All the signs pointed to Jack Beauchamp’s career as a professional baseball pitcher— literally.
For it was on a vacation trip, staring out the car window at the Florida scenery, he noticed a sign announcing a rookie tryout camp for the New York Giants. A quick detour was made and, even though the camp was normally restricted to candidates recommended by team scouts, an exception was made for the talented left-handed Canadian. Two nights later, the 20-year-old signed a contract and headed off to the Class D farm team in North Carolina.
As a bonus, the Giants signed his father, Herb, as a scout for Central Ontario. It should be noted that the Giants were a formidable team, having won the two National League titles on their way to a World Series win.
It was the start of a whirlwind few months for the lifelong Midland resident, who had honed his skills by playing in the Grey-Simcoe League for both the Penetang Lions and the Midland Shipbuilders. The season prior to signing with the Giants, he pitched for the Kitchener entry in the Junior Intercounty League.
After a stint in North Carolina, Jack was transferred to another Giants’ Class D affiliate, the Oshkosh Giants of the Wisconsin State League, but was released in May 1951. He finished the season with the Picton Athletics of the Central Ontario Baseball League.
The next spring, he tried again to make it to the majors, this time training with the Washington Senators before returning to the Giants as a right fielder. Unfortunately, he was released and returned to Midland in April 1952, where he continued playing baseball with the Midland Indians who were coached at the time by his father.
