Midget 'A' Reds launch fundraiser with top prize autographed Adam Lind baseball bat

Midget 'A' Reds launch fundraiser with top prize autographed Adam Lind baseball bat

            Screaming Eagles and Sooners memorabilia also up for grabs

By Jeremy Fraser
April 10, 2015

There may be cold temperatures and snow on the ground, but that isn't stopping the New Waterford Reds midget 'a' baseball team from preparing for the upcoming season.

The Reds launched its major fundraiser for the season this past week in support of the team's annual tournament, scheduled for July 17-19 at the Gerry Marsh Ball Field in New Waterford.

The New Waterford team will be selling tickets on three prizes, the top prize being an autographed Toronto Blue Jays Adam Lind baseball bat. The bat was donated by the Blue Jays organization prior to the team trading Lind to the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Reds received the bat on Oct. 31, a day before the trade happened, said Reds coach Barry Long.

"The big winner might have the last bat Adam Lind signed as a Blue Jay."

Lind, a 31-year-old first baseman/designated hitter, had a .321 average with six home runs and 40 RBIs in 96 games last season in Toronto. The native of  Muncie, Indiana, has a .273 career average with 146 home runs and 519 RBIs over nine big-league seasons.

It was a long process in order to receive the bat, but it was worth it, said Long.

"Our committee member, Jeremy, worked hard in order to get a memorabilia piece from the Jays. The money raised goes directly to the team's tournament, an event well supported by the New Waterford community."

The team's annual tournament started as an event for the town of New Waterford's centennial celebrations in July of 2013. Since then, it has turned into a much anticipated event for the team's organizing committee and the players.

Dustin Baker has played in the tournament the past four years.

It's an enjoyable event, he said.

"As a player, I love playing in front of the home crowd. It really gets the players going."

This season will mark Baker's final year with the Reds.

He plans on continuing to be involved in the tournament following his playing days.

"The committee has done so much for me, I will make sure they know it's appreciated."

The Reds enjoy hosting tournaments because it brings people to the ball field, said Long, who will return to the team's bench after taking a year off.

"We got great feedback from teams from mainland Nova Scotia on how great the people of New Waterford are for coming out, watching and supporting the tournament.

"It's awesome to hear the feedback from players and coaches just arriving at the ball field for the first time. We have one of the best fields, if not the best in the province."

The team has a high standard when it comes to hosting tournaments, but without fundraising it wouldn't be possible, he said.

"We want to be known as the best tournament to attend. We are hoping to gain interest from teams out of province as well."

Along with the baseball bat, the team also has two other prizes to give away.

Second prize is an autographed Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 2014-15 limited edition hockey stick, donated by the Screaming Eagles organization. Third prize is an autographed Sydney Sooners retro jersey, signed by the defending Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League champions.

The draw date is Sunday, July 19.

Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased at the New Waterford Community Press office, Fraser's The Store on Plummer Avenue, or by contacting the committee at 902-595-0074.