The Gibsons Minor Baseball Association (GMBA) kicked off its summer all-star season in grand style Tuesday night with an opening ceremony and tribute to Jay Pomfret at Ryan Dempster Field.
The four all-star teams, Mosquito AA Cubs, Peewee A Cubs, Peewee AA Cubs and Midget AA Cubs were all introduced and welcomed onto the field by GMBA president Brian Scarr along with the junior men's team, the Gibsons Jays, who have dedicated their inaugural season to the memory of Pomfret.
"Summer season baseball, also referred to as all-star, gives our youth an opportunity for higher calibre ball, tougher competition and great challenges," said Scarr. "GMBA has a long and proud history of summer season achievements over the years. The summer season is where those dreams can become a reality."
Scarr talked about the journey that all the players, coaches and parents would be going on during the next month in their summer season and the importance of fair play, sportsmanship, working hard and enjoying the experience of competition and competitive sport.
"When you get down to the provincials, only one team walks away with gold, and the difference between gold and silver can simply be one bad bounce," said Scarr. "In the end, it's not about the gold, silver and bronze, it's about the experience of working and celebrating as a team those successes and banding together to support each other when things don't work out. The medals will be the result of your hard work, dedication and yes, on occasion, the lucky bounce in your favour."
Scarr then paid special tribute to Pomfret in an emotional address.
Pomfret was a friend, father, community leader, GMBA coach and volunteer who passed away suddenly in the spring at the age of 57.
"Losing a family member, a friend, a community leader is never easy," said Scarr. "Jay was young and had so much life in him. His passing was felt profoundly through so many realms of the Sunshine Coast community. Jay was known for his spirit, boundless energy and initiative and added so much to the baseball experience here in Gibsons. Jay made things happen."
Following the tribute, Jay's wife Lexa threw out the ceremonial first pitch to her son James, catcher for the Jays, to officially open the season. Then the Jays locked up with the midget all-star team in a friendly exhibition contest.
