In 1974 there were nine teams in two divisions in the Richmond Amateur Baseball Association (RABA). The final league standings were as follows:
Mainland
St. Peter’s Royals 17-5
Port Hawkesbury 16-6
River Bourgeois 12-10
Louisdale 10-12
Island
Arichat Triple A’s 15-9
Little Anse Golden Hawks 14-10
Petit de Grat Red Caps 9-15
D’Escousse Rebels 6-18
Alderney Point Thunderbolts 5-19
Player statistics
Island Batting
Harold Samson L.A. .389
Leo Boyd PdG .341
Alzear Marchand PdG .328
Wayne Forester L.A. .326
Freddy Gagnon D’Escousse .321
Vernon Boudreau Arichat .321
Home Runs: Vernon Boudreau Arichat 7
RBI: Vernon Boudreau Arichat 26
Pitching: Gerard Burke Arichat 5-3
Mainland Batting
Barry Marchand Louisdale .500
Richie Mann St. Peter’s .443
Kelvin Digout St. Peter’s .410
Billy Digout St. Peter’s .381
Robbie Mann St. Peter’s .378
Allan Gibson River Bourgeois .378
Home Runs: Barry Marchand Louisdale 6
RBI: Gordie Turnbull River Bourgeois 25
Pitching: Richie Mann St. Peter’s 9-2
In semi-final tournament play, Arichat defeated Port Hawkesbury 9-1 behind the pitching of Vernon Boudreau. Leo King took the loss for Port Hawkesbury. In another tournament contest, Barry Marchand threw a five-hitter for Louisdale allowing them to slip by St. Peter’s 4-2. Richie Mann was the pitcher of record for the Royals. These two games propelled Arichat and Louisdale into the finals.
The best-of-five championship series began on September 21 with a 7-1 Louisdale victory over Gerard Burke and the Arichat Triple A’s. Gus Boyd and Felix Sampson sparked the Baracos with three and two RBI respectively.
In game two, Barry Marchand gave up eight hits, struck out six and added a double and home run. Gerard Landry had three singles good for two runs-batted-in. Vernon Boudreau took the loss for Arichat. Final score: Louisdale 5 Arichat 0.
Game three was one of the most dramatic ever played in the RABA. Al Boudreau was on the mound for Arichat and Bobby Samson for Louisdale. Sixteen innings later, Al Boudreau was still pitching for the Triple A’s having given up only eight hits. In the sixteenth inning, Jackie Hopkins reached first base and with two out, John Burke stroked a double off Barry Marchand to score Jackie Hopkins. Final score: Arichat 4 – Louisdale 3.
But the “joy in Mudville” was short lived for the Arichat team. In what turned out to be the last game of the series, the Baracos scored six runs in the first inning and six again in the seventh. Pitcher Barry Marchand struck out 12 and added a home run, while Paul Forgeron drove in four runs. For Arichat, John Burke and Bernie Boudreau combined to drive in six of Arichat’s eight runs. Vernon Boudreau added a home run and single. Final score: Louisdale 16 – Arichat 8. The Baracos had once again captured the RABA championship crown.
There were other notables in 1974. The Little Anse Golden Hawks repeated as Provincial Intermediate B champions winning three straight games on the last day of the tournament. Kentville was the first victim losing 1-0. In game two, Barry Marchand’s three-run homer was enough to down Port Hawkesbury 3-2. Game three was once again versus Port Hawkesbury. Barry Marchand repeated his three-run home run accomplishment and Robbie Samson belted a grand slam. Final score: Little Anse 17-Port Hawkesbury 5.
In other provincial play, Petit de Grat took the Beaver B banner, while Arichat won the Mosquito B title.