Awards
The Dennis Gilbert Award
Dennis Gilbert laid the foundation for the junior program at the Watsonia Baseball Club with wife Fay soon after the club formed in 1974. From that time on, he immersed himself in the club, taking on whatever was asked of him – that grew into a passion that became a family affair as sons Brett and Mark also began playing at Watsonia. Dennis knew that things needed to get done and was always first to raise his hand to volunteer and accept any task that was thrust upon him.
Dennis did everything from looking after uniforms to maintaining the field of play. He helped build dugouts and batting cages, scorer’s boxes and bullpens. But Dennis finally found his calling when he became the Watsonia Baseball Club Bar Manager; a role he performed for many, many years ensuring the bar was stocked, and the money kept rolling into the club account so it could keep thriving. Dennis performed this role for Watsonia right up until he passed and moved on the manage Heaven’s Bar in 2001. Dennis Gilbert’s legacy continues to live strong at Watsonia through his daughter Sharon (Gilbert) Snelson, his very talented Grandson’s Christian and Leight and Son in Law and Watsonia Baseball Club living legend, Darren Snelson.
The Dennis Gilbert Award is presented to a club member in recognition of their tireless work off the field for the Watsonia Baseball Club. This is an extremely prestigious award that in the past has been awarded to the hard-working people that often perform tasks behind the scenes that may not be immediately seen or recognised. They do this not for the recognition, but for the love of the Watsonia Baseball Club. Recipients of this award share the very same characteristics or traits that led to this award being named after Dennis Gilbert – these people are dedicated, loyal, humble and selfless.
Each year we recognise hard working individuals for their work around the club and they join the list of past worthy winners. At Watsonia, we are blessed that there are people who are incredibly unlucky to miss out on this award every year.
The Richard Williams Award
It was August 2004, the last game Richard Williams was going to play that season before his forthcoming wedding on the 5th of September. Mid-way through the game, Richard didn’t flinch taking a pitch just above the ankle. Although he grimaced a little as he headed up to first base, he played out the game not realising that his leg was broken until sometime later….
That’s a typical anecdote about a player who regularly displayed exceptional commitment and determination on the baseball field and indeed in a great many aspects of his life. Always committed to the team and often finding more joy in the personal successes of his teammates over himself, Richard had a rare appreciation for the line between fierce competitiveness and respect for the game, opponents, umpires, coaches and supporters.
Richard was one of the first players to come to Watsonia at the suggestion of Stuart Medland, in what Chris Wheeler would come to refer to as ‘the Melbourne Invasion’. The 19-year-old that first came across wasted no time in fully embracing club life at Watsonia and quickly became a key advocate in furthering the invasion. These were good years for Watsonia as the second nine enjoyed back-to-back premierships in 1998 and 1999 and the firsts were perennial contenders, finally getting the job done in 2000.
In December of 2000 at the age of 23 Richard was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Despite sessions of radiotherapy, numerous surgeries and ongoing chemotherapy, Richard’s resolve to deal with the challenge without complaint or despair was nothing short of inspirational. As fate would have it that pitch in the leg was the last time Richard would play for Watsonia because a little over a year later, cancer claimed his life when he was aged just 27.
The Richard Williams Award recognises members of the Watsonia Baseball Club who demonstrated courage, determination and loyalty in the pursuit of their sport. Both in baseball and in his battle with cancer, Richard demonstrated these commendable characteristics. The virtue of those qualities reinforced each year, as another worthy recipient joins the lofty company of previous winners of the Richard Williams Award.
The Darren Snelson Medal
Darren Snelson first represented Watsonia Baseball Club’s first nine team in 1983. Since that time, he has set the example for on field effort, attitude and excellence. These values have made Darren on of the most respected members in our history by, teammates and opposition alike.
He won the first of eight A grade Most Valuable Player titles in 1989 and the last in 2007, including in the year 2000 – Watsonia’s last A grade premiership. This is a testament to his longevity and commitment to the club and team.
Darren has been a player who has expected the best out of himself and those around him. On field he is a fierce competitor who has played the game with the respect it deserves, approaching every contest with a drive to be the best.
Darren was inducted as a Life Member in 1999 and has continued to cement his place in Watsonia history, not only because of the countless playing awards and premierships, as on of the club’s multi-generational plyers. His wife Sharon, an outstanding sports person in her own right, is daughter of Dennis Gilbert, whom the best club person award is named after. His sons, Christian and Leigh, have both represented Watsonia in juniors and seniors with the same fire and determination they have learned from their Father.
The Darren Snelson Medal is awarded to the years outstanding performer in the first nine. It is recognition of their commitment and hard work to their on-field performance and contribution to the success of the team.
The Chris Lane Award
The Chris Lane Award recognises the junior player of the year, for their inspiration to others, dedication to the game, their courage, loyalty and determination. These are the qualities we admired in Chris, always.
Chris Lane grew up in Oak Park, Melbourne and was educated at St Bernard’s College West Essendon, where he was well liked for his humour, humility and leadership qualities. Chris was a talented baseball player and intelligent young man. Chris had developed his baseball at Essendon and Watsonia Baseball Clubs, where he won the hearts of club members and supporters. In his time at Watsonia, Chris not only played, but coached the Under 17 side. We dare say that there are not too many 16 year olds with the ability, dedication and respect of their peers that could do this, and do it so well. Chris was dedicated to the sport, including undertaking additional conditioning programs at the Victorian Institute of Sport.
After winning a student athlete scholarship to Redlands Community College, in El Reno, Chris moved to America in August 2009. He subsequently transferred to study Finance at East Central University Oklahoma in 2012 on a baseball scholarship, where he was playing in their starting lineup in 2013.
During his final year of college, Chris Lane was tragically killed while out on a run in small town Duncan, southern Oklahoma. On the 16th August 2013, Chris Lane set off for an afternoon jog when he was shot in the back by unknown, bored teenage joyriders. Chris suffered severe injuries to his heart and lungs, and died on the side of the road.
In 2022 we posthumously inducted Chris as a Watsonia Baseball Club Life Member. The first Little League field has been built in his name and opened in 2024. We remember Chris for his inspiration to others, dedication to the game, his courage, loyalty and determination.
