Ian Graham, Life Member

My baseball career started at Epping Boys High aged 17 . Then to Macquarie and A grade in the Combined Metro League playing against Australian and State cricketers , and some of the most competitive games I have ever played . I pitched 1st and 2nd grade for Manly , Sydney Uni , Kuringai and then North Shore , retiring from grade in 1982 . I also coached 2nd grade for Sydney Uni and Kuringai/North Shore 3rd grade for several years , and was on the formative committee of Kuringai Baseball club in in 1976 based at The Glade in Wahroonga .

I joined Stealers in 1984 playing A grade . I took over the coaching role for both A1 and A2 from 1988 to 1991 winning three A1 premierships in which I was awarded two grand final MVP’s . From 1992 to 1998 I coached either -A1/A2 or B1/B2 – with two premierships and five runners-up and two MVP’s .

I was heavily involved with the juniors and coached two teams each week from 1986 to 1998 . Both my sons , Matt and Andrew played for Stealers and from 1988 I started coaching Stealers teams at gala days . We had competitive teams and were placed many times – the highlights being U/10 and U/12 Pittwater Cup 1992 , U/11 Forest Cup 1993 and Jubilee Cup 1994 . From 1998 to 1995 we were also Runners-up eleven times at Pittwater(2) , Forest (3) , Ryde (2) , Tamworth (2) and Jubilee Cup(2) .

I was also head coach of the North Shore State Cup U/12 team from 1991 to 1995 . From 1996 to 2002 I was head coach of the Ryde Hornsby U/14 State Cup team and spent two years  managing the Sydney white U/16 development team . These were busy , rewarding times and the players benefitted greatly from the intense competitive nature of the gala days , something missing today where we overprotect at the expense of work ethic and development and strength and love of the game .

I was a member of the Stealers committee for many years , heavily involved with the recruitment and grading of players at registration . Indeed one of the highlights was in 1992 when we graded one hundred and twenty six U/12 players into ten teams .

My eldest som Matthew started T-ball aged 6 and progressed through the age groups , playing State Cup for North Shore at U/12 , U/14 and U/16 and then Ryde Major league U/18 . He also played B1 for Stealers for 4 years aged 14 to 17 .

Andrew started T- ball at age 4 and like Matt played State Cup U/12 , and then U/14 and U/16 for Ryde Hornsby . He represented NSW at 14 , 16 and 18 and eventually played 55 games for Australia at World Cups , interContinental Cups and World Cup Classics. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers out of college in 2004 and spent 7 years playing in the minor leagues achieving Triple A with the Toledo Mudhens . He now manages for Detroit and last year achieved his 500 win.

I was extremely proud to be made a life member of Stealers . When this occurred in 2010 most club members only knew me as the guy who sold baseball gear at rego and grading days . It was my mantra to keep kids involved in the game with the right gear at a price parents could afford . I would rather be remembered for my coaching and playing attributes that promoted the Stealers name.

There were many highlights- pitching A1 grade in 1994 to Andrew as catcher aged 12 and Matt on first base aged 14 .

– second at the Tamworth Games U/12 , Stealers versus Gosford Indians whose players included Craig Anderson, Adam Morrissey and Chris Snelling . We lost in the eighth innings on an overthrow at third base. A great game

– Andrew drafted by Detroit Tigers – only the second Australian to be drafted .

– pitching 52 seasons of grade baseball , coaching great kids , some who had objectives and lots who were just having a good time . Thanks to all those parents , umpires and administrators who make the whole thing possible .

On the future of baseball we are encouraging a crop of baseballers who find it too easy to say it’s too hard. Lifestyle today puts pressure on parents to restrict sporting chances . Promote work ethics and training regimes . They work for intellectual directions as well as sporting possibilities .

I pitched my last B1 game in 2004 aged 52 playing with friends at Greenway . I am now retired and living on the south coast playing bowls , darts and fishing . I still follow the game through Andrew and his managing role with the Detroit Tigers organisation in America .