Vancouver Grey Sox 07 Inducted to 2026 Hall of Fame - Team Category

The Vancouver Grey Sox Senior Men's Fastpitch Softball Club, specifically the 2007 Championship team, is nominated for induction into the Softball BC Hall of Fame under the Team category, having met the criteria by achieving Gold at a Canadian Championship and demonstrating excellence and distinction for Softball BC.

The Vancouver Grey Sox Program (2000–2009)

The Vancouver Grey Sox were a prominent Senior Men’s Fastpitch team that was re-established in 2000 and began competing at the Open level in 2002. Throughout their operational years, the Grey Sox were consistently strong representatives of British Columbia at the Canadian Men’s Fastpitch Championship and the ISC World Tournament. During their time at the Open level, the team competed in 7 Canadian Championships and 5 ISC World Tournaments. They played their home games at South Memorial Park in Vancouver.

The club was co-sponsored and led by Conrad Margolis and Larry Kancs, who served as executive leaders and alternated as Club President from 2000 to 2009. Their dedication helped the Grey Sox maintain an elite level of fastpitch on the West Coast, enabling top BC men’s fastpitch coaches and players to participate in the sport’s biggest events.

The Historic 2007 Canadian Championship Victory

The crowning achievement of the Vancouver Grey Sox was winning the 2007 Softball Canada Senior Men’s National Championship. This victory was particularly historic for BC softball:

• The 2007 Gold Medal marked the first time a Vancouver-based team had won the Nationals in 41 years.

• The team was strongly supported by co-sponsors Larry Kancs and Conrad Margolis, whose leadership was recognized as pivotal to this achievement.

• The Grey Sox finished the tournament in St. John’s, Newfoundland, with the Gold Medal, following earlier success as Bronze medalists in 2003 and Silver medalists in 2004 at the Canadians.

The Championship Game (September 2, 2007)

The final match showcased the team's ability to win under pressure, defeating the Host Roebothan McKay Marshall club of Newfoundland 1-0.

• The game was played in front of a hostile crowd of 6,000.

• Pitching Dominance: Korrey Gareau (a BC-based pitcher from Cobble Hill) hurled a complete game four-hit shutout, striking out 14 batters.

• Decisive Scoring: The single run of the game came in the top of the sixth inning. Rob Giesbrecht reached base and scored when Doug Cain (Victoria, BC) hit an RBI double to the left field fence.

• The championship ended when the Newfoundland team hit into a game-ending double play in the seventh inning.

• The Grey Sox starting lineup for the final included BC players such as Trevor Johnstone, Derek Mayson, Doug Cain, Bryan Abrey, Scott Newitt, Brian Banner, and Kevin Schellenberg.

The 2007 team, and the program surrounding it, brought honor and distinction to the sport in BC:

• Player Development: The team provided opportunities for top BC players to compete at the highest level and fostered talent that progressed to the Canadian National Team, including Nick Underhill, Rick Smith, Derek Mayson, Kevin Schellenberg, and Bryan Abrey.
• Coaching Excellence: Grey Sox Field Manager John Stuart later became the Head Coach for the Canadian National Team and led Team Canada to become ISF World Champions and Pan Am Games Champions in 2015.
• Community Support: The Grey Sox supported local ball by regularly running minor clinics and co-hosting the popular Vancouver Challenge Tournament at South Memorial Park, which helped boost local fastpitch visibility.

The 2007 Vancouver Grey Sox demonstrated peak excellence in Canadian softball, achieving a historic national title for Vancouver and showcasing BC talent on a national stage.