Dean Holoien (left) and Keith Mackintosh (right) at the Softball Canada Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Saskatoon earlier this month (photo courtesy/222's Fastpitch, Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

Legendary Status

Melfort locals inducted into Softball Canada Hall of Fame

Nov 22, 2024 | 12:00 PM

Two local former softball players have been recognized with the highest honour of them all, getting inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Melfort natives Keith Mackintosh and Dean Holoien were bestowed with the status earlier this month in Saskatoon.

“I think it’s awesome that we got to go in at the same time… getting inducted is an honour in itself, but to get to go in with your best friend, business partner, and someone that you’ve played a lot with is pretty special,” said Mackintosh.

“I don’t think we ever thought we’d get here,” Holoein added. “Back when we were playing, it was just part of the path and the game just presented us with these kinds of opportunities. You look back on the teams, coaches, players, owners, and just everyone who played a part in our journeys… it’s pretty special when you get to sit back and think how many people had an influence.”

Both have plenty to look back on in their playing days as the accomplishments are long and impressive.

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Mackintosh was a member of the Canadian Men’s National Team in 2002, earning a silver medal at the Pan American Championship. He followed that up with a gold medal, as a co-captain, in the 2003 Pan American Games. At shortstop, he also is a multiple-time Canadian Champion, winning gold in the 1986 Midget Men’s and 1989 Junior Men’s with the Melfort 222’s.

As for Holoein, he represented the Canadian Men’s National Team at the 2004 World Cup, earning silver, while capturing bronze in the 2009 World Cup. As a pitcher, he had back-to-back Amateur Softball Association National titles and was a 2009 International Softball Congress World Champion.

“We had a lot of great opportunities and you don’t necessarily always think about the wins. There were some pretty great opportunities with Team Canada where we might have finished second or third, but looking back, those times were just as special,” Holoein told northeastNOW.

“The ceremony definitely provided us with an opportunity to look back on the glory days. We also got a lot of thank you’s from old friends and got to remember and talk about a lot of people who were different parts of our lives along the way.”

Following what was an amazing athletic career for both, the two are now co-owners and coaches for 222’s Fastpitch.

The softball company provides opportunities for the next generation of great players and athletes, giving the two lifelong sports diehards a different perspective on the game.

“I always joke that I don’t hurt as much anymore, coaching is definitely easier on the body. I obviously loved playing but coaching provides an element that I didn’t expect. You’re not in control so you just try and prepare your players as best you can… it’s a very rewarding feeling when these young kids are now graduating from the program a couple of years later, then going to college and potentially playing on the national team,” continued Mackintosh.

“It comes full circle and is definitely cool to say you hand a hand in. Coaching just keeps the great moments coming.”

222’s Fastpitch also brings the pair back to Melfort on a regular basis, something they’re grateful for, as they explained they wouldn’t be where they are today if they hadn’t grown up in the northeast.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8