The Minden Rockcliffe Hustlers, sponsored by Dave Willis, was the team to beat in the 1980’s. Under the direction of co-coaches Gene Newell and Neil Burk, the Hustlers won the Tri-County Championship eight out of nine years, in 1980 and then 1982-1988.
The Hustlers had the best players from across the County. And it showed in their dominance of the Tri-County League.
The teams in the league were mostly from towns in the Kawartha Lakes. They didn’t like making the “long” trek to Minden, especially when they lost.
The Hustlers organized an annual tournament in Minden, bringing top calibre teams from throughout Ontario. Hustler players took care of the diamond maintenance for tournaments and all league home games.
The home games were packed with fans in the bleachers and in cars parked on top of the hill overlooking the diamond. Each Hustler homerun inspired a cacophony of honking horns. The team competed in numerous tournaments; always a contender.
The Harcourt tournament was a fan and player favourite. The Hustlers won one “A” and two “B” championships.
Many players continued on to play at higher levels. Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Famers Colin and Greg Newell moved on to provincial, national, and international play. Jack Snell competed with teams in O.A.S.A. provincial playdowns. Craig Stamp had a stellar career in Calgary at provincial and national levels. Bernie Nicholls (of NHL fame) also played for the Hustlers and enjoyed provincial and national success in fastpitch. The Hammond brothers (Scott, Bob, and Barry) had success at the provincial level and Barry at the national level.
Minden’s ball diamond was the place to be in the 1980’s providing fans a chance to cheer on their team every summer. The players acted as role models which could be seen with the multiple sons who had the opportunity to play with their fathers.
Team Membership
Sponsor: Dave Willis, Rockcliffe Tavern
Coaches: Neil (Beagle) Burk, Gene Newell,
The following athletes who were members of the Hustlers championship team for at least one year (and some for many years) from 1980-1988
Rick Boucher, Barry Boice, Andrew (Newfer) Burk, Pat Byrne, Dave Dollo, Jamie Dollo, Dwight Fountain, Tom Haley, Barry Hammond, Bob Hammond, Scott Hammond, Dave Hartwick, Rick Hartwick, Bob Johnston, Jim Keetch, Larry Kent, Alex Little, Ron LIoyd, Elmo Lymburner, Colin Newell, Greg Newell, Bernie Nicholls, Brian Mulholland, Mark Schell, Frank Scriven, Barry Shaw, Brian Shaw, Doug Shaw, Dwight Sisson, Paul Sisson, Jack Snell, Craig Stamp, Harris Steele, John Welch. Ron Yake.
