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West Kootenay Advertiser Thursday, June 16, 2016 A3

Thursday, June 16, 2016

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On his field, dreams came trueD

uring the 1930s, a shy, soft-spo-ken man with a walrus mous-tache and a twinkle in his eyeturned a vacant lot in GrandForks, BC., into a field of dreams

for a generation of young baseball players.Unlike Kevin Costners character in the 1989

movie Field of Dreams, James (Jim) Donaldsonnever played the game or plowed under a cornfield to build a baseball diamond, but he wascompelled by the same inspiration: Build it,and they will come, and just like in the movie,Donaldson responded.

Today, the field of scrub grass on whichDonaldson spent so many seasons gently en-couraging his young players is gone. In its placestands James Donaldson Park, nearly smackdab on the original diamond Donaldson built.

Now home to youth baseball and the back-drop for the 35th anniversary Grand ForksInternational (June 28 July 3), the stadiumis a fitting tribute to one mans foresight anddreams.

Born in Ontario, Donaldson arrived inGrand Forks about 1909 with his brothersPete and John. While Pete went to work forthe Canadian Pacific Railway, Jim and Johnopened the Donaldson Store in Columbia, asthe area around the ballpark was known then.

In 1930, a grass fire destroyed the store lo-cated near the CPR Station, now a pub andrestaurant. Although his brother rebuilt thestore, Jim, nearing 50, decided to retire. Withplenty of time to spare, he turned his attentionto a lifelong passion baseball. Realizing thatthe neighbourhood boys needed a place to play,Donaldson volunteered his own property fora field. With rakes and shovels, he organizeda work party to clear away weeds and rocks tomake the field playable. Old planks supportedby empty wooden apple boxes became benches.Later, a backstop and simple bleachers threerows high were built. The outfield fence, paral-lel to the present highway, consisted of a row oftall trees a forerunner to todays version ofthe monster wall. It was the beginning of theColumbia ball team.

Donaldson became the teams coach andmanager, and dreams became a reality formany a young baseball player in the SunshineValley. The Columbia team joined a league

that included the towns of Grand Forks andGreenwood, along with American teams justover the border in Curlew, Orient and Republic.

On trips out of town, the boys would travelthe rutted roads in cars or chip in several dollarsto pay a farmer with a truck to take them all.In local tournaments, theyd play against otherWest Kootenay teams, or the barnstormingteams like the Sons of David.

Though the West End boys now had aplace to chase down fly balls, many in the de-pression years could ill-afford the cost of gloves,wooden bats or even balls. Donaldson againstepped up to the plate, supplying what was nec-essary. One former player recalled Donaldsongiving him an official Babe Ruth wooden batas a birthday gift.

While it may be easy to dismiss baseballas just a game of hit and catch, Donaldsonknew it was much more. He saw it as a way toteach lessons that would last far beyond thelast strike-out. He impressed upon his players

the idea that it was better to have played andlost, than never to have played at all.

Do unto others, as you would have themdo to you, he would say.

Donaldson never hollered at his playersmistakes. Indeed, with his Irish Water Spanielby his side waiting for stray balls, Donaldson didhis best to ensure all who played enjoyed them-selves. Donaldsons house, a short outfield hopfrom the ballpark, became a second dugout.

A lifelong bachelor, he viewed the team asthe teenage children he never had. The boyswould come to his house to talk, play cards,read his collection of western books, or justhang out on the porch and front lawn, listen-ing to Donaldson play the piano. Respectedin the community, Jim kept his players on thestraight and narrow, becoming a father figureto many of the boys.

Not just the players, however, benefited fromhis kindness and generosity. Every Christmas,Donaldson delighted in playing Santa Claus for

friends and strangers. He gave all the ladies heknew sweets, Pot O Gold chocolates amongthe favourites. In addition, Jim would knockon doors of newcomers to Grand Forks anddeliver a festive welcome, along with presentsfor the struggling families.

The start of the Second World War markedthe passing of a remarkable era for baseball inGrand Forks. Many of the boys that Jim coachedenlisted and went overseas, some never to re-turn. Others left Grand Forks, seeking workelsewhere. While Donaldsons involvementwith baseball dimmed over the succeedingyears, his interest in the game continued toshine brightly.

Upon his death in 1961, Donaldson be-queathed his field to the City of Grand Forks.It was his dream that the property be kept asa place for young people to play the game heheld so dear. Donaldson is still recalled warmly.

Just a real nice guy, people say.With a hearty laugh, he would ask those hed

meet, So, what have you been up to today?Besides baseball, he loved to fish the local

rivers and lakes and throw the horseshoe.While he never donned a uniform, imaginingDonaldson taking a turn in the game that wassuch a major part of his life isnt so difficult.In his prime, Donaldson weighed around 185

lbs (84 kg) and stood 5 10 (180 cm). Withhis stocky build, he would probably have beena catcher.

Imaginein the gathering twilight of a latesummer day, the air thick from the dust kickedup by runners on the base path, Donaldson andhis team strolling across the infield to take uptheir positions. Standing behind home plate,a wad of chewing tobacco lodged in his cheek,Donaldsons easy-going voice drifts across thediamond. Then squatting on his stubby legs, hesignals the pitcher to twirl him a fastball

Somewhere, the game continues and JimDonaldson still plays.

Post game This article is dedicated to the dream-ers that have kept Jim Donaldsons vision alive withthe building of the stadium and ballpark that bear hisname, along with the ongoing success of the GrandForks International.The author wishes to thank JimDonaldsons family and acquaintances for their as-sistance, recollections and stories.Their generosity oftime and interest is much appreciated.

Wayne Mallette photo

Della Mallette photo

Wayne Mallette photo Photo courtesy of Boundary Museum

Clockwise: Gerry Foster will once again be a part of a large contingent of volunteers hosting the35th anniversary of the tournament from June 28 to July 3. Baseball has been a favourite sportin Grand Forks since the early 1900s drawing teams from all across North America. Pictured onthe field last year were the Kamloops Sun Devils taking on the Seattle Studs.