Jamie Vickerman has a family tie to Fergie Jenkins and wanted to help with the celebration when a bronze statue of the Hall of Fame pitcher is unveiled this month.
The Chatham native, who worked alongside Graham Watson of Hillerich & Bradsby, maker of Louisville Slugger bats, used his connections with sporting equipment supplier Rawlings to get 300 baseballs with a Chicago Cubs logo.
The balls will be handed out to the first 300 kids visiting the First Ontario Credit Union Family Fun Zone behind the Sons of Kent Brewery after Jenkins’ statute is unveiled at the Civic Center in Chatham on June 10, starting at 1:45 pm
Vickerman’s uncle, Casey Maynard, was one of Jenkins’ first coaches in the Chatham Minor Baseball system, he said.
Jenkins talked about his uncle in his induction speech at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, on July 21, 1991, Vickerman said.
He used to go to Jenkins’ parent’s home and listen to games on the radio when Jenkins was pitching, he added.
“We’re thrilled to get these baseballs to give away,” said Jason King, an organizer of the unveiling after-party.
Kids also get a free beverage and chips, plus a chance to throw some baseballs and try hitting against a pitching machine.
“We’re all about the kids and Fergie is all about the kids and he wants to see the kids out here,” King said. “He loves the fact that kids are still involved in baseball in Chatham-Kent.”
He said Jenkins will be at the after party with about 200 guests.
Noting Jenkins is a “huge deal,” Vickerman said, “there’s only so many Canadians in the Hall of Fame and we’ve got one right here in Chatham.”
He also believes it’s important for the youth to be back on baseball fields now that COVID-19 pandemic is over.
“It’s good to be back showing kids what baseball means around our community.”