Yorkton's Bryce Jacobs was recently presented with The Saskatchewan Baseball Association (SBA), Builder of the Year Award, as well as the Baseball Canada Major League Baseball (MLB), Volunteer of the Year award for Saskatchewan.
The awards were presented by SBA president Brian Trollope who noted, "Every year the SBA presents awards to people who have promoted our sport through dedication. The Builder of the Year award was presented to Bryce because of his many accomplishments and contributions to the game of baseball," Trollope stated.
Baseball Canada in conjunction with Major League Baseball also recognize one individual per year per province for the volunteer work and dedication to the game. These individuals are awarded the Baseball Canada MLB Volunteer of the Year Award.
"Bryce's many contributions to the game are numerous and he is well deserving of these awards," Trollope comments.
In nominating Jacobs for the award, Trollope described his involvement with baseball in the city. Yorkton Minor Baseball Inc. was founded March 27, 2002 when it separated from Yorkton Minor Sports. Jacobs was a founding member of the organization and was the first President. Prior to the separation he acted as the baseball director of Yorkton Minor Sports.
Jacobs was, and continues to be, highly interested in seeing Yorkton Minor Baseball progress and expand. Many of his initiatives have succeeded in raising interest in baseball in Yorkton and area. As a result, the organization has seen its player registrations increase from less than 100 upon inception to well over 350 today. Interest continues to grow and a corresponding increase in the number of registered players is expected.
Jacobs has been one of the driving forces behind all of Yorkton Minor Baseball's fundraising activities, tournaments, championship bids, ball diamond improvements and special projects. He and the committees he formed have been successful in raising enough cash from tournaments to construct batting cages and a club house/storage facility. He has also been a key part of divisional tournaments as a fund-raiser for Yorkton Minor Baseball.
During registration in 2004 many parents requested a program for children five years of age and under. Jacobs, together with other members, spearheaded a Blast-ball program under the auspices of Yorkton Minor Baseball. This has contributed greatly to a heightened awareness of baseball, especially among the younger children, in the City of Yorkton and area. These young people are a target group of Yorkton Minor Baseball as they are viewed as the future of the organization.
Jacobs feels strongly that competitive teams are created through well-trained coaches and players. Therefore he has been a strong promoter of player technical clinics and the certification of coaches. This is beginning to show success. Past years have seen Yorkton Minor Baseball teams secure three provincial champion-ships as well as one gold medal, one silver medal and two bronze medals at the Western Canada AA Baseball Championship.
Jacobs sees publicity as one of the best ways of promoting minor baseball to young people and their parents and exposing the sport to the city and area in general. Therefore he ensures that regular news releases are prepared and provided to all local media outlets; newspapers, radio and television, in order that everyone is kept apprised of team performances on a weekly basis as well as promoting tournaments, championships and any developments in minor baseball.
Jacob's efforts in promoting the development and growth of baseball in Yorkton and area are second to none. He is known as a "DOer".
The list of his involvement in Yorkton Minor Baseball is impressive. jacobs was the baseball director for Yorkton Minor Sports from 1995 to 2001, president 2002-2006, past president 2007-2008, and director of the midget division 2008-2010.
He coached the Midget A team in 2006 and participated in the provincials in Kindersley. He coached the junior team in 2008-2010. The team played in two leagues, the Optimist Junior League and the South East Senior League. In 2008 and 2010 this team went on to represent Saskatchewan at the National Junior Championships. In 2009 and 2010 this team won the South East Senior League Championship.
Jacobs was umpire and umpire mentor over the years.
He was Zone 4 Bantam Selects coach at the Saskatchewan Summer Games in 2004 at Weyburn.
Jacobs has been a member of coaching staffs from 1990-2006 and 2008 to the present day.
He was baseball director for the 2000 summer games in Yorkton, YMB bingo convener 2002-2007 and organized level 1 and 2 umpire clinics.
In 2002, realizing that Jubilee Park needed significant improvements, Jacobs, along with other members of the executive, approached and met with the Supervisor of Parks at the City of Yorkton and was successful in having a canteen and washroom facilities constructed at Jubilee Park. These facilities have been used extensively during games, tournaments and by the Western Major League Yorkton Cardinals.
Also in 2002 he was instrumental in laying the groundwork for purchasing and erecting batting cages at Jubilee Park by meeting with the Supervisor of Parks and making a presentation to the City of Yorkton.
In 2005 YMB became aware that the City of Yorkton was eligible for a grant through centenary funding. Jacobs and other members of YMB prepared a submission to Yorkton City Council requesting the grant be utilized for erecting lights on diamond number one at Jubilee Park.
The city approved this request. which enabled the Midget Division, Senior Yankees, WMBL Cardinals and Junior teams to play night games.
In 2006 Jacobs was a key member of the committee to build a new clubhouse, spending countless hours on the construction of the facility.
In late 2003 he was a part of the committee of that bid on the 2003 bantam provincial tournament and was successful in obtaining the tournament. He acted as the field maintenance director for the championship.
In late 2004 Jacobs was on the committee that bid for the 2004 Mosquito AA provincial championship and was successful in obtaining the tournament. He acted as maintenance director, building scaffolding for television broadcasting, diamond maintenance etc.
Jacobs and other members of the executive decided to bid on hosting the 2005 and 2006 Western Canada AA Baseball Championships and were successful in obtaining the tournament. Once again Jacobs acted as maintenance director for the championship both years. As well he was a scorekeeper, 50/50 salesman, colour commentator, and generally Jack of all trades.
In 2007 He was a key member of the committee that bid on and were awarded the 2008 Western Canada Junior Championship. Bryce was again a 'Doer' in scorekeeping, diamond maintenance, and master of ceremonies. You name it, he was there to help.
In 2009 he helped to organize the Mosquito A provincial tournament, and was the tournament chairman, helping where ever needed.
In 2010 Jacobs was a key member of the group hosting Bantam AA and Junior AAA Provincials.
He was instrumental in instituting applications for coaching positions including the requirement that all coaches provide a clean criminal record check and be interviewed in order to apprise them of the organizations expectations and determine the prospective coach's philosophy and suitability as a coach. He led an interview committee and participated in all interviews.
Jacobs was a part of organizing several other divisional tournaments as a fund-raiser for Yorkton Minor Baseball and for team expenses.
In addition to all of his aforementioned contributions, Jacobs acted as commissioner in the Parkland Baseball League for several divisions at different times.
He attended and actively participated in all league meetings of the Parkland Minor Baseball League and completed scheduling for several different teams in different divisions.
He has been a voice within the local umpires.
Jacobs has also played important roles in the community. He has been team manager for a number of Minor Hockey teams. He has served on many committees within hockey teams and organized several tournaments. He is currently involved with the therapeutic horse back riding program.
A few years ago Baseball Canada recognized Yorkton as being a hotbed for baseball in Saskatchewan. Jacobs is and was one of the main reasons for the resurgence of baseball in this community. Without his enthusiasm and hard work Yorkton Minor Baseball would not be where it is today.
