Fort William Americans Senior Little League (1966)
Fort William Americans Senior Little League (1966) was a youth baseball team from Fort William that captured the Canadian championship and competed in the World Series. The team was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.[1]
Overview
- Sport: Baseball
- League or level: Senior Little League
- Season: 1966
- Achievement: Canadian Champions
- Inducted: 28 September 1991[1]
Season
The 1966 Fort William Americans began their championship run by competing in the District 3 tournament. They secured the district title by overcoming six other Little League organizations, which earned them a spot in the provincial competition. During the Ontario provincial championships, the squad faced seven different district winners. By defeating all seven opponents, the Fort William team advanced to the national stage.[1]
The Canadian Little League Championship was hosted in Stoney Creek, Ontario, in 1966. The Americans went undefeated through the tournament, besting five opposing teams to be crowned the Canadian champions. This victory marked only the second time a team from Northwestern Ontario had earned the national title. Following their win in Stoney Creek, the team traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, to represent their country at the Little League Senior Division World Series.[1]
The roster featured a group of local athletes supported by a management and coaching staff. The team was led on the field by manager Larry Hebert and coach Al McLean. The playing roster included future professional Hockey players such as Rick Bragnalo and Mike Busniuk, alongside teammates who contributed to the successful 1966 Baseball season.[1]
Roster
The names below come from the Hall of Fame profile and its team photograph caption.[1]
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terry Battiston | player | |
| Brian Nicholls | player | |
| John Lotysz | player | |
| Jim Delvecchio | player | |
| Mike Busniuk | player | |
| Larry Hebert | manager | |
| Igor Kacerik | player | |
| Bruce Malo | player | |
| Ray Chepesiuk | player | |
| Rick Peotto | player | |
| Al McLean | coach | |
| Willie Winters | player | |
| Rick Bragnalo | player | |
| George Letowski | player | |
| Dennis Maronese | player | |
| Dave Charnock | player |
Honours and achievements
- 1966 District No. 3 Champions
- 1966 Ontario Provincial Champions
- 1966 Canadian Senior Little League Champions
- Represented Canada at the 1966 Little League Senior Division World Series[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Fort William Americans Senior Little League", team profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/team-profile/420e7a81-433b-4d1d-b5b0-1c44980ecfd8 (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.