The Morell Sportsman's Dinner will have a heavy baseball feel this year.
Former Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kelly Gruber will be the guest speaker while five former Kings County Baseball League (KCBL) stars will be honoured during the July 18 fundraiser.
"It's fantastic," said ticket committee chairman Kip Doyle. "This is the first time that we've ever had a baseball celebrity."
Gruber started with the Jays in 1984 and won a World Series with the team in his final season in Toronto in 1992.
The KCBL is celebrating its 25th season and some of its best players will be honoured at the sportsman's dinner. They are Daniel (Boone) Larkin, Billy Connolly, Paul (Woofer) Affleck, Louis Murphy and Eddie Smith.
"All five of these guys are all-stars and they typify the Kings County league and we're so delighted to have them," Doyle said.
Larkin was a well-rounded player who caught, pitched and played second base. Affleck was a left-handed pitcher and outfielder while Murphy was the top right-hander pitcher of his day, Doyle said.
He added Connolly played first base and was a left-handed pitcher.
"A lot of people will tell you he is one of the best players ever to come out of this province," he said.
Smith played both the infield and outfield and suited up a couple of years ago when the national oldtimers tournament took place on Prince Edward Island.
"Another gentleman who's been involved in baseball pretty well all his life, a fantastic player," Doyle said. "A fine gentleman and a great ball player."
He said while the five played in the KCBL, they also were on numerous other teams that played in the province and the Maritimes. The five men will bring memorabilia to the cafeteria for people to see from their playing days.
The chicken dinner is the major fundraiser for the Northside Communities Initiative, a project to raise funds to help build a new multi-million dollar community centre, including a rink. The initiative replaces the former Project 2014 name.
"It will come to fruition," Doyle said.
There will also be a live and a silent auction held as part of the evening.
Morell Sportsman's Dinner
When - July 18 at 6 p.m.
Where - Morell Regional High School.
Tickets - $100 and available at the Morell Co-op, Morell Credit Union or by calling Kip Doyle at 902-961-2668 or 902-313-0068.
Guest speaker - Former Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kelly Gruber.
MC - Robby Barry.
Interviewing Gruber - Dave Holland.
The Morell Sportsman's Dinner will have a heavy baseball feel this year.
Former Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kelly Gruber will be the guest speaker while five former Kings County Baseball League (KCBL) stars will be honoured during the July 18 fundraiser.
"It's fantastic," said ticket committee chairman Kip Doyle. "This is the first time that we've ever had a baseball celebrity."
Gruber started with the Jays in 1984 and won a World Series with the team in his final season in Toronto in 1992.
The KCBL is celebrating its 25th season and some of its best players will be honoured at the sportsman's dinner. They are Daniel (Boone) Larkin, Billy Connolly, Paul (Woofer) Affleck, Louis Murphy and Eddie Smith.
"All five of these guys are all-stars and they typify the Kings County league and we're so delighted to have them," Doyle said.
Larkin was a well-rounded player who caught, pitched and played second base. Affleck was a left-handed pitcher and outfielder while Murphy was the top right-hander pitcher of his day, Doyle said.
He added Connolly played first base and was a left-handed pitcher.
"A lot of people will tell you he is one of the best players ever to come out of this province," he said.
Smith played both the infield and outfield and suited up a couple of years ago when the national oldtimers tournament took place on Prince Edward Island.
"Another gentleman who's been involved in baseball pretty well all his life, a fantastic player," Doyle said. "A fine gentleman and a great ball player."
He said while the five played in the KCBL, they also were on numerous other teams that played in the province and the Maritimes. The five men will bring memorabilia to the cafeteria for people to see from their playing days.
The chicken dinner is the major fundraiser for the Northside Communities Initiative, a project to raise funds to help build a new multi-million dollar community centre, including a rink. The initiative replaces the former Project 2014 name.
"It will come to fruition," Doyle said.
There will also be a live and a silent auction held as part of the evening.
Morell Sportsman's Dinner
When - July 18 at 6 p.m.
Where - Morell Regional High School.
Tickets - $100 and available at the Morell Co-op, Morell Credit Union or by calling Kip Doyle at 902-961-2668 or 902-313-0068.
Guest speaker - Former Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kelly Gruber.
MC - Robby Barry.
Interviewing Gruber - Dave Holland.