ST. CLAIR SHORES ASSOCIATIONbaseball softball

Opening Ceremony Brings Together Residents, City Officials

BY ANNA SWARTZ

Not only is the opening ceremony of St. Clair Shores Baseball Softball Association (SCSBSA) an epic kickoff for the season’s 600 players, but it’s a glimpse into the immense amount of community support rallied around the players and their families. Slated this year for Saturday, May 20, the ceremony at Kyte Monroe Park will feature a ceremony/parade of players at 11 a.m., with tons of fun beforehand such as a home run derby, vendors, bounce houses, Detroit Tigers mascot Paws and free treats from Wally’s Frozen Custard.

“It's a fun-filled two hours of pure happiness,” says Dawn (Van Gampelaere) Magnuson of St. Clair Shores. “It's our time to thank everyone for helping and making the season happen.”

Each year, says Magnuson, the city’s Police and Fire Departments show up. This includes a fire truck for children to explore and the police K-9 officers. Many St. Clair Shores City Council members also attend. Council Member Ron Frederick has served as the emcee for more than 20 years. In addition, Elite Wedding Company (the Munger family) has provided music for more than two decades.

The St. Clair Shores Titans, the city’s only special needs team, is always last to enter the field. They are given the honor of carrying the flag. Another noteworthy part of the ceremony is St. Clair Shores resident Jamie Victory’s role. As a former Detroit Tigers bat boy, he is always the catcher for this special day. According to Magnuson, Victory always comes dressed up in a Detroit Tigers uniform and with “White Lightning,” his Tigers-themed minivan with the team’s logo on the hood.

“It’s My Family”

The league brings together 4-18-year-olds each spring and summer; it is affiliated with PONY Baseball and Softball. The SCSBA began in the mid-1980s when the city’s multiple leagues consolidated down to one.

“It's my family,” says Magnuson, who has spent 20 years as a baseball coach and board member. “It's home away from home... You don't get many chances in life where others truly look to you for advice, direction, knowledge and trust. This is my opportunity to give back.”

Magnuson also says that volunteers contribute greatly to several events each year including a Halloween display at Veterans Memorial Park for the city’s annual event and building a float for the Memorial Day Parade. Their float, which has won awards for the last three years, is one of the few that is built from the ground-up each year.

Camaraderie and Friendship

“Any kind of team sport helps you learn how to work with others; it helps you with camaraderie and friends,” says Frederick, who previously served as the president pro tem of the association for 10-15 years.

As a child, Frederick played for Avalon Little League on a team called the 49ers in St. Clair Shores. “I still talk to a couple people who I was on the league with. Some of their kids I ended up coaching. There are so many stories like that.”

John Jonassen, president of the association for close to 15 years, has been volunteering with the group since the mid

1980s when his daughter Bennett became involved. Later, Bennett coached her daughter Olivia, continuing a family tradition. Jonassen also served as the Lakeview High School assistant varsity softball coach from 19961999 when his daughter was on the team.

“The kids learn how to play with each other, work with each other and how to work out conflicts,” Jonassen says. “They also learn how to take directions from an adult and how to fulfill their needs. It’s a good thing for them to round out their life. You learn how to be a team member and an individual, and you can apply these things that you learned as you become an adult.

Registration & Sponsors

Open registration is available now through the end of April for all players at www.scsbsa.com, and in-person drivethru registration dates are also listed on the website. The start dates are May 20 for 4-12-year-olds and mid-June for 13-18-year-olds. Those 12 and under play against each other, while the older kids play against each other and surrounding Macomb area cities.

Magnuson is appreciative of this year’s sponsors: Bryan Owens from The Shores Hearing Center and Genesis Chevrolet.