Calvin (Cal) Curtis Kirkey
Sport: Softball
Year Inducted: 1998
Calvin “Cal” Curtis Kirkey, born 1935, got an early start in learning the game of softball.
And, he had one of the best seats in the ball park. Kirkey served as a bat boy with Howard Smith Paper Mill teams.
As a junior, Kirkey played on Cornwall Junior Baseball League Championship teams in 1950, 1951, and 1952.
In 1953, he finished among the top 10 hitters with a .304 average.
He later moved to the North End Fastball League, arguably one of the finest fastball leagues in eastern Ontario.
He was a perennial top 10 hitter. In 1964, he finished sixth with a .344 average.
In the twilight of his playing career in 1977, Kirkey, now playing in the Sportsmen’s Softball League, became a playing coach. He was named Coach of the Year, while leading his team to the league Championship.
He was again named Coach of the Year in 1978.
In 1979, the Standard-Freeholder noted that Kirkey, “coaches, plays and has helped countless younger players improve their game. He maintains his dignity and cool. He’s a leader by example.”
He died September 2, 1999.