Community honours team that inspired generations of Exeter baseball
By Dan Rolph
In 1956, the Exeter Kinsmen Midgets U18 team became Ontario Baseball Champions — a first for a team from Exeter.
70 years later, four of the players who were on that groundbreaking squad were welcomed to Alvin Willert Field on Wednesday, Sept. 23, to remember the achievement that inspired generations of local young athletes.
Jim Hennessey, Jim Russell, Doug Kelson and Cy Blommaert, the surviving members of that team, stepped onto the diamond before a match between South Huron District high school and Central Huron secondary school. They were recognized with a presentation of commemorative pennants and a ceremonial first pitch to start the match.
The 1956 provincial championship team faced squads from Mitchell, Blyth, Port Elgin and New Hamburg to make their way into the finals, where they went head-to-head with Caledonia.
Though Caledonia won the first match of that final series 7-3, Blommaert secured the win in game two with a walk-off single. The third and final game in Ingersoll saw Caledonia ahead going into the 9th inning, but a slide home by Russell under the tag locked in the winning run for Exeter.
Since then, 23 teams from Exeter have followed in the 1956 team’s footsteps to become provincial champions.
The locale chosen for the Sept. 23 commemorative ceremony proved to be fitting for the team that was managed by Alvin Willert — the Exeter diamond’s namesake. Also playing a pivotal role in guiding the team to their victory in 1956 were coaches Jim Glover and Don Gravett.
Kelson, who was described as a player who was “fast as lighting” during the ceremony, travelled from Ottawa to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the team’s win.
“With only four of us left, it’s even more gratifying to be here,” he said. “We think about our teammates.”
Kelson said he was pleased to see such a strong love of baseball continuing in the community and spoke highly of the field that bares the name of his former manager.
“It’s such a great venue here.”
Though 70 years have passed since the championship game, Kelson arrived with a piece of memorabilia that turned heads as he walked onto the field — his 1956 championship jacket.
“It was actually too big for me,” he said. “I’ve worn it a lot, but it’s still in pretty good shape. It’s been hanging in the closet. I felt it was important to keep it.”
Kelson said he and his family moved away from Exeter soon after the championship game, though he has continued to stay in touch over the years. However, he said the ceremony at Alvin Willert Field was the first time he’s been able to see his former teammates since he left the community.
“It’s been amazing.”
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