For more than 25 years, Derrick Surowski has worked with minor baseball in numerous roles.
On Friday, he was honoured for his involvement by B.C. Babe Ruth Baseball.
Surowski has been interested in baseball his entire life and got his start in the sport when he was just two years old. “I’ve been involved in the game since I could walk,” he said.
In addition to playing the game, he has held numerous roles in the Penticton Minor Baseball Association, the Summerland Minor Baseball Association, the British Columbia Baseball Umpires Association and B.C. Babe Ruth Baseball.
He began coaching in 1986. Since 2001 he has been the Okanagan/Thompson district commissioner and since 2008, he has been the assistant provincial commissioner in the Cap Ripken Division.
Part of the reason for his involvement came when his sons started playing baseball, but his involvement continued after they were no longer in the league.
“I believe in giving back to my community, being part of my community,” he said.
Nine years ago, when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he chose to continue his involvement with the sport.
“No matter what happens, you can still make a difference.”