Below you will find a letter from one of our members Neil Fraser.

 

We are proud to support him in this endeavour and would urge the members of our league to please get in touch with Neil if/when you are ready to help him out with this very personal and worthwhile cause.

 

As a show of support for Neil and his family, we will be holding our re-scheduled League BBQ on Sunday June 19th from 5 to 8 pm at Nelson Park with the bulk of proceeds being donated to Neil's newly created foundation. Please help us get this foundation off to a running start.

 

 

Hi Everyone,

Nicole and I are proud to say that our webpage for information, sponsorship and registration for the Brady Fraser Memorial Golf Tournament is now up and running.

The Brady Fraser Memorial Golf Tournament is being held on Saturday June 25 at Tyandaga Golf Course in Burlington.

 

Further details including time, cost and what to expect can be found on the webpage.  

In order to register:

Please organize your foursome before registration

One team member will need to register a foursome, become a team captain, decide on a name your team and follow the instructions to register as a new participant

Following this, all other team members can 'join an existing foursome' and search for a team, select your team name and follow the instructions to register as a new participant. 

One registration is complete and payment is made, you will receive a confirmation email indicating your successful registration.

This is a full shotgun, best ball tournament. All skill levels are welcome!

Please see the attached link to complete your registration: http://events.hamiltonhealth.ca/BradyFraserMemorialGolf   

If your company is interested in sponsoring a hole, you can do this via the website as well under the sponsor tab at the top of the page. Simply select the option you would like and follow the instructions.

We're looking forward to a great day.

Warm Regards,

Neil & Nicole

 

Neil Fraser 

905-484-4454

As some of you may have heard over the weekend, former BVB player Rod LaForme passed away this past weekend unexpectedly. He had most recently played in our league with Mike Gionas and the Braves.

 From what I understand he died in his sleep from a heart attack.

He was one of the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic guys I ever had the privilege of being around. Whenever you saw him at a diamond, you could see how engaged he was and his personality could single-handedly lift the spirits of whatever team he played on.

He wasn't even 40 yet which should be an eye opener to many (as it has been to me).

He is survived by his 2 sons and his daughter all under 12.

A Gofundme site has been set up to help out Rod's children. Please use the link below and donate to help support them in this time of great sorrow;

https://www.gofundme.com/rod-laforme-family-support-2ukzyzg8

On behalf of the entire BVB Family, we would like to offer our most sincere condolences to his family and those who were closest to him.

He will be missed.

MEMORIALS   

Legends live longer than those who create them...

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Rob Hall of the Cubs passed away recently. 

There will be a celebration of his life on Thursday August 31st from 7 to 11pm at the Royal Canadian Legion in Dundas located at 280 King Street West.

A "GoFundMe" campaign has been started by Paul Smith in order to try and cover the cost of having him buried in his native East Coast. Anyone wishing to contribute is more then welcome to click on the link listed below;

https://www.gofundme.com/bring-rob-hall-home?pc=expt_em_co_shareflow_m_89_2&rcid=r01-150352889964-93b02b51b1cc408b 

I received this testimonial about Rob from Michael Blackwood and felt it would be best if it was posted as he had written it;

Rob is the one in the back far right (in the team picture above).  He wore 44 then. 

When his father passed away a few years after this photo he asked to have his number changed to 24 which was his Dad's number.  My wife Brenda changed his number to 24 and he wore that number until he retired from BVB.

Rob was a great painter as well and while I was off skiing one winter my wife had Rob over to paint my man cave in the basement.  He also painted the rest of the house.

He was a fierce competitor and complimented any play no matter what team made the play. 

He is missed dearly.

Rest in Peace Casey

A Celebration of Casey's life will take place from 4-6 pm on Sunday September 17th from at the Burlington Convention Centre located at 1120 Burloak Drive.

There is an article up in the paper about him which you can find here;

https://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/7553792-burlington-s-casey-cosgrove-had-an-uncanny-ability-to-connect-with-people/

We are sad to announce the passing Casey Lyons on November 21st, 2017.  Casey was one of BVB's founding members of our Umpire crew for our first 14 years.  For the many times he was on the field with our teams, he carried a strong presence behind the plate and "dry wit" off the field when the plays were done.  Despite not dawning the Umpire uniform for the last few years, Casey made a point to swing by games throughout the summer and catch up with the acquaintances he made throughout the League.  

He will be missed, and on behalf of Burlington Vintage Baseball and it's members, our condolences to his Family.

A Celebration of Life is being hosted by his Family at at Emma's Back Porch on Lakeshore Rd. in Burlington on Monday, Nov. 27th, from 12:30-2:30. 

BVB Members, 

 An update regarding this great cause....

The Deadline to sign up was May 31st. As well, if anyone wishes to donate items that can be used as Prizes, please speak directly with Neil Fraser.

The Third Annual Brady Fraser Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Carlisle Golf & Country Club.

 The address is 523 Carlisle Road, Carlisle, ON L0R 1H0 and it will be a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start.

Through the first two years of the event, nearly $40,000 has been raised in support of McMaster Children’s Hospital’s Metabolic Genetics and Neuro-Degenerative Disorders program as well as its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This amazing total couldn’t have been realized without the incredible generosity of our family, friends and sponsors.

Please bring cash for draws, door prizes and the putting contest. We’re looking forward to seeing you that day and supporting this special cause together!

http://www.hamiltonhealth.ca/bradyfrasermemorialgolf 

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

August 28th, 2021 - It is with sadness that we inform you of the passing of Will Elliott on Saturday August 28th.  His sudden death was a shock to us all.  A longtime BVB member, player and MudHen in our League, we would like to pass message to those that knew (or knew of) him.

Will "Spaceman" Elliott was a consummate joker but, gentleman to any player or opponent.  A competitor for sure, who would snap a pointed response directed to you in one breath and then reach out his hand to shake yours in another. Always making light of situations, in a self-deprecating manner, Will kept his team-mates positive and made his company fun to be a part of.  He would go out of his way to ask someone how they or their family was; in reference to a past story you shared with him that you yourself long forgot.

He was an avid player of many sports with baseball being one he excelled at.  To look at him on the mound, one would not know his abilities until he craftily sneaked a breaking ball under your bat.  He would maximize his time on and off the field, with the latter typically impeding any possible warm-up prior to the game.  Tucking in his jersey and threading his belt on the way to the mound, "I'm ready coach!" from his lips would mean the first strike was coming down to the plate in about 10 more seconds.

The stories and fun everyone had as team-mates, opponents and friends will be missed but, not forgotten.  On behalf of the BVB League and his MudHens team-mates, our condolences to the Cathy and the Elliott family.

"We will miss you and think of you always, we will see you in the next game" 

Jon Eidt 

1979 – 2022 

In baseball, the catcher is the one watching the field before and during every pitch of the game. They're the ones who take the most physical abuse throughout the game and season year after year. It takes a special kind of person to be a great catcher, a silent leader who blocks balls in the dirt, dives for every ball imaginable, and talks to the pitchers when they need a breather or words of encouragement. 

For the Burlington Brewers number 7 “ Jonny ” Eidt was our catcher. Jon played the game like every play was his last for the season. He ran out every ground ball he hit sometimes twisting his ankle for a record that will never be caught. Jon lead the team in hit-by-pitches, many when we needed a spark to start a rally. He quietly went about his business never complaining about bad umpiring or missed calls when the team in front of him would on MANY an occasion. He’d simply come into the dugout and assure us all that he would take care of it. 

Jon epitomized what every player on our team tried to do for one another game in and game out, which was to be there for the team no matter what. Jon loved baseball and his team like a family. He would call to make sure you were good and see how things are going. He always put people ahead of himself making sure they were okay. That is what a leader does for his team. We are going to miss you Jonny and know you’ll be around when we get together for team gatherings in the years to come. Rest easy friend we love you.

Jonny will be laid to rest on December 19th

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

August 28th, 2021 - It is with sadness that we inform you of the passing of Will Elliott on Saturday August 28th.  His sudden death was a shock to us all.  A longtime BVB member, player and MudHen in our League, we would like to pass message to those that knew (or knew of) him.

Will "Spaceman" Elliott was a consummate joker but, gentleman to any player or opponent.  A competitor for sure, who would snap a pointed response directed to you in one breath and then reach out his hand to shake yours in another. Always making light of situations, in a self-deprecating manner, Will kept his team-mates positive and made his company fun to be a part of.  He would go out of his way to ask someone how they or their family was; in reference to a past story you shared with him that you yourself long forgot.

He was an avid player of many sports with baseball being one he excelled at.  To look at him on the mound, one would not know his abilities until he craftily sneaked a breaking ball under your bat.  He would maximize his time on and off the field, with the latter typically impeding any possible warm-up prior to the game.  Tucking in his jersey and threading his belt on the way to the mound, "I'm ready coach!" from his lips would mean the first strike was coming down to the plate in about 10 more seconds.

The stories and fun everyone had as team-mates, opponents and friends will be missed but, not forgotten.  On behalf of the BVB League and his MudHens team-mates, our condolences to the Cathy and the Elliott family.

"We will miss you and think of you always, we will see you in the next game" 

"It's hard to beat the person that Never Gives Up!"- Babe Ruth

August 31st, 2017 - Story to follow......

 Please read the following posting as well......[InsideHalton.com]... "Burlington's Casey Cosgrove had an uncanny ability to connect with people"

"Baseball is the most perfect of games, solid, true, pure and precious as diamonds. If only life were so simple." - WP Kinsella

August 10th, 2017 - Rob Hall story to follow......

Never forgotten...just a seventh inning stretch...

December 30th, 2011 - It is said that there is a time and a place for everything; I would challenge that when it comes to finality. Over the holidays we were notified that our dear friend Terry Wilkinson had passed away. Wilkie as he was known to one and all was a large part of the Baseball scene in Burlington. He was a player and builder and understood the requirement to build so you could play. Spending hundreds of hours in baseball boardrooms was a cherished sanctity for Terry. Spending hundreds of hours on the field and with teammates was the generous reward in return. Terry created the league slogan "Quality baseball for players 30 and over" that is marked on all B.V.B material. As a ball player Terry was happy to make his way to first base. He was not a Bomber and he left the sizzle up to others. He swung as a lefty and would make a career out of line shots over the shortstop.

He made his way to Cooperstown, playing on Doubleday field the birthplace of baseball, The Rogers Center (home of the MLB Blue jays) and ball parks across Canada and the U.S. as he played and managed B.V.B (Burlington Vintage Baseball) teams. This past summer 2011, "Wilkie" was the chairman and led a team of volunteers in hosting the Canadian National Vintage baseball Championships (35 over)in Burlington.

Our condolences go out to his wife Suzanne, sons Matthew, and Michael and his extended family and friends.

In late September Terry lined up with a group from B.V.B and participated in the last tournament of the year (Oakville Fall Classic). He not only made his way to first with a couple of hits but he also recorded the last out of the season ....you probably guessed it...as a first basemen.

"Wilkie we will miss you and think of you always, Rest in peace"

Jim Hambrook

BVB President (2000-2012)

One of our own has been called up to the big game...

June 30th, 2007 - One of our founding players of BVB, Miles Fleming, #13 on the Hobos, has passed away at the young age of 49. A comrade and player in the league to many BVB teams and fans; his presence will be greatly missed. Miles lost the battle to stay with us. “The baseball Gods called him up for a bigger game”, stated one BVB member. How true it must be for we were not ready to lose a friend so quickly but, now we must honor the time we had with him.

Miles “Miley” Fleming, had been involved in Burlington baseball for most of his life, making as many friends as he did plays along the way. His character on and off the field was as strong as anyone could expect. For those that knew him, he always went out of his way to greet you with a firm handshake or "knuckle touch" that followed shortly with a gruff voiced greeting to make sure your presence was acknowledged. To a stranger, his gruff voice and "say what you think" personality would not have you immediately focus in on his true self. But once you spent time with him, you would quickly understand that he had nothing to hide and that is rare quality these days.

He was admired and loved by his tight knit Hobos team the most. A founding member of the squad, all players and members looked forward to getting "Miley's view" on a post game review or during a discussion of world events. His foundation was strong with the Hobos, with every member knowing that the rough exterior was only added character to the man that he truly was. It will definitely be a difficult time for that brotherhood to lose one of their own.

Some words for thought....once heard as a phrase that goes something like "Now and Forever are the words to remember someone. Remember them now as to what they brought forward to you in this world and forever honor those memories to make sure they are not forgotten when you relate to others."

It occurs to me as I am sitting here writing this story thinking of Miley, he's probably somewhere getting an earful from Pauley (Paul DePodesta #49 Hobos – passed 2005) about his recent plays on the field, and no doubt working his way up to a sharp response once he collects his thoughts. Good luck in the Big Show Miley! You will be greatly missed by all BVB players and friends alike. Show the old brotherhood how it is done and save us a spot on the bench, will yah kid!

BVB loses a friend...

May 17, 2005 - It is with great sadness that we announced the passing of our dear friend and teammate Paul Depodesta. ‘Pauley’ or ‘D’ as he was fondly referred to by his teammates was a fighter to the end, playing his last round of golf a mere 6 weeks before he moved on. Paul played a combined 20 years in both the Lakeshore League and the BVB. Paul had some of his brightest moments during his BVB days, competing in 2 National Championships and numerous All-Star games. His personal highlight was starting over 125 straight games for his team the HOBOS. Paul leaves behind his wife Cindy, sons Shane, Nathan and Dylan as well as other family & friends. Pauley we will miss you and think of you always, especially on game nights.

"Save us all a spot in the lineup Kid"… Until we meet again...