Ferdi Nelissen, Garth Asham, and their teammates were recently inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame as members of two dominant squads: the 1983–85 Winnipeg Internationals and the 1987–89 Winnipeg Ashams. The recognition wasn’t just for individual feats, but for what they accomplished as a unit—winning provincial championships, representing Manitoba at nationals, and competing at ISC World Tournaments.
Nelissen brings the sport to life and makes you want to join a fastball team to garner memories, as he explains how that the honour meant more because it was shared.
"It's great to go in as an individual," notes Nelissen. "But it's way more special going in with the team. You haven't seen guys for years, decades. It's cool."
The teams competed at the Open Level Men's Fast Pitch division—the highest possible level outside of national team play. "There's no higher level for club ball unless you're playing on the national teams," adds Nelissen. The induction ceremony was held May 5 at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg.
"There were probably 500 or 600 people there," says Nelissen. "It was packed. It was a great crowd. There were some really good honourees, other teams, and individuals who went in. It was a special night."
Origins and evolution of a powerhouse
The Winnipeg Internationals and Winnipeg Ashams teams emerged from the long-standing Winnipeg Colonels organization. As Nelissen explains, the Internationals were originally sponsored by the International Inn, while the Ashams name came from Arnold Asham—Garth's brother—who took over as both sponsor and head coach.
"In 1983, the first year I ever played for them in that organization, Arnold was also the head coach," says Nelissen. "We went to Nationals and finished fourth in the country. Our only two losses came to the two teams in the finals. We had a spectacular run. We were six and two at the Nationals."
The teams evolved over the years, but the winning culture remained. Nelissen says it was a blend of veteran leadership and raw talent that propelled them forward.
"We had a good group of guys with some talent. Grant Skinner, Ron Gustafson—all guys I learned from because I was probably one of the younger guys on that team. Thankfully, I had enough ability to play in that lineup. Ron Gustafson, who just passed away, was one of the best three or four athletes I ever played any sport with. Phenomenal athlete. He was an All-American football player at North Dakota."
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"He tried out for the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL," adds Asham.
"Yeah, and his knee went. He was a blur. You didn’t pick up the ball on the second hop, he was already at first. He had power. He was six-three. Just an outstanding athlete and a great teammate."
Culture of teamwork
Nelissen stresses that team-first mentality was what carried them to so many victories.
"That’s the other side of that success. You surround yourself with guys that aren’t worried about individual roles and are more focused on what we can do as a group. I've been very fortunate over the years that the teams I played with mostly had that mindset. Not everyone's perfect, but for the most part, guys are there because they want to contribute to a group having success—not just their own stats. That’s where you get success, when people want to pull together. You’re at the plate, known for being a good hitter, but the coach puts a bunt on you. That’s what’s best for the team at the moment. Then put the bunt down. Lay it down. Do it."
Nelissen's own career evolved with his role on the field. He started as a shortstop, moved to the outfield, and then was asked to catch, which became a passion.
"In 1986 our Portage Diamonds team didn’t have a catcher, and I caught a game in my life. But between the brain trust—Larry Dewis and Brian Pallister—they offered me the chance to catch. I said to people, 'Don’t worry about where you play. Just fill the hole that needs to be filled'."
He credits Wayne "Snoop" Richardson for giving him his first start on a men’s team at 15 or 16 years old.
"He was the guy who gave me that opportunity. I still remember—I was always a shortstop—and he says, ‘You're starting right field.’ Didn’t give him a look. Just ran out there."
Asham interjects, "You had a quality arm, burn, that was second to none."
"Yeah, people just didn’t run on me," continues Nelissen. "Everyone thinks shortstop is the glory spot, but where do you need the best arm? Right field. People say centre, but no, that’s where you should have your best arm. Arnold knew that. He’d play me in centre or other places depending on the lineup, but he knew with Ron Gustafson in centre and me in right, we had the outfield covered."
"Arnold made coaching decisions that gave the team the best chance to win. He let us play. He wasn’t conservative like some coaches. Snoop was traditional. First runner on, bunt. Move them over. Arnold liked to hit and run. He liked to steal. If he had speed, he’d use it. He’d put the other team’s defence under pressure. That was fun for a ballplayer. He basically gave me a green light. If you think you can steal—go steal."
Memorable runs and legendary leagues
Of all their seasons, 1983 and 1987 stand out to Nelissen.
"In 1983, we had that Nationals run. In 1987, we played in probably the toughest travel league in Canada, maybe North America. You had four teams that had won Canadian Nationals. Calgary, Camrose, ABC, Saskatoon—those were powerhouse teams. Just getting out of the league to go to ISC Worlds was tough. That year was special for me. I led the team in hitting and had one of my best seasons. And probably because of how Arnold used me. If you can hit, a coach will find a spot for you. I wasn’t always a home run hitter, but I could hit to the gaps."
The Winnipeg Internationals operated at a near-professional level. Nelissen recalls, "They took me out for supper. Wined and dined me to come to Winnipeg. Talked about per diems on the road. We played our home games at Charlie Krupp Park. I lived in Portage, but I got a room every weekend at the International Inn. We had our own clubhouse. Put your gear in a basket and the trainer washed it. It was run at a different level."
They played in iconic ballparks like Gordie Howe Park in Saskatoon and Kaplan Field in Regina.
"These weren’t complexes. They were stand-alone ballparks. They could hold 4,500 to 5,000 people and would be three-quarters full every time we played. That was cool. You get to play in front of crowds like that—it’s special."
Nelissen also credits Asham’s support for his development. "In 1987, Arnold gave Garth a pitching machine. We’d go to an empty field and Garth would feed me ball after ball. I wasn’t always driving into Winnipeg, so that work mattered. The game’s been really good to me. Coast to coast, all over the U.S. I played my last 10 years on teams in the States. I was blessed to be with great teammates and mentors."
Brotherhood beyond the diamond
Asham recalls a turning point during a game against the Portage Diamonds.
"They beat us the first game. We had a team meeting in the outfield. Everyone spoke up—honestly, freely. That was probably one of the highlights of my coaching career. We came back out and did the job. I'll never forget it. It was a special time. We didn’t always win, but we had a good quality bunch of guys who could win on any given day. To be part of that was an extreme privilege."
The Hall of Fame induction brought back those memories and friendships.
"We got together at Smitty’s a few days before, just so the surprise element would be gone," says Nelissen. "We hadn’t seen some guys in 20, 25, even 30 years. But it’s like you pick up right where you left off. It’s like a brotherhood. You accomplish something together and it stays with you for life," he continues. "You don’t see each other like you used to, but when you do, it’s like no time has passed. That connection stays."
Nelissen, who also played university volleyball and was inducted into the Volleyball Manitoba and Canada West Halls of Fame, says going in as a team is uniquely rewarding. "When it’s your turn to go up there, you’re with a group. That’s special."
Asham agrees. "As a coach, I could see this team was different. Great personalities, great athletes. Coaching wasn’t hard. They blended themselves together."
For both men, the Hall of Fame induction was about far more than stats or trophies—it was about the bond that comes from shared purpose and lifelong respect.
"It doesn’t get old," says Nelissen. "When you go in as a team, it’s just a great feeling."
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