Brooks Robinson isn’t just a one-dimensional fastball player.

He had a chance to prove it during the championship game of the Gord Closson Fall Classic oldtimers’ fastball tournament at Glenora’s Waldon Park.

Robinson stepped up to the plate with the championship game on the line Sunday and showed he has the hitting prowess to match his remarkable pitching talents.

He lined the first pitch from Craig Snyder into centre field for the winning RBI in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Just Jake’s collected its second straight tournament title by beating the Cougars 2-1. Robinson raised his arm in triumph immediately after making contact, knowing the ball was going to fall to score Trevor Gicas from second base.

“It’s my favourite time of the year,’’ said Robinson, whose birthday is always in proximity of the tournament and he celebrated his 20th Tuesday.

“Everyone on our team, we have all our friends and family come out.’’

Robinson usually decides more games with his pitching than his bat, but was happy to have this one end in uncharacteristic fashion.

“It seems like the ball’s getting better every year,’’ he said of the event.

Robinson was at his very best in the final, striking out the side during the first three innings and finishing with 15 overall and a one-hitter. Ironically, rival pitcher Snyder, who was no slouch himself, had the lone hit off him with a solid double in the fourth.

A scoreless duel wasn’t broken up until the fifth when Joey Massingham turned a routine single into a double with his speed. Ryan Kline then delivered an RBI single.

It seemed one run was going to be enough to win the game for Robinson, but the Cougars answered right back in the sixth without the benefit of a hit. Mike MacDowell walked, advanced to second when Robinson hit the next batter, stole third base and scored on a sacrifice fly to deep centre field by fastball veteran Vic Malli.

The next two innings were tense and umpire Jim (Mother) Hubbard had everyone prepared for a 20-inning marathon when Robinson ended it in dramatic fashion.

Robinson is in the middle of making the seasonal transition from ball to hockey after one more tournament in Victoria this weekend. He was due to attend Quinnipiac University in Connecticut but will be spending one more season in the B.C. Hockey League instead with the Prince George Spruce Kings.

“I decided to stay back here,’’ Robinson said. “I didn’t have the finish I wanted before I went to college.’’

He completed last season with the Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League and doesn’t think it’ll be a big deal adjusting to Prince George. “It’s cold either way,’’ Robinson quipped.

It’s been a busy summer of ball for him with 10 tournaments and a bunch of games in a short time.

“I’m a little tired,’’ Robinson said. “It’s been a long weekend.’’

There’s been some question about keeping the Jake’s squad in the tournament, but it’s been a good fit for keeping the event going since the number of available oldtimers keeps dwindling.

“Every team played five games,’’ said tournament spokesman Joe DiLalla. “I think everything went off really well, especially the weather Sunday. I think if we can have it as good next year, I’m looking forward to it already.’’

The field started at 10 teams, but went to eight after two dropped out. It was the perfect number to split the entry into two groups of four after preliminary games Friday and Saturday.

“Everything was great,’’ said the tournament’s head organizer Leanne Closson. “It was a little bit slower than other years due to SUNfest.’’

It’s hoped to avoid a conflict with the popular outdoor music concerts next year.

Closson said about $3,500 was raised for various charities from the tournament.

Team MVPs included: Kirkland Lum (Cougars); Scott Robinson (Dogpatch); Danny Isaachsen (Gators); Warren Hewitt (Rangers); Sterling Thorne (Berk’s); Daryck Bell (Bravo); Chris Moreside (Spartans); and Jamie Gicas (Just Jake’s).

Hubbard, known for his crazy antics behind the plate, was the favourite ump.

Barry Ronningen won the O’Keefe most sportsmanlike player award, Isaachsen the Ron Dill most inspirational player honour, Phil Berry the Wilky weekend warrior award, Darlene Ingham and Nina Ellison the Chris Dame most positive persons designation and the Danny Mattin most sportsmanlike team award went to the Gators.

Friday’s opening games featured a pair of home run slugfests. Dennis Young and Art Ingham each hit two homers, as Dogpatch walloped the Gators 13-4 and the Rangers clobbered the Cougars 19-2 with an offensive onslaught.

Jake’s hit four home runs — two by Jamie Gicas and one each from Massingham and Josh Dares — to begin Saturday’s schedule with a 12-9 victory over Berk’s. Spartans nipped Bravo 6-5 at the same time on the other field.

Homers by Chad Pywell and Rob Green went in vain, as Gators lost 11-10 to Cougars, who barely qualified for the top four with the victory.

Dogpatch blanked the Rangers 2-0 in a pitcher’s duel. Scott Robinson threw a two-hitter with 13 strikeouts to beat Kevin Careless, a member of the B.C. Senior B championship squad, who had 10 strikeouts and a five-hitter.

Jake’s knocked off Spartans 4-1 behind home runs by Trevor and Jamie Gicas and a three-hitter with 18 strikeouts from Brooks Robinson.

Mike MacDowell and Matt Wiley had home runs in Bravo’s 17-1 victory over Berk’s and Cougars topped the Spartans 8-2.

Jake’s continued to play long ball with two home runs by Dares and one from Jamie Gicas in a 14-7 triumph against the Gators despite additional homers by Pywell and Green.

Dogpatch shut out Berk’s 11-0. Scott Robinson was the winning pitcher while Art Ingham and Dennis Ewart homered.

Bravo downed the Rangers 8-3 to end Saturday’s play.

Jake’s blanked Bravo 9-0 Sunday while Spartans nipped the Gators 15-14 despite home runs from Dom Mansueti and Pywell, Rangers walloped Berk’s 18-2, Cougars stopped Dogpatch 3-0, Gators hammered Berk’s 13-1, Dogpatch got a homer from Matt Ludvigson to beat Bravo 11-4 and Rangers won the consolation final over Spartans 10-3.