The Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame and Museum's 2017 Induction Ceremony was last night at the Canad Inns in Portage la Prairie.

Several Portage la Prairie players, and even a couple of teams were honoured in front of friends and family last night.

"It's fabulous evening on so many levels," says Manitoba's Premier Brian Pallister, who was inducted with the 86' Portage Diamonds.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister chatting it up with people at the event. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)
"It's a celebration of volunteerism, team sport, and the individual accomplishments are great. I'm particularly proud of our Diamonds team we formed back in the day, going in and being recognized. A lot of great ball was played in Portage over the years and it really started with that team."

Several other Portagers made the cut from the Diamonds including Blake Spiller, Dean Moxham, and Ferdi Nelissen -- who also went in as an individual athlete.

"A lot of friends, family, former teammates and great people came out to this event. It's a great group to go in with for sure," says Nelissen. "I feel so honoured and blessed to be involved with this, and to have Larry Dewis nominate me, and everyone thinking I'm worthy of this. It's a tremendous evening with a lot of reminiscing."

Ferdi Nelissen (left) and Mikki (Cochrane) Hanson on stage at last night's celebration. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

Mikki (Cochrane) Hanson, who now lives in St. Francis, Minnesota, made the trip home to Portage in to be a part of the celebration. Mikki helped team Manitoba win Bronze at the Canada Summer Games in 1988, and at 20, she had a career year in NCAA Division II at UND averaging 9.8 strikeouts for each seven innings pitched. Her fastball was clocked at 62 mph, and her 140 strikeouts for the year is a school record.

"It's always fun to get together with old teammates and see people we've played with..." says Hanson. "...and a lot of other people like coaches through time. It's been a lot of fun."

Portager Deanna Mitchell was inducted with the Smitty's A-2 Terminators team who won Canadian Gold in 2008, and silver in 2007. She says it's exciting to be inducted along with her sister.

"It's awesome to be in Portage for this and to be amongst all these Portage people that are being inducted into the Hall of Fame. I'm honoured, and really honoured to be with my teammates here tonight. It was a great part of my life."

Here are the inductees from last night. Pictures can be found below.

Athletes
Mikki Cochrane
Randy Dutiaume
Rick Elias
Dave LaFrance
Ferdi Nelissen
Terry Wallin

All-Around
Wayne Richardson

Builder
Les Newman

Teams
2008 & 2009 Smitty’s A2 Senior Women’s Fastpitch Team
1986 Portage Diamonds Men’s Fastball Team