Maidstone Shamrocks and Green Hornets players and fans reunited decades later

by Garrett Fodor

Stories from the diamond and the rink came alive once more as the Olde Sandwich South and Area Historical Society (OSSAHS) celebrated the legacy of the Maidstone Shamrocks baseball teams and Maidstone Green Hornets hockey teams — sparking memories of competition, camaraderie, and community pride.

  On Sunday, the Historical Society welcomed the community to the Sandwich South Heritage Centre, reconnecting teammates, opponents, and the families of players from across the decades.  

The event featured memorabilia carefully preserved over time, offering a walk-through of local sports history.

  The idea came about through conversations among OSSAHS members as a way to honour the community and the achievements of local athletes. With many players now aging, the Society wanted to reconnect with them — and celebrate what Friday nights at the arena and Sundays around the diamond once meant to Maidstone and Essex County.  

“It brings back the community, even though it was 50, 60-years ago — they remember it,” Kevin Durocher, President of OSSAHS, said. “They remember the stories, they remember the people, and it's all about the community. To see people here today wearing their old memorabilia, their uniforms — it's special. It wasn't just a piece of clothing they threw away; they were treasured goods.”

  From the diamond, the Shamrocks began play in the 1930s as part of the Essex County Baseball League. Named for the strong Irish roots in the Maidstone community, they played on the diamond behind St. Mary’s Church — a field that still exists today. Known for its pristine condition, the diamond reflected the local pride and care poured into its upkeep.

  The Shamrocks remained active into the mid-1970s before giving way to the St. Mary’s Recreation League in the 1980s. Many players participated in both sports — playing baseball in the summer and hockey in the winter.

  On the ice, the Green Hornets competed in the Essex County Juvenile Hockey League from 1961 to 1971, facing teams from Essex, Cottam, Anderdon, Kingsville, and Harrow. They eventually played their Friday night games at Essex Memorial Arena — affectionately known as “the barn.”

Notable alumni include the late Jim Mahon, Bill Bellaire, and former NHLer Marc Reaume. Reaume, who attended the afternoon celebration with his wife, was warmly welcomed back as teammates and fans relived memories of the team’s glory days.

  "Before the Essex Arena was built, there were just four arenas in the area, so a lot of us grew up playing on ponds,” Lonnie Jones recalled, who coached the Green Hornets for five seasons. “As the season went along, you’d really see the development of the players. Years later, Essex started their house league, but they didn’t have travel teams yet — so the juvenile teams pulled all those kids in. 

"We had 12- and 13-year-olds playing against 19-year-olds. But when you had kids like Jimmy Mahon and Billy Bellaire, they were young but they fit in. Jimmy won the scoring championship at 13 and again at 14. That just shows what we were able to develop in that league.”

  “Friday nights were a family event,” Judy Wellwood-Robson, Vice Chairperson of OSSAHS, said. “My parents would go watch my brothers play — not because they thought their sons would become great hockey players, but because it was their social event. They always sat in the same spot each week and became friends with the people around them.

  "That was how people connected — it was the generation’s way of getting out, seeing each other, and being part of the community. And for so many of us growing up, those local hockey players were our heroes. Everyone felt a connection to the team and the community they played for.”

  Throughout the building, photos and memorabilia lined the walls — jerseys, trophies, programs, and newspaper clippings sparking stories and laughter that carried through the afternoon. For many, it was the first time seeing old teammates and friends in decades.

  When Marc Reaume and his wife entered the room, the conversation paused. Applause broke out, welcoming them back and celebrating a bond that has stood the test of time. Many lined up afterward to shake hands, share memories, and thank Reaume for attending.

  “We are extremely fortunate to have had so many people connect and participate in this reunion,” Durocher said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout. Hearing the stories and seeing the past players reminisce was incredible. We’re thankful to everyone who attended and helped showcase the history of the Shamrocks and the Green Hornets.”