RUMFORD — For Ed Paterson, the passion still burns deeply for America’s pastime, and after his lifelong commitment and dedication to baseball, he is being recognized by the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.

Paterson will be inducted into the hall on Sunday, July 26, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. The Rumford native has always been intrigued with the sport.

”I fell in love with baseball when I was real young, as my father, Edward “Pinky” Paterson, was a very good third baseman in the old Timber League and Pine Tree League,” Ed Paterson said. ”I never saw him play baseball, as he was 40 when I was born, but used to watch him play softball in his later years. He loved to hit fast pitching. He used to take me out in the yard and play catch, bat Wiffle balls and tennis balls.”

The elder Paterson loved the Boston Red Sox and Ted Williams, while his son idolized Carl Yastremzski (Yaz).

”My father taught me to watch intently and listen to the announcers explain different aspects of the game,” Paterson said. ”He would explain things to me so I understood. You could say I learned to learned vicariously, something not a lot of youngsters do today. Most of the game and the understanding of it became ingrained in me at a very early age.”

Paterson learn fundamentals early in Little League under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Mike “Mico” Puiia. The elder Paterson and Puiia were teammates at Stephens High School and won the Class A state championship in 1936.

Paterson played one-on-one fast pitch with a tennis ball and backstop with a strike zone. When brother Kip, who is four years younger, was old enough, the two would play together.

“My father definitely was a great influence,” Paterson said. “Watching and helping my brother, Kip, learn the game was inspirational and very motivation. Also, my brother in law, Tom McBean, who is married to my oldest sister, Kris, was a great influence. He was one of the best players to come out of Rumford. I used to go to all his Pine Tree League games and sit in the dugout.”

Paterson followed suit by playing in the PTL from 1976-1998 and was originally a second baseman and then a shortstop. He moved to center field in 1983 due to speed, ability to read fly balls and strong throwing arm and was considered one of the best centerfielders of the era.

Paterson was also prolific offensively. He usually batted leadoff, and hit between .300 and.450 most years. He usually led the team in runs, walks, triples, outfield putouts and assists.

He led the team in home runs (seven one year in a 20-game schedule) and hit three home runs and earned eight RBIs in a game against Lisbon.

After graduation, he played junior varsity baseball at Colby, but at 5-foot-6, 150 pounds, he decided to concentrate on his studies and has enjoyed a successful career as an insurance agent.

”Competition is a like a endorphin or a pheromone to me, but it manifests itself as a lifelong lesson,” Paterson said. “There are different ways to compete. Although it is a natural instinct for most, one has to learn how to compete, why and when. It separates the good from the average and the great from the good.”

He added that although everyone wants to win, not all know how to win with humility and lose gracefully. For Paterson, the real lesson is developing lifelong memories and relationships with others through camaraderie.

Paterson, currently President of Western Mountain Cal Ripken League and head umpire, considers himself a traditionalist.

”We can tweak things some, like a designated hitter, for the better of the game, but ways that are proven to work will always work, because life is limited, though human existence endures,” Paterson said. “Baseball, like life, works because it is pure and holy. God bless both.”

Copy the Story Link