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 senior titles in 1932 and 1934, and a Maritime crown in 1934. Today, the Mohawks of the early 1960s are being recognized for traveling 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”.

In an era when softball was the game of choice, the statistics compiled by the Junior Mohawks remain without equal in the annals of Maritime softball. A win-loss record of 30 wins, 3 losses, and one tie (in provincial and Maritime playoffs); a team batting average of .333, while the opposition was limited to a mere .170 average; scoring 396 runs, while allowing the opposition only 139; and winning the Trenton Softball League Championship in 1964 and 1965, while competing against both intermediate and senior teams, are all facts that testify to the greatness of the young Mohawks team.

Undoubtedly, the Mohawks would have been successful in any era, including today. It is worthy to note that the actual playing of the game represents only one dimension of this great softball team. The team camaraderie was unique. They recruited players, looked after player cards, developed the ball field, organized transportation, practiced three to five times a week, prepared the field for games, arranged for umpires, looked after advertising, and arranged games. Accordingly, the players became a family wherein trust, respect, and a belief in one another contributed to the concept of team both on and off the field. As a result, there was (and remains today) a bond among this group of young men that contributed to their greatness on the field and individual success in both career and community. Even after 30 years the team remains close.

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.