The "PIONEER" Award
Presented for the first time at the All-Star Game 2005, this award is designed to honor those who have served on the GBMSL from it's early days to the present.
Criteria has been set as those who were Pioneers of the league and started the process of organized youth ball within the Georgian Bay area. This would recognize those from the early 70's forward. As well our goal is to recognize the many individuals who have committed to numerous hours of coaching within their communities but also have sat on the league executive in some capacity (Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Scheduler, Vice President or President), and with a service record that has exceeded 10 years. Also eligible are those who have been involved in their local communities minor ball program for a period of 15 years. Some of the individuals being recognized where involved in the 1970's and are still active in their communities today.
Individuals, whose names are to be inscribed on the plaque must be nominated by their communities to the GBMSL at it's annual fall meeting. Once the league has approved nominations those individuals will be invited to the annual All-Star game to be recognized for their dedication.
Without question the GBMSL would not exist without the following individuals hard work, foresight, dedication and commitment of selfless hours, for the cause of the children in our surrounding communities, and for their love of the game of baseball. We realize that their satisfaction and reward is the smile on kids faces but we want to honor them and record their names for future generations.
Also shown on the plaque are the winners of each of the All Star Games, showing either East or West as the Championship team each year. Space is also allocated on the plaque to recognize special league awards presented from time to time.
The inscription on the plaque reads as follows:
GBMSL
“THE ALL-STAR GAME”
This plaque is dedicated to the “Pioneers and Builders” of the
Georgian Bay Minor Softball League
Our thanks go out to each one of them; it was their foresight, dedication and countless hours committed to the league, that has made today possible.
THE RECIPIENTS
Bob Potter Sr.- Sturgeon Bay
Don Hawke- Vasey
Fred Patterson- Toanche
Stan Cadeau- Victoria Harbour
Gary Edwards- Vasey
Marshall Hubbard- Elmvale
Fred Espey- Hillsdale
Cliff Lockhart- Vasey
Brien Dutton- Wyebridge
Felix Ladouceur- Wyevale
Betty Robitaille- Perkinsfield
Tim McGinnis- Elmvale
Vern Jolie- Vasey
Irene French- Waverley
Ross Leonard- Wyevale
Don Belanger- Perkinsfield
Bill Fournier- Waubaushene
Carol Kelly- Phelpston
Anne Truax- Waverley
Ray Cavelaire- Victoria Harbour
Lionel Trew- Hillsdale
Gail Hall- Hillsdale
Larry Patenaude- Toanche
Dave Couper- Waubaushene
Kent Goldsmith- Wyebridge
Keith Chapman- Victoria Harbour
Sandra Chapman- Victoria Harbour
Pat Rodgers- Waubaushene
Lynda Ritchie- Elmvale
Sheila Webb- Wyevale
Rene Robitaille- Wyebridge
Scott Warnock- Victoria Harbour
Sharon Taylor- Victoria Harbour
Barb Maw- Minesing
Christine Patenaude- Toanche
Roy Patenaude- Toanche
Guy Desroches- Wyebridge
Norm Robitaille- Toanche
Peter Robinson- Vasey
Mike Briggs- Port McNicoll
Michele Clark- Coldwater
Ken Wallace- Coldwater
Martial Robitaille- Lafontaine
Ed Moriarty- Vasey
Kevin Wagner- Wyevale
Carl Luoma- Minesing
Kelly Findlay- Elmvale
Also on the Plaque are President Award Recipients as follows,
Felix Ladouceur- Long Term Service of 35 years
Keith Chapman- appreciation of dedication and commitment/long term service
Rene Robitaille- appreciation of dedication and commitment/long term service
Gail Hall- Long Term Service over 20 years
The photo above is the award being presented for the first time
Back L to R- Carol Kelly, Anne Truax, Vern Jolie, Gail Hall, Don Belanger, Felix Ladouceur, Fred Patterson, Ray Cavelaire, Ross Leonard, Don Hawke, Cliff Lockhart, Bob Potter Sr. Holding Plaque
Kneeling Down- L to R- Irene French, Betty Robitaille, Garry Edwards, Tim McGinnis
Photo Above is from 2006 All Star Games:
L to R: Pat Rodgers (Waubaushene) , Sandra Chapman & Keith Chapman (Victoria Harbour)- Pioneer Award Recipients
Photo Above is from the 2007 All Star Games:
L to R: Lynda Ritchie (Elmvale), Rene Robitaille (Wyebridge) & Sheila Webb (Wyevale)- Pioneer Award Recipients
Photo Above is from the 2009 All Star Games:
Felix Ladouceur receiving 35 year recognition plaque, presented by Sandra Chapman a former player on one of Felix's teams in the mid 70's
Photo above is from the 2010 All Star Games:
Scott Warnock & Sharon Taylor, both from Victoria Harbour receiving the Pioneer Award
Above-2010 Presidents Award- Keith Chapman & Rene Robitaille- Long term service Awards
Barb Maw (Minesing)- Pioneer Award Recipient 2011- presented at All Star Games by Christine Patenaude
Christine & Roy Patenaude (Toanche)- Pioneer Award Recipients 2012- presented by Barb Maw & Norm Robitaille
Norm Robitaille (Toanche) & Guy Desroches (Wyebridge)- Pioneer Award Recipients 2013- presented by Barb Maw
Gail Hall accepting Presidents award for long term service from Roy Patenaude
Peter Robinson (Vasey) accepting Pioneer Award from Roy Patenaude- 2014
Michele Clark (Coldwater) , Ken Wallace (Coldwater) & Mike Briggs (Port McNicoll), Pioneer Award recipients- 2015
Martial Robitalle (Lafontaine), Ed Moriarty (Vasey), Kevin Wagner (Wyevale), Pioneer Award Recipeints- 2017- presented by Roy Patenaude
Carl Luoma (Minesing) & Kelly Findlay (Elmvale), Pioneer Award Recipients- 2017- presented by Roy Patenaude