It started in 1958 with a love of the sport and a few willing parents.
Lakehill Little League’s archives show the first general meeting was Feb. 18, 1959 at St. Peter’s Hall.
In April of that year, the league’s official Booster Club organized a dance to raise $300 towards baseball equipment.
In a copy of Lakehill Little League’s original constitution, it lays out the objectives of the baseball organization, “To implant firmly in the boys [girls were added soon after] of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and reverance…” among other other values.
That constitution is currently being updated as another generation trots out on the diamond at the iconic Ambassador Park for Saturday’s Opening Day ceremony. Today the Lakehill Little League organization continues to thrive with players aged three to 16, from mini T-ball to intermediate, though there are only six Greater Victoria Little League organizations left, compared to the 14 of 1971.
Along the way there’s been plenty of city, provincial and national championship teams. There’s been other adventues too, the kind you won’t find anywhere else.
In 1989, Lakehill’s trusted volunteer leaders Edd Tomczyk and Randy Guest organized the Muffin Madness fundraiser. During the annual June picnic, a cow was let free to roam on the minor diamond. For $5, anyone could pick a square in the field in hopes that the cow would choose their square to drop a meadow muffin (“at least a cupful,” according to the rules).
The licenced lottery event bestowed $1,000 to winner Keith Harris of Saanichton for having guessed the winning square. Four others won $100 prizes.
There is also evidence of a different time when, out of necessity, league administration found it necessary in the early 1970s to adopt rules such as, no liquid in the dugouts other than water and, no smoking in the dugouts.
For some, the only fantasy in watching the Bad News Bears was that the team managed to win, though to be fair, there were only a few cigar-smoking coaches and, they weren’t specific to Lakehill, as it was somehow considered a throwback to the old days of baseball.
There was also the 1977 Bubble Blowing Contest, supported by Ontario-based Fleer, the makers of Dubble Bubble, although it’s uncertain who was the winner.
Through it all, Lakehill carries on as one of the most storied baseball organizations in town, where legendary Edd Tomcyzk’s 50-50 continues to raise money and, Chef Dave’s baseball fare is argued by locals many as the best in town.
