Rasmussen Cleaners’ 1954 Junior Softball Team won Simcoe’s first OASA Junior B championship. The team earned the title on the strength of a come-from-behind victory in the bottom of the last inning of the final game.
Below are excerpts from Simcoe Reformer stories about the team’s exploits:
June 16th: “Tiremen upset by Cleaners 3-0 . . . A beautiful pitching job by Harvey Caswell . . . thrill-packed game . . . the lanky submarine hurler gave up only one hit. Larry Hause was the hitting star, collecting four singles . . . ”
June 24th: “Colorful new scarlet uniforms worn by Rasmussen Cleaners for the first time must have frightened Norfolk Glass as they booted the ball all over the place . . . losing 8-3 . . . gaining his first victory, Ron Smith . . . ”
June 30th: “Cleaners rap Norfolk Glass 8-3 . . . This encounter featured a two-hit performance by Larry Hause . . . ”
July 21st: ” . . . Cleaners out shelled and outclassed Canadian Tire 11-8 . . . Caswell weakened in the sixth . . . Ron Smith retired the side without further scoring . . . ”
August 25th: ” . . . Cleaners humbled Aldershot Juniors by pounding their two hurlers for 17 hits in an 18-3 victory . . . the win gave [the] club the lead in the best-of-three series . . . Harold Loveday slammed two long home runs, a double and two singles . . . Bill Cooke socked a grand slam blast . . . ”
August 27th: “Aldershot ties up Junior finals with decisive 17-8 win here . . . ”
August 30th: “First OASA title comes to Simcoe . . . capped by Gardner’s homer, sensational ninth inning rally gives Cleaners Junior crown . . . Simcoe finally has won an OASA championship . . . an important milestone in the annals of the sport in this town.”
The final-game victory made the championship especially rewarding. The team won the game in the bottom of the last inning for a come-from-behind victory.
The Rasmussen Junior B squad consisted of coach Bill Weir, Harold Loveday, George Pond, Bob Cross, Bob Clark, Doug Kent, Ray Allan, Walt Gardner, Andy Halyk, Brian Rodgers, Ron Smith, Harvey Caswell, Dick Thomas, Larry Hause, Bill Cooke, and Doug Richmond. Hugh Beal was the bat boy.
The Rasmussen Junior B Softball Team was inducted into the Hall of Recognition in 1999.
Return to Teams Inducted at Sports Hall Induction Dinners page