“I played with Jim on the 1963, 64 & 65
Yarmouth Townies Team. During that time
I would unequivocally state that Jim was as dominant a two-way player as any Maine baseball player in that era. By two-way I mean both offensively and pitching.
Jim’s strengths were his ability to hit with power to all fields and was likely the league’s most dominant run-producer during his time with the Yarmouth Townies. He also was an overpowering pitcher in the Twilight League.”
- Terry N. Snow, Maine Baseball Hall of Fame 2008
“My time in baseball started in Brunswick as a Little Leaguer and a Babe Ruther. I then played at Brunswick High where we were Kennebec Valley champs. Summer time was spent on the Bath Legion team where we were State champions and New England runners-up in 1963. I spent my summers of 1964 and 1965 playing for the Yarmouth Townies prior to signing with the Kansas CityA’s in 1966. My career ended in 1968 due to a sore arm. I loved baseball and continued to follow it by coaching my sons earlyand following them through their high school and college careers.
_ “Jim” Dumais
Jim Dumais grew up in Brunswick Maine. He was the only child of Rudolph and Lucille Dumais. They were very supportive of all his academic and athletic activities. Jim played Little League and Babe Ruth leagues as a youth. It became apparent a young age Jim had equal ability as both a dominant hitter and steady pitcher.
Jim went to Brunswick High School and stared in both football and baseball. He played offensive tackle and defensive end on the gridiron. With his friend Carl “Stump” Merrill as quarterback, they helped lead Brunswick to the 1961 Class B State Championship. In baseball he played for Bob St. Pierre. Brunswick was the KVAC League Champions in both 1961 and 62. Jim was a middle of the order guy who played first base, as well as the number one pitcher on the team. After his junior year Jim was picked to play in the prestigious Hearst All-Star games at Fenway Park. He recalls playing in two games with a couple of hits. One of his teammates in the games was Swampscott Ma. native and future Red Sox player Tony Conigliaro.
Jim played American Legion ball for Smith Toby Post of Bath. His coach was future President of Bath Iron Works, Bill Haggett. In 1962 with Merrill as the catcher and Jim as a pitcher/first-baseman they were state runner- ups. In 1963 with Jim on the mound they beat Saco in the state final for their 5th State Legion Championship. Jim batted .449 for Bath that summer. To this day, this is the last state title for Bath in Legion Baseball.
Bath went to the New England championships in Springfield Ma. They played at the historic Pynchon Park . This was home to the San Francisco Giants Double A team. Smith Toby Post became the first Maine team to reach the New England finals in 34 years. During the tournament Jim established himself as one elite schoolboys in this part of the country. He pitched a 4 hitter to beat Sweeney Post of Manchester NH. 3-1. In the semi-final game Jim hit a grand slam and drove in six runs against West Haven, Ct. to lead them to a 12-10 victory. He was the first schoolboy to hit one out of Pynchon Park since 1933. Although Bath lost to Somerville Ma. in the New England final, they captured the hearts of Maine fans through out the state.
Jim was recruited by John Winkin to play at Colby College. He played freshman baseball as both a first-baseman and pitcher. Jim was a right handed hitter and left handed pitcher. His preference was to be a full time player and hitter. He later learned that the professional ranks did not look kindly at right handed hitters who threw left. At Colby Jim played with future Red Sox hurler, Eddie Phillips. They formed a formidable one- two punch for the Frosh nine. Eddie says he “ fondly remember Jim Dumais as a teammate and friend at Colby. I would not have wanted to make a living pitching to him. Any player who was drafted by two major league franchises had to have been among the elite in the country.”
During the summer months of 1963 through 65, Jim played for the Yarmouth Townies of the Portland Twilight League. He helped propel the team to League Championships in each of these 3 years. Maine Hall of Famer, Pat Feury says “ the 1964 team had 7 future Maine Hall of Famers. not one of them was better than Jim Dumais.” another teammate Terry Snow says “ During that time I would unequivocally state that Jim was as dominant a two-way player as any Maine baseball player in that era.” In June of 1966, the League had a Jim Dumais night, right before he went to play professionally.
After his freshman year Jim matriculated to Division 1 powerhouse Holy Cross. As a transfer had to sit out a year. He did practice everyday with the College World Series bound team. One of his teammates was future Kansas City A’s and Portland native Dick Joyce. Even at practice scouts would come to watch Jim hit or pitch.
In January of 1966 Jim was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles and in June he was drafted by the Kansas City A’s. In June scout Bill Enos signed Jim with Kansas City. He was promptly sent to Idaho to play for the Lewiston Broncs in the Northwest League. His manager was long time triple A player Grady Wilson. He was in the starting rotation and worked consistently into the late innings. One of his teammates was future Major League Hall Of Famer, Reggie Jackson. One of the other teams in the league was managed by Duke Snider. Westbrook’s John Cumberland also played in the league.
In the spring of 1967 Jim opted to stay in school at Holy Cross instead of going spring training. In May, Jim got married to Brunswick native Cybill Middleton. In June, Jim was sent to Batavia NY, to play in the New York-Penn League. His manager was Max Lanier who’s son Hal had a long major league career. Jim went 2-0 and averaged about a strikeout per inning. Some of the players he played against were Jerry Koosman, Cito Gaston and Amos Otis. Jim went back to Holy Cross to complete his course work and receive his degree. He went back to spring training in 1968 when arm problems derailed his baseball career.
Jim and Cybill relocated and settled in Connecticut. He is retired and spends time in Rocky Hill Ct. and Englewood, Fl. He was a basketball referee for 25 years. Jim was also a football official for over 30 years. He was inducted in the Connecticut Football Officials Hall of Fame. Jim and Cybill have two children. Paul who is a baseball coach and played college ball at Assumption. His other son is Brian who played baseball at Bryant College. Together they have 5 grandchildren.
A Maine native, Jim Dumais was one of the few players who was a pro-prospect as both a hitter and pitcher. He is a welcome addition to the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.
