麻豆社区

The first traces of baseball in the Yukon Territory date back to 1897 on Herschel Island.

A group of sailors wintering on the small island off the Yukon's north coast were enjoying some unseasonably warm spring weather with a game of baseball on the ice when an angry storm blew in.

The men scattered for safety, but when the storm finally cleared, a roll call came with the realization five hadn't made it.

"Some of the whalers got caught on the ice playing ball,鈥� Softball Yukon's executive director George Arcand explained in a walkthrough of Softball Yukon's historic exhibit yesterday afternoon.

Baseball has a history as old as the territory itself. The sport was a much-loved pastime during the heyday of the Gold Rush in Dawson City, and today, more than a century later, softball continues to be a popular way to spend a summer evening in the capital Whitehorse.

With preparations beginning to ramp up for the 2014 ISF Jr. Men's World Softball Championship next summer, the sport's territorial body is looking to update its current history exhibit at the Pepsi Softball Centre with the help of local residents.

Softball Yukon has teamed up with the MacBride Museum for the project, and is seeking out photos, articles, newspaper clippings, team jerseys, jackets and trophies from the general public.

"There's lots more to go,鈥� Arcand said. "There's lots missing from our current exhibit. We know what's happened the last 35 years, because I've been here. We want everything we can find 鈥� there's nothing we're not interested in.鈥�

Arcand said pictures are most valuable to the exhibit, noting the museum has worked through the territory's archives with a fine-tooth comb looking for historical articles and photographs.

"A picture is worth way more than an article,鈥� he said. "It tells people a whole lot more.鈥�

Team jackets sporting team names are also of great value. Those willing to contribute items can do so by loan or donation, Arcand said.

Eras of special interest include the war years, when the RCMP and U.S. Air Force enjoyed a terrific rivalry. At the time, the Whitehorse ballpark, hockey arena and curling rink were all located downtown on the land the Sport Yukon office stands today, Arcand said.

MacBride Museum's executive director Patricia Cunning said she is most interested in baseball equipment such as gloves or shirts used prior to the 1980s.

"It may be that people have things in their basement that they don't think are valuable,鈥� she said. "But that one shirt that your dad or grandfather wore will allow us to tell a story about a team from the 1950s. The objects are triggers for memories and stories.

"It's surprising what people actually have in their basements. Stuff pops up. For every show that we do, where we do a call out, amazing things turn up.鈥�

The current exhibit was set up in time for the 2012 ISF Women's World Championship, also held in the Yukon capital.

The addendum to the exhibit will be set up in May, in time for the junior men's worlds.

Anyone willing to loan or donate memorabilia can visit the museum or contact Arcand by phone at 334-6185 or email garcand@northwestel.net.