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Back in the 1930's the Pine Tree League, embracing teams from Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties and, at times, reaching into New Hampshire, was a top-flight semi-pro league. And the Worumbo Indians, with a home base at Lisbon Falls, were among the elite of the Northeast's diamond clusters. From this rich background comes Russ Holland. Holland was a schoolboy sensation at Lisbon Falls H.S., where he won over 75% of his games in the 1926-29 seasons. included in his victories was a defeat of Lewiston High, one of the large school leaders. if was fashionable for outstanding ballplayers to attend Hebron Academy at that time, and Huss did exactly that. for two years, he was the ace-of-staff for Charlie Dwyer (HoF '81) and his “Big Green" machine. At Hebron, Russ had as his battery mate the inimitable Freddie Harlow (HoF '74). Holland is labeled “mound performer deluxe" and Fearless Freddie as “garrulous": in one of the Hebron stories. The rugged right-hander, who also played the outfield, possessed the main requisites for a consistent winner - the “fire“ ball and the “sharp“ curve. He took these tools to the Pine Tree circuit, where he pitched for “Bucky" Gaudettes (HOF '71) Lewiston Buccaneers, among others. In a 1932 classic, he bested "Jabber" Joyce (HoF '75) in a 10-inning battle. To beat Joyce, Holland turned in a no-hitter. He was an All-Star choice on numerous PTC teams. On one All-Star club he had as teammates Maine HoFers, Charlie Small (75) and Gaudette. During a fine 1935 season, he was selected by the Worumbo Indians and their manager, the ex-Red Sox shortstop Freddie Parent, a Charter HoF-er. He accompanied the Indians to Wichita, Kansas for the national semi-pro playoffs where the Maine nine won three games before suffering elimination. Also in 1935, Holland got a look-see from the Boston Red Sox. Following a Fenway fling in which he threw a lot of BP, Russ was offered an opportunity in the southern League for $25 a week. Thanks to Fred Gage, Lewiston sportswriter, we have Holland's words. ‘| was making more than that back home, so it didn't sound very attractive. These were depression times and I'd just gotten married. | was getting $18 a week at Pepperill, umpiring five games a week in the Twin City League at $2 per game, and getting $15 to $20 a game pitching on the weekends.“ So much for organized baseball in the depression era! Holland continued to pitch for a number of seasons in the Twin City League right into World War II days. He also umpired, both in the schoolboy and collegiate ranks. Russ and Alice Holland have been married over 60 years and the Hall welcomes them tonight!

Cape Elizabeth

Jack Holmes first crossed paths with baseball as a young man growing up in Grand Lake Stream, a place better known for its fly rods than its fastballers. From an early age Jack played ball as long as there was daylight. Sometimes when it got too dark to see grounders, a man called Lola Sockabasin used his forty two inch homemade bat to loft sky high pop ups into the twilight. The high school in Grand Lake Stream boasted sixteen students for two grades. Consequently, he traveled to Lee Academy to complete his schooling. At Lee he began to display a glimpse of things to come, throwing a no hitter against archrival Mattanawcook of Lincoln. Jack has said he was more of a soft tossing lefty then. That changed soon. One thing that never changed for Jack was the relationship he formed with a fellow that he often played pass with on the lawn of Mallett Hall, the dorm. Clarence Thompson became a lifelong friend and supporter. After graduating from Lee, Jack returned to Grand Lake Stream briefly. However, money was hard to come by there. Jack speaks of his Dad telling him on a Sunday night when he was returning to Lee that he had no money to offer him for the upcoming week. As a result, when a friend suggested they pursue a manufacturing job in Connecticut in 1951, he was off. Jack joined the military in 1953 and soon found himself in Korea. Like many things in life, the service contained a blessing. By using the GI Bill, Jack was able to return to the University of Maine. There he could renew his friendship with baseball. And there his game underwent a transformation. He would go on to be called “One of the best college pitchers I have seen” by the late Jack Butterfield. And he was very good indeed. His first game as a freshman (No freshmen on varsity teams at that time) was a no hitter. His second start was another. There were forty-three strikeouts in two games. There were more no hitters and many more strikeouts. He was the anchor of a freshman team that Maine legends Sam Sezak and Hal Woodbury called possibly the best ever. They were right. That team finished 9 – 0. In the summer of his freshman year at Maine Jack played for Old Town in the old Eastern League. He kept mowing them down, producing 77 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched. The late Hugh Lord said in The Bangor Daily News, “Every so often there appears on the Maine scene an athlete who captures everybody’s attention by sheer dint of performance. Such an athlete is Jack Holmes. Eastern Maine baseball fans are buzzing about what pitching records he may chalk up…” Hugh was not the only one watching. Jack was invited to workouts with the Red Sox, Yankees, Phillies and Pirates. While changing for his workout in Fenway, Jack was introduced to a fellow named Ted Williams. When told Jack was from Maine, The Splinter said, “Hey, you’re from Maine, eh? Great fishing up there! Good luck, kid.” That was quite a loquacious response for Ted. Before the All Star game of the Eastern League, Jack was a Pirate and his Maine season was over. Owen Osborne wrote, ”His signing must have brought a sigh of relief from Bowdoin, Bates and Colby bosses.” The late summer of 1958 found Jack in Grand Forks, ND playing Class C baseball. The next spring found him in Double A. Even by today’s standards that is an amazing career leap. Then it all came crashing down with a slide on the bases. The result was a career ending knee surgery. One can only wonder what might have happened had today’s medical technology been available. Jack does not dwell on that. In fact, one of his best “Grandchild Stories” is about the day Carl Yastrzemski refused to face him in Double A. It seems since Jack was a lefty Yaz was called back for a pinch hitter. When the grandchildren ask why Yaz left the game, Jack’s response is the future Triple Crown winner was afraid of him. Don’t feel bad for Jack Holmes. The same drive, determination and work ethic that made him a standout on the field have also made him a success off from the baseball field as well. He went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut. He subsequently retired as President of a very successful business that once ranked in the top one hundred of its type worldwide. Joe Brown, Dick Wagner and Jack Butterfield were right. He was a winner. Baseball Reference Jack Holmes Position: Pitcher Bats: Left • Throws: Left 6-1, 185lb (185cm, 83kg) Born: 1958 Draft: Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2nd round of the 1977 MLB January Draft-Regular Phase from Temple College (Temple, TX) and the Oakland Athletics in the 2nd round of the 1977 MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase from Temple College (Temple, TX). • Jack Holmes of Stockton Springs pitched two no-hitters in his first four games at the University of Maine and later had success in the Eastern Maine semipro league and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization.

Stan (Dixie) Horne emerged too late in baseball life from the Dixfield woods to attract the attention of those who could most advance him on the league ladder, but opponents of the snaky sidewinder right hander rated him in the top tier of “toughest to hit” pitchers. Horne's fast ball, according to Lewiston Sun sports writer Fred H. Gage, came twisting into the plate from about the third base bag, rising higher as it picked up momentum. The pall usually was next seen in the big mitt of Stan's battery mate and brother, Hal. Even crowding 30, Horne was asked to try out with the St. Louis Browns both in 1949 and 1950. Horne declined because of his years and because of a young and thriving family. Most disappointed, perhaps, was shrewd baseball follower Irving E. Todd, who saw in Horne major league potential. Horne didn't turn his back on the game, However, firing against the Nashua, N.H. Dodgers of the New England League, Horne entertained the home fans at Pettengill Park and dazzled the Dodgers. He had a no-hitter for 4 2/3 innings. Horne pitched for Dixfield from 1948 through 1950 in the Timber League. Dixfield took division titles in ‘'48 and "49, and earned berths in the American Baseball Congress’ national tournaments in Battle Creek, Mich. Horne pitched for the Auburn Asas of the Down East League in 1950 and ‘51. His 10-3 record in ‘'50 included two shutouts. He struck out 84, walked 58, according to figures compiled by veteran official scorer Cliff Gove. Horne suffered an injury in ‘51, and retired from the club July 5. Though he didn't get the shot at the Big Top, Horne had the pleasure of facing such stars as Johnny Mize, Hoot Evers, Sam Mele, Luke Appling, Joe Dobson and Ellis Kinder. Just chatting with Boston Braves southpaw Warren Spahn was a thrill the night Mickey Harris brought his All-Stars to Pettenglill Park. William J. (Chick) Leahey, Asas shortStop and frequent Horne teammate, said, “Stan was steady and in pitching demand. He never passed up a chance to pitch. He loved it. He was the crafty type, always determined, and he'd find a way to get people out. He was ready to help on short notice. He was a country boy who could mow hay all day long, then race to the ball park and mow down the opposition.”

Fred Howard, who saw service with the 1979 Chicago White Sox, began his baseball career at age seven with Wolfe Ford of the South Portland Farm League. The team was coached by his father. Howard was a member of the Kiwanis team of the Central Little League (1965-68) in south Portland and was twice elected a league all-star. He continued his development in the South Portland Senior Little league (Broadway Market 1969-71) and played for Morrill Post American Legion 1971-74. The legion team was coached by Jack Clarke And Bud De Angelis. At South Portland High School, Howard was coached by Gene Davis. As a senior in 1974, he was elected team captain and a member of the All-Telegram League team. The hard-throwing right-hander attended Miami-Dade Community College in Florida in 1975. The following year he was a fourth-round draft pick of the White Sox. For the next eight years, Howard served in the White Sox organization starting with Appleton, Wisconsin in Class - A baseball. He also played in the rookie league in Sarasota before earning promotions to Double-A Knoxville and Triple-A in Des Moines. He was a league all-star in Sarasota and Appleton. In 1978 at Knoxville, Howard was a member of the team that won the Southern League Championship. Howard made his Major League debut in 1979 against the California Angels. His record that year was 1-5 a with a 3.57 ERA. He appeared in 28 games and was credited with six saves. In 68 innings, he allowed 73 hits, walked 32 and struck out 36. The win came after seven strong innings against Milwaukee. Howard gave up a first inning run then shut out the Brewers for six innings, allowing five nits. Steve Trout came on in the eighth to pick up a save for the White Sox who won the game 6-2. Howard struck out four and walked Iwo. Maine fans remember Howard for a relief appearance against the Red Sox at Fenway later that year. He pitched three scoreless Innings in a 7-4 Boston victory. In the ninth, after Butch Hobson led off with a triple, Howard retired Stan Papi on a weak grounder to third and struck out Dwight Evans and Rick Burleson on hard sliders. From Wikipedia . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Howard_(baseball) Fred Irving Howard (born September 2, 1956) is a former American professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. Howard was born in Portland, Maine and attended the University of Maine, where he played college baseball for the Maine Black Bears baseball team in 1975. He was drafted in the 6th round of the 1976 amateur draft by the White Sox and made he debut on May 26, 1979. His final MLB game was September 6, 1979. During his lone MLB season, he appeared in 28 games, starting 6, and finished with a 1–5 record. His ERA was 3.57 over 68 innings. He played in the minor league system of Chicago from 1976–1983, including with the GCL White Sox, Appleton Foxes, Iowa Oaks, Knoxville Sox, and Glens Falls White Sox. He then attended the University of Missouri School of Medicine and became a general surgeon. He practices in Lake Wales, Florida. From The Ledger . https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20110920/News/608096151/LL/ Howard’s one-year baseball career included several issues and incidents that make it unique so many years later. Tony LaRussa, who will soon become the second-winningest Major League manager of all time, began his managerial career with the White Sox that summer. And although he started only six games, Howard was the starting pitcher for the White Sox on July 12, 1979 — Disco Demolition Night, the most notorious baseball promotion ever concocted. “Bring a disco record, get in for a dollar,” Howard recalled. “But they forgot to take the records from people.” And so the 45-rpm records, which were supposed to be burned in a bonfire between games, became frisbees in the hands of thousands of fans who weren’t necessarily at Comiskey Park for baseball. Howard started getting the picture when he was icing his arm down between games. “Ken Kravec walked into the clubhouse and he was supposed to start the second game, and I asked him: What’s up? What’s he doing in here?” Howard recalled. “He said there’s people all over the field, they’re having a pot party on the mound.” Neither Howard nor Kravec will ever forget the scene. “I went out to warm up, and I looked up and there was a shoe flying out of the upper deck at me, then a record,” said Kravec, now a scout for the Chicago Cubs. “People were running around, but it didn’t bother me too much because they left me alone. But then I looked up at the stands and I couldn’t see any aisles.” The aisles were just as filled as the seats. The field was filled with people and smoke and fire, and Kravec noticed that home plate and the bases were gone. The scene would soon be declared “unplayable.” The White Sox forfeited the second game.

How good was Mike Howard? Good enough to be drafted in the sixth round the 1975 Major League free agent draft by the Boston Red Sox. In his senior year at South Portland High School, Howard was 3-3, put the scouts looked beyond his record in the Telegram League to his size (6-feet two and 185 pounds) to his strikeouts (87 in 55 2/3 innings). Assigned to the Elmira Pioneers of the New York-Penn Rookie league, Howard was selected for the All-Star team and the Pioneers, managed by Dick Berardino, won the championship. The South Portland power pitcher was 8-1. In 1976 Howard was 4-1 in the Florida Instructional League where his team again won the league championship. In 1977-78 he pitched tor Winter Haven in the Florida State League, earning promotion to Winston-Salem of the Carolina League the following year. Winston Salem won the league championship and it was a banner year for Howard. He had his personal best for wins (12-3— and led the league in winning percentage (.800). He led the league in strikeouts. Howard's progress continued in 1980 when he made the Red Sox major league roster in spring training and was assigned to Bristol in the Eastern League. He was 10-5 and promoted to Pawtucket in the Triple-A International League. In the winter of 1980, Howard played for the Magellenes in Valencia, Venezuela, made the All-Star team and pitched for the winning All-Star team. With Pawtucket in 1981, the arm trouble began which was to signal a premature end to a promising career. He was placed on the disabled list, eventually sent down to Bristol where he won six and lost five. Bristol won the league championship (a familiar story to Howard by now) and Howard was the winning pitcher in the second game of the best-of-five playoffs. He tried to continue in 1982 but was released due to chronic arm problems. But Howard had talent and he was never better than in that summer of 1979 with the Winston-Salem Red Sox. On one memorable night he stopped a three-game losing streak with a gutsy display in the ninth inning for a 3-2 victory against the league leading Salem Pirates. With the tying run on third, Howard struck out Benny DeLarosa on a low outside slider. ‘We still had the lead so | Knew | had to get somebody out, Howard said. “I wouldn’t have been worried until they tied it up. You can’t pitch defensively. Howard never did. That’s why he’s joining brother Fred (Hall, 1989) in the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. From The Baseball Cube . http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=139626 Proper Name Michael Steven Howard Height 6-2 Weight 180 Bats Right Throws Right Born Date October 14,1957 Place Portland,Maine High School South Portland (Portland,ME) Drafted Selected by the Boston Red Sox [Team Picks] in the 6th round (135th overall) of the 1975 Amateur Entry Draft [Signed] Organizations BOSTON

Gene Hunter’s introduction to baseball came in his native Aroostook County. The oldest of five children, Hunter played baseball and basketball at Presque Isle High School. The 1938 baseball team played in the state championship at Lewiston. During the summer, Hunter played on the local American Legion team. It won the County championship in 1938, 1939 and 1940 but lost to Calais in the playoffs. Hunter spent a year at Aroostook State Teachers College, playing baseball and basketball. He transferred to Colby College, enrolling in the fall of 1941. As a freshman, Hunter captained the White Mules in basketball. and baseball. During his sophomore season he was a member of coach Mike Loebs’ Maine State Basketball championship team, earning selection on the “All Maine Team.” Hunter also played third base for Coach Bill Millet’s varsity baseball team, making the “All Maine Team.” During the summers of 1941 and 1942, Hunter played for the Presque isle Indians, a semi-pro baseball team. But his college career was interrupted at the end of the college baseball season in 1943.A member of the Army Reserves, Hunter reported for active duty at Fort Devens, Mass. on June 2, 1943. Hunter served in the 78th “Lightning” Division, participating in three major campaigns in Europe. After V-E Day, the 78th Division became part of the Army of Occupation. Hunter took advantage of the opportunity to attend Leeds University in England, anticipating his return to college life at Colby. He was discharged in April, 1946 and returned to Aroostook County where he organized and coached the local baseball team that summer. in the fall of 1946, Hunter returned to Colby. In basketball he played for Lee Williams and was selected to the “All-State Team.” Due to a war related injury, Hunter did not play baseball during his junior year at Colby. But in 1948, as a senior, Hunter played for the White Mules coached by Eddie Roundy. It was during this period that his ability caught the eye of Theodore N. “Ted” Shiro (HoF 94) who remembers Hunter. “As a youngster growing up in Waterville, | recall watching Gene perform at both first and third base as a member of the Colby College baseball team. “He had the “great hands,” an exceptional arm and ail the moves required of a great infielder. He was also a great “clutch” hitter. he was an exceptional role model for the youngsters who admired his abilities. His success continued when he left the college ranks and engaged In semi-pro baseball as a member of the Presque Isle Indians. This was during the same period that | played with the Bangor Athletic Club. Gene managed to hold his own with much younger players, some of whom were teammates of mine at Colby.” After graduating from Colby, Hunter was a coach and teacher at Wilton Academy, Morse High School, Portsmouth (N.H.) High School and played baseball for the Old Town IICF semi-pro baseball team in the Eastern Maine League. He was selected to the “All-Star team.’ From 1963 until his retirement in 1984, Hunter coached basketball, taught American history and served as athletic director at South Portland High School. From Legacy Portland Press Herald https://www.pressherald.com/2010/08/16/hunter-wont-soon-be-forgotten_2010-08-16/ Eugene A. Hunter PORTLAND -- Eugene A. Hunter passed away on Aug. 15, 2010, after a long illness. Gene was born on Oct. 23, 1922, in Presque Isle, and was the eldest of five children born to Else (Moran) and Alfred E. Hunter. After graduating from Presque Hill School in 1940, Gene attended Colby College for two years before entering the United States Army in World War II. Gene was a combat veteran and was particularly proud to have participated in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest and in the Battle for the Remagen Bridge. After more than four years of military service, Gene returned to Colby and graduated in 1948 with a degree in history. While at Colby, Gene excelled in both basketball and baseball. Gene began his distinguished career in public education at Houlton High School where he taught history and coached basketball. Thereafter, he taught and coached at Wilton Academy, Morse High School in Bath, Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, N.H., and finally South Portland High School. Gene's athletic success included winning state championships in basketball while at Morse High School, Portsmouth High School and South Portland High School. He is the only Maine high school coach to have won state championships in two different states. After retiring from high school coaching, Gene served 10 years as the athletic director at South Portland High School and retired from that position in 1984. Gene resumed his coaching career at the middle school level and coached both boys and girls teams at Portland area middle schools including Lincoln, Cheverus, and Scarborough. Gene concluded a coaching career that spanned more than 60 years at age 85.

Western Maine’s fabled Pine Tree League proudly presents another of its “town team” legends — Dixfield’s Ted “Bitsy” lonta — for induction into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. Rarely has an individual's career been so identified with a league's history, but Bitsy’s 43-year involvement as player, manager and co-commissioner of the Pine Tree League bespeaks both a consistently superior level of pitching prowess and an unswerving devotion to the league which allowed him to display his skulls. Born and raised in Mexico, Maine, Bitsy graduated from Mexico High School in 1952. Stationed in Wichita Falls, Texas while serving in the United States Air Force, Bitsy literally taught himself how to pitch. “We never had any formal coaching growing up,” says Bitsy. “It was all sand-lot. When I was in the Air Force, I’d play pass behind the barracks every chance I got.” Bitsy discovered he was blessed with the gift that most kids dream about — a good arm, pinpoint control and an insatiable love for the game of baseball. Upon returning to Maine in 1957, Bitsy brought his untested skills to the Rumford Rams of the Pine Tree League and vividly recalls his very first pitching experience in organized baseball. “We were playing the Auburn Asas at Pettengill Park. | came into the game in relief with the bases loaded and nobody out. I was too dumb to be nervous. I struck the first two guys out on curveballs and the next guy, a left-handed hitter, hit a grand-slam. But I struck out the next guy.” So began the education and remarkable career of a pitcher that spanned SIX decades -from Warren Spahn to Kerry Wood — and saw Bitsy toe the slab in virtually every town in Western Maine that had a ball-field. And what a career it was. Bitsy was an active player in the Pine Tree League from 1957 to 1996 playing for a number of local town teams, most notably the Dixfield Dixies. He compiled an impressive 223-41 pitching record over that span. The durable right-hander often pitched two, sometimes three, games a week and completed 90% of his starts. The high-water mark of Bitsy’s career was probably 1962 when he posted a 12-0 record with a 0.47 ERA. Bitsy also won two games for Norway-South Paris in the Yankee American Baseball Congress Tournament that year held in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Pine Tree League entry finished 3-2 in the tournament, good for 3rd place for teams east of the Mississippi. Bitsy returned to the YABC the following year while pitching for Livermore. As eye-popping as the career pitching statistics may be, Bitsy lonta's enduring contribution to the Maine baseball lore is the respect he gained while posting those numbers and the lofty standard of sportsmanship and professionalism he set for the Pine Tree League. “He played the way baseball is supposed to be played,” says Pine Tree League co-commissioner Mark Thurlow, who himself coached the West Paris entry for 16 years. “He’s steady, he’s consistent, there’s nothing complex about it. He just loves the game of baseball.” Thurlow points out that the league’s MVP trophy has been known as the Bitsy Ionta Award since 1964. Emblematic of the small-town appeal of the Pine Tree League and its quirky ballparks was the day Bitsy and Lewiston Sun Journal sports writer Bob McPhee jumped into a van and visited all the old ballparks of the Pine Tree League. “We went up and down Franklin County -Rangeley, Phillips, Strong, Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield, Jay. Livermore, Wilton and several others. We got out and measured all the distances — some of them were unbelievable!” The measure of the man, and his lifelong love affair with baseball, was taken that day as well. Bitsy taught 6th grade science in the Mexico and Rumford area for 40 years and is now retired. Many of his days are spent working one-on-one with young pitching hopefuls who have sought the master’s advice. “Any kid who’s ever played baseball in Maine should know the Bitsy lonta story,’ says Thurlow. “I know the South Portland area is very proud of Billy Swift, and Stephen King has done great things for Bangor, but in our neck of the woods, from Norway to Farmington, Bitsy Ionta is Mr. Baseball.” Walker Family History https://slideplayer.com/slide/10306415/ 24 Ted Bitsy Ionta Bitsy lives in Dixfield, ME. He was discharged from the United States Air Force in July of 1957. Shortly after that, he joined the Rumford Rams in the Pine Tree League in Dixfield, ME. Bitsy became an accomplished pitcher, winning 225 games and is a member of the Maine Baseball Hall Of Fame. At 70, Bitsy is a member of the Rumford Cardinals of the Men's Senior Baseball League. "It is amazing that Bitsy can still do what he does at his age," said a fellow baseball player, Paterson, a mere 45. "His passion seems to be fueled by the desire to do something that few people have accomplished, and because he can. It is impressive, and it has definitely rubbed off on all of us. It is great to be around a bunch of guys that have similar backgrounds and interests and be able to relate." "Every one has a hobby that they enjoy doing," says Bitsy ,“mine happens to be baseball. I've been fortunate to have played for as long as I have, and I'll continue to play until I'm not competitive any more. When will that be? Who knows?"

Throughout the 1960’s the name of Joe Jabar of Waterville was familiar to all students of Maine baseball - as well as basketball. Today the Hall of Fame welcomes one of the finest athletes to grace the fields and courts of Waterville High School and Colby College. At Waterville High, Panther fans marveled at his many outstanding feats and debated the question “Which is Joe’s best sport?”. He was a varsity performer in baseball from 1961 to 1964. in American Legion baseball, Joe Jabar came under the tutelage of John Winkin, then Colby’s baseball coach. in 1964, Winkin’s Bourque Lanigan Post of Waterville won its first state Legion baseball championship and Jabar was the Legion Player of the Year. in the tournament at he was 2-0 on the mound, .412 at the plate and contributed some Spectacular catches in the outfield. At Colby Joe enjoyed three excellent seasons. in 1966, he went 41 on a Staff with Eddie Phillips (HoF ’79) and Roger Valliere that steered the Mules into the NCAA regional playoffs - a season in which the steady sophomore was fourth in the nation in strikeouts. in 1967, Jabar recorded an 0.99 ERA in the state series and joined Terry Ordway of Maine as All-Maine pitchers. in 1968, he was a repeat All-Maine pitcher, this time sharing the honors with Bob Curry and Gordy Engstrom, both of the Maine Black Bears. Joe captained the 1968 team and also was co-captain of the ‘68 basketball team. The Massachusetts Cape Cod League has for a long time been recognized as one of the fastest summer ball circuits and Joe Jabar enjoyed eminent success playing for Chatham in 1966 and ‘67 - he was 7- 0 twice, and in both seasons he was selected the Most Valuable Pitcher for the league. in 1967, his battery mate Thurman Munson, a .450 hitter, was the league’s Most Valuable Player. Following his graduation from Colby in 1968, Joe hurled for the Falmouth entry in the Portland Twilight League. He turned in a log of 7 and 4 with 94 strikeouts in 7/7 innings - good enough to gain a contract with the Seattle Pilots organization. As a Seattle farmhand, Jabar pitched for the 1969 Newark CoPilots in the New York-Penn League (A). He garnered 10 wins to lead the Seattle minor league organization in the category. The following spring, he attended spring training but, when he was not tendered a spot on a high Classification roster, he elected to attend the University of Maine in Portland’s law school. He graduated in 1971 and has been a practicing attorney ever since. in the 70s and 80s, Joe coached in youth programs - Little League, Babe Ruth league and Waterville Junior High. “Those were some of the best years of my life,” Jabar, who was inducted in the Cape Cod League Hall of Fame in 2003, said. “I made a lot of friends.” Jabar, now a Justice on the Maine Supreme Court, will be an honorary captain during the Cape Cod League All-Star Game, Friday night at Fenway Park. Jabar will be the honorary captain for the East squad. Paul Mitchell, who won 25 games in the Cape League and appeared in 162 major league games with Baltimore Orioles, Oakland A’s, Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers, is the honorary captain for the West. A Waterville native and Colby College and Maine School of Law graduate, Jabar played three seasons in the Cape Cod League. In 1965, he pitched for Yarmouth, before joining Chatham for 1966 and ’67. Jabar posted a record of 21-4 in his three years, including back-to-back 7-0 seasons with Chatham. Jabar was named the league’s most outstanding pitcher in both his seasons with Chatham, the first two-time winner of the award. His 15 consecutive regular season wins are a Cape Cod League record. In 1967, Jabar posted an earned run average of 1.23, and helped lead Chatham to the league title. His catcher that season was future New York Yankees star Thurman Munson. “I remember telling people (Munson) was the best player I’d seen outside of the Majors,” Jabar said. “He was aggressive. He’d want you to throw inside at a guy, and if you didn’t, he’d get mad.” Jabar also remembers playing against a young Bobby Valentine. “He was just a young kid out of high school,” Jabar said. “I don’t recall if he got a hit off me.” The winning pitcher in the 1966 Cape Cod League all-star game, Jabar has followed the league over the years, and thinks the play on the Cape is better than ever. “I think the level of play has picked up,” Jabar said. “They’re getting players from all over the country… There’s more specialization. Now, they have pitchers who do nothing but close. We were expected to go the whole game.” After signing as a free agent with the Seattle Pilots (the Pilots played one season in Seattle before moving to Milwaukee in 1970 as the Brewers), Jabar was 11-4 with a 3.99 ERA for the Newark (N.Y.) Co-Pilots of the Single A New York-Penn League. During spring training in 1969, Jabar learned he would be sent back to A ball, and decided instead to go to law school. “I had a family to think of. At that point, I made a grown-up decision,” Jabar said. “It worked out pretty well.” Jabar said he attends the Cape Cod League Hall of Fame induction ceremony each year. He’s looking forward to seeing this year’s class, which includes former Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, enter the Hall in November. A few years ago, Jabar attended a reunion of the 1966 Chatham championship team. “They gave us rings because they didn’t give us them when we won,” Jabar said. From Cape Cod Baseball League News http://www.capecodbaseball.org/news/league-news/index.html?article_id=265 Judge Jabar Munson, who had hit .420 to win the Cape League batting title in ’67, was the Yankees’ first-round draft choice the following June and received a signing bonus of $100,000, a small fortune in those days. Jabar, who had just received his degree in economics from Colby and was pitching in a summer league in Portland, jumped at an offer of $1,000 from the Seattle Pilots. The 22-year-old rookie was assigned to the Newark Co-Pilots of the Class-A New York-Penn League, where he posted an impressive 10-4 record and a 3.99 ERA. He also held his own at the plate, batting .235 well before the designated hitter was introduced. When he learned that he would not be promoted to a higher level in ’69, Jabar decided that his baseball career was over. He returned to Portland and the University of Maine Law School, where he received his JD in 1971. Since then, his distinguished career has taken him to Washington, D.C., where he served as a federal prosecutor for the Justice Department, and back to Maine, where he has been an imposing figure in the state’s political, civic and judicial circles. He was elected to two terms in the Maine State House of Representatives, serving from 1996 to 2001, and has been a state Workers’ Compensation Commissioner, a member of the Waterville Board of Education and a district attorney for Kennebec-Somerset Counties. For 25 years he was a partner with the Waterville law firm of Jabar, Batten Ringer and Murphy. His first judicial appointment was to the Maine Superior Court by Gov. Angus King in 2001. He was re-appointed in 2008 by Gov. John Baldacci and while sitting on the Superior Court he served on the Family Law Advisory Commission, Criminal Law Advisory Commission, Media and the Courts Committee and State Sentencing and Corrections Council. Gov. Baldacci appointed him to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Sept. 1, 2009. His term ends in 2016. Judge Jabar was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996, and into the Cape League Hall of Fame in 2003.

Memorial Page William "Bill" Jarvis September 22, 1910 - July 27, 2002 https://www.philipbrownfuneralhome.com/obituary/806978 He was born in Windsorville, Me. Sept. 22, 1910 the son of Robin and Laura (Frazier) Jarvis. Bill graduated from Porter High School, Kezar Falls Me. In 1929, were he was a star athlete in baseball, basketball and track and field. He moved to Newport in 1935 and resided there for the past 67 years. Bill was a well-known baseball player throughout Maine where he played he played during four decades. He also played professionally in Canada where the New York Yankees had a first option on him. He won seven batting championships in league play in Maine with his highest average being .529 for the year. He was primarily used as a pitcher in Canada where he earned the nickname of “Bullet Bill” because of his fastball. His baseball career was interrupted by service in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He saw action at the Philippine Islands in the South Pacific. Bill was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame on April 1, 1979

“Jason was a true joy to watch as a member of the Huskies.  He was the complete package on the mound.  He possessed a tremendous combination of power and expertise on the mound and a sense of calm at all times. Jason could throw the ball by hitters or he could carve people up like a surgeon. His mound presence was always impressive; total command and calm and he let nothing bother him.  He was professional on the hill as a collegiate athlete; it was special. He’s one of the best without a doubt.” - Al Bean, Athletic Director, USM Jason played youth baseball in Portland. The biggest influence at this time in his life was his older brother Bobby. They are one year and 7 month’s apart and he was a very good all around athlete. They were constantly playing a sport and Bobby was very competitive. They would play stickball, one on one. Bobby painted a strike zone on a concrete wall and batter’s boxes on the ground. His mother would often ask them not to paint on the wall. From a competitive/ mental toughness sense there was no bigger influence in his life than his brother Bobby. In the 8th grade Jason played at King Middle School and one of his coaches was Pat Donahue. He pitched in every game that season and finished without a win. Pat always said “I was a strike thrower and my demeanor never changed” no matter what the score or how many times we lost. Jason often tells this story to younger players. He wants them to understand that the game will humble you but learning to turn the page is a big part of being successful and enjoying the game. That summer Jason played in the Portland Babe Ruth League. It was here he had his first taste of being successful at baseball. Pat Donahue was his coach. When the season ended Pat encouraged him to play on the all-star team. One problem was that his mother did not drive so getting to games and practices was going to be impossible. Pat picked Jason up every day and brought him back home his S10 baby blue Ford truck. He will be ever thankful to Pat who taught him how to turn the page on the field showed him first hand, an act of human kindness. Jason and Bobby both Played at Portland High School and were very successful. Between high school and Legion ball (Andrews Post) they pitched every other game (9 innings) and they both posted a 7 wins and 2 loss record. Both Bobby and Jason made the 1993 All Telegram Team as pitchers. It was Bobby who received the prestigious Edson Hadlock Award as the league’s best pitcher. In 1994 Jason was the top pitcher in the newly formed SMAA league. He received the Hadlock Award as the Most Valuable Pitcher. They are the only two brothers to receive this award in league history. Jason was undecided as to whether he was going to college and play ball. Late in the summer Gary Agger who was a police officer in Portland and someone Jason knew through the police athletic league(PAL) influenced him to go down to the University of New Haven. Gary was friends and a colleague of legendary coach Porky Viera. After visiting and receiving the necessary financial aid Jason decided to attend. After walking on the varsity team that fall he made a tough decision to come closer to home. Jason contacted Mike Rutherford his JV coach at Portland High. Mike introduced him to coach Ed Flaherty. That spring Jason transferred to the University of Southern Maine. Freshman year he was able make the southern trip to Florida. Upon retuning home he was USM’s midweek starter. Later that season USM made the regional tournament. They had to beat Eastern Connecticut State twice to advance to the College World Series. Coach Flaherty gave him the ball in the first game and USM won 5-2 to force a winner take all game. They lost the second game and their season ended. Jason believes pitching game one that day was a turning point in his baseball career. It set him up for the following season and beyond. From that moment on, every time Coach Flaherty gave him the ball he felt the trust coach had in him. He wanted to do what ever it took to make sure he never took the ball from him. Sophomore year USM was the number one team in New England. They hosted the regional tournament and fell short where they expected to be. Jason showed steady progress in his development. That summer he played in the NECBL in Worcester Ma. He was named the top Professional Pitching Prospect at the conclusion of the summer. Going into his junior season Coach Flaherty informed Jason that he thought he would be drafted if he continued on the same path. He also said he was going to use him as a closer when necessary and as much as possible. That season Jason was 9-3 with 9 complete games and 4 saves, compiling 93 innings pitched. He opened the regional tournament with a complete game win against arch rival Eastern Connecticut at Hadlock Field. Jason was on the mound as the closer to save the final game to advance to the Division 3 College World Series. With USM’s offensive power on display in the series, pitching was a lot more comfortable. Jason threw a complete game 7-1win in the opener and a complete game 15-1win in the final to give USM its second National Championship. In the World Series he posted a 2-0 record with a 1.00 Era with 16 strikeouts. Jason was named the MVP of the tournament. He was named to the 1996 and 97 All New England team as well as the Little East player of the year in 1997. Jason graduated from USM in 2002 and was inducted in the Huskey Hall of Fame in 2007. Six days after the World Series win Jason was called on the opening day of the MLB draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks and was selected in the 18th round. He was happy to sign and begin a four year odyssey of playing professional baseball. His most memorable year was 1999. He started out that season in A ball in South Bend Indiana. He was in the bullpen and had a lot of success and was put back in the starting rotation just before the all-star break. He came home that year during the break and missed his flight back to Chicago. When he returned the next day, Jason was expecting a fine for missing a mandatory workout. Walking up to his apartment complex one of his teammates was on the balcony and told him to get to the ballpark because they were sending him to AAA to start the next day. He flew to Tucson Arizona to pitch on Friday night. He pitched 4 2/3 innings in his AAA debut. It was a great experience and from there he moved all over the organization. He went back to South Bend and three days later sent to AA El Paso and finished the season in High A ball in California. He has countless friendships that still remain strong today sharing that dream to play in the big leagues. After Jason’s playing days were over he returned to USM and finished getting a degree. At this time he also began his coaching career. He was an assistant coach at the University for one year. He started to work with high school players with a few of his college teammates. He began to think about coaching as a career to give back to the game and working with kids from Maine. In 2011 Jason began coaching at Bowdoin College as a part time assistant. He was able to somehow balance the college schedule, full time job, and a growing family mainly because his wife Natasha knew what baseball meant to him. He is extremely grateful of her support at this time. In 2015 Jason became a full-tine assistant at the college. Jason and Natasha have four daughters: 9 year old twins Jenna and Jaelyn, 7 year old Josie, and 2 year old Jaclyn. His days are filled with recruit emails, planning for incoming classes, and coaching whatever seasons his daughters are involved in. He hopes to remain coaching for the rest of his working days. He truly believes he will not be able to give as much back to the game as baseball has given him. Jason is a true throwback who began playing stickball with his brother, was winless in middle school, to become a National Champion in college and pitching at the AAA level in professional baseball. He is a most deserving of being the newest member of the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. Bowdoin Polar Bear Profile Jason Jensen has been the pitching coach for Bowdoin College since the spring of 2011. A 1997 graduate of the University of Southern Maine, he helped lead the Huskies to the NCAA Championship that spring and was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. He was subsequently drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he pitched four seasons, reaching as high as the AAA level. In 2007, he was inducted into the USM Athletics Hall of Fame. Portland Press Herald Maine's Homegrown Talent https://www.pressherald.com/2014/05/21/homegrown_talent_propels_usm_baseball___again_/ GORHAM — Forrest Chadwick was playing summer baseball for the Lakeshore Chinooks in Mequon, Wisconsin, a couple of summers ago when some fans asked him where his home was. “Maine,” said Chadwick, a Gardiner resident who’s a senior outfielder for the University of Southern Maine. “Maine?” they asked, almost incredulously. “You guys even have baseball there?” Well, yes, they do. And they play it quite well. From Maine Hits Instructor Credentials: University of Southern Maine 1997 NCAA Division III Baseball National Championship Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament World Series 2-0 record (1.00 ERA, 16 strike outs) 1997 and 1996 All-New England Team All-Little East Conference Honors 1997 All Time USM Records Complete Games Pitched – 9 Innings Pitched – 93 Strikeouts in a Season – 82 USM Career: 18-7 record in 28 games started with a 3.73 ERA Arizona Diamond Backs Pitched for four seasons with the Diamondbacks AAA Affiliate Tucson Sidewinders

One of Deering High School’s ultra athletes as a four-sporter in the 40’s, Keith Johnson staked his firm claim to baseball distinction as a three-time All-Telegram League selection as catcher, joining a select company of such repeaters. The sturdy, compact Ram joined Westbrook High’s Chimmy Chamard Sr. as a three-peat All-Telly receiver (Chimmy might well have made it four straight but no team was selected his sophomore season of 1925). Johnson made his diamond debut as a freshman, spelling the injured Jackie lot behind the plate. Keith was in full charge all the way in his sophomore campaign as Deering won the Telly playoff title after trailing Portland in the regular season . Johnson was also instrumental in the Purple’s strong contention the next two springs as South Portland prevailed. A two-time all-state football halfback (defense as well as offense), Keith was veritably the complete ballplayer, .300 hitter with a power accent, tying the home run season record at 3; an excellent base-runner in stolen bases and canny handler and supporter of pitchers; throwing arm that kept successful steal attempts at a minimum. Keith's precious skills made for early entry in adult competition. He caught for the C.1.0. club in the Western Maine League during the World War II period. Johnson also was invited by legendary manager-owner Connie Mack of the Philadelphia Athletics to serve as the A’s bull-pen catcher and he had a shot at a New York Giants tryout. But he respectfully declined both offers as he was advised these would compromise his eligibility as he was headed for Governor Dummer Academy. From the South Byfield, Mass., school Johnson entered Bowdoin College, but a chronic back problem cut short his stay. Keith later was named to a five-man Maine delegation on a New England all-star team which played the Boston Park League all-stars in a 1946 charity game at Braves Field. Johnson had a final fling with the Century Tire entry in the Portland twilight League. Keith decided to call it a career after a monstrous collision at home plate took a heavy toll. ironically, it was none other than that ageless marvel, Maine Baseball Hall of Famer Merv Kilmore, who was the would-be scorer, and characteristically most apologetic about the hit. P.S. Paul Sullivan of Cheverus High set the record with four All Telegram League selection - thrice as shortstop, finally as catcher in 1961. Legacy Page Portland Press Herald April 17, 2006. https://obituaries.pressherald.com/obituaries/mainetoday-pressherald/obituary.aspx?n=keith-a-johnson&pid=17488560 One of the few four letter men in Maine high school history, he participated in football, baseball, basketball and track. He is considered one of Deering's all time great athletes. An all-state halfback, a three-time All-Telegram catcher, and leading base stealer, Keith was also a basketball starter and added an outdoor track letter in the sprints and long jump. He was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000. Keith played Twilight League and semi-pro baseball. One of the highlights of his career was playing for the New England All-Star team.