Ollie Fiddler – Athlete

More than 40 years of competitive softball in two countries earned Ollie Fiddler the nickname “The Legend”.

From the time he was eight years old in Prince Albert, Fiddler knew that he wanted to be a softball pitcher and with his remarkable talents he outlasted all his rivals before moving to the United States and doing it all over again.

Fiddler pitched for 21 years in Prince Albert and Saskatoon leading numerous teams to city and provincial championships. From 1955 to 1962 Fiddler racked up an impressive 22‑2 record at The International ‑ a tournament held annually in Minot, N.D. In those seven years, Fiddler guided the Saskatoon Merchants to three International championships.

Fiddler’s performances at The International caught the eye of American manager Ruben Huber and in 1968, at the age of 34, Fiddler moved south of the border. In the next 21 years Fiddler continued to dominate every league in which he pitched.

Fiddler won four state championships while in Minot ‑ 1968, 1969, 1979 and 1984. He also had one appearance in the U.S. national tournament in 1976.

In his career, Fiddler fanned more than 14,000 batters, won more than 1,500 games and had a .285 batting average. Other notable statistics include 42 no‑hitters and 400 one‑hitters.

Fiddler was inducted into the North Dakota Softball Hall of Fame in 1986.

Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.