James “Hank” O’Rourke played for the 1921 Springhill Fencebusters. He was one of the original members of the renowned baseball team and was a dominant baseball catcher from the mid-1920’s to the mid-1940’s. The Fencebusters were the Maritime Champions in 1927, 1928, and 1945, and the Nova Scotia Champions in 1933. Since the team relied on local talent, many of his teammates were from the Springhill area.
O’Rourke was famous for making outstanding catches and plays at the plate. He was also known for the lack of protective equipment he wore. He felt that equipment hampered his playing style so he wore a very soft pliable mitt, no chest protector, no shin pads, and he played with his socks rolled down. O’Rourke was one of the Maritimes all-time home-run hitters, often being compared to the other great Springhill native, Dr. William A. “Bustin” Buddy” Condy.
O’Rourke was also a baseball coach, and in 1944 coached the powerful Halifax Shipyards’ team that included Vince Ferguson and Leo Woods, among others. Jim O’Rourke is an Original Sport Hall of Fame Inductee.
• Member of 1921 Springhill Fencebusters Team
• Dominant catcher from the mid 1920’s to 1940’s
• Member of Fencebusters Maritime Champs: 1927,28,45
• Member of Fencebusters, NS Champions: 1933
• Famous for his outstanding catches at the plate
• Did not wear chest protector or shin pads catching
• 1 of Maritimes all-time-home-run hitters
• Coach of 1944 Halifax Shipyards Baseball Team