“They’re all super kids. They were when I coached them, and they still are.”
Ninety-four-year-old Frank Kika is still full of admiaration for the “kids” he coached on the 1970 North Richmond all-star Little League team.
The local heroes - now mostly in their 60s - recently came together for a long-awaited reunion, more than 50 years after snatching the 1970 Western Canadian Little League championship in Manitoba when they were 12 years old.
Players and their families descended upon Pioneer’s Pub on No. 3 Road on Saturday evening for a trip down memory lane over refreshments, solid and liquid — which they weren’t old enough to enjoy back in the day.
The team, led by captain Ricky Fellardeau, was made up of young kids from various neighbourhoods, including north and east Richmond and even the old Queensborough neighbourhood.
The teammates were the cream of the crop who were often featured in the Richmond Review.
“We were underdogs, we weren’t supposed to win,” said second baseman Gregg Baydala.
“We played against Brandon (East) in the final. They were heavy favourites, and they went up two-nothing.”
Against all odds, the North Richmond team managed to turn things around and won 17-3.
Fellardeau still remembers the excitement when the team “won everything.” Not only did the team get pizza to celebrate, but they were also met with enthusiastic fanfare when they returned home and received a certificate of appreciation from then-mayor Gil Blair.
Although the team didn’t get the chance to compete in the World Series, due to unknown reasons, Fellardeau is confident they would have “done really well” if they had the opportunity.
Taking a trip down memory lane
The first order of business at the reunion was to catch up on each other’s lives — most of the teammates had not seen each other since they were 12 years old.
“I don’t think too many sports teams get together for reunions like this. And it’s nice to see one of the coaches is here,” said Baydala.
Although they’ve now long grown past puberty, the former teammates were still able to recognize each other without difficulty.
Being the captain and the tallest on the team - reaching six feet three inches at 12 - Fellardeau has remained a focal point to this day and was pointed out to a reporter from the News as the tallest in the room.
“So everybody would always be yelling, ‘Where’s that guy’s birth certificate? Where’s his birth certificate?’” recalled Fellardeau, who is now the same height as he was when he was 12.
The 70s was a great time for Richmond baseball, Fellardeau told the News, and the team was a “molded group” that enjoyed being in Manitoba and playing in the championship.
“We all got along and … We were young 12-year-olds, but we kept our egos in check. And we listened to our coaches and we followed the path. You don’t get that nowadays,” said Baydala.
One thing that kept the team together was their determination to defy the odds.
“Like Gregg (Baydala) said, nobody thought we’d make it,” said Fellardeau. But the North Richmond team never gave up.
“We could be down five runs and it’s, like, not a big deal.”
And you can’t forget the coaches.
Fellardeau’s dad, Jim Fellardeau, and Frank Kika had dedicated a lot of time to coaching the team, Fellardeau and Baydala told the News.
“They gave up their holidays for us all-stars. Because somebody had to do that. And we were very lucky they did,” said Baydala.
The 1970 North Richmond all-star team, courtesy of reunion organizer Will Cardwell:
- Jim Fellardeau (head coach)
- Frank Kika (coach)
- Matt Graham (coach)
- Gary Zecchel
- Rick Fellardeau
- Warren Oikawa
- Bill Haddow
- Mark Rempel
- Will Cardwell
- Gord Friesen
- Ron Millos
- Randy Sansregret
- Greg Baydala
- John Alfano
- Jeff Jordan
- Ranj Deol
- Pete Zazzara
- Tom Climick
