Let’s light these lights
Community Lights Up Elmvale Ball Diamond in Tribute Celebration
By Linda Belcourt and Tanya King, June 29, 2025
On June 21, 2025, residents of Elmvale and surrounding areas gathered to celebrate a milestone event that combined community spirit, remembrance, and a love for the game of baseball. The evening marked the official lighting of brand-new field lights at the local ball diamond — a long-held dream made reality through the combined efforts of individuals, families, businesses, and service groups.
According to event organizers, the project was made possible through extensive fundraising and community support. A highlight of the evening was a tribute led by Tom McGinnis, who introduced the 1977 Elmvale Men’s Fastball Team. As part of the ceremony, the team took a moment to honour several families and individuals who had made significant contributions to the community and to the sport. Donations made in their memory helped fund the new lighting, providing a lasting legacy in their names.
Among those remembered were George Conn, Paul Craddock, Doc and Nancy Moreau, Jackie Ritchie, John Heacock, Paul Kenney, Mary-Rose Swan, Gary, Lou, and Den Turner, as well as Harold, Doug, and Jim Townes. Family representatives were invited to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a symbolic first pitch — tossing baseballs toward home plate in tribute to their loved ones.
Attendees noted that the event underscored the values that define Elmvale: generosity, sportsmanship, and a deep-rooted sense of community. One speaker remarked that the town was “full of people who always show up” — whether for sports, fundraisers, or neighbours in need — and described growing up in Elmvale as having “won the geographical lottery.”
The evening also included a quiet moment of remembrance for a major project supporter who had recently passed away. Though the individual reportedly avoided public recognition, their efforts were essential to the project’s success, and their memory was honoured during the ceremony.
The spotlight then shifted to Marlene Tinney, a longtime figure in Elmvale’s baseball community. Tinney, a member of the 1954/55 team inducted into the Springwater Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, was invited to flip the switch and officially light the field. Organizers called her involvement “fitting,” citing her enduring love for the game and commitment to the town.
Marlene announced, “Let’s light these lights!”
With the lights now shining, children and adults alike were invited to run the bases and enjoy the newly illuminated field. The evening continued with a lighthearted three-pitch, two-inning exhibition game, featuring players from local leagues including the Elmvale Angels, the Elmvale Sports and Mets, and the Spitfires. Participants represented a wide range of community groups such as Minor Ball, Minor Hockey, the Curling Club, Flos Agricultural Society, and the Maple Syrup Festival — as well as local schools and emergency services.
A special thank you was extended to Christine and Larry for preparing refreshments, and to SWOOP Fibre for their generous food and drink sponsorship. The newly formed ball committee, made up of Andrew Priest, Jeff Lees, Tanya King, Dan Tinney, Carey Corum, Larry Fallon, Denise Ritchie-McLean, Matt Garwood, Doug Tinney, and Mike Townes, was praised for their leadership and dedication to the project. Local baseball legends were in attendance such as Lou Belcourt, Tim McGinnis, Chuck Jordon, Brian Handy, Mike Townes, and Bummer (Doug) McMann.
As the evening wrapped up, organizers encouraged everyone to enjoy the festivities and, of course, the game — played under the glow of lights that symbolize far more than a sporting upgrade: a tribute to legacy, community, and shared love of the game.