Jim Bell
Coming up through the church league softball system, Jim Bell established himself as an elite pitcher very early in his career. He won provincial OASA championships with the IUE Bantams in 1962 and again in 1964 with the IUE Midgets. In the 1964 championships, he threw two no-hitters and a one-hitter in OASA midget play. At the age of 17 he made a spectacular debut into the City Men’s Softball league. The rookie sensation took the league by storm playing for Purveys. Not only did the team win the league championship and Taylor Trophy, but Jim also earned the league MVP and Top Pitcher honours. Georgie’s picked him up to play in the 1966 Senior B playdowns. In the 1967 season he fanned 109 batters to lead the league in that department. Jim played in the league from 1965 to 1983 winning the league title again with Associate Finance in 1973. The City entered a team in the Eastern Ontario Fastball League from 1976 to 1978 with Jim, Joe Flagler and Clair Leahy pitching the team to the EOFL Championship in 1977, where Jim was both player and coach. He played in the PMHA all-star system and was on the 1961 OMHA Bantam All Ontario Championship team. He participated in the first Quebec Winter Carnival Pee-Wee tournament and was a member of the Don Bye Junior B Petes 1963-l966. Jim was a good all round gold letter athlete in high school. He quarterbacked the Kenner Collegiate junior and senior football teams and also played hockey and lacrosse. By all accounts, Jim Bell was considered one of the best pitching talents to play in the Peterborough Men’s City Softball League. He was noted as a hard throwing pitcher who possessed a variety of pitches including a very good knuckleball. In 2018, Jim’s jersey was added to the Fence of Honour at the George (Red) Sullivan East City Bowl. Jim continues his love of ball, playing in the Senior Men’s Slo-Pitch League since 2006.
****Jim was interviewed in the fall of 2021 by Dan Malta of YourTV. The interview, in its entirety, may be watched by clicking on the YouTube logo below.
Jim Bell “Sports Legends of Peterborough & District”
Year Inducted:
2020
Status:
Active
Coming up through the church league softball system, Jim Bell established himself as an elite pitcher very early in his career. He won provincial OASA championships with the IUE Bantams in 1962 and again in 1964 with the IUE Midgets. In the 1964 championships, he threw two no-hitters and a one-hitter in OASA midget play. At the age of 17 he made a spectacular debut into the City Men’s Softball league. The rookie sensation took the league by storm playing for Purveys. Not only did the team win the league championship and Taylor Trophy, but Jim also earned the league MVP and Top Pitcher honours. Georgie’s picked him up to play in the 1966 Senior B playdowns. In the 1967 season he fanned 109 batters to lead the league in that department. Jim played in the league from 1965 to 1983 winning the league title again with Associate Finance in 1973. The City entered a team in the Eastern Ontario Fastball League from 1976 to 1978 with Jim, Joe Flagler and Clair Leahy pitching the team to the EOFL Championship in 1977, where Jim was both player and coach. He played in the PMHA all-star system and was on the 1961 OMHA Bantam All Ontario Championship team. He participated in the first Quebec Winter Carnival Pee-Wee tournament and was a member of the Don Bye Junior B Petes 1963-l966. Jim was a good all round gold letter athlete in high school. He quarterbacked the Kenner Collegiate junior and senior football teams and also played hockey and lacrosse. By all accounts, Jim Bell was considered one of the best pitching talents to play in the Peterborough Men’s City Softball League. He was noted as a hard throwing pitcher who possessed a variety of pitches including a very good knuckleball. In 2018, Jim’s jersey was added to the Fence of Honour at the George (Red) Sullivan East City Bowl. Jim continues his love of ball, playing in the Senior Men’s Slo-Pitch League since 2006.
****Jim was interviewed in the fall of 2021 by Dan Malta of YourTV. The interview, in its entirety, may be watched by clicking on the YouTube logo below.
Jim Bell “Sports Legends of Peterborough & District”