Jim Mutcheson, one of the great Builders of the sport of baseball in our province, passed away last Wednesday at the age of 91.

Mutcheson, who along with his wife Sylvia raised six sons and two daughters, was instrumental in building the Morden ball parks in 1961 and when the family moved to Steinbach in 1968, he helped build that communities ball park.

From 1958 until 1985 he was a driving force behind the Little League program in Manitoba.

Mutcheson served as chair of Little Canadian Baseball from 1974-82 and was honoured by the Royal Canadian Legion with the Meritorious Service Medal for his tireless efforts in the communities in which his family lived.

Mutcheson was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.

In 2012 he was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame for a second time along with Sylvia and sons, Michael, Ray, Jim Jr., Jack, Joey and Matt.

"It's so sad. Jim was a great person for kids," reflected long time friend and fellow Manitoba Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Wiwchar. "When he got here he organized and built the first little league diamond. He was a great advocate for young kids. He did the same when he was in Steinbach. He organized baseball there and hockey too. He was instrumental in building the hockey rink by the courthouse. He was a great person and organizer for young people. He will be missed."

Hockey was another of Jim Mutcheson's passions.

Mutcheson won three South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League championships with the Miami Rockets and was named the SEMHL's top goaltender three times.

He coached minor hockey from 1950-85 and helped build rinks complete with boards, lights and dressing rooms.

In 2008 Mutcheson was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.

The funeral service for Jim Mutcheson will take place Tuesday, June 27th at St. Paul's Church in Morden.


photo courtesy Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame