In a ceremony at the Access Events Centre in Morden on June 3, the Reston Rockets senior baseball team was inducted into Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. At this 25th induction banquet on June 3, eight individuals and four teams, including the Reston Rockets, were inducted.
The Reston Rockets became a force in Manitoba Senior AA baseball early in the 2000s. In 2007 the team decided to join the Manitoba Senior Baseball League and see what they could do at the AAA level. By 2009 the Rockets were one of the better teams in the League. From 2009 to 2013 they won two pennants (2010, 2011) and two championships (2011,2013).
They represented Manitoba at two Canadian championships (the 2011 team went in 2012, and the 2013 team went in 2014). During the five years 2009 to 2013 a Reston Rocket won the MSBL batting title every year.
Ross Tycoles was named MSBL Coach of the Year four times during the Rockets eight years in the league. Mitch Olson of the Rockets was Senior AAA Player of the Year in 2011 and 2013. Teammate Rory Tycoles won the same award in 2012.
Names of Rockets players such as McKinnon, Truscott, Young, Mayert, Bodell, Lochhead, Stober, Koop, Henderson frequently appeared on MSBL all star teams.
Now, many of the former Rockets are in leadership roles in AA Senior or youth baseball around the province.
The Reston Rockets will be our Hall of Fame Game team for 2023. At a home game on or close to June 3, the Winnipeg Goldeyes will wear the uniforms of the Reston team, and Reston along with all other inductees will be recognized in a pre-game ceremony.
The individuals are Corey Billaney of Boissevain, Jeff Bouchard of Winnipeg, Junior Brake of Boissevain, Keith Carriere of Winnipeg, Patti Hacault of Holland, Laurie Langrell of Warren/Winnipeg, Thomas Smith of Steinbach (deceased), Todd Smith of Hamiota (deceased). The four teams are the Minnedosa Mavericks 2006-2015, the Reston Rockets 2009-2013, the Hamiota Juvenile Royals 1966, and the Norwood Community Club Juvenile/Junior Baseball Team 1953-1956.
Watch the induction ceremony and speeches here.
AMONG OTHER INDUCTEES
Todd Smith (1969-2019)
Todd Smith was arguably the best shortstop ever to play in the Manitoba Senior Baseball League.
He was from Hamiota and from Beaver level through Senior he competed in eight provincial championship tournaments, nine Western Canadian championship tournaments, and five National championship tournaments.
In 1989 he was part of Manitoba's Canada Summer Games team. He played in the Manitoba Senior League for six seasons in total with Hamiota and Virden. He was on five all star teams and won the batting title in 1991 with a .442 average.
In 1993 he joined the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux team that attended the NCAA Division 2 National championship. In 1994 he played professional baseball with the Chillcothe Paints of the Frontier League. In 1995 and 1996 he was a member of the Weyburn Beavers that won the Canadian Senior A championships in the latter year.
He was a good hitter, a good base runner, but observers were most impressed by his powerful arm.
Hamiota Royals Juveniles, 1966
The Hamiota Royals Juveniles of 1966 were Western Canadian champions. This was as far as they could go because no national championship event existed. The players on the team were almost all from Hamiota. A couple of Oak River boys were also on the roster, Once the team won the province two key players were added. They were Lou Morrison of Hartney and Mark Fischer of Riverside. Hamiota edged out the South End Sioux of Winnipeg 1-0 to win the championship of Manitoba. They went on to Western Canadians at Mount Pleasant Park in Regina. In the first two games they beat Red Deer Ramblers and lost to Regina Maroons. Then they played Red Deer in a semi-final and won 9-5 behind Mark Fischer on the mound. This meant that Hamiota would meet Regina in the final. Hamiota won handily,13-2. Lew Morrison struck out 14 batters. Meanwhile Mel Smith, Dennis Sparling, Rick Robinson, Mark Fischer, Don Coombs and Dick Coombs led the team at the plate.
Honourary Life Member
Gladwyn Scott
After the Hall of Fame's induction banquet in the spring of 2022, the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame decided that next year we would announce that Gladwyn Scott had been selected an Honourary Life Member. However, by August 2022 it became clear that Gladwyn's health was failing quickly and we could not wait. We quickly arranged for a small celebration on Gladwyn and Marguerite Scott's front lawn. We informed Gladwyn that he had been chosen for this honour. He was the man most responsible for the establishment of the Hall of Fame, and a tireless worker on behalf of the organization. We will present the memorabilia associated with this award to Gladwyn's family on June 3, 2023, and Gladwyn's name will be added to the plaque in our Museum that lists all Honourary Life Members.
