toronto where he played two years of very competitive senior hockey, playing in 1969 – 70 for East York and in 1970 – 71 for Scarborough, where he led the teams in goals both years.

From 1970 through 74, Rod played AA Fastball in Toronto, as pitcher and first baseman, converting to a catcher so he could play tournament ball with his brother Wade, who was a pitcher. Rod recalls Wade pitching a perfect game – 21 up and 21 down.

On his return to Berwick in 1975, he joined the powerful Berwick Easson’s Fastball Club, where he would continue to shine – winning several league championships. Rod was always in the top in the three major hitting categories: batting average, home runs and RBIs. He also pitched when called upon. He became player/coach from 1979 through 1982. One highlight was winning the Greenwood Invitational Fastball tournament over eleven other teams, pitching the championship game. Another hightlight was winning the Valley League and finishing second in the Provincial Championship, losing 1 – 0 to Halifax in fifteen innings.

Rod organized the Inaugural Terry Fox Slo Pitch / Softball Tournament in 1982 and the first Apple Blossom Fastball Tournament in 1979. Both tournaments ran for many years.

He also started in 1975, and continues to run, the South Berwick Invitational Charity Golf Tournament.

Rod is also an excellent golfer. He won the South Berwick Invitational in 1978 and has finished as runner-up five times. In 2006, he and Rick Perry won their Division in the NS Senior four-ball Championship. To date he has had five holes-in-one. He plays to a seven handicap.

It is with pride that Rod is recognized by the Berwick Sports Hall of Fame.

Inducted June 2007