The Thorburn Mohawks, who won three straight provincial and Maritime championships between 1963 and 1965, are one of Maritime softball’s true dynasties. Thorburn Mohawk teams traced a glittering history through the 20th century starting with five straight Pictou County championships from 1930-34, provincial titles in 1933 and 1934 and a Maritime crown in 1934. And now, the Mohawks of the early 1960s are being recognized for traveling through three years and three provinces with precision, cutting down every team they faced with low-hit pitching, high-powered offence, stellar defence and the ultimate definition of the word “teamwork”. Team members included Don Bowden, Fred Brow, Phil Cameron, Art Forsyth, Donnie Fraser, Mason Johnston, Francis Kiley, John Kyle, Ernie MacDonald, Hillard MacDonald , Steven MacDonald, Sam MacDougall, Robert MacEachern, Gordon MacKay, Bill MacKinnon, Gordon MacKinnon, Allan MacLaughlin, Graham MacLean, Cyril MacLeod, Bill Munro, Melvin Smith, John Vance, coach Tom Forsyth and assistant coach Buddy MacDonald and manager Bobbie MacDougall.

Coach Tom Forsyth, the only deceased member of the Mohawks, was revered by every member of the Mohawks, including first baseman Smith who says, “He gave us discipline and the things we took through life. We didn’t know it at the time but when he started coaching, it made us realize how much he sacrificed for us.”

Practising practically every night of the week illustrated the Mohawks’ dedication to the team’s success. “My memories are of the people,” Munro said. “It was the fondness, the kindness and support from the people of Pictou East that I remember best.” Gordon MacKinnon and Allan MacLaughlin were the Mohawks’ ace pitchers and best hitters but Smith called the Mohawks a team of equals. “It never went to anyone’s head that they were better.” MacKinnon was a great percentage hitter. MacLaughlin was big and strong. While MacKinnon was a finesse pitcher who could spot the ball, MacLaughlin was a power pitcher who released the ball from ground level in the days before the whip pitch made its way into softball. Gordon could play anywhere and was a tremendous hitter, very aggressive at the plate, Munro noted. “Allan threw left-handed and his knuckles would be bleeding because his delivery was so low that his hand would hit the ground. Allan would have his riser in one game and then we’d have Gordon pitching with his pinpoint control and a real spin on the ball. They kept opposing hitters off-balance.”

Johnston, the catcher, was a fixture. “Mason had the perfect demeanor for a catcher – tough, cocky and confident,” Munro said. For years, Hillard MacDonald was considered one of the best fielders at at third base in Nova Scotia. Bowden was ideal in centre field. “He could motor,” said Munro, who recalled one time when Bowden chased a pop fly all the way to the infield and threw out a runner who thought he was off-balance after the catch. At first base, Munro said Smith “had great range and could dig out the low throws.”

Team members: Don Bowden, Fred Brow, Phillip Cameron, Art Forsyth, Tom Forsyth (coach), Donnie Fraser, Mason Johnston, Francis (Moe) Kiley, John Kyle, Ernie MacDonald, Hillard MacDonald, Les (Buddy) MacDonald (assistant coach), Steve MacDonald, Bob MacDougall (assistant coach), Sam MacDougall (captain, 1963), Robert MacEachern, Bill MacKinnon, Gordie MacKinnon, Allan MacLaughlin (captain 1964-65), Graham MacLean, Cyril MacLeod (manager), Gordon McKay, Bill Munro, Melvin Smith, John Vance.

Bio courtesy of  Steve Goodwin