[Alsfastball] DD - Sun p2 - The Other Side of the Fence By Larry Lynch Fastpitch Veteran Kitchener, ON

[Al Doran]

The Other
Side of
the Fence
By Larry Lynch
Fastpitch Veteran
Kitchener, ON


As a veteran of over 30 years in major men's fastpitch softball, or 
as we in Ontario know it fastball, I have traveled many miles and 
attended many parks to play, coach and observe the greatest players 
in the modern game. Fastball has always been a passion for me and 
like so many teammates over the years we sacrificed family time, 
finances and countless hours on the road to prove week-in and 
week-out that we still had the balls to compete at the highest level 
of the game.
     Over the past couple years I've stepped away from the daily 
grind of competition, but with the internet and more specifically Al 
Doran's Fastball web site, I have never really left the game.
    While the game on the field is what really stirred my juices for 
so many years, I've come to realize what the game is really all about 
in semi - retirement from it. The pitcher is still King, the long 
ball hitter is still the glory boy, defense is still under-rated, and 
the sacrifice bunt is all but a lost art.  What I didn't realize 
though, was that a hardcore legion of crusty, cagy and generally 
colourful critics are really the heart and soul of every major 
fastball event on the planet .
    They travel in annual pilgrimages to ball yards across North 
America to be part of every major event in the softball calendar. 
They line up their lawn chairs in the prime strategic locations 
behind home plate and settle in for days of observation, analysis and 
argument. They  follow every pitch,
they preside over every play and while they have no impact on the 
field they are judge and jury of performance for  umpires, coaches 
and players alike. They critique the concessions, the coldness of the 
beer and they know every player on every team.  They applaud you when 
you are successful - they let you know when you are not, and while 
they are the greatest critics -  they are also the greatest fans.
    As I observed the "fence sitters" in Woodstock, Monkton,  Orillia 
and Eau Claire, and here in St. Thomas  I was struck by the true 
camaraderie and love for the game this small group brought to the 
park with them. These are not locals, quite the opposite. They came 
by car, by truck, by camper, by motor home, some even by air. Most 
are not young in years, all are young at heart. Many had not seen 
each other since the last major event of the previous year , and for 
Joe Taman and Neil Fennell in Orillia, it had been much longer than 
that. For those who had shared a recent event it was a recap of the 
games since, for those who had been away much longer, it was 
handshakes/hugs all around.
    The game has changed over the years and some say it will soon be 
gone. Tell that to Dave Spring, or Earl and Mary Ann Stroh, or Gib 
Balkwell, or Tim and Pat from Erie, or John T and John MacT from 
Waterloo. Suggest to the "Hillside Crew" in Kimberly , or  the 
"Grandstand Gang" at Royal Athletic that they've seen their last 
World Tournament or Canadians. No - the game will carry on because 
the heart and soul of the game still lies in every one who remembers 
what it was like in their prime. Who was the pitcher to beat and who 
was the batter to fear is still played out on any given weekend 
across North America. It is the memories and  reminiscences of the 
"fence sitters" who really keep this great game alive.
    There have been some legendary performers in fastball -  and we 
all have our opinions in every era. The true legends may be the ones 
who remember softball when it really was a game, and I for one,I 
thank each of  you for making every trip to the park special for 
those on the other side of the fence.


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