In the 50 odd years I have been closely involved with the sport of Baseball, I have had the pleasure of working alongside some amazing men and women whose contributions to the game have been unforgettable. From my personal perspective, one of those characters stands head and shoulders above the others. Tim Bassingthwaighte, a friend, colleague and mentor, was one of a kind.
The impact Tim has had on the game, not just in Queensland, but across Australia, has been enormous. As a player at Club, State and National level, he was outstanding. But it was throughout his Administrative career that Tim built a reputation that ranks him at the very top of Baseball’s leaders. While quietly spoken, Tim possessed that aura of intelligent confidence that drew everyone’s attention when he spoke. In an era before computers, internet and social media, Tim’s communication skills proved prized assets for Baseball Queensland. (Spare a thought for someone who repeatedly had to sign his name with that many letters in it!!) I have, to this day, kept a couple of his typed letters to Far North Coast Baseball from the 1980s – a period of remarkable growth for baseball, under the leadership of Tim and his good friend, Kel McBeth.
My first close contact with Tim occurred at the start of that decade. Queensland at this time, had never brought home the elusive Claxton Shield. In the previous summer, under the coaching of a young American shortstop, David Howard, Queensland had posted results solid enough to suggest that the drought might soon be broken. Tim and Kel chose another American, Mike Young, to lead the team in Sydney to its maiden Claxton Shield win. It was also my first Executive Officer experience in Queensland colours – and that appointment also was down to Tim Bassingthwaighte’s advice. The celebrations on our return to Brisbane were memorable, to say the least. But at one of them, a dinner at Virginia Golf Club, my fondest recollection was the look of satisfaction on Tim’s face as the Shield was held high. Typically, though, he said to me
that night, “This is only the start. We have to do this over and over again. And at junior level as well!”
Those words proved prophetic, as Queensland went on to dominant Claxton Shield campaigns through the 80s and 90s and the corresponding surge in playing numbers throughout the state lifted the profile of the game in the eyes of the public. The players and staffs of those teams will agree I’m sure, that our success in those years had Tim Bass written all over it.
Baseball in the Lismore region has long struggled with the difficulties presented by border affiliation. Our long association with Baseball Queensland (while located in NSW) made access to government funding and other services problematic. Tim, over a period of nearly thirty years, always came up with creative solutions to those problems and never lost sight of the importance of FNC Baseball and its players to Queensland’s success in national championships.
The Tim Bassingthwaightes of this world only come along once or twice in a person’s lifetime. For Baseball’s sake, I hope the next model is looming in the near future. The game is crying out for him/her!! My last contact with Tim was at the MLB Australian Academy at Palm Meadows. We spoke for an hour or so about the years we worked together, laughed about the many arguments and differences, and spoke fondly of the characters and experiences we shared.
Tim’s Life Memberships at club, state and national level, accurately reflect the level of esteem in which Baseball holds him. The passing of years often dulls the shine on people’s achievements. I hope we never allow this to happen in Tim’s case. I will certainly never forget him. He has been a true Legend of the Game.
Written by Bill O’Sullivan
Life Member, Far North Coast Baseball Association
Baseball Queensland Hall of Fame.
To view the service held for Tim please click the link below
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The Baseball Queensland community were saddened with news over the weekend that Ashley Anderson tragically passed away following a car accident.
Ash has been involved in our Performance Pathway Programs over the last several years and a member of Surfers Paradise and Beenleigh Hawks Baseball Club throughout his junior playing career. His latest QLD representation was his selection in the 2021 U18 QLD Team. Following a successful QLD Showcase Event, Ash had been selected in the National Training Squad. His outlook on life, determination towards his development and infectious smile was a major influence on many players and coaches throughout Baseball QLD.
Baseball QLD extends our condolences to Amber, Cliff, Leah and Jade.
With great sadness, Musketeers has lost Life Member, former President, coach (& countless other roles), John “Chipsy” Howells. A dedicated member of the club for many years with wife Janette and children, Amanda & Daniel, he will be very sadly missed. Our deepest condolences to you all.
RIP Chipsy
Surfers Paradise Baseball Club and the wider Baseball Queensland community honours the life Wayne Dyer who has passed away after a battle with cancer. The Dyer family have been active members of our club and Wayne in particular, a wonderful contributor to the Gold Coast baseball community. Including as a past President of the Runaway Bay Dolphins Baseball Club, numerous terms on the Surfers Paradise Baseball committee, an umpire of many games and the inaugural Treasurer of the Gold Coast Baseball Officials Association. Our thoughts are with Wayne’s family Petrece, Brandon and Jenna.
The baseball community in Queensland is in mourning at the passing of Pat Nilsson.
Pat is known for being the mother and grandmother of the most famous name in Australian Baseball.
45 years after her first son Bob made a name for himself, her grandkids to this day are still doing the same.
She loved the game and was always close by when her kids were playing. In the early days when Pat had four young boys playing baseball or teeball and two daughters playing softball she was either in the canteen or scoring. It was in the early 1980’s when Pat took on the Scorer’s role at Claxton Shield level. Pat was Scorer for the Brisbane Clippers in the inaugural Australian Baseball League in 1989 and Pat treasured the role so much as all four of her sons were part of that team.
Pat continued in the Scorer’s role when her youngest son David was playing Schoolboys baseball and stayed on scoring until her grandchildren started coming through the ranks. In 2005 Pat was honoured by Queensland School Sport and made a Life Member, something Pat cherished very much.
In between scoring Pat was always seen at the baseball field watching her sons play. In their retirement years Timmy and Pat would travel around Australia to tournaments watching her grandsons play for Queensland. Pat loved her family and loved nothing more than being at a baseball game. Pat could often be seen more recently at Holloway Field watching the Brisbane Bandits, coached by David and joined by grandsons Jay, Mitchell, Daniel and Jacob all at one time being part of the team. Pat leaves behind four sons, two daughters, 15 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
On behalf of the wider baseball community Baseball Queensland extends our sincerest condolences to Pat’s family and friends.
The family welcome anyone that wants to attend the funeral service on Friday 28 June to please contact Baseball Queensland for further details of the service.
Baseball lost a wonderful person and ambassador for our sport when Nathan Drewes lost his life last Tuesday, 30th April 2019, in a single vehicle accident. Nathan was kind, polite, generous and always willing to help you out. He always had a smile on his face and had a great passion for baseball – he was a talented baseball player as well as a passionate Coach.
He will be greatly missed by his family – Mum – Tracey and sisters Beth and Sarah.
As reported by the Courier Mail: “PATRICK BILLINGS, The Courier-Mail, May 1, 2019 3:44pm
TOOWOOMBA is in mourning after the loss of a young man with “the biggest heart”. Nathan Drewes, 21, was killed when his rigid truck crashed at Ravensbourne west of Brisbane yesterday morning.
Nathan was the sole occupant when the truck veered down a steep embankment on the Esk /Hampton Road and collided with trees about 8.30am.
His mother Tracey Drewes said Nathan was a “much loved son and brother”. “Nathan had the biggest heart,” she told the Courier Mail.
“He was a kid that took everybody under his wing. He was a wonderful brother to his two sisters.
“Everybody that knew Nathan loved Nathan.”
Toowoomba Rangers Baseball Club president Daryl Luchterhand said the tragedy had devastated the close knit club. Nathan had been playing and coaching with the Rangers since he was 11.”
Nathan’s service will be Friday 17th at 11.30am at All Seasons Function Centre – 302 North Street Toowoomba QLD 4350 (Sacred Heart Church Complex Cnr Tor and North Streets).
His wake will be at 1.30pm at Middle Ridge Golf Club.
