New memorial ball tourney honours two players
Chiefs, Team 55 and Lynx programs to benefit from event
LAKEFIELD — Two young lives gone too soon will be honoured at a memorial baseball tournament this summer.
The Brent Upper Memorial Ball Tournament is in memory of Brent “Ripper” Upper and Jake “Steam Train” Stanley.
Upper, 22, died of a suspected opioid overdose in July. His good friend Stanley, 21, died by suicide in 2015.
The event is happening July 21 at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre on Alma Rd. in Norwood.
Upper’s mom, Sheri Erickson, wanted to host the tournament to honour their memories and raise awareness for the ongoing need for supports for young people battling mental health and addictions.
The tournament is also a fundraiser benefitting mental health and addiction programs, as well as Upper’s former hockey team, the Lakefield Chiefs.
Details of the tournament were revealed at the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre on Thursday morning.
Both boys spent a lot of time playing with the Lakefield Minor Hockey Association while they were growing up.
“They loved hockey and it’s important for us to invest in our youth and our local sporting organizations as a way to help kids stay active, healthy and occupied,” Erickson said.
A third of the tournament’s proceeds will benefit the Chiefs and the remaining funds will support two Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge endeavors: Team55 Let’s Tackle Suicide Prevention and Lynx, an early psychosis program for youth.
Upper was very outgoing and charismatic, his mother said.
“Everyone loved him … he was always willing to give a helping hand to anybody,” she said.
The opioid epidemic has caused so much pain to so many families and communities, Erickson said. And one in five Canadians are suffering from forms of mental illness.
The Lakefield mom hopes the tournament will send a message to those who are struggling that they don’t have to struggle alone.
“I wish that our efforts could bring back Brent and Jake, but they can’t.
“So we want to help raise awareness and end the stigma so people don’t suffer in silence and so that parents don’t have to bury their children.”
Although the tournament is now full, with 20 teams participating, there are other ways the community to support the event. Donations can be made online to the Brent Uppper Memorial Ball Tournament at www.cmhahkpr.ca/get-involved/donate or a pledge sheet can be downloaded at www.cmhahkpr.ca/events/brent-upper-memorial-balltournament
And of course, anyone is welcome to attend the tournament to show their support or cheer on a team.
The first game is at 8 a.m. and there’s a barbecue lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by remarks by the family. The 50/50 draw and other prize winners will be announced at 3 p.m.