Dedication Speech delivered by the President of NMSA, Douglas Scott on Sunday Aug 14, 2011
Good afternoon
Welcome to the Memorial Bench Dedication. A ceremony to celebrate the life of Lucas Raisbeck
Scott and Michelle Raisbeck and Eileen Raisbeck
NMSA Executive
Players, coaches, umpires and parents and grandparents
When you choose to play our game of softball, you join a community, an extended family of sorts that reaches into towns and cities across the province. The softball community is small and everyone seems to know everyone else.
In Aug of 2009, the Rasibeck's and the softball community lost a young and dedicated member, Lucas Raisbeck. The NMSA softball family mourned the sudden loss of one of its own.
Who was this wonderful, hard playing, funny, 6'3" young man. Let me read you this brief account of Lucas's softball days.
"Lucas always loved sports, played hockey and softball for years, softball being his favorite. He was usually the smallest on the team and definitely the lightest, but he almost always won Most Sportsman Like player, and was definitely the happiest kid on the team.
When he was 6 or 7 his team was in a championship game against Jumbo Video, and they had to beat them twice. Lucas saw that their fielding was not good, so he decided that no matter what he hit, he was going to run and not stop until he was home. He soon had the whole team running, not even looking to see if the ball had been caught, and they won both games, with most of the team getting their first "homerun".
At 14, Lucas was playing for the Newmarket Stingers, and they came from 4th place to win a spot in the Eastern Canadian Championships in PEI.
Lucas had the time of his life, playing ball 3 times a day, and hanging out with the team; they ended up winning a bronze medal.
As soon as he was able, Lucas became an umpire. He took his job very seriously. During only his second game as an umpire, one of the mom's was arguing every call he made. Instead of getting upset, Lucas called time and told the coach to "control your fan or she will have to leave the park!" She didn't say another word for the rest of the game.
When Lucas was 15 he played on a team with 12-14 yr olds, as there were not enough players in that age group. Lucas and his friend Sean quickly became the comedians on the team, with all of the younger guys loving their stories and jokes. Lucas loved being the older and more experienced player. He was now 6'3 and a much stronger hitter.
Lucas' last year had him play on the men's team, and he was very happy, he was finally bigger and stronger, no longer the little guy. He also loved being on his brother Andrew's team once again."
This account was by Michelle Raisbeck, Lucas's mom.
Speaking with Scott Raisbeck, he said it was essential to convey the important life lessons which Lucas's learn playing softball.
Lessons of team work; playing hard and leading by example.
Lessons of confidence; believing in yourself and trust in your own judgment.
Lessons of sportsmanship; making new friends and always surprised to be selected the "Most Sportsman Like player"
This bench is for everyone to reflect on what is truly important in our game and that is the enjoyment, laughter and smiles of our children on the playing field
In the memory of the life and sportsmanship of Lucas Rasibeck we dedicate this bench to all the softball players here today and the softball players to come.
Thank You
Lucas Gordon Raisbeck
Sunday December 6th 1992
Thursday August 13th 2009
