Page 21 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 154

Jim Riddell’s Sports Talk

Presents with Area Senior
James “Jim” Martell
Serving You Since 1937

to Cornwall and Jim began playing
for a league at the Courtauld’s field.
The family home was on Augustus
Street right behind King George
Park, which made it convenient
By Jim Riddell for Jim to play ball daily. Jim was
playing for the North End Fastball
Part One League and at 15 years old, a team
ames “Jim” Martell was born in by the name of Mindy’s Volkswagen
JArnprior, Ontario on June 15, spotted his excellent throwing arm
1951, son of the late Bertha and Louis and asked him to join their team as
Martell. The family later moved to an outfielder.
Cardinal where Jim began playing
softball at 8 years of age while Jim played in several fastball
attending Cardinal Public School. leagues over the years, including
the Cornwall Sportsman League, the
Three years later he was a batboy for
his father’s team. He played his first John Denneny League, the East End Lancaster Merchants (Pennsylvania) Gold Medal, Moline Illinois 2022:
League, and the Massia League. At
game due to a shortage of players, hit Barry Palmer,(coach and one of the top pitchers in the USA), Jim
age 17, Jim played with Teddy Hoy Martell, Gord Flannery, Rex Giberson.
a single his first time at bat, and he
hasn’t looked back since. of the Cardinal Pats Senior Team in The Canadian flag in the photos bears the names of former ballplayers
who have passed away. Jim takes this flag with him to tournaments
In 1964, the Martell family moved Continued on page 22 and asks permission’s to display it out of respect for those players.
Photo Submitted

Photo Credit Vern MacDonald