Cole Harbour Cardinals, 1997 (BASEBALL: Mosquito Atlantic Champions)
- Type: Team
- Sport(s): Baseball
- Year: 2017
COLE HARBOUR CARDINALS MOSQUITO A BASEBALL CLUB 1997
The accomplishments of the Cole Harbour Cardinals Mosquito A baseball club over the summer of 1997 would have to rate among the greatest of any sports teams ever in the province and, indeed, throughout the Atlantic provinces, especially among teams at this introductory level in sport. Because the various media outlets typically devote little, if any, attention to minor sports teams except to provide scores and a few highlights, the team’s record in league play, their tournament success, and individual achievements were known to only a few sports fans, usually only those whose children played at the same level or those involved with the sport at the local level. However, a look at these young boys’ successes would surely make believers of sports enthusiasm who would express amazement at what these 10 and 11 year olds did on baseball fields throughout the region that summer.
One must keep in mind that this team was not “built to win” as many teams in various sports were over the years. Players were not recruited from other areas of the municipal area, there were no “imports” to augment the talent of the locals, and no players added to the roster for any playoffs or tournaments. This was a group of 12 young boys from Cole Harbour, that should be recognized for their achievement as we are today. The coach of the team, Paul Mason, has been involved in coaching baseball and hockey teams in minor sports in the Cole Harbour and Dartmouth areas for 38 years and is very quick to say that this team was the very best he has ever coached. “This team was so dominant, so strong, so versatile that it ranks as the best I ever had, in either sport. The most amazing statistic among the many is that we had 6 no-hitters that year from 6 different pitchers. How many teams could claim such a feat!” When one looks at many other accomplishments it is small wonder why he ranks this team as the best.
Over that summer the Cardinals played 56 games and compiled an incredible record of 49 wins, 6 losses, and 1 tie, a winning percentage of almost .900, unheard of in any sport, and especially baseball where pitching can dominate. The overall record itself is quite something, but it is only when one breaks down that record that this team’s accomplishments really makes anyone realize how good they were!During the regular season the team entered 5 tournaments throughout the Maritime Provinces. That the team won all 5 tournaments is itself something that perhaps no other team can claim. However, the real testament to this team’s ability is that it didn’t lose a single game in those 5 tournaments. Their overall record in tournament play was an unheard of 25-0! Even though teams often kept their best pitcher for the Cardinals knowing their capabilities and every team focused on defeating them, the team was able to conquer their rivals in every game. Aside from the ultimate victory, the Atlantic title, the most significant victory came in the prestigious Riverview Mosquito tournament where the best of the mosquito teams from Atlantic Canada come to play. The Cardinals had won the tournament in 1996 and then became only the second team to ever repeat as champions in the 15 years history of the tourney. No other team has repeated since then.
In looking at the tournaments leading up to the Nova Scotia playdowns and the Atlantic championship, the overall results and individual achievements from various players underlines the strength of the team.
TEAM MEMBERS: Members of this memorable were Sidney Crosby, Michael Chiasson, Nathan Welton, Corey Banfield, Sean Hurley, Kevin Hurley, Chris Gallivan, Logan Mercer, Matt Wies, Dean MacDougall, Chris Pierce, and Brian Hazelwood. Head coach Paul Mason was assisted by Dan Puma and Scott Ramey.
Top performers in tournaments leading to the Atlantic Championship (25-0)
PEI Tournament: July 4-6 (5-0)
Kevin Hurley – Top hitter
Sidney Crosby – Tournament MVP
Cole Harbour- July 18-20 (5-0)
Chris Gallivan – Tournament Top Pitcher; no hitter in game
Sean Hurley – Tournament MVP
Atlantic Championships (5-0)
Sidney Crosby – All-Star 3rd baseman
Sean Hurley – All-Star 2nd baseman
Kevin Hurley – All-Star 1st baseman
Corey Banfield – Tournament MVP
Since there was no national play-down in Mosquito baseball under Baseball Canada rules, the Atlantic championship was the pinnacle of a successful season never seen previously or since in this province.In tribute to the team success that year Baseball Nova Scotia selected coach Paul Mason as Baseball Coach of the Year while Kevin Hurley was selected as the province’s top mosquito player.
Ongoing Sports Achievement of some of the Players: The players who comprised the Cardinals’ teams were very talented individuals and many actually proved their ability in other sports too. The most noteworthy was Sidney Crosby, a first year player on that team whose accomplishments on the ice need not be documented. However, two other players, Michael Chiasson and Nathan Welton, went on to play in the Quebec Major Hockey League, and both played 4 years in the Atlantic University Hockey League with the Acadia Axemen. Corey Banfield played in the Maritime Junior Hockey League and had a stellar 4-year career with the St. Thomas University Tommies. He is still playing in the Southern Professional Hockey League in Florida. Twins Sean and the late Kevin Hurley, who died in a tragic bicycle accident in April, 2016, became two of the province’s best junior golfers. Kevin won the Men’s Club Championship at Grandview Golf and Country Club in 2003, at age 17. Both were members of the Auburn Eagles hockey team that won the provincial high school championship in 2004. Chris Gallivan continued his baseball career and represented the province at various levels: from Youth to Junior, Canada Games, and Senior at 13 national championships. He was part of the silver medal winning Dartmouth Juniors in 1995 and the silver medal winning Dartmouth Moosehead Dry in 2010 at their respective Canadian championships. Simply put, this group of 12 boys were incredible athletes!
1997 Cole Harbour Cardinals Mosquito A baseball team is certain to cause to pause in disbelief and amazement, especially in light of the ages of these young boys. Their overall record, tournament dominance, provincial and Atlantic championship success surely ranks right up there with any team at any level or age group in Maritime sport history.