We are saddened to advise that Brian Hill passed away on Sunday, December 12.
Brian was one of those people around the club who just does stuff! He never sought recognition for it and indeed seemed almost embarrassed when his contributions were recognised.
We are republishing the article below (written in 2013) where Brian’s contributions to the club are recognised.
Vale Brian Hill
More elusive at the Waverley Baseball Club than the proverbial “Tasmanian Tiger” is one of the club’s most treasured and appreciated Life Members MR. BRIAN HILL.
A person who deliberately shuns the limelight (and who would not like this type of recognition) is Brian Hill.
Anyone who has ever had to visit our Napier Park home diamonds early on a summer Sunday morning would surely have seen this gentleman getting about his business, but definitely not seeking any attention.
That’s right, Brian Hill is the man who, for many years freely gave his time to maintaining, manicuring and line-marking our Senior Diamonds almost every Sunday without fail.
By the time most people arrive for their Sunday morning baseball Brian would have disappeared home for a cup of tea after his early morning work, although he sometimes returned “dressed up” to take at look at some of our current day juniors in action.
For his selfless devotion to the Waverley Baseball Club over many years, Brian was awarded Life Membership by the club in 1991.
Apart from his son Michael ‘Hilly’ Hill having been a popular long-standing Junior and Senior player with the Wildcats, he has had no other personal reason for doing this apart from his love and devotion to the Waverley Baseball Club. And, he continued to do it every Sunday for many years even though Michael was no longer playing at the club! Michael played 160 senior games for Waverley and he was last seen coaching our U16 Cougars before work commitments forced him to (temporarily?) give up his dedication to the game of baseball.
For those who have ever had the pleasure to stop and chat with Brian, you could hardly hope to find a nicer or more friendly gent. He continues to take great joy from the performances of the Waverley Baseball Club at all levels, but particularly for our development of young players and what the club provides for young people in the area generally.
One common “tongue in cheek” theme from Brian if he should ever chat to a long-time member of the club that he would recognise is to remind you that, in all the time he has been working at Napier Park, he has never received a pay rise! Although he has always been happy to give his time to the club free of charge, he is always available to discuss a percentage increase from year to year… it’s his standing joke!
Of course Brian, it would be impossible for the club to seriously put a value on your contributions over the many years… your work and time commitment to the club has been priceless!
So, if you should see Brian at Napier Park any time you are there, give him a wave and say “G’day”!
Thanks Brian.
