Gracefully smooth, yet spirited -- baseball-wise all the way. That was Jack Feehan from his days as a Cummings School (Portland) diamond flash through Deering High, Navy, Bowdoin College and semi-pro stardom -- one of the finest infielders that Maine has produced.
While he staked his claim to Pine Tree State undying fame primarily on his fielding skills, the wiry-tough little Irishman from East Deering was a timely operative with the bat, managing to get on base somehow and knowing his way around the sacks as a canny runner modest speed.
Typical Feehan stint was the time he coaxed a walk from University of Maine ace Vic Woodbrey after being down 0-2 in the count, stole second and later scored as Bowdoin was en route to one of two State Series championships that Jack had a deft hand in.
As time wore on, Feehan improved at the plate and batted a respectable .309 for his three seasons under legendary coach Danny MacFayden, HOF '71, at Bowdoin.
Jack-be-nimble was primarily a shortstop but proved equally adept at second base. A partner's reciprocal joy from either side of the keystone sack, for exquisite timing and dexterity the double play had no finer exponent anywhere. His keen instincts, sure glove and gun of an arm or delicate force out peg were beauties to behold.
Feehan starred at shortstop all four years at Deering, helped the Purple to the Telegram League title in '42, captained the '43 Rams and was All-Telly in '42, '43.
Jack played short his first year at Bowdoin, '48, and second the next two campaigns. He was all-state in '48, '49 and captained the '49 Polar Bears.
re spent two weeks in the training camp of the eventual 1947 National League champion Brooklyn Dodgers before receiving the judgment that he was too small for major league ball.
re added several semi-pro credits along the way, starting with Beals Furniture in the Portland Twilight League, first of a bunch of Twilight affiliation, and included a stint in the renowned Blackstone Valley League (Whitinsville, Mass. entry) peopled by collegians from all over the country.
From The Diamond of Psi Upsilon, Volume 36, Issue 1
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