Al Walls Field - July 12, 1997
By Wade S. Walz (The Melville Advance)
Darron Walls & Son Jordan inspect the newly unveiled billboard at Al Walls Field Saturday afternoon.
The Ball diamond at Prince Edward Park is named after Darren's father Al Walls, a long-time ball player and coach in Melville.
Melville baseball officials paid tribute to a tireless minor baseball volunteer during its weekend tournament.
Al Walls.
Melville MLA Ron Osika, Mayor Mike Fisher, and about 60 people witnessed the dedication Saturday afternoon.
The ball diamond at Gordon Keats Memorial Park's south-east end is across the street from the house Walls and wife Gilda raised their three children.
"It's very appropriate to have this beautiful park named after Al," Mayor Fisher said in the dedication.
"He left a very good legacy of teaching players not only about baseball but about life and our city is better for it."
"We should appreciate the efforts he made to improve the community," said Osika.
"People like him need to be recognized for the volunteering he made to make Melville a better place."
Minor Ball Chairmen Garnet Keller said Walls' legacy lives on in the players he coached. Many of them are now coaching minor ball, "…and they're teaching the same important values and lessons to their players today."
Melville Minor Sports Association President Kim DeCorby echoed Keller's statements.
"Many of his players are coaching today. That's the legacy Al left for us."
On behalf of the rest of the family, Walls son Darren thanked organizers.
"We're really proud and humbled that the park where he taught us how to play ball is being honored." He said.
Minor ball officials also unveiled a billboard which officially renamed the Ball Park.
Walls played ball in Melville for many years before turning his talents to coaching. His clubs brought home Provincial Championships in 1978 and 1981.
He passed away February 10, 1996 at the age of 55.
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