Hall of Fame

The Smitty’s Terminators Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to recognize those individuals whose achievements and leadership set the standard for all Smitty’s players and coaches. Over the past 30 years, Smitty’s has been the home of some of the greatest softball teams and players in Canada, and we are proud to celebrate the careers of these great athletes in a series of annual inductions in the upcoming years.

    Roy & Evelyne Holenski – Inducted in 2004

22 Provincial Championships over a 23 year period and 3 consecutive Senior Canadian Championships offer testimony to their coaching and leadership abilities. The founders of the Manitoba Ladies Softball Super League, the heart and soul of the Smitty’s organization, their support of the game of women’s softball is unsurpassed. However, the true measure of Roy and Evelyne Holenski are the hundreds of young women and their families whose lives they have enriched over the past 30 years.

    Karen Doell – Inducted in 2004

Karen Doell was playing Little League baseball at age eight and senior women’s softball with the Winkler Skylarks by age 13. In her first year, she was selected as MVP in the provincial championship. In 1983, she joined Smitty’s juniors and helped the Winnipeg-based team win bronze in the Canadian championship. Outstanding defensively at second base, she consistently led Smitty’s in batting average and RBI as the team won six medals in national championships over the next 15 years, including three gold at the senior women’s level. A member of Canada’s National team from 1990-1996, Doell played in the 1991 and 1995 Pan Am Games and the 1996 Summer Olympics.

    Juanita Clayton – Inducted in 2004

Juanita Clayton’s catching career started at age eight in Kaleida, a small hamlet south of Manitou. It ended due to chronic back problems at age 27 following the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia where she was a member of Canada’s first Olympic softball team. Along the way, she played in two World Youth Tournaments for Canada (1985 in Fargo, ND and 1987 in Oklahoma), and the 1991 and 1995 Pan Am Games. Locally, she played with Morden Fighting Saints and Classics prior to joining Smitty’s senior women’s team in 1988. Clayton was a team leader and played an integral role in the team’s national medal success through the early 1990s and the team’s first Canadian championship in 1995. She also played four years at Utah State where she earned a degree in social work.

    Sandy Newsham – Inducted in 2005

Sandy won her first of 7 Manitoba Softball Player of the Year awards in 1986 in the Peewee/Squirt/Mite category, and won the first of countless medals with a Gold in the 1988 Western Canadian Bantam Championships where she was also named Tournament MVP. Over an 11 year span, this immensely talented and unbelievably driven athlete would help lead her teams to seven National Senior titles, a pair of runnerup finishes, and a Bronze medal. Her overflowing trophy case also includes a Bronze medal from the 1989 Canada Summer Games in Saskatoon and a Silver from the 1999 Pan-American Games here in Winnipeg as part of Team Canada. Three times she was named MVP, Top Batter, and Top or All Star Pitcher of the Round Robin Portion of the Senior Nationals, and was named the MVP of the Playoff Round three times.

    Heather Newsham – Inducted in 2005

This incredible athlete’s journey into the record books began in 1992 as part of a Silver medal winning squad at the Pee Wee Westerns. Over the next dozen years Heather would add four more Silvers and seven Gold to her trophy chest. Along the way she was twice named MVP of the Round Robin Portion of a Nationals Tournament, and two more times during the playoff round. On four occasions she was the Top or All Star pitcher, Eight times a batting champion, and once an All Star utility player. Her most dominating individual performance came, ironically, in one of those rare years when Smitty’s did not capture a Senior Title at the 2000 Tournament in Saint John, New Brunswick, as she hit .800 and did not allow a single earned run during the round robin.

    Rhonda Denbow – Inducted in 2005

Rhonda Denbow began playing competitive softball as a member of her hometown Souris Blues Seniors before entering a celebrated collegiate career at North Dakota State University (Bottineau) and Valley City State University, eventually being named to the Halls of Fame at both colleges. Joining the Smitty’s Seniors in 1990, Rhonda was an integral part of seven Canadian Championship teams between 1995 and 2003.

    Dale & Marion Newsham – Inducted in 2006

Dale and Marion were extremely proud to be members of the 1st Smitty’s Senior Ladies team that originated in 1979 – Marion as a player, Dale as a coach. Marion was softball Manitoba’s player of the year in 1980 and again in 1981. Dale was softball Manitoba’s coach of the year numerous times. After a successful playing career, Marion joined Dale in the coaching ranks. They coached numerous provincial championships but were even more successful at the National level. In 13 years of coaching they didn’t always win, but the team always played in the gold medal final.

1991 Peewee Westerns – Silver
1992 Bantam Westerns – Silver
1993 Bantam Westerns – Gold
1994 Midget Canadians – Gold
1995 Midget Canadians – Gold
1996 Midget Canadians – Gold
1997 Junior Canadians – Silver
1998 Junior Canadians – Silver
1999 Senior Canadians – Gold
2000 Senior Canadians – Silver
2001 Senior Canadians – Gold
2002 Senior Canadians – Gold
2003 Senior Canadians – Gold

During this time we had the honour of coaching many talented, gifted and dedicated players. Marion and Dale retired from coaching after the 2003 season. Dale can be seen playing slo-pitch and Marion scorekeeping at Super League games.

    Pat Dobbyn – Inducted in 2007

Pat Dobbyn joined the Smitty’s Organization in the early 90’s and in the next ten years made a significant contribution to its growth and development. A “mover and a shaker”, she took an the monumental task of chairing the PeeWee “A” & Junior “A” Nationals. Using her phenomenal organizational skills, she turned these events into successful ventures. One of her greatest achievements , though, was the efficient manner in which she managed teams over the years. She kept players, as well as the coaches, in line and had a lot to do with their success on the field of play.

    Jill Mathez – Inducted in 2007

Jill Mathez joined the Smitty’s organization in 1984 and patrolled center field for the next 20 years. This very skilled athlete, both offensively & defensively, played an integral role in the team’s success in winning seven gold medals at the National level and two Western gold. She was selected as an all-star fielder Nationally in 1997. A real team player, possessing a superior work ethic, her leadership, loyalty and passion for the game was exemplary. Jill, as a team member entered the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame in 2007.

    Connie (Burnett) Taillon – Inducted in 2008

Connie known as “CB” by her teammates was born in Oakville, Mb. and played minor ball in this area. Joining the Smitty’s Junior A team in 1981 she made an immediate impact on its success in winning the National bronze medal in 1983; the first medal to be won by a team at this level. This tall, lanky, hard throwing right hander was to become one of Manitoba’s best in the 80’s. Connie continued to be a key component in the Smitty’s Sr. A team’s success in their winning of National bronze in 1991, silver in 1994 and gold in 1995. Connie went onto to be a winner with the Smitty’s (Open) Masters team with gold in 2002 and 2003. A highly skilled player, Connie not only pitched but also had a strong bat, a great attitude and the TEAM was always #1.

    Mike Ryan – Inducted in 2008

A true friend of softball, Mike has been the driving force in program development, organizing, planning and implementing clinics for coaching, pitching and skill development. Mike volunteers his time freely and has time for everyone. This soft spoken, easy going man gives unselfishly of himself to build our sport. Mike joined the Smitty’s organization in 1996 and has coached successfully at the Pee Wee A through Junior A levels winning numerous provincials and competing at the National and Western level. This longstanding member of our group now serves as our Vice President.

    Wayne Deschouwer – Inducted in 2009

Wayne is a man of many talents; holding various positions in organizations and team management as an administrator, president, manager, coach and umpire to name a few. In the past Wayne has coached and managed Sr. A & Sr. B Open men’s fastpitch teams, always being involved in the game. In 1995, Wayne joined the Smitty’s group, coaching Jr. A women and Midget A girls leading them through provincial play and onto Nationals and Western Championship tournaments. In November 2003, Wayne was elected by acclamation to the Presidency of the Smitty’s organization; a position he continues to hold. Level headed and steady, Wayne brought stability to our group with time to listen to everyone’s concerns and has directed our path diligently and with great insight and determination to do what is in the best interest of the sport and those who play the game.

    Ken Fredricksen – Inducted in 2009

Ken, a “true Smitty’s friend” has worked tirelessly within the Smitty’s Organization for 13 years. Ken has coached at every level – Pee Wee A through Senior A winning numerous provincial titles and competing at Westerns and Nationals. Ken was a part of the coaching staff that won Junior gold in 2006, Senior A gold in 2007 and Senior A silver in 2008 at the National championships. Ken has served on the Executive as Treasurer for many years including the hosting of Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget Westerns. A steady, dedicated, level headed man; he has brought a great sense of loyalty and integrity to our organization. We often seek his opinion on important matters knowing full well that he sees the “total picture” and will act accordingly.

    Donna Chief – Inducted in 2010

Donna joined the Smitty’s Sr A team in 1985 and immediately made an impact on the success of the team. She grew up in Dinorwic, just east of Kenora, Ontario where she played her minor ball and developed her pitching skills without any formal training.

Donna had total command of a variety of pitches; the drop, change, lazy rise but her most prolific pitch was her rise ball, both fast and furious which few batters could touch. At age 14 she joined the Senior Ladies Family team; the Wabigoon Bravettes who became the top team in that area. In 1985 Donna joined Smitty’s leading them to 7 provincial titles and 7 trips to the Canadian Championships winning bronze in 1991. In 2001 & 2002 she and her Smitty’s team won silver and gold in the Western Canadian Championships.

In 1988-1991; Donna’s pitching prowess earned her a softball scholarship at Mayville State University in North Dakota where she was named All- Conference and All-District in each of those years graduating with a degree in education.

    Sandy (Love) Johnson – Inducted in 2010

Donna was also named a principal player on Canadian teams participating in the North American Indigenous games at Oklahoma City in 1986 and at Sacramento, California in 1987. In Edmonton, Alberta in 2003 she pitched a no-hitter against a team from Iowa. Donna has been the recipient of many awards and most recently was inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame as a member of the Smitty’s team.

Sandy joined the Smitty’s Bantam team (then called Grant Park Harrow) in 1976. Following a two year hiatus spent almost twenty five years playing for the same team; progressing from Bantam through to the Masters category in 2001.
Sandy’s early minor ball was played in the Crestview area of Winnipeg where she emerged as a promising pitcher. When Smitty’s lost their only catcher to injury she stepped right in and became one of the top catchers both provincially and nationally, winning all star selection at that position. A great student of the game, very knowledgeable calling the pitches to batters weaknesses, a great team player, loyal and committed. Sandy possessed a strong arm and a solid bat. She was instrumental in the team’s success over the years.

Sandy was the recipient of many awards and accolades at the provincial, regional and national stages. In the early 80’s, she was approached by Adrian LaVigne, coach of Alpha Sports (a team of top Canadian players) to join their squad and travel to other countries to play winter ball. After a stint in New Zealand, Sandy was back in Winnipeg.

With the Smitty’s team she won 20 provincial titles, made 13 trips to Canadian championships: 1981, 82, 83, 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 97 during which she won 4 medals; bronze in 1983, 1991, 1993 and gold in 1997.

With the Smitty’s team she attended Western Canadian Championships in 1976, 77, 78, 79, 85, 2001, 2002 and collected 6 medals; gold in 2002, bronze in 1976, 1978, 1979, and silver in 1977, and 2001.

Sandy was inducted into the Manitoba Sport Hall of Fame as a team member of Smitty’s in 2003. She was also inducted with her team into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame in 2007.