On August 18th, 2012, the Lampman A's senior men's baseball team will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in the team category. The event will take place in North Battleford at the Alex Dillabough Centre.
The Lampman A's were provincial "D" Champions in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1992, and 1993 and "C" Champions in 1994. They were also provincial finalists in 1990, 1995, and 1997. This means the A's won six provincial titles in nine years and played in a provincial final nine times in twelve years.
The A's were formed in 1977 when Blaise Fornwald, Dale Sutherland, Dale Weinrauch, and Arthur Lausch asked Arnold Lund if he would coach a new team in town. During the early 80's, the team evolved from a goodtime local ball club to a serious provincial contender. Many of the A's rivals maintain that Lund was the main reason for the team's success. Lund passed on his baseball knowledge and passion to a group of skinny kids who learned how to manufacture runs through smart batting and base-running.
In addition, the team was renowned for its defensive play and Blaise Fornwald's stellar pitching. Along the way they defeated some of the province's toughest teams, hailing from towns like Dinsmore, Saltcoats, and Mervin.
Many brother combinations played for the A's Most notable of these were the sons of Stan and Dorothy Fornwald: Blaise, Gerard, Lyle, and Jason. Other fraternal teammates were Pius, Randy, and Dale Loustel; Blake and Dennis Fornwald; Derry, Trini, and Dino Piche; and Ronnie and Wayne Schell.
Integral to the A's success was the dedication of their umpires: Rudy Maksymiw, Wes Mann, Joe Fornwald, Bob Burns, Irwin Krueger, Gordon Freeden, Craig Savill, Billy Wyatt, and numerous others.
All former players, fans, and officials are invited to attend the induction events: luncheon, Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame tour, banquet, ceremony, and silent auction. Souvenirs will be available for purchase, including a calendar.
For more information, contact Maureen Ulrich (maureen.ulrich@sasktel.net) or Jane Shury (saskbaseballmuseum@sasktel.net).
