HISTORY

     Although the exact year that what is now known as the St. Thomas and District Fastball League began is unknown according to one reliable source who was involved in the original league, the four team St. Thomas City League began in the mid 1940's which would make the current edition of the League on or around 60 years old.

 

     Over the years, the League has gone through many teams and several changes in format.

 

     In the 60's and 70's the League enjoyed its best years, number wise, when fastball was in its glory years. During those years, the League was truly an Elgin County and St. Thomas and District League and operated with an 8 to 12 team "A" Division and a 6 to 10 team "B" Division in any one season. Most of the teams in either division were sponsored by St. Thomas and area businesses or industries. The "and District" part of the name consisted of teams from surrounding communities such as Aylmer, Port Stanley, Shedden and Union. The St. Thomas and District League co-existed alongside the Southwold Fastball League, 10 to 15 teams in any season, the Yarmouth Fastball League, 8 to 10 teams in any season as well as the very competitive Memorial Fastball League. The more competitive St. Thomas and District League became the feeder system for area teams in the Memorial League. Rules regarding player movement between teams in these leagues was very strict and all three leagues were able to survive despite the restrictions.

 

     Unfortunately for this League and others, one of the two "S" words began to take their toll. In the mid seventies with the introduction of slo-pitch to the area, both talented and average players began to drift towards slo-pitch and with their leaving the teams began to dwindle and the leagues eventually began to fold. By 1992, the St. Thomas and District League was the only league remaining in Elgin County.

 

     By the mid eighties, the St. Thomas and District League was down to four teams. Faced with the prospect of a very repetitive and very boring schedule for the 85 season or the alternative of a possible one year hiatus, the former was decided. Realizing that a one year hiatus would no doubt mean the demise of the League, it was thanks to the representatives of these four teams, Port Stanley Stuarts, Shedden Royals, St. Thomas Royal House Blues and St. Thomas Scott Kennedy Sports Kardinals that the League in its present format continues to operate today. One more team did join the League that year and the following season the League accepted two more teams.

 

     Since that season, the League has operated with anywheres from to seven to fourteen teams including an "A" and "B" division for a few seasons in the early nineties.

 

     Despite the other "S" word "soccer" hurting the future growth of fastball at the youth level in this area, the St. Thomas and District Fastball League is a survivor. It continues to be one of the most competitive leagues in Ontario and more than holds it's own against the best from other leagues throughout Ontario and the States. Proof of the competitiveness within its own League is in the past five seasons, five different teams have laid claim to the League Play-off Championship.

 

     Outside of League play, member teams have represented themselves and the League very well. In 2002, the Alvinston Indians claimed the inaugural ISC II Championship in Kitchener. The following season, 2003, Shedden Mission claimed bronze at the ISC II World's in Appleton, Wisconsin and last season, 2004, Highgate Rock claimed the OASA Intermediate "C" Championship in Wiarton, Alvinston the Master's Provincial Championship in Port Perry and Union Storm the OASA Senior Championship in Owen Sound.

 

     The 2009 edition of the St. Thomas and District Major Fastball League currently takes in six teams from four counties including  Shedden and St.Thomas in Elgin County, Glanworth and Glencoe in Middlesex County, Alvinston in Lambton County and  Morpeth in Chatham Kent.

Through the Year's of the St. Thomas and District Fastball League