A Barrhead resident has been presented with the North Central Alberta Baseball League’s (NCABL) most prestigious award.
On Sunday, Aug. 28, at a ceremony before the second game of the NCABL’s championship series at Telus Field in Edmonton, Rod Callihoo was presented with the Ken Schultz Memorial Award.
The award is presented to an individual who has distinguished himself/herself over an extended period of time within a franchised area of the NCABL as a builder, administrator, promoter, or umpire in the game of baseball.
Callihoo was presented with the award for his work with Barrhead minor baseball.
Barbara Sabiston, who nominated Callihoo, said he has been an instrumental part of local baseball scene since 1982 when he started playing with the Barrhead Orioles NCABL team.
In 2004, Callihoo’s focus switched from playing baseball to coaching his sons where they played on a house league team. In addition to his new coaching duties, Callihoo had the added responsibility of organizing the league schedules. He did this until 2009 when Baseball Alberta took over the responsibility.
“As a coach Rod always plays fair, no kid ever sits on the bench, and nobody has the knowledge and is able to get that across to the kids better,” Sabiston said in her nomination letter. “He also has a knack for strategy, he is always thinking about the next play.”
When Callihoo was not playing or coaching baseball he organized work groups to repair and groom the ball diamonds at the Sports Grounds.
By 2005, Callihoo joined Barrhead’s minor baseball executive, first serving as vice-president eventually becoming president.
“When Rod first started minor ball was not strong as it has been in the past for Barrhead. Rod had a vision for Barrhead to be a baseball town that it once was. He is the reason that competitive ball is alive and strong in our community again,” Sabiston said, adding in the 10 years he served on the executive baseball has grown exponentially.
Paul Riopel, NCABL commissioner, said the league couldn’t find a more deserving person for the award.
“Rod Callihoo’s contributions not only to baseball in his own community of Barrhead, but within the greater region, has been instrumental in reviving baseball in a community has a long and prestigious history in the game,” he said. “He has been involved, over several decades been involved in every aspect of the sport and for that reason, we (NCABL) feels singularly instrumental in enhancing baseball overall.”
Riopel also noted it was fitting that Callihoo was given the award as it was a homecoming of sorts.
“The award was commemorated and established as a result of a very special citizen, Ken Schultz, who came from Barrhead. So it’s a native son being recognized by a predecessors great contribution to baseball,” he said.
Callihoo said was surprised and honored when he found out that he had received the award, adding he only learned about it three days before.
“It was a really special afternoon. I knew Ken when I was playing baseball, he was an umpire, and it was great to be able to meet his niece,” he said, adding he pleased to have been able to share the moment with his son and wife.
However, Callihoo was quick to point out that although he was the one that received the award he couldn’t have accomplished everything he did without help.
“I had a lot of help from a lot of families who helped get competitive ball back in Barrhead,” he said. “We had a really great group of parents and they helped with everything from managing and coaching to maintaining the field. I may be the one being recognized, but it’s really a team award.”
