By Carlos VerdeIn July 2020, the life of longtime Brantford Red Sox sponsor Brett Ramey was cut tragically short at age 53.Nearly three years later, Rashell Ramey stands at the end of the Red Sox dugout adorned in a team pullover.Following Brett’s death, the Rameys sold his hair-styling and ice cream businesses; the family, however,…
In July 2020, the life of longtime Brantford Red Sox sponsor Brett Ramey was cut tragically short at age 53.
Nearly three years later, Rashell Ramey stands at the end of the Red Sox dugout adorned in a team pullover.
Following Brett’s death, the Rameys sold his hair-styling and ice cream businesses; the family, however, had no intention of abandoning the Red Sox.
Today, Rashell is the IBL club’s trainer, older brother Braydin serves as an assistant coach with Brantford’s junior team and mother Maryann chips in on concessions at Red Sox home games.
“It’s a way for us to show our support,” reflected Rashell following Brantford’s visit to Hamilton on Sunday. “My dad used to cut the Red Sox a cheque every year, and he was really proud to support the team. Now that we don’t have the business anymore — this is our way of trying to compensate for that cheque.”
She will be tasked with a brief speech and delivering the first pitch prior to Brantford’s Canada Day home game, which the club is dedicating to her late father; funds will be raised for the Stedman Community Hospice, where Brett spent his final days.
“It means a lot for me, to be able to tell people about his involvement with the team, and how we’re still involved for him and for the team,” she reflected. “Canada Day is a really big day for us.”
Her work as a trainer is in addition to work and school endeavours; she wants to eventually become a teacher, and regularly runs up 20- and 22-hour days when the Sox play night games.
But hard work is one trait she happily inherited from her father, a successful small business owner.
“The boys call me a jack-of-all-trades, and make it known that my work is appreciated,” laughed Rashell. “I’m up at 4:00 a.m. to go to work, and they know that and think I’m crazy.
“But this is for sure a way to remember my dad.”
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July 1’s fundraiser for Stedman Hospice is one of a number of initiatives the Red Sox support.
“As a community team it’s important that we aren’t just here to play ball — we need to be involved with the community as well,” said Brantford co-owner Connie Pomerleau, whose club also supports The Lansdowne Children’s Centre and Brant County SPCA. “Brett Ramey was a program sponsor for many years, (and) the Hospice is a really important place for patients and their families at the end of their life.
“My aunt and uncle both spent their last weeks in Stedman in the last six months, and I’m thankful there is such a wonderful place and that they were taken care of,” continued Pomerleau. “There are very few hospices in Ontario, so Brantford is very lucky to have Stedman.”
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The day he passed, Brett Ramey was carried from the Stedman Hospice; outside, a sombre crowd of family and friends congregated — as best they could during the height of the pandemic — and shared memories.
God’s Country by Blake Shelton played over a speaker.
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On any given Friday night, the Ramey family is here, there and everywhere around the Red Sox: Maryann takes orders at the concession, Rashell tapes ice-packs onto the lifted pitchers and Braydin is more often than not on the road with his junior team.
Three years after Brett’s death, they carry on his affiliation with the Red Sox — both to honour his memory and to support their grassroots hometown team.
A ballpark in the evening is a serene place, with the crack of the bat punctuating the still night air; as the sun sets somewhere around the third inning, it feels — if you are the type inclined to believe in that sort of thing — a little bit like God’s Country.
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The Brantford Red Sox will dedicate their July 1 home game against Kitchener to longtime sponsor Brett Ramey (1966-2020). The Brantford Piston Pushers Car Club, one of Brett’s favourites, will be in attendance and funds will be raised The Stedman Community Hospice. Tickets are available at the gate or on SeatGiant.
News: IBL Veteran Brett Lawson Re-Signs with Hamilton
The Hamilton Cardinals have re-signed veteran right-handed starting pitcher Brett Lawson.Standing tall at 6-foot-8 and hailing from Burlington, Lawson made a mid-season move to the Cardinals from the Welland Jackfish during the 2023 campaign. Despite a limited regular-season engagement, where he pitched 7 innings for the Cardinals, Lawson stepped up remarkably in the playoff series…
The Hamilton Cardinals have re-signed veteran right-handed starting pitcher Brett Lawson.
Standing tall at 6-foot-8 and hailing from Burlington, Lawson made a mid-season move to the Cardinals from the Welland Jackfish during the 2023 campaign. Despite a limited regular-season engagement, where he pitched 7 innings for the Cardinals, Lawson stepped up remarkably in the playoff series against Barrie, delivering a standout performance by striking out 10 batters across 8 innings and achieving a commendable ERA of 3.37.
With a rich career spanning over 500 innings in the IBL and accumulating more than 400 strikeouts, Lawson’s experience is unparalleled in the league. His illustrious career includes clinching the IBL’s prestigious Dominico Cup with the Barrie Baycats from 2014 to 2018. Lawson’s professional journey was kickstarted when he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 15th round of the 2001 MLB June Amateur Draft, following his tenure at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, marking the beginning of a six-season journey in professional baseball. The Cardinals will continue to lean on Lawson’s proven leadership and track record of success throughout the 2024 season.
“Lawson is one of the model IBL veterans, and with a young roster, we’re fortunate to have him back with us,” said George Halim, Hamilton Cardinals General Manager. “He’s a lifetime pro who knows how to get outs, and knows how to compete while giving us a chance to win when he’s out there.”
About the Hamilton Cardinals
The Hamilton Cardinals Baseball Club are a member of Canada’s best league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The over 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, established in 1919. For more information visit: https://www.theibl.ca & https://www.iblcardinals.ca
News: JACKFISH ANNOUNCE CHAMPION VS. CHAMPION GAME AGAINST QUEBEC CAPITALES
WELLAND – The Welland Jackfish, Niagara’s sports entertainment destination, is excited to announce they will host the 2023 Frontier League Champions Quebec Capitales for a preseason game at Welland Stadium on Monday, May 6.Gates are scheduled to open at 6:00 p.m. and first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Concessions will be available and tickets…
WELLAND – The Welland Jackfish, Niagara’s sports entertainment destination, is excited to announce they will host the 2023 Frontier League Champions Quebec Capitales for a preseason game at Welland Stadium on Monday, May 6.
Gates are scheduled to open at 6:00 p.m. and first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Concessions will be available and tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 905-735-9834 or by clicking here.
“It will be great to open the doors on May 6 for the exhibition against Quebec,” team President and Director of Fun, Ryan Harrison said. “I appreciate Pat Scalabrini and the entire Quebec Capitales for making this happen for us and all of our fans. It will be tremendous for our players – and our gameday staff – to get in a preseason game under the lights as we continue to prepare for Opening Day. It’s incredible to be home at the Pond.”
The Québec Capitales (French: Les Capitales de Québec) are a professional baseball team based in Quebec City, Quebec. The Capitales have been members of the Frontier League since the 2020 season after a merger between the Can-Am League and the Frontier League in October 2019. Since the 1999 season, the Capitales have played their home games at Stade Canac.
The Jackfish return to The Pond on Saturday, May 18th at 6:05 pm for their 2024 Home Opener. Season membership and flex plans are on sale now at wellandjackfish.com/2024 or by calling 905-735-9834.
The Welland Jackfish are a member of Canada’s best league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The over 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, with the league established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit www.wellandjackfish.com or follow the Jackfish on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @wellandjackfish.
TORONTO, Ontario – The Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club (@MapleLeafsBaseball) announced today the re-signing of 5 time IBL Champion Right-Handed Pitcher Chris NagorskiNagorski returns for his 3rd season with the Leafs after spending 8 seasons in the IBL with Guelph and Barrie. Nagorski is 2nd all time in IBL career saves (25) and 12th all-time…
TORONTO, Ontario – The Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club (@MapleLeafsBaseball) announced today the re-signing of 5 time IBL Champion Right-Handed Pitcher Chris Nagorski
Nagorski returns for his 3rd season with the Leafs after spending 8 seasons in the IBL with Guelph and Barrie. Nagorski is 2nd all time in IBL career saves (25) and 12th all-time in appearances (136 games) . Last season in 12 games, Chris stuck out 8 and had an ERA of 5.26 in 13.2 Innings pitched.
“Chris is a tremendous team player and understands his role as a leader and late inning relief pitcher. He knows how to be ready to pitch and helps the younger players adjust to the IBL. We are excited to have him back this year.” GM Jeff Lounsbury
“I am thrilled to run it back with the boys and contribute to a new era of Toronto Maple Leaf Baseball” said Nagorkski
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a member of Canada’s best league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The over 100-year-old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, with the league established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit www.mapleleafsbaseball.com or follow the Maple Leafs on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
This announcement is brought to you by NEW ERA CAP COMPANY official hat supplier of the Toronto Maple Leaf Baseball Team. New Era | New Era Hats & Apparel – New Era Cap
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