Dave Ward receives temporary plaque during field naming ceremony for old Diamond 1 at Roundshaw
It was a great weekend for long-time Croydon Pirates GM Dave Ward. His first team showed a dramatic turn-around in form to claim back the London Tournament title after a wait of several years, and he was surprised by a ceremony on Saturday afternoon in which the enclosed diamond at Roundshaw was named Dave Ward Field (thanks must go to former first-team Pirates catcher Andy Kulina for his ability to cut through the often treacherous, swampy ground that is local council politics, and get this on the Sutton agenda).
The move is broadly supported by the local council but must now go through ratification at the next meeting of the relevant committee. However, it is hoped by all that this is nothing more than a formality. And, in any case, whatever the outcome, the ground will from now on be known as Dave Ward Field among the British baseball community.
The Pirates win. Left to right: Conor Riffle (tournament coach), Dave Ward (general manager), Tim Ssali (pitcher/shortstop), and Mark Goater (club helper).