Twins rename tournament

The Glacier Twins Legion baseball program has decided to rename its summer tournament as the Glacier Twins Memorial Tournament.

The name change comes after 28 years of calling the annual event the Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Tournament.

The tournament began in 1985 to honor the memories of past Twins players Ray Johnsrud and Jimmy Sapa, who were killed the year before in a car-train accident at a railroad crossing in Columbia Falls.

Several years ago the Twins began honoring other former Twins players and supporters who have met untimely deaths, Twins board member Bob Lockman told the Pilot.

“Hence we are renaming this tournament as the Glacier Twins Memorial Tournament,” he said.

Along with Johnsrud and Sapa, the tourney honors six other former players or Twins supporters. Cecil Caferro, a longtime Twins board officer and fan, will be added to the list this year. Caferro passed away last year at age 89.

The memorial tourney is typically held in early July or late June at Memorial Field in Whitefish.

The list of additional honorees include:

• Chris “Manny” Managhan (1978-1995) - Managhan was a Twins catcher who played three years for the Twins from 1993-1995. He died as a result of a motorcycle accident in 1995.

• Matt Hein (1979-1996) - Hein played first base for the Twins from 1994 -1996. He also died as a result of a motorcycle accident during his final season in 1996.

• Shawn Kelso (1979-2001) - Kelso was a Twins outfielder, first baseman and pitcher. He played four years for the Twins from 1994 -1997. His death was the result of an automobile accident.

• Byron Whitcomb (1988-2010) - Whitcomb was a shortstop for the Glacier Twins between 2003 and 2006. He was a victim of violence at the Fort Polk Army Base in Louisiana on June 19, 2010.

• Jim Chapman (1932-2006) - Chapman was raised and worked in the San Francisco area prior to moving to Whitefish in 2000. While in the Bay Area, he worked for Lockheed-Martin and for 19 years was the public address announcer for the San Jose Giants. During his time in the Flathead, Chapman volunteered endless hours and became known as the Voice of the Twins. He passed away on Jan. 16, 2006.

• Randy Dawdy (1957-2010) - Dawdy was born in Myrtle Point, Ore., and came to Montana early in his life. He was involved with the Glacier Twins for nearly 20 years, both as a board member and as the public address announcer. During this same time, Dawdy announced the Whitefish Bulldog football and basketball games.

Anyone who wishes to add honorees for the tournament should contact the Twins board.