Category: Athlete
Sport: Women's Fastball
Institution: Durham College
Inducted: 2009
Lesley Balson began a standout career in OCAA women's fastball as a catcher at Durham College.
Her abilities behind the plate and her rocket for an arm were quickly noticed across the province. Her leadership, defensive play and game calling ability led the Lords to consecutive OCAA championships in each of her years at Durham.
The teams Balson led captured back-to-back regular season crowns and then back-to-back OCAA gold medals. She was named an OCAA league all-star, OCAA championship all-star and an OCAA championship tournament most valuable player.
Lesley's rock solid play behind the plate was key in the Durham fastball continued dominance in the 1990s. There was seldom a base runner that was able to steal a base off her arm.
Lesley was named a member of the OCAA women's fastball all-millennium team.