Rainy River hosts fastball awards banquet, George Thompson, Gary Armstrong, Sr., and Fred Foulger inducted into Hall of Fame

By Ken Johnston
Editor

The 43rd Annual Rainy River District Fastball League Awards Banquet was held Friday evening in Rainy River at the Legion.
About 60 people gathered to honour the league’s best and the 2007 inductees to the RRDFL Hall of Fame.
League Awards
League Vice-president Tom Vandenbrand presented the League Championship Trophy to Sight and Sound’s Derek McKinnon. Then he presented George Oltsher and several team members from Barwick with the Playoff Championship trophy.
All Star Awards
Homerun King-Jessie Tom with 11 homeruns (Big Island)
Manager-George Oltsher (Barwick)
Utility Player-J.J. Landry (Barwick)
Fielder-Jessie Tom (B.I.)
Fielder-Kevin Gemmell (Bar.)
Fielder-Brendan Big George (B.I.)
Short Stop-Jessie Tom (B.I.)
Third Base-Duane Carlson (Sight and Sound)
2nd Base-Derek McKinnon (S&S)
Catcher-Beef Windego (S&S)
Pitcher-Bob Andy (S&S)
Rookie of the Year-Luke Desserre (Stratton)
Shane Jarvis Memorial Sportsmanship Award-Vaugh Wilson (Bar.)
Gerry Harasymyk Memorial MVP Award-Bob Andy (S&S)
Umpires Choice Kingsley Downs/Gus Lindberg Memorial Award-Guy Arpin
Hall of Fame Inductees

George Thompson
The late George Thompson began his fastball career when the league started up in 1963. He was described as a “character” playing in his Kodiak workboots, rarely in a uniform and without a glove, as a pitcher. Was known to pitch four games in a day and be as energetic at the end of the day as he was in the beginning. He played mainly for Rainy River Legion teams and he ended his career in 1977 or 78 for health related reasons. He did play briefly for the Bergland and Pinewood Cubs.
He was on two championship teams.
Accepting the award posthumously on his behalf was his sons Billy, John Thompson and daughter Margaret King.
Gary Armstrong, Sr.
Gary (Cowboy) Armstrong, Sr., also started pitching in 1963. He played for the RR Legion, RR Hotel, RR Esso, RR Huskies and the Baudette Legion. He was a very good pitcher, 1st baseman and a batter. He made the All Star team in 1982, 83 and 86, won many league titles including Homerun King.
Accepting the award on behalf of Armstrong, who was unable to attend, was his son-in-law Jim Chorney.
Fred Foulger
Fred spent his entire career playing for the Rainy River Huskies. He was an All Star in 1978, 79 and 80. He was very fast in the outfield and a good hitter; hitting consistently around a 400 average even though he never hit a homerun. One of the few times Fred struck out was when George Oltsher pitched one behind his back. He told Fred to come up there again as it did not count because it was an illegal pitch, but Fred said, “Nope you got me.”
Accepting the award on Fred’s behalf was Peanut Arnould. Fred was unable to attend.