By Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Ingersoll Ironbirds U13 boys baseball team has a record of eight wins and six losses this season but it’s their efforts off the field that has the community buzzing.
Team manager Don Fisher wanted the team to have a presence in the town, not just playing games, but also giving something back.
“The kids are doing really well on the field but part of what we are doing here is developing them into good human beings. The community has been super receptive to it and we are just trying to give back a lot. The kids are saying as much as they enjoy baseball they are enjoying the community work just as much.”
Don and his assistant manager Becky Aves came up with the idea, wanting to do something fun with the kids while at the same time being a presence in the community.
“It’s a good group of kids who enjoy each other and the town. It’s a perfect mix. It isn’t mandatory they participate but at the same time we hope and expect them to be there when they can and the reception has been great.”
The team’s first foray into doing good deeds was at the Ingersoll satellite of Woodingford Lodge where the kids spent time with residents of the long-term care home. Don said the visit was well received by the team and the seniors.
“The kids loved it. They played games and had popsicles. The resident my son Nathan got to know pretty well, he wants to continue to have a relationship with her. It was a fabulous day. To be honest, the boys want to go back again.”
The second stop for the team was at Tremblett’s Your Independent Grocer where the kids helped staff and shoppers.
“They’re one of our team sponsors this year and the money they donated allowed us to participate in tournaments. We thought let’s do something for them as a thank you. For the boys, it was a pretty close second to Woodingford as they greeted customers and bagged groceries.”
He added the 12 and 13-year-olds on the team have embraced the off the field role they find themselves in.
“They have more of an appreciation to do something for people after all the thank you’s and smiles they received in return. There’s more to baseball than just playing on the field, it’s everything else around it. One customer in particular ordered 30 bags of mulch and the boys really enjoyed loading it into the vehicle.”
Don explained some customers offered donations but that’s not why the team was there.
“Some of them went back into the store and bought cookies for the boys as a thank you. They weren’t doing it expecting something but they did get something just for giving back. A really good lesson there. It’s hard to get honest feedback out of kids but when they say that was fun and cool and they’d like to do it again, then you know it’s a success.”
The U13 team may be in the spotlight for what they are doing in Ingersoll but Don, who is also on the group’s executive, said minor ball in the town is doing good things right across the board.
“I have been a part of Ingersoll baseball for a few years now and this is one of the best groups we have ever had. We have buddy systems and if you look at our Facebook page you can see the different things we are doing. Giving back is at the center of everything.”
He added the team just wants to spread some joy and just maybe it catches on elsewhere.
“We aren’t looking for recognition. We just want to share some good news stories. There’s been a lot of tough stuff going on these days and seeing kids who want to give something back is awesome. I’m hoping other sports teams will consider getting out there and give back as well.”
As for what’s next, Don said they have a few ideas for the boys.
“We do want to do a garbage cleanup at some point with the town. We need to see where they would want us to help out be it a park or a highway. If that doesn’t take place, we may look to go back to Woodingford Lodge and the Kiwanis Club is hosting a house league tournament this weekend.”
He added a lot of the team members will likely be at the tournament to help run skills clinics for younger ages. Don also hopes the organization’s community involvement will lead to more players signing up.
“I hate to say it but baseball is a bit of a dying sport in some ways. We’re just trying to bring the love back to the game.”
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