Description
On Saturday, September 4, 1971, the Middleton Avco Midget B team won the first Nova Scotia minor baseball title for Middleton in 23 years.
The Avcos played under the tutelage of former Middleton Cardinal great Mann Deveau with Ken Crowell serving ably as Assistant Coach. The twelve member squad played games that summer versus teams from Berwick, Kentville, Bridgewater, Liverpool and Halifax and enjoyed much success on the diamond. The Avcos were a versatile team with most members playing several positions. The following shows their formidable roster: Gregg Gaul (pitcher), Don “Duke” Marshall (pitcher and first baseman, described by Kentville baseball great Eddie Gillis as “the best leftie in Nova Scotia”), Keith Johnson (pitcher and shortstop), Jeff Parent or “Mr. Utility” (pitcher and slick middle infielder), Doug MacDonald (catcher and second base), Lee Crowell (catcher and second base), Doug Connell (right field and occasionally catcher), long-ball hitter Hal Elliott (center field), Peter Hebb (third base and shortstop), Jim Balcom (left field), Greg Bent (infielder), Tim Snyder (infielder).
For the title, the Avcos defeated Westville two straight games in a best of three final. The first game was an 18-3 romp for Middleton behind winning pitcher Greg Gaul. The second game was much closer with a 9-6 victory for the Avcos with Keith Johnson as starting pitcher being relieved by Greg Gaul. Greg was later relieved by Jeff Parent who eventually picked up the win. All players contributed to the Championship games.