The newly named Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame is happy to announce that plans are well under way to move back into its former home located in the Royal Gallery that is attached the Pan Am Pool.  Our relationship has come full circle with the City of Winnipeg and a settlement was reached over a year ago that allowed us to sign a new lease agreement for the space.  Amendments have also been made to allow us to use our settlement money to make some major infrastructure upgrades to the 10,000 square foot space.  With the help of our current Mayor (a former University of Manitoba swimmer) we have an amazing team of property administrators, designers and project managers that are dedicated to our project.  Construction started this past January with the goal of being completed for the 2017 Canada Summer Games to be held in Winnipeg this July and August 2017.  The Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame will be the main entrance for the swimming and diving events so it was crucial that we get moving on our project as soon as possible. Washrooms, new LED lighting, new floors, processing room, curators/admin room, permanent display area and storage are just a few of the upgrades that will take place. Our current plan is to call the Canada Summer Games opening our “pre-opening” with our Grand Opening happening the following summer with an induction ceremony a that time.  It has been nearly a decade since we last had any new inductees nominated for our hall of fame.  The Canadian Hall of Fame is very much looking forward to having a “bricks and mortar” space that will not only showcase our current list of over 100 inductees, but also the nearly 3000 aquatic artifacts that tell the history of swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water polo in Canada over the last century.

Announcing 2017 Inductees

On February 27, 2017, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum announced their 2017 Inductees via three simultaneous Press Conferences in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge.  These Press Conferences were attended by the Inductees of that area, as well as Honoured Member Alumni.  Albertans contributed to the continuous growth of their sport and are truly deserving of this honour.  Our Inductees are true ambassadors of Alberta and have helped put Alberta on the sports map of Canada and the World.

We invite you to the annual Induction Banquet on May 26, 2017 in Red Deer, Alberta. More than 600 people from across the provinces and United States attend this gala event to honour Alberta’s great athletes, sport builders, pioneers, and media personnel. This event not only acknowledges these great Albertans but it also recognizes the importance of sport in our lives and communities.

Celebrate our 2017 Inductees and mingle with Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Alumni.  It’s an experience you will never forget!

Rick Duff  – Boxing Athlete, Lethbridge
Keltie Duggan – Swimming Athlete, Edmonton
Doug Jones – Baseball Builder, Oyen
John Kucera – Alpine Skiing Athlete, Calgary
Hans Maciej – Tennis Builder, Calgary
Herbert McLachlin – Basketball Builder, Edmonton
Marilyn Palmer O’Connor – Golf Athlete, Calgary
Ryan Smyth – Hockey Athlete, Edmonton
Sharon Trenaman –  Squash Builder, Calgary
1984/85 NAIT Ooks –  Hockey Team, Edmonton
Jeff Hansen – Bell Memorial Award – Sports Writer, St Albert Gazette
Betty Carveth Dunn – Pioneer Award – Baseball Athlete, Edmonton

Servus Free Family Nights

The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum announced a new partnership with Servus Credit Union that provides Free Admission for everyone to our family friendly facility on the First Wednesday of every month from 6pm to 8pm.  This initiative has been a lot of fun and we’ve had themes ranging from Collections Tours to Judo demonstrations.  We’re super excited to see this partnership continue to grow and the community to benefit from these opportunities to experience new sports related activities.  Each month has different themes with opportunities to watch and participate in sport demonstrations.  Some of our themes that have already passed include Sledge Hockey, Christmas Crafts, Behind Closed Doors collections tours, and Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds.

The theme for the previous Free Family Night, on March 5^, 2017, was Indiginous Games, particularly activities from the Dene and Arctic Winter Game.  Over 100 people joined in the demonstrations to jump and hop across the lobby; all the while, learning about how these games and sport developed through Indigenous culture.

Our next Free Family Night is April 5^th, where we will be exploring the world of Unplugged Family Fun! Hula hoop your way through the lobby, score a goal on the tabletop hockey, then venture into the museum to check out the amazing interactive games.  This month is all about Backyard, Basement, and Driveway games for all ages.

Upcoming Free Family Night themes include: Water Safety, Bike Rodeo, Rodeo Games, & Back to School

Family Day

Wow! What’s a busy day for the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.  On Feb 21, 2017, the ASHFM held a special Family Day Fun event.  Kids’ were free and we served hot chocolate and cookies while making a special Family Day craft.  There was lots of laughter throughout the museum as families took part in the interactive games and activities.  The overall attendance was 527 people, excluding the amazing Volunteers who made this day possible.

This exhibit will mark the 150^th anniversary of the Paris Crew’s victory in Paris, France on July 8, 1867 and is timed to overlap with celebrations to mark the 150^th anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 2017. It will explore the many fascinating perspectives of  the Paris Crew story from their early beginnings competing in West Saint John, New Brunswick through to Paris and beyond to competitions in the United States. It will examine the history of rowing in New Brunswick and the many connections between the Paris Crew members and other Honoured Members of the NB Sports Hall of Fame. It will also draw connections to the Paris Crew’s Irish roots and Irish immigration to New Brunswick in the mid 19th century. The exhibit will explore the Paris Crew’s relationship to the Royal Kennebecasis Yacht Club and the little known, but tragic stories of the British Rower, James Renforth, after whom Renforth, NB is named. Renforth drowned on the Saint John River while competing against the Paris Crew in an 1871 rematch. In addition, we’ll hear about the untimely death of Elijah Hutton and seven others on the ill-fated sailboat Primrose during a competition for the Corporation Cup in 1894.

Quispamsis, NB – The six new members elected into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame were announced today at a press conference held in Quispamsis.

“We are incredibly proud to announce the Class of 2017, who showcase the talent our province has to offer,” said Clem Tremblay, New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame Board of Governors Chair. “We are also very excited to recognize the Town of Quispamsis as the host community for our 48^th annual Induction Banquet and Ceremony.”

These six, who have made a lasting impact in their field of sport, will be inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame on May 27, 2017 at the qplex in Quispamsis. The achievements of these inductees will join the legacy of the previous 251 fellow New Brunswickers who have been enshrined into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame since it was formed in 1970.

“I would like to congratulate these elected members of the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister John Ames. “Our government believes that through sport, recreation and active living, we can improve the well-being and the quality of life for all New Brunswickers.”

2017 inductees include:

Kimberly Adams-Tattrie of Tide Head is arguably the single most successful progolfer to come from New Brunswick. Her first place win at the Futures Tour in Lakeland, Florida makes her the first New Brunswicker to win a progolf tournament. Her impressive acheivements that ranged from 1991 to 2005 – on the provincial, national and international circuits – have made her one of the most decorated female golfers in Canada. She is also an inducted member of the Campbellton Sports Hall of Fame.

Flood Brothers of Renforth were a highly decorated lightweight pair in rowing throughout the early 1980’s who racked-up three gold, two silver and three bronze medals in the first  three years of competing nationally. Having competed in the Canadian National Rowing Championships, the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and FISA they proudly represented their hometown and New Brunswick on the national stage. Brian and Henry Flood also both went on competing individually winning four more gold medals combined in both U.S. and Canadian National Championships.

Team Hanlon of Saint John consists of Heidi Hanlon (Ship), Kathy Floyd (Mate), Jane Arsenau (Lead) and Judy Blanchard (Second). Their thirty year career has led to an impressive resume of provincial, national and world championship titles. Having participated in 15 Scotties Tournament of Hearts national competitions, Team Hanlon has brought New Brunswick to the forefront in competitive curling. Their Senior Provincial, National and World championship titles in 2011-2012 led to their induction into the Saint John Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

Paula Keating of Miramichi is an accomplished Marathon runner, holding numerous provincial records. Her career has spanned over a decade with many accomplishments and firsts in New Brunswick, as well as internationally. For five consecutive years she was named Female Runner of the year by RunNB, and is an inducted member of the RunNB Hall of Fame and the Miramichi Sports Wall of Fame. She continues to challenge herself by participating in the Miramichi Rock n’ Run every year, which she as won every year since 2006.

Ernest Quigley (1880-1960) of Miramichi had a career spanning over 50 years that included coaching, umpiring and refereeing. His love of sports inspired him to be be involved in many disciplines such as baseball, basketball and football. It is estimated that he presided over 15,000 games throughout his career – most notibly when he refereed the very first Olympic basketball game every played at the 1936 Berlin Games. His undeniable passion for sport was recognized by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Kansas University Sports Wall of Fame, State of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame .

Jeffrey Scholten of Fredericton has set two world speed skating records throughout his decorated career. His abilities were quickly recognised at a young age, placing first in the Maritime Championships three times in five years. He then went on to represent New Brunswick and Canada, in National and International competitions from 1994 to 1999, both individually and as a team member. In 2000, he was inducted into the Speed Skating Canada Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the 48^th annual Induction Banquet and Ceremony may be purchased at the Town of Quispamsis or the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame, 503 Queen St., Fredericton, or by calling 506-453-3747.

About the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

The New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization located in the Historic Garrison District of Downtown Fredericton and functions as a seasonal museum which features an interactive virtual sports system, more than 250 original portraits, and hosts numerous exhibits. The New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame preserves and celebrates our sports heritage to inspire greatness.

Media Contacts:

James Matthews
Communications and Operations Officer
[email protected]
1-506-447-0969

Jamie Wolverton
Executive Director
[email protected]
1-506-453-8930

Online: www.nbsportshalloffame.com / Facebook: NB Sports Hall of Fame / Twitter: @NBSHF

St. Marys, Ont. – Two dominant ex-major leaguers, two trailblazing, grassroots leaders and a gold medal-winning national team will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.

Ex-Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay and former Montreal Expos slugger Vladimir Guerrero will be honoured in a ceremony on June 24 in St. Marys, Ont., along with long-time Baseball Canada president Ray Carter (Nanaimo, B.C.) and legendary umpire Doug Hudlin (Victoria, B.C.), who will be enshrined posthumously. Canada’s Senior National Team that captured gold at the 2015 Pan Am Games will also be inducted.

“Each member of this year’s class has had a tremendously positive impact on baseball in Canada,” said Scott Crawford, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s director of operations. “I’m excited that we will not only be celebrating the careers of two of the greatest professional players ever to suit up for the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos, but also two highly respected grassroots leaders and a gold-medal-winning national team that made history on home soil.”

The induction ceremony will be part of a series of events that will also include “The Opening Pitch” reception which will take place in the offices of Miller Thomson LLP in Toronto (June 22), the Hall’s 21^st annual celebrity golf tournament and banquet (June 23) and an on-site festival sponsored by the Toronto Blue Jays (June 24).

2017 Inductee Bios

Roy Halladay

Born in 1977 in Denver, Colo., Halladay was the Blue Jays’ first-round pick (17^th overall) in the 1995 major league amateur draft. On September 27, 1998, in his second big league start, he carried a no-hitter into the bottom of the ninth and had two outs when Detroit Tigers pinch-hitter Bobby Higginson homered. Halladay finished the contest with a one-hitter in the Blue Jays’ 2-1 win.

The intense right-hander became a mainstay in the Blue Jays’ starting rotation beginning in July 2001 and he established himself as the team’s ace the following year when he won 19 games and led American League hurlers in innings pitched (239-1/3) and WAR (7.4) and was selected to his first All-Star team. Halladay would top that the ensuing campaign when he led the league in wins (22), innings pitched (266), complete games (9) and WAR (8.1). For his efforts, he became the third Blue Jay to capture the American League Cy Young Award (Pat Hentgen (1996), Roger Clemens (1997, 1998)).

Over his next six seasons with the Blue Jays, Halladay was arguably the league’s best starter. With 20 wins in 2008, the 6-foot-6 righty became the second Blue Jay to record 20 wins in a season twice (Roger Clemens was the other). In all, in parts of 12 seasons with the Blue Jays, Halladay made a team-record seven Opening Day starts, led the American League in complete games five times (2003, 2005, 2007-09), innings pitched three times (2002, 2003, 2008) and was a six-time All-Star (2002-03, 2005-06, 2008-09). He finished his Blue Jays career with a 148-76 won/loss record – good for a .661 winning percentage, which is the best in franchise history. He also ranks second all-time amongst Blue Jays pitchers in wins (148), shutouts (15), strikeouts (1,495) and WAR (48.5).

On top of his on-field excellence, Halladay and his wife, Brandy, sponsored Doc’s Box at Rogers Centre, a program which invited children and families from the Hospital for Sick Children to watch a game in a private box at the stadium. Halladay also donated $100,000 a year to the Jays Care Foundation as part of his contract with the club. For his humanitarian efforts, Halladay was named the Blue Jays nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award multiple times and the club’s nominee for the Major League Baseball Players’ Association’s Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award in 2008.

After being dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies in December 2009, Halladay continued his dominance in the National League, recording 21 wins and leading the circuit in innings pitched (250-2/3), complete games (9) and WAR (8.3) in 2010 to earn his second Cy Young Award. On May 29^th of that season, he tossed the 20^th perfect game in major league history and just over four months later, on October 6, he became the first National League pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the playoffs when he blanked the Cincinnati Reds in the opening game of the National League Division Series. For an encore with the Phillies, Halladay posted a 2.35 ERA and topped the National League in complete games (8) and WAR (8.9) and finished second in Cy Young Award voting in 2011.

In total, in his 16-year major league career, Halladay was selected to eight All-Star games, collected 203 wins and posted a .659 winning percentage, which ranks 19^th all-time.

“Toronto has been my home away from home throughout my career and even to this day. My oldest son now 16 was born in Toronto and considers himself Canadian,” said Halladay. “It was a privilege to live and play in Canada for as long as I did. The people here were kind, supportive, respectful and always seemed to welcome me home even when I came to visit and sat in the wrong dugout. To be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame is just another example of exceptional treatment I have received from Canada. I can’t explain the feelings that accompanied goose bumps every time you showed me how much I was appreciated and once again after getting word of this honour Canada has given me, those same feelings to go along with the goose bumps. Thank you!”

Vladimir Guerrero

Born in 1975 in Don Gregorio, Nizao Dominican Republic, Guerrero boasted a tremendous combination of power and speed that, coupled with his strong throwing arm, made him one of baseball’s best all-around players during his eight seasons with the Montreal Expos. Signed as an amateur free agent by the Expos in 1993, Guerrero became a regular outfielder with the club in May 1997. After he belted 38 home runs in 1998, the five-tool outfielder made his first of four consecutive All-Star appearances in 1999. Two seasons later, he became the first Expo to record 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season, only to outdo himself the following campaign when he narrowly missed becoming the fourth member of Major League Baseball’s exclusive 40-40 club when he finished with 39 home runs and 40 stolen bases in 2002. That season, he also topped the league in hits (206) and total bases (364) and his 7.0 WAR was the second-best by a position player.

In all, in his eight seasons with the Expos from 1996 to 2003, Guerrero was a four-time All-Star (1999 to 2002), three-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1999-00, 2002) and he received MVP votes in six seasons. He also possessed one of baseball’s strongest arms and he topped National League right fielders in assists twice (2001, 2002). Guerrero also established all-time Expos records for batting average (.323), home runs (234), slugging percentage (.588) and on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) (.978).

Off the field, the Dominican slugger served as an outstanding ambassador for the club. While with the Expos, he provided tickets to home games for 10 different Montreal youth groups which enabled underprivileged children to attend games. He also sponsored a youth league and collected baseball equipment for young players in the Dominican Republic. For his humanitarian efforts, he was named the Expos’ Roberto Clemente Award nominee in 2001.

Following the 2003 campaign, Guerrero signed with the Los Angeles Angels and continued to be one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters. In his six seasons with the Angels, he was an all-star four times (2004-07), captured four Silver Slugger Awards (2004-07) and was named the American League MVP in 2004. He joined the Texas Rangers in 2010 and after clubbing 29 home runs and registering 115 RBI, he was selected to his ninth All-Star team, won his eight Silver Slugger Award and was honoured with the Edgar Martinez Award, as the league’s top designated hitter.

In all, in his 16-year big league career, he batted .318, walloped 449 home runs (38^th all-time) and recorded a .553 career slugging percentage, which ranks 24^th all-time.

“I was surprised and excited to hear that I’m being inducted,” said Guerrero through a translator.  “I knew that I would need to wait at least one more year to join the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, but I’m very pleased to join the Canadian hall of fame first, since I was given my first opportunity to play Major League Baseball in Canada.”

Ray Carter

Born in 1942 in Nanaimo, B.C., Carter was the president of Baseball Canada for 16 years, from 2000 to 2016, which makes him the longest-serving president in the organization’s history. During Carter’s reign, the men’s and women’s national teams enjoyed unparalleled success, securing 13 international medals, including the men’s Senior National Team’s first two gold medals at the Pan Am Games in 2011 and 2015.

Carter helped to establish the women’s National Team in 2004. The women’s team has since won five international medals – including two silvers – and is now ranked second in the world.

Among the other Baseball Canada programs that Carter helped spearhead has been Challenger Baseball, which allows children with disabilities to participate in the sport and be part of a team. The B.C. native has also overseen the development of the DQ Rally Cap program for initiation players, which provides coaches with tools to teach skills and build enthusiasm for the game in children at an early age. Carter was also a driving force behind the development of the National Coaches Certification Program, which offers standardized training for coaches across the country and has resulted in the development of higher caliber players that are increasingly being selected in the early rounds of the major league draft.

Prior to becoming president of Baseball Canada, Carter was the organization’s vice president in 1998 and 1999. In his home province, Carter served as president of Baseball British Columbia for eight years and B.C. Minor Baseball for two years.

For his tireless commitment to baseball, Carter was inducted into the Delta Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. He’s also a life member of the Western Canada Baseball Association, a member of the Baseball B.C. Honor Roll and was a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient in 2012. His name has become so synonymous with baseball in this country that the Canadian 15 and under Boys Championship tournament has been renamed the Ray Carter Cup.

“I’m deeply honoured to be elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame,” said Carter. “To be inducted with Roy Halladay, Vladimir Guerrero, umpire Doug Hudlin and the Canadian 2015 Pan Am gold medal team is indeed special. I thank the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and those involved for this wonderful news.”

Doug Hudlin

Born in 1922 in Victoria, B.C., Hudlin served as an umpire in his home province for more than 40 years. Though he was a skilled baseball player as a teenager, Hudlin didn’t begin umpiring until after he hurt his back playing soccer in 1951. Two years later, he started umpiring Little League Baseball and in 1956, he began working senior men’s contests. Known for his good humor and sense of fairness, Hudlin evolved into one of his province’s most respected umpires and he was elected president of the Victoria District Umpires Association in 1963 and served in that post until he founded and became the first president of the B.C. Baseball Umpires Association in 1974, a position he retained for five years.

Along the way, he was chosen as the first non-American umpire to work the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., in 1967. Seven years later, he returned to umpire the event, making him the first international umpire ever to work two Little League World Series.

Hudlin also worked the Canada Little League Championships five times (1966-67, 1973, 1981, 1987), the Senior Little League World Series in Gary, Ind., twice (1968, 1974) and the B.C. Summer Games in 1988. That same year, he was selected by the Celebration ’88 Committee to receive a medal for his longstanding service to the Victoria community as a sports official.

Hudlin umpired his final Little League game in 1992. Six years later, he was elected to the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and in 2011, he was inducted into the B.C. Baseball Umpires Association Hall of Fame. His stellar work behind the plate also earned him lifetime memberships in the Victoria and District Baseball Association (1983), Little League World Series Umpire Alumni (1984), the British Columbia Baseball Umpires Association (1988) and Little League Baseball British Columbia (1989). Hudlin was also the founding director of the British Columbia Black History Awareness Society.

Hudlin passed away on January 5, 2014 at the age of 91. To honour his legacy, the B.C. Baseball Umpires Association presents the Doug Hudlin Distinguished Service Award each year to a dedicated and long-serving umpire in the province.

“I was very happy to hear the news of Doug’s induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and spent the rest of the day remembering that little smile that he had when something went well,” said Judy Messerli, Hudlin’s step-daughter.

Team Canada 2015 Men’s Senior National Team – Pan Am Gold Medalists

Managed by Ernie Whitt, Baseball Canada’s Senior National Team secured its second consecutive Pan Am Games gold medal with a thrilling, extra-inning win over the United States on July 19, 2015.

In the nail-biting gold medal contest played in front of 5,489 boisterous fans in Ajax, Ont., the Canadian squad trailed the Americans 6-4 heading into the bottom of the 10th inning. International baseball rules dictate that teams must start extra innings with runners on first and second base. With one out, Pete Orr (Richmond Hill, Ont.) flared a single to centre field to score Tyson Gillies (Vancouver, B.C.) to make it a 6-5 game. American lefty David Huff then threw wildly when he attempted to pick Orr off first base and Skyler Stromsmoe (Bow Island, Alta.) darted home to tie the game. Orr aggressively dashed for third base and U.S. right fielder Brian Bogusevic threw the ball wide of the bag. Orr then scampered for home, while U.S. shortstop Tyler Pastornicky corralled the ball and threw it to U.S. catcher Thomas Murphy. Orr slid in safely in a close play at the plate and Canada won 7-6. It was an unforgettable sequence of events that will be remembered as one of the greatest in Canadian baseball history.

The gold medal game triumph avenged Canada’s 4-1 loss to the Americans earlier in the tournament. That was Canada’s only defeat in the event that saw them go 7-1 overall and down the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Puerto Rico. It was a combination of strong pitching and a balanced offensive attack that propelled Canada to gold. The team’s 2.34 ERA was the best in the tournament. The pitching staff was led by Chris Leroux (Mississauga, Ont.) who recorded three wins, Phillipe Aumont (Gatineau, Que.) who didn’t allow an earned run and struck out 16 batters (second-most in the tournament) in 13 innings and Jeff Francis (North Delta, B.C.) who had two saves as the team’s closer before starting and hurling seven innings in the gold medal game.

The team’s offence was led by Rene Tosoni (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) who batted .433 in the tournament and belted a three-run home run in the gold medal contest. Jordan Lennerton (Langley, B.C.) also contributed nine RBI (second-most in the tournament), while Gillies tallied nine runs (second-most in the tournament).

“Winning Pan Am gold for the second time in a row, on home soil and in the fashion that we did is something that I’ll never forget,” said Whitt. “It’s an honour to be part of a team being inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and I’m really looking forward to being a part of the festivities in June.”

Greg Hamilton, director of Canada’s national teams, who was a coach on the gold medal-winning squad, shared similar thoughts.

“The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame includes inductees that have had a significant impact on baseball in our country, so to be a part of this group is truly an honour,” he said.

Team:
Players
Andrew Albers, North Battleford, Saskatchewan
Phillippe Aumont, Gatineau, Quebec
Shane Dawson, Drayton Valley, Alberta
Kellin Deglan, Langley, British Columbia
Brock Dykxhoorn, Goderich, Ontario
Jeff Francis, North Delta, British Columbia
Tyson Gillies, Vancouver, British Columbia
Shawn Hill, Georgetown, Ontario
Jesse Hodges, Victoria, British Columbia
Sean Jamieson, Kitchener, Ontario
Brock Kjeldgaard, London, Ontario
Jordan Lennerton, Langley, British Columbia
Chris Leroux, Mississauga, Ontario
Kyle Lotzkar, Delta, British Columbia
Jared Mortensen, Abbottsford, British Columbia
Tyler O’Neill, Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Pete Orr, Richmond Hill, Ontario
Jasvir Rakkar, North York, Ontario
Scott Richmond, Vancouver, British Columbia
Chris Robinson, Dorchester, Ontario
Evan Rutckyj, Windsor, Ontario
Tim Smith, Toronto, Ontario
Skyler Stromsmoe, Bow Island, Alberta
Rene Tosoni, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia

COACHES/ADMIN
Ernie Whitt, Clinton, Michigan, Manager
Larry Walker, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Coach
Denis Boucher, Lachine, Quebec, Coach
Stubby Clapp, Windsor, Ontario, Coach
Paul Quantrill, Port Hope, Ontario, Coach
Greg Hamilton, Ottawa, Ontario, Coach & Director of National Team
Bernie Soulliere, Windsor, Ontario, Business Manager
Keith Sanford, Windsor, Ontario, Equipment Manager
Dave Blatz, Steinbach, Manitoba, Athletic Therapist
Adam Morissette, Ottawa, Ontario, Media-PR

Louisville, KY – An original exhibition featuring amazing sculptures, portraits, and stadium replicas built entirely with LEGO bricks is returning to Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.  Big Leagues, Little Bricks opens Saturday, March 4th, 2017 and runs through January 7^th, 2018.  The popular exhibit is included in the general admission price for the museum.

“This spectacular show was a real blockbuster the first time. We’ve included all the favorites from the original exhibit, created fantastic new additions, and extended the run of the show,” said Anne Jewell, VP and Museum Executive Director.  “Baseball and LEGO bricks connect generations. It’s a natural to bring them together for a special kind of double play — interpreting America’s pastime with a beloved toy.”

The exhibition showcases incredible works of art from Sean Kenney, Jason Burik and Tim Kaebisch. Kenney’s pieces in Big Leagues, Little Bricks include hip portraits of baseball superstars, dynamic conceptual sculptures of iconic baseball moments and a show-stopping replica of historic Wrigley Field.

Artist Jason Burik contributes three incredible stadium replicas that are new to the exhibit. Cincinnati Reds fans must see Burik’s replica of Great American Ball Park. He also pays tribute to St. Louis with a Busch Stadium replica, and makes White Sox fans proud with a remarkable replica of Chicago’s old Comiskey Field.

Another awesome piece on display is a replica of Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers, built by Tim Kaebisch when he was a graduate student at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. The Miller Park creation utilizes over 35,000 LEGO bricks and has a retractable roof that actually moves.

Big Leagues, Little Bricks includes hands-on opportunities for guests to create their own masterpieces with LEGO bricks, and other fun programming.

The original exhibit was first on display at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in 2013 and garnered great reviews from media and museum guests. It was profiled by regional and national media outlets including Sports Illustrated, The Huffington Post, New York Daily News and Fox Sports.

Big Leagues, Little Bricks joins an already impressive line-up at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Admission to the museum includes interactive exhibits, a short feature film, historic memorabilia, the World’s Biggest Baseball Bat and an award-winning factory tour.

The Louisville landmark features a wide range of exhibits, where visitors can hold game-used bats from some of the game’s greatest hitters, face down a 90-mph fastball and check out more than 6,000 autographs from major leaguers.

As an added bonus, all guests receive a free souvenir mini-bat at the end of their factory tour.  Tours are given seven days a week and guests are guaranteed to view bat production on each tour.

About Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory:

Experience history-in-the-making as you stroll through the factory where world-famous Louisville Slugger bats are created. Award-winning factory tour, newly renovated galleries with interactive exhibits, historic memorabilia, and more. Create a Louisville Slugger bat with your very own name on it, just like the pros. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, 800 West Main Street, is open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended summer hours. Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors (60+), $8 children (6-12), and free for children 5 and under.  For more information, including holiday hours and extended summer hours, visit sluggermuseum.com  or call 502-588-7228.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Matt Willinger
502-931-4852
[email protected]