EDMONTON MUTTART BLUES (1972-1976) – INDUCTED 2008

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The original Muttart Blues Ladies Fastpitch team was formed in 1972. The team members were gathered from several other teams, most notably the Army & Navy Pats, Soldan Fence Rebels, Baydala Drugs, and Charlesmuir Electric. At that time, Dyan Galley & Ruth Ulrich approached Ted Mildon, who was CEO of Muttart Industries Ltd., to sponsor the team.

In 1972, the team played in the Edmonton Ladies League and finished the schedule in first place. The Blues went on to the Senior ‘A’ Provincial Championship in Calgary and lost in a best two of three series. Success was just around the corner. Over the next four years, the team won every Provincial Championship and represented Alberta at Canadian Championships.

1973 Senior ‘A’ Women’s Provincial Champions
Canadian Championships in Richmond Hill, Ontario – 5th place
Individual Awards: Dyan Galley – All Star Left Field
Donna Shantz – All Star Second Base

1974 Senior ‘A’ Women’s Provincial Champions
Canadian Championships in Edmonton – Bronze Medalists
Individual Awards: Rose Marshall – All Star Right Field
Ruth Ulrich – Selected to represent Canada at the World Championships in Stratford, Connecticut

1975 Senior ‘A’ Women’s Provincial Champions
Canadian Championships in Calgary – 4th place

1976 Senior ‘A’ Women’s Provincial Champions
Canadian Championships in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec – 4th place
Individual Awards: Sandy Peterson – All Star Centre Field

The ‘Blues’ were favourites or co-favourites at Canadian Championships at a time when the competition was fierce with every province and territory being represented. They either finished first or tied for first in the round-robin in their division on a consistent basis.

From their first year of operation in 1972 to 1973 and early in the 1974 season (first six games), their record was 71 victories, 6 losses and 2 ties. They were a good hitting team throughout the line-up, strong defensively with speed in the outfield. They won many tournaments during their years of competitive play.

The team continued to function with different sponsors for the next several years (to 1986) and attended many more Provincial and Canadian Championships. The above- mentioned five-year period however, marks a significant performance by one team in both Provincial and Canadian competition.

Team members Dyan Galley (deceased) and Bernice Lechner were previously inducted into the Softball Alberta Hall of Fame.