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Born
in 1938, his interest in baseball started with a make up game at
Collingwood Technical School in 1952. He then joined Northcote Baseball
Club for the 1953 season and played with that club until 1962.
Having
moved to Ferntree Gully following his marriage to Louise he played for
several years at the Upwey Club in the Ringwood District league before
returning to VBA via the North Balwyn Club where he played until joining
Waverley in 1975.
Keith
was already serving on the VBA Junior League Committee, a role that
would last for some 10 years culminating in him being appointed as the
first Pee Wee Commissioner for Victoria when the U/13 National League
operated.
Part
of his career was well summed up in the address by Keith Whitford when
proposing him for Life Membership to the 1997 AGM. Part of this address
follows-
“You
are obviously aware that Keith has been the Administrative Director of
the club for the last four years working virtually “full time” hours
on the secretarial matters necessary for a club the size of Waverley to
function efficiently. However,
Keith does much more for WBC than regular secretarial duties. For
example: -
He
manages the pro-shop from pre-season (Summer) until well into the winter
season. He
acts as the equipment buyer for both senior and junior divisions. Keith
assists the schools using Napier Park for inter-school games by marking
out diamonds, opening and closing the complex and “MOKING”
afterwards. He has also become our principal Council Liaison Officer
(first with Waverley and now Monash) helping us develop closer ties with
our landlord. Add
to the above Keith’s regular appearances behind the plate as Chief
Umpire during the last couple of seasons for our fourths and fifths and
his current level of contribution to WBC can be better appreciated.
However,
the older members will recall his service to the club and baseball over
the twenty-one years he has been associated with “Waverley”. On
arrival at the club Keith became the representative coach at under/13
level and over next 9 years was to fill that role successfully, at
under/15 and under/18 as well. He was Manager and assistant coach of the
under/13 State side for some six years. Keith
was Assistant Coach to Dick Mason for our first nine, Manager of our
second nine and Club Batting Coach for three or fours years at the time
when “Waverley” were to win the first two of its Division 1
premierships. Throw in his active playing involvement with the now
legendary “DADS ARMY” in the late 70s and 80s and you can see that
his total contribution to W.B.C. has been outstanding over many years. It
would be remiss of me not to mention his other significant contribution
in “SIRING” three top baseballers for Waverley, with Matthew and
Simon representing Victoria and more recently Australia at Olympic
level.”
This
last paragraph should read four as Peter Wood would point out. There was
also Kellie who played for his Pythons. Not only did she play but also
for a number of years scored for the teams Keith coached.
In
total Keith served on the Board of Management of WBC for eleven years,
five of those as Administrative Director.
For
his services to Baseball and Waverley Baseball Club in particular he was
awarded the Australian Sports Medal. This honour was multiplied,
creating a rather unique situation, when his sons Matthew and Simon also
received this medal but being nominated from different sources.
When
asked about his achievements over the years he is quick to emphasise the
enjoyment that his family has had in being involved in the world of
baseball and the friendships that have been made all over Australia.
However, he does remember with great pride when the club celebrated the
opening of the new clubrooms, which he regards as a monument to the
memory of a lot of people who over the very long period it took to
achieve this goal never gave up the fight.
Still
actively involved with the club his services are expected to continue
for many years to come.
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