55 years and nearly $400,00 later, charity ball tourney calls game over

The 55th annual Gord Closson Fall Classic ball tournament ran Aug. 23-25 at Waldon Park in the rural Cowichan Valley community of Glenora. The event featured a six-team men's fastpitch division and a six-team mixed-orthodox division, and a whole lot of fun for all.

It was the last time the tournament will be run in its current incarnation. It truly is the end of an era.

The tournament's namesake, Gord Closson, has been instrumental in coordinating, organizing and building the ball fields at Mary Waldon Park in Glenora for the past 55 years. He saw it go from broom fields to a dusty ball field in the early years, and every year thereafter improvements were made to make it what it is today — a true Field of Dreams with two ball fields, dugouts, two covered areas, a water system for the fields and a wonderful place for the community to come together.

Closson just wanted the community to have its own space, and a good one at that.

There was just one ball field at the park until 1989. The year the second field was added was also the year of their first fundraiser: the Gord Closson Fall Classic  for a community member, Joe DiLalla, who had gone through a bone marrow transplant.

While the money raised for DiLalla and his family during their difficult time was modest, it helped, and he never forgot the community's kindness. He went on to battle many health conditions over the years but every year without fail, DiLalla was at Closson's side helping to organize an annual tournament to raise money for those in need.

For the past 55 years there have been numerous community families going through financial hardship due to medical issues, as well as local charities that benefited from these annual fundraiser tournaments.

DiLalla died in February. He was honoured once again with the 2024 tournament being held in his name.

While over the years a committee was developed to organize the annual tournament, this year they received great help from Melonie Corrigan and Trevor Gecas for taking on the bulk of the hard work. 

"The turnout was fabulous," Closson said after the event. "Sadly, this was the last year of the Gord Closson Fall Classic as we know it. The committee which consists of old timers (many who are approaching 80 years of age) are tired and need to retire. We have wrapped things up, handed over the maintaining of the park back to the Glenora community and donated the balance of funds to five different local causes and charities totalling $11,500 this year."

Over the years the tournament has raised close to $400,000 and helped countless groups and individuals.

"It was an awesome, awesome thing," Closson said. "To me, in my heart anyway. For 55 years I looked forward to it every year. Not only every August but through the whole year we'd work on things. Now it's just, what am I going to do?"

Closson said he's going to miss all the contact with those he's connected with in those decades at the ballpark.

"It was all a family out there," he explained.

DiLalla's widow Kathy, who has been working behind the scenes at the event for years alongside her husband, said it's her hope that the younger generation will pick up the tournament and carry out the same mission.

"Even if it's in a different name, you won't regret it," she said. "It is a feel good thing when you can do something for the community."

While Closson admits he can't do as much as he once did, he's already offered his help around the ballpark in whatever capacity he's able. 

"It was a great 55 years," he said. "I want to do it until I take my last breath."