Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend Agenda

Thursday, June 21

Event: Celebrity home run derby featuring Team Canada slo-pitch and Team Canada fastball players, as well as Team Jenkins vs. Team Whitt Celebrity Slo-Pitch Game.

Time/Location: Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Home run derby 6:30 p.m. Celebrity Slo-Pitch Game will go from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Rotary Field on the Hall of Fame grounds. 386 Church Street.

Cost: Free

Fergie Jenkins, Ernie Whitt, Steve Rogers, Miss Canada International Melanie Williamson and Babe Ruth’s granddaughter will be among the celebrities participating. St. Mary Lincolns players, St. Marys’ CAO Kevin McLlwain and Team Canada fastball player and St. Marys resident Dale Levy will also be showcasing their skills. Burgers, hot dogs and beer will be available for purchase.

Home Run derby participants:

Dale Levy is from St. Marys and is a current member of the Canadian Men’s Fastball Team. He won bronze with that team in 2009 at the ISF World Men’s Fastball Championships. Jeff Gare represents Team Canada at the Border Battle against Team USA and is a five-time National Champion and a four-time Canadian all-star. Todd Cadenhead also represented Canada at the Border Battle and is the two-time captain of the Team Canada Long Haul Bomber Tour for Mizuno at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Shawn Desroaches currently plays for the Toronto Orioles, who are the reigning Canadian ‘A’ champs.

Friday, June 22

Event: London Salutes Canadian Baseball breakfast sponsored by Museum London, Lerners and London Convention Centre. Special guests are Fergie Jenkins, Ernie Whitt, Doug Melvin and Steve Rogers

Time/Location: Museum London, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., 421 Ridout Street North, London, Ont.

Cost: Tickets $50 each or table of 10 for $500. Advance registration only.

Friday, June 22

Event: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame 16th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic

Time/Location: St. Marys Golf and Country Club, 769 Queen Street East, St. Marys, Ont. Registration at 10 a.m. Tee-off at 11 a.m.

Cost: $1,250 per foursome (includes hole sponsorship and banquet). Other options include: $300 (hole sponsorship only), $250 per individual golfer (includes banquet), $60 for a banquet ticket only. Spots are still available. Doors open for banquet at 5 p.m.

Saturday, June 23

Event: Induction ceremony

Time/Location: 11:00 a.m., Hall’s ceremonial grounds at 386 Church Street, St. Marys, Ont.

Cost: Free

Rusty Staub, Rheal Cormier, Doug Melvin and the 2011 Baseball Canada Senior National Team will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony emceed by Canadian broadcasting legend Rod Black. Critically acclaimed singer and actor Michael Burgess will sing the national anthem.

The 2011 Jack Graney Award will also be presented to W.P. Kinsella. Unfortunately, he will be unable to attend due to health issues. His good friend and baseball historian Bill Humber will accept on his behalf.

An autograph session will follow the ceremony and baseball games will be played on the site all day.

Saturday, June 23

Event: Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Clinic

Time/Location: Check in begins at 1 p.m. at Rotary Field on the Hall of Fame grounds, 386 Church Street, St. Marys, Ont. Clinic will go from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost: $41 per player, plus HST. Pre-register at http://www.baseballhalloffame.ca.

Kids will receive four hours of instruction, a barbecue lunch (prior to the clinic ONLY), a Blue Jays T-shirt and hat.

Celebrities

Celebrities expected to be in attendance for at least part of the weekend:

2012 Inductees: Rusty Staub, Doug Melvin, Rheal Cormier and Team Canada representatives, including coach Ernie Whitt, national teams director Greg Hamilton, athletic therapist Dave Blatz, equipment manager Keith Sanford, coach Tim Leiper, administrator Bernie Soulliere and players Mike Johnson and Brock Kjeldgaard
Past Inductees: Pat Gillick, Fergie Jenkins, Steve Rogers, Jim Fanning, Don McDougall, Ron Taylor
Toronto Blue Jays: Alex Anthopoulos (GM) and Paul Beeston (president & CEO)

Former Montreal Expos: Derek Aucoin, Bill Atkinson, Larry Landreth

Other celebrities: Gord Ash, Adam Stern, Scott Thorman, Jon Lockwood, Dick Groch (the scout that signed Derek Jeter), Bruce Hood, Steve Miller (NHL official), Terry Crisp, Linda Tosetti Ruth (Babe Ruth’s granddaughter), Melanie Williamson (Miss Canada International) and Bob Elliott.