This Saturday, July 12th, the Kamloops NorthPaws will rebrand and take the name of a very successful former men’s baseball team in Kamloops. The team will don the Sandpiper name for the first time since it was last used in 1993. This will be a feature piece of an action-packed weekend at Norbrock Stadium as North Division leaders, the Bellingham Bells, come to town.
Former player and coach Rick Leroux will be there to throw out the first pitch along with several former Sandpipers. Leroux has been described as the architect of the Sandpipers and an instrumental part in their four straight provincial titles, along with two Western Canadian championships. Leroux was inducted into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
“He’s the man when it comes to baseball in Kamloops,” said former player Ken Davidowski.
The Sandpipers got together in 2012 as part of their 30-year reunion, in celebration of the then-40th Kamloops International Baseball Tournament (KIBT). The team has yet to come together on a scale like this and is all looking forward to seeing one another. The team expects 12 to 14 former players to be in attendance.
“It will be a lot of fun to see some of the guys again, some of whom haven’t seen one another in many years,” said former player Les Swaine. “We’re looking forward to getting together again and sharing some laughs, telling some lies and enjoying some great baseball,” he added.
Although none of the former players are still actively playing baseball, it has always been a big part of their lives, and Saturday will be a special chance to relive old memories.
“I think many of us, like myself, became parents and stayed involved in the game by coaching and helping out,” said Davidowski.
“Being back in that environment will be special for me. Once I stopped playing, I became an umpire. I was often very critical of the strikezone, so I decided to put my money where my mouth is and did that for a number of years,” said Swaine.
With the NorthPaws showing signs of developing a winning culture in 2025, it will be a great time to look back at the past and honour the legacy of men’s baseball in Kamloops. The first pitch is set for 6:35, but you’ll want to arrive early to catch the pregame festivities. You can find tickets online at https://tickets.northpawsbaseball.ca/events/35010-bellingham-bells-vs-kamloops-northpaws
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