By JOE McFARLAND

They are the unsung heroes of baseball in our communities.

Year after year, volunteers step up to the plate to help make sure each season goes off without a hitch by becoming off-field managers, program coordinators, coaches and scorekeepers, among other needed roles.

It’s where many who move onto bigger roles in the sport begin their own baseball journeys and, in many cases, don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Baseball Alberta is hoping to change that with a new “Volunteer Spotlight” on social media, aimed at sharing the stories of the volunteers who go above and beyond for their local communities.

“With over 100 associations in our organization, we know that we wouldn’t be as strong without all of their hard work and dedication to our sport,” Baseball Alberta executive director Danielle Moffat said in the initial social media post.

“Many of us in our office started as volunteers and know many who do the work without receiving the correct amount of appreciation, and we want to change that for 2023 and express our gratitude.”

She says many volunteers do the job thanklessly out of the goodness of their hearts, in hopes of helping their respective associations thrive, and it was time to reach out to them.

FIRST TO BE HONOURED

Sheri Teierle first started working with the Sherwood Park Minor Baseball Association nearly ten years ago as a member of their board of directors.

She quickly became an influential leader in the community for her sons’ teams over the years before becoming off-field manager for two prominent teams – the 15U ‘AAA’ Athletics and the 18U ‘AAA’ Athletics – as well as being part of the SPMBA Camps program and helping with tournaments like the Dave “Doc” Plotsky Memorial Tournament.

“When my sons, Mason and Liam, started playing baseball, it soon became clear that this sport would be a life-long passion for both of them,” Teierle told Alberta Dugout Stories. “It’s their love of the game that made me want to be more involved and to hopefully help develop that love in other players and their parents.”

We are pleased to showcase our first Volunteer Spotlight – Sheri Teierle!

Baseball Alberta wants to thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our sport!

Link to Nomination Form: https://t.co/wxih3pY1AM #BAVolunteerSpotlight2023 #BaseballAB pic.twitter.com/wlohgfamZa
— Baseball Alberta (@BaseballAlberta) June 7, 2023

To recognize her contributions, she was singled out as the first Baseball Alberta “Volunteer Spotlight” on June 7 after being nominated by Sherwood Park Minor Baseball general manager Josh Bishop.

“Her passion, dedication and commitment to fostering a positive sports environment have left an indelible mark on the local community, inspiring athletes, coaches and volunteers alike,” he said in his nomination. “Sheri’s legacy serves as a shining example of the profound impact that one person’s dedication and love for the game can have on a community.”

Teierle says she is honoured by what was written about her, as she believes it’s a privilege to give back to the baseball community.

She says she’s been able to develop special friendships within SPMBA, and considers herself lucky to have watched many athletes develop their skills on and off the field.

“It’s been an amazing journey to be a part of,” Teierle said. “Watching my boys play baseball is my happy place – and the baseball diamond has become our home.”

ABOVE AND BEYOND

While there is the year-end Volunteer of the Year Award, many volunteers also pick up awards like the Off-Field Managers of the Year, the Grassroots Coach of the Year, and the Baseball Alberta President’s Award, among others.

Past winners are always humbled by being acknowledged, while others are able to turn their grassroots involvement into bigger opportunities.

Aileen Hartman won the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2021 after her work in both St. Albert and Okotoks, and says it’s been fun, educational and given her a sense of purpose and pride.

Our 2021 Volunteer Award Recipients (2/2)

OFM of the Year A: Shannon Bruns

OFM of the Year AA: Tania Dellezay

OFM of the Year AAA: Michelle Balen

Baseball Canada – Alberta Volunteer of the Year: Aileen Hartman pic.twitter.com/Bzrfg5ZAKL
— Baseball Alberta (@BaseballAlberta) December 11, 2021

“I started volunteering in baseball to be involved with my kids and their teams since they started playing t-ball,” she said. “It was a way to be present for them and to get to know other parents as well.”

Hartman, whose sons Max and Eric have captured the attention of many in the baseball world, has also been able to make a name for herself in the scoring and statistics world.

Along with her scoring mentor, Don Darling of Baseball Canada, they have been able to write manuals and start a website dedicated to providing resources, support and development opportunities for scorers across the country.

“What started out as having to log hours for your league teams has now turned into being the vice-chair of Baseball Canada’s Scoring Committee, a trainer in Alberta, and getting to go to National Championships as an official scorer,” Hartman said.

“I am working towards an appointment with the World Baseball Softball Confederation and doing international tournaments next.”

She’s hoping to one day score games in the Cactus League for Major League Baseball.

RECOGNIZING GREATNESS

With a full summer of baseball still to come, Moffat is hopeful more athletes, parents and community members pause to recognize and thank the volunteers who are instrumental in making games and tournaments happen.

From coaching and managing to fundraising, cleaning garbage and raking fields, they help keep everyone organized and grow programming.

It can be challenging at times, with everything from certifications and program expectations to handling requests and criticism from athletes and parents.

New to 2023 – we will be highlighting some of the amazing Volunteers that make baseball in Alberta so awesome!

Nomination Form: https://t.co/GZyuvX4kX4 #VolunteerSpotlight #BaseballAB pic.twitter.com/0Olol3pkHT
— Baseball Alberta (@BaseballAlberta) May 10, 2023

Moffat says volunteers really do it for the love of the game and development of the players, and deserve to be recognized.

“It’s exciting and motivating for us to see the work that gets done to help give kids all over our province the opportunity to play this game,” Moffat said. “We are all proud to help support them.”

We here at Alberta Dugout Stories would also like to tip our caps to all volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to growing baseball in Alberta through the variety of roles they fill on and off the field.