Page 7 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 69

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #69 August 2018 7

presents BEHIND

THE BENCH

An Interview with Richard Fournier

By Molly Kett old coach, Bill McKenzie. about it. We compete in all games now
“Bill was a former player with the and teams we play against must bring
t 13-years-old, local coach Montreal Expos and suffered a major their A-game if they want to beat us.”
ARichard Fournier began playing injury which halted his playing career. In terms of his favourite coaching
baseball in Ottawa, for the East Nepean He then turned to be the expos chief memory, Fournier only has to think
Eagles, followed by the Ottawa Nepean scout, and signed Tim Raines, one of back to last week to recall the moment.
“Just last week at the senior
Canadians, then the Ottawa Nepean the Expos’ most prolific players,” says provincial playdowns, nobody expected
Canadians (ONC) in the Quebec Junior Fournier. “My focus is on conditioning us to do as well as we did. The talk was
Elite Baseball League. He did all this in and honing the basic skills and team Cornwall was going to finish last and
the 1980’s. play. So far, I am extremely proud of that we would be eliminated by the
After a few years, the ONC decided my players they have progressed so third game,” says Fournier. “Not only
to play in a league in New York State, well and play at a higher level with skill did that not happen, but we finished 4-0
leading Fournier to play until he was and confidence.” in round-robin and headed straight for
about 22-years-old. According to Fournier, physical the final. We lost the final 5-4 in the last
It wasn’t until 27 years later, when Photo Submitted conditioning is first priority when it inning. Heartbreaking, but so proud
his son decided to play baseball, that comes to coaching. of those twelve kids who played their
coaching came onto the radar. at first but over time things go much “If you have a strong physical hearts out right to the end, and even
“He joined late in the major division easier. So, I decided to take it one step condition, you can challenge any in defeat, they were the class of the
in the Cornwall district minor baseball,” further and join the Fergie Jenkins situation that arises,” says Fournier. tournament.”
says Fournier. “He was playing house Showcase League so I could get these “Learning the basics, you must walk Fournier has a true passion for
league for a few years and once he kids exposed to a higher level of play.” before you can run.” baseball and is an excellent coach
started playing in the junior senior Currently, Fournier is coaching Fournier says his current season is because of it.
division, I noticed that no travelling the Cornwall Senior Little League going well. “Baseball is a wonderful sport and I
team existed and so many of these kids Provincial Team and the U16 Fergie “We started the Fergie Jenkins league enjoy others finding the passion for it
have some strong basic skills and loads Jenkins travel team, as mentioned with many lopsided losses, but over the and seeing their improvement,” says
of talent. So, I decided to get some of above. last ten games or so we have won a fair Fournier.
them together and play tournaments and Fournier says that his coaching number and all games are within reach,” We can’t wait to see what Fournier’s
exhibition games. It was very difficult technique mimics the techniques of his says Fournier. “I am extremely happy teams do next.

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