Sports Wall of Fame

Somerville, Jim (Butch)

Somerville, Jim (Butch)
Full size image of plaque

Jim Somerville’s baseball career started in the 1930’s as a bat boy for the first Junior and senior teams in Chippawa, where he would drag heavy bed springs over the infield before every game. In 1941, while playing Junior ball, Jim was called up to play for Bright’s Senior “A” Team. They managed to capture the 1941 Senior “A” Ontario Baseball Association Championship. In 1943 and 1944, while stationed in Toronto with the Royal Canadian Air Force, he would travel back to Niagara, to play for the Niagara Falls Senior “A” Team. Jim practiced with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Professional International League. From 1945 to 1947, he was a member of the Houck Senior Baseball Team, capturing the Ontario Baseball Association Senior “B” Championship in 1945 and 1946. Since 1946, the team has held an annual Golf Tournament/Reunion Day every September, which Jim has organized for the past forty years.

In 1953, Jim was Player/Manager, of the Kerrio’s Senior “A” District Champions and Manager in 1957. In 1958, Jim began coaching the Chippawa Pee Wee Baseball Team. He proudly took the team to the championship that season and again in 1959. He was also involved in coaching youth hockey in the 1960’s.

Jim was an avid athlete in many sports including football, basketball, curling and golf. Jim and his son, Jim Jr., won the first Niagara Falls Curling Club Father and Son Bonspiel. Also, to his credit, Jim has celebrated two hole-in-ones on the golf course.

Presented January 2002. 
 

Additional Images & Resources

 
Chippawa Pee Wee Baseball Team 1958  Chippawa Pee Wee Baseball Team 1958
From the library's image database (click the link to view the full record)

Title Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame - Chippawa Pee Wee Baseball Team 1958
Description  era 1951 - 1970
Notes  Image may not be reproduced without the written consent of the City of Niagara Falls, Parks, Recreation and Culture Department ; induction January 1999 ; Front row: Gerry Crowley, Dave Gohm, John Bevan, Chick Rose, Bob Rutherford, Bill Thomas, Gerry Bowman, Gerry Bradman ; Middle Row: Jim Somerville, Keith Oleksuik, Jay Morrison, Bill Newman, Dan Brophy, Michael Quinn, Bob Goody ; Back Row: Jim T Somerville Coach, Paul Kadlick, Lee Herbold, Don Mann, Bob Watson, Rick Somerville Captain, Steve Fellinger Coach ; Missing: Ed Thomas ;
Date  1999.
 
 
Clikc to view a photograph of the Induction Ceremony  Clikc to view a photograph of the Induction Ceremony
From the library's image database (click the link to view the full record)

Title 13th annual Sports Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony - Jim (Butch) Somerville
Creator  Simon, Pat
Description  L-R: In backgound (in red) Wall of Fame Committee member Bill Irvine, Peter Somverille acceptng the plaque on behalf of Jim Somerville, Mayor Wayne Thomson
Notes  Induction January 2002 ;
Date  January 20, 2002.
 
 
 
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