Just like a family

Almost four decades of dedication rewarded with Mount Gambier & District baseball life membership

It’s all about family for Michael Summers – his birth family, who introduced him to the sport he loves – and the Mount Gambier baseball community, that have been like family for the hard working player and volunteer for the best part of four decades.

When the Mount Gambier & District Baseball League headed out its 2022/23 season honours earlier this month, they also inducted a new life member, and after 39 years of getting the job done on and off the diamond at Blue Lake Sports Park, Michael Summers was a reserved inductee.

“It was very overwhelming,” he said. “I am honoured to now be on the same board as Sean Horrigan, who has been massive in my life as a coach and just a great person in my life, and Uncle Sid and Ian Ewart, who have all been so big in my baseball life.”

Michael started playing as a six year old in the Under 12 competition, for Federals, following in the footsteps of his father Rodney, and Uncle Trevor, with uncle Sid Hosking, the name most synonymous with baseball and Central, also providing inspiration.

He worked his way through the junior ranks, graduating to seniors.

By his own admission, he was never cut out to be an elite player and he never played division one but he has always played the game he loves, claiming his eighth premiership at the weekend when Tigers won a nailbiting division two premiership – the win secured by the bat of Summers, who batted in the winning run.

He was, however, able to become an elite umpire and administrator and has been making his mark in that space for almost 25 years. “I was never good enough to play division one but I loved my baseball and to be able to get good enough at umpiring to be involved in division one that way has been fantastic,” Michael said. “I have always enjoyed umpiring since starting out as a base umpire and then moving on to do the plate. You are always in the game and feel a part of it.”

He joined the Penola Baseball Club for the 2002/03 season, coaching the Division 3 team and that was, in fact, this first time he tasted premiership success. The demise of the Penola club though, saw Michael return to a Mount Gambier based club and ever since has been a proud Tiger.

His first taste of off field roles came at Federals, where he took on the presidency in 2000 – it was the same year he joined the Mount Gambier & District baseball League board as the umpire coordinator. He has also been publicity officer, responsible for creating the draw, held the president’s role and is currently vice president.

“I love the game and I love the social aspect of it and the competitive aspect of the sport,” Michael said. “It has always been a passion of mine to play baseball and no other summer sport ever took my fancy. You are always in the action with baseball.

“Even when I moved to Adelaide, baseball was the first thing I got into and I stay in touch and still catch up with the people I met through baseball there.

“I’m not a gifted athlete that’s for sure but I’ve enjoyed my sort and I’ve entertained people over the years. I have made lifelong friends because of baseball and I credit dad and my uncles for that.”

One of his most enduring memories was the time he umpired with his dad and Uncle Trevor and he always enjoyed his battled on the diamond when he used to play against Uncle Sid.

“Family is a massive thing for me and baseball is like a family,” Michael said, which is why having his parents and fiancé Lisa Hirth snuck into the clubrooms for the special presentation made the day even more memorable. “I am very proud and very humbled as you are when you receive something like this.”