The Orillia Slo-Pitch League (OSPL) is set to honour Steve Makins on Saturday in Kitchener Park.
During a late summer motorcycle ride in 2020, Makins was badly injured and was airlifted to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Six days later, he tragically died of his injuries.
OSPL president Steve Hamilton says Makins was a favourite teammate for many who have played in the men's and co-ed divisions.
"He was a good person," Hamilton said. "He was the kind of guy who would always help out, even if he didn't necessarily know you that well."
When Hamilton's daughter began playing slo-pitch with adults, he remembers Makins being inclusive to the rookie.
"He was always giving her words of encouragement and helping to coach her through," he recalled. "He was always the guy to pick you up instead of putting you down if you made a mistake on the playing field."
Now in its second official year as an OSPL fundraising event, Hamilton says the Makins Cup Tournament is a great way to keep Makins' memory alive in the slo-pitch community.
"The tournament really has a sense of community," he said. "It's more about camaraderie and spending time together than it is about worrying about who wins the game."
Makins' mother, Cheryl Stubbings, says she is "thrilled" that people are still remembering her son.
"He's obviously left a lasting impression on everyone with his sportsmanship and sense of humour," she said. "Sadly, I didn't realize how many friends that he had who loved him like we do. It's really great."
Each of the 11 teams playing this weekend has made a minimum donation of $300 toward the tournament.
"We are using the money from it to improve the league," Hamilton said. "If we can, we will also donate to anything in the community that we feel Steve would want to help."
Last year, some of the money raised from the tournament was donated to the Orillia Girls Softball League.
Stubbings is grateful that funds raised in her son’s name are being used to improve sports for both adults and children.
"Sports are so important," she said. "It keeps people motivated to do other things and encourages friendships."
Both Hamilton and Stubbings hope the Makins Cup will be an annual tradition for years to come.
"There is such great sportsmanship among all the players," Stubbings said. "It's nice to know that they are still honouring Steve and raising funds so everybody can play."
The Makins Cup tournament starts at 8 a.m. and concludes with the championship games at 5 p.m. All games are taking place in Kitchener Park.
