Spry Harbour Atoms

  • Type: Team
  • Sport(s): Fastball
  • Year: 2018

SPRY HARBOUR ATOMS, 1962 Maritime Champions (Intermediate A)

Spry Harbour Atoms were Intermediate A Maritime fastball champions in 1962, where they went 30-3 in a league schedule and undefeated in playoff games through to the Maritime title, including wins over Truro, Berwick, Cape Breton and Newcastle, NB.  They joined the vaunted Halifax Senior A Fastball League in 1963.

Almost all were local Spry Harbour and area /Eastern Shore players, many of who went on to play in both intermediate and Senior A fastball in subsequent years. The team was well-balanced, with good defense at all positions, and timely hitters throughout the lineup. However, the Atoms dominated many teams largely on the strength of pitching. the most notable being Ernie Dugie, who was an all-star (whip) pitcher in Senior A for well more than a decade, with a rising 105 mph fastball and devastating changeup/sinker during his later years.

Many fastball and baseball umpires, including Frank Mitchell (current MSHOF Chair), who umpired in the Senior A Fastball League in the 60s-70s would argue that any game Ernie Dugie pitched would be the most difficult game that week in which to call balls and strikes … so many arguments about “so-called checked swings”. In those days, the plate umpire had no recourse to appeal to infield base umpires at first and third, such as we often see on television Baseball games today.

John Fahie, Jack Ferguson and Densmore Josey were also strong, more conventional pitchers on that team, so the Atoms had unmatched depth in pitching as well … a 15 man squad with four quality pitchers.

Eight members of the team with their supporters are here today.

Team players included:

Front Row; L-R:  Ernie Dugie (P), Wendell Hawes (3B), John Fahie (P), Hansen Josey (Playing Coach), Orrin Hawes (2B/M)

Second Row: Lloyd DeWolfe (1B), Elwood Owens (RF), Densmore Josey (P/Captain), Mike Boutilier (CF), Jack Ferguson (P)

Back Row:  Carman DeWolfe (2B), Carman Josey (Utility), Garnet Josey (SS),  Ritchie Owens (C), Wade Josey (LF)