The late Norman French of Delisle will take his place in the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Saturday.
French was born and raised on the family farm near Donavon. Along with the daily rigours of farm life, he became an avid, eager and competitive athlete. Although hockey was his winter passion, his true natural ability for the game of baseball was his true love.
In 1931, at the age of 14, French began his pitching career, striking out the veteran slugger, Gus Johnson four times in the same game. This impressive debut started him on a series of games and tournaments over the next few years, strutting his stuff against teams from Conquest, Donavon, Swanson, Bounty and more.
At 16, French made his first pitching start in the highly touted Saskatoon Exhibition Tournament, having being asked by Archie Reynolds to play with Delisle.
From 1934 to'45, Norman pitched annually at the Exhibition Tournament for Delisle and Wiseton. His baseball career highlight was in 1939, at the tournament when he was on the mound for Delisle, against Cliff Jacobsen of Eston, for the final game. It was a pitching duel and the game remained tied 2-2, until the last inning. A surprise bunt by Delisle's Bunk Hudson and an errant throw to first gave Delisle a 3-2 victory, and French his first Exhibition Championship.
French was a member of the Wiseton team that captured the 1945 Saskatoon Exhibition Tournament. That was his last appearance, at 28 years of age he retired for personal and family life. He did, however, make an occasional pitching appearance while retired.
It was in the 70s that French returned to again make his mark as a coach, in baseball, hockey and softball. It was during this time he touched the lives of many young people, teaching skills and sportsmanship, instilling respect for the game, teammates and opponents. His love of baseball, and all sports, was instilled into his players and family along with a terrific sense of humour and a no-nonsense, hard work and fair play approach.
The highlight of his coaching career was coaching the Bad News Bears girls' softball team.
French passed away May 13, 2010.
Tickets to the induction event are available by phoning 446-1983, e-mailing saskbaseballmuseum@sasktel.net or stopping by the museum in Battleford.
