Bob Stewart Field - June 18, 2000
By Wade S. Walz (The Melville Advance)
Bob Stewart has become the latest Melville man to have a sports facility named after him.
The 77 year old retiree was honored Sunday by Melville Minor Ball Association (MMBA) with the commemoration of Bob Stewart Field.
The ball field, formerly known as the 12th Avenue Diamond, was created several years ago for the city’s bantam team and midget teams and it’s only fitting that it be named after Stewart.
Stewart was the coach of Melville’s 1973 national midget champions which featured future major leaguer Terry Puhl.
Stewart’s name was picked from among those received by the MMBA and he admits it was a surprise.
“I understand there were a bunch of nominees... I’m very much honored though because there are several other places named (after prominent citizens).” He’s referring to Father Tom Novak Field, Pirie Field, Al Walls Field, Gordon Keats Memorial Park and the Merv Moore Sportsplex.
However the difference between those gentlemen and Stewart is he’s still alive to enjoy the honor: the other men were honored posthumously. “I thought this was really nice to get this honor while I’m still alive (because) at least I can enjoy it.”
The actual ceremony was held Sunday afternoon and included dignitaries from the various community groups who funded the field: MCS, City of Melville, Trans Gas, Melville Kinsmen Club, Melville Lions Club, Melville Judo Club, and minor ball members and volunteers.
There was also one special guest in attendance -- Stewart’s son Michael who was a member of the 1973 midget squad and now lives in Florida.
“It was a very good Father’s Day for me.”
Stewart got involved in Melville’s minor ball scene in the late 1950s but it wasn’t until the mid-1960s he really took an active role. He was a charter member of the Melville Minor Sports Association in 1966, received the Centennial Medal for volunteerism in 1967, served on the CKMY Baseball League executive, was president and commissioner of the Sask Junior Baseball League in 1978.
As a coach, he won the Western Canadian sandlot championships in 1970, won the Western Canadian bantam championships in 1971, won the national midget title in 1973, and was runner-up several other times.
The 1973 midget team was elected into the Sask Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993 and into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 1999.
And it doesn’t just stop at baseball: he led Legion curling teams to 19 zone championships, eight district championships, and two provincial titles. Stewart got involved through the Legion in the early years and then started coaching Michael when he was six and followed him through until midget.
Coaching that 1973 team, and Terry Puhl, was one of his highlights.
“I got him every second year... he was easy to coach but so were most of the boys... they were an amazing group -- they all did well for themselves.”
Stewart got back into ball two years ago when the SMBL’s Millionaires reorganized but he’s since retired again and is now sitting back and enjoying life.
But that doesn’t mean you won’t find Stewart sitting in his car along the thirdbase line cheering on the Mils.
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