Magic happens!

Darren was last on the program, but number one in our hearts. His mom, Edith and father, John, sister Leslie and brother Mack were there. Of course his wife, Charlotte and son Darren Jr. Were in attendance. One of Darren’s catchers, Randy Peck and his wife, were there too.

Amidst the 300 people in attendance, 30 family and friends travelled to Ottawa to see and be with the Big Guy. Other inductees spoke highly of the Z-Man. There was a good number of umpires in attendance. It was truly entertaining to listen to the men in blue debate, when they first had the opportunity to ump one of Darren’s games. Stories were going back and forth on which of the big games did the ump with him. And here I thought Umpires didn’t have a heart.

In addition to Darren, the female player inductee was Phyllis Bomberry, a Six Nations woman from Oshweken. Phyllis was born in 1943. Her 25 year career began in 1951 and went till 1976. Phyllis collected her fair share of batting titles and MVP accolades. She was the first female to win the Tom Longboat award in 1969.

Later after the ceremony was over it was great to listen to her and Darren swap stories. Phyllis subtle humour was soon apparent. Upon hearing the Z-Man describe his arsenal of pitches including the riser, the curve and drop ball along with a multitude of off speed pitches, Phyllis did not seem impressed. She explained that a woman from Connecticut used only 3 pitches . Fast, medium and slow. The Connecticut pitcher struck out 21 batters in a row from Phyllis’s team. A perfect game!

“So why do you, Big Guy, need so many?”...You simply had to love her.

The Big Guy was so nervous, yet his speech was fantastic. A great example of heart speaking! No notes, no carefully memorised speech, yet he accepted the moment and seemed to speak to us individually. Each person who touched his life was mentioned, thought of..... it was great . The simple eloquence, honesty, respect and sincerity in Darren’s words, touched all the listeners.

Darren’s story of how it began was intriguing, yet so simple. He described how he had went away to play hardball in southern Ontario. After realizing that his life was meant to go in another direction, he returned home.

His dad, John, told him “Hey Boy we need a pitcher”. So John would come home, with his work boots on put his work glove on his catching hand and slap on his ball glove. Hours were spent throwing that ball. Gloves were worn out ...balls were worn out...and many trips to what ever was being used as a back stop were made. Of course Darren was not an overnight success. Hard work and innumerable hours of practice created him.

Darren has the unique ability to be able to learn from anyone, at any time. Stan Solomon, who was the GR pitcher, when Z first tried his hand at pitching was one of the early influences. I remember Darren trading secrets with Duke Madahbee on Duke’s mesmerising change-up. Darren also learned from local pitchers such as the late Donnie Newman, Ray Lato Jr., Jake Derosario, Shoeless Jimmy Coulis, Tony Bergman, Harold Barton, George Crack and others too numerous to mention.

Even after winning the World Championships in 1992 he was still willing to discuss pitching styles and techniques with every pitcher who would talk to him. It didn’t matter who they were a discussion on pitching was an ongoing topic that he could not pass up. It has been a pure pleasure to watch this humble but proud man.

His passion for learning is equalled by his ability to focus. After conferring with him on giving away his pitches by a particular motion. He changed his pitching style that very inning. Darren repeatedly dreamt about games he had pitched and was going to pitch. His mind and body were so in sync that during his dreams he would sweat as if he a had pitched a full game. Many a time he woke up in a soaked bed.

The Z-Man is a fastpitch softball pitcher extraordinaire. His amazing speed, dazzling control and outstanding heart make him an batter’s nightmare. The big righthander can make his ball rise, drop, curve, screw and literally dance across the plate. The icing is that he can throw bullets and then come back at you with a deceptive change up.

Darren has dazzled batters and fastpitch fans around the world. He as traveled to New Zealand, Manilla, Cuba, Argentina, Mexico and all over Turtle Island. His imposing presence and gentlemanly demeanor have made him a fan favorite where ever he goes.

Can you imagine facing a 6'3", 275 pounder with a 32 oz piece of aluminum in your hand? Now, in the 1995 International Softball Congress’s World Tournament Darren was simply miraculous.

He pitched seven straight days and on the seventh day, Darren did not rest. He hurled three consecutive games on that Sunday, in Sioux City Iowa. He won ten consecutive games to lead the Toronto Gators to the world championships. Total domination would be the classic understatement. Not only did he pitch 69 and 2/3 inning without giving up a run, he also struck out 150 opposition batters in 73 2/3 innings. Yes folks, that’s right no opposing batter crossed the plate in 10 games. He struck out an average of 2.1 batters per inning. That, readers is simply amazing.

Darren truly deserves the Hall of Fame recognition. His career began in the late 70's and has spanned some 30 years. Leading the Garden River Braves to places we never dreamed about. Pitching 6 or 7 games a weekend. Keeping the opposition from scoring, then hitting the winning home run to win the game.

Truly a magical career!!!

PS- for an added bonus...wait till you hear Darren’s magical harmonica play the Free Willy theme.!!

DARREN ZACK
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

AWARDS
SOFTBALL CANADA HALL OF FAME - 2009

WALK OF FAME - Sault Ste Marie 2007

SAULT STE MARIE SPORTS HALL OF FAME - Inaugural Inductee 2002

27th annual Canadian Sport Awards 2000
TOM LONGBOAT AWARD - outstanding male aboriginal athlete of the year

H.P. BROUGHTON AWARD - sponsored by Sault Ste. Marie - Rotary Club
Symbolic of Sault Ste. Marie Sports Person of the Year 1995

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Sports Category 1997

CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM 1991 - 2004

WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS (10 wins - 2 losses)
Gold medal 1992 ( 4 -0)
Silver Medal 1996, 2004

PAN- AMERICAN GAMES Gold Medal 1991 1995 1999


INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL CONGRESS

CHAMPIONSHIPS
Toronto Gators
1993 first Canadian team to win this event
1995

1998 Tampa Bay Smokers

2000 Decatur Pride.

INDIVIDUAL RECORDS

MOST CONSECUTIVE INNINGS WITHOUT ALLOWING A RUN
69 2/3 Toronto Gators 1995 (10 straight games)

MOST WINS, TOURNAMENT - (holds 1st and 2nd exclusively and is tied for 3rd)
Toronto Gators 1995
Toronto Gators 1993
Vancouver Magicians 1992

MOST STRIKEOUTS, TOURNAMENT - (Holds 1st, 2nd, 5th, on strikeout list)

150 73 2/3 Toronto Gators 1995
136 76 Vancouver Magicians 1992
108 63 Toronto Gators 1993

OUTSTANDING PITCHER
1992 Vancouver Magicians
1993 Toronto Gators
1995 Toronto Gators
2000 Decatur Pride

ALL-WORLD PLAYER (As a pitcher)
1992 Vancouver Magicians
1993 Toronto Gators
1994 Toronto Gators
1995 Toronto Gators
1996 Toronto Gators
1998 Tampa Bay Smokers
2000 Decatour Pride
2003 County Materials
2004 County Materials

CS GOLD MEDALS 91,93, 95, and 97