OTTAWA – On April 11th, Baseball Canada President Ray Carter was invited to Opening Day of the Tsawwassen Amateur Baseball Association’s season. The Municipality of Delta had built a new midget field and wanted one of the most distinguished baseball people in Canada to attend.
But unbeknownst to Carter was that it was also a dedication to the almost 35 years of his involvement in the sport as they named the new diamond “Ray Carter Field.”
“I was completely shocked and overwhelmed when they named the field after me,” says Carter. “It is truly an honour to be recognized in that fashion.”
“Does this mean they’re putting me out to pasture,” he later quipped.
Carter has built up quite a resume in baseball since arriving in the Delta region from Vancouver Island in 1975. He started as a groundskeeper and coach with the Tsawwassen ABA and worked his way up to President of the association. He also spent 13 years with the Delta Parks and Recreation Commission.
In 1988, Carter became President of B.C. Minor Baseball, a position he would hold until 1990 when he became President of B.C. amateur Baseball. The same year he became President of B.C. Minor, he became the Vice President of Baseball Canada and was immediately involved with several committees within the organization. Then, in 2000, he was elected President of Baseball Canada.
In the community, Carter is the President of RKTG Consulting and Engineers and sits on the Delta Police Board. He has been recognized in the past for his tireless work with numerous volunteer awards within his community as well as receiving Canada’s Governor General’s medal for volunteerism in 1993.
Despite all the accolades, Carter remains humble and unassuming and ever ready to deflect his accomplishments to others.
“It’s always a little awkward when you’re singled out like that, because there are so many people who work tremendously hard in this sport who should be recognized,” says Carter. “I got involved in sports in this community because I’m a sports-minded person. However it is really very special and quite a memorable moment for me to have something in my name like that.”
Everyone at Baseball Canada would like to congratulate Ray for the wonderful honour.
