Dave "Grumpy" Smith
Athlete/Builder - Slo-Pitch
Inducted: 2014
Dave Smith moved to Long Sault in 1986 and formed a slo-pitch team from players in the Long Sault Fastball League and coached this team to a provincial qualifying championship in Ottawa in their very first tournament. The following year, he started a league at the Long Sault diamond and leagues have been playing there ever since. Dave has organised dozens of Slo-Pitch National and Slo-Pitch Ontario provincial qualifying tournaments. He has sent close to 60 teams to the Provincials in Niagara Falls and London, Ontario, some of which have captured Canadian Championship titles.
Dave has played and coached in the provincial championships, representing Long Sault more than 20 times in various divisions. He has played and coached in mixed, men's open, men's masters (35+), and men's senior (50+) tournaments. He has also played in two National Championships in Niagara Falls and St John's, Newfoundland. When slo-pitch debuted at the 2008 Ontario 55+ Senior Games in London, Dave pitched for the bronze medal-winning District 8 squad.
Dave has been a tournament convenor for Slo-Pitch National since 1987 and Slo-Pitch Ontario since 1989. Widely considered an expert in slo-pitch rules, regulations and equipment, he is still playing, coaching, organising, and umpiring. Whenever you see a slo-pitch tournament in Long Sault or Ingleside, you can bet that "Grumpy" is there.
He has also been a tremendous supporter of the local sports community, supporting minor sports of all kinds, organising many fundraisers for the Long Sault Firefighters Association, and even for Melanie Banville's Olympic trip to Athens, Greece, to name just a very few.
Dave Smith accepting from Kristie Fetterly-Tate.