UNITY — A national award has been earned by Regan L’Heureux of Unity, as Baseball Canada has named him Volunteer of the Year.
L’Heureux is a long-time baseball player, coach, current Baseball Saskatchewan vice-president and current Unity Minor Ball president.
His long resumé of building the game of baseball and commitment to programs that encompass baseball at a local, provincial and national level are among the reasons he was chosen for the award.
Adam Morissette of Baseball Canada says, “Regan was nominated by Baseball Saskatchewan and selected from a pool of submissions from around the country. He is fully deserving of this award in recognition of his tremendous efforts to grow and support baseball in Unity.”
Some comments from community members that have worked with, or experienced L’Heureux's leadership say: “The guy is the best association president I’ve seen.” “He’s objective, he’s thorough.” “He likely put 40 hours into diamond renovation physically himself, he gets stuff done.”
Some of L’Heureux’s nomination stated, “Regan has been Unity Minor Ball president for five years and the organization is reaching new heights of growth and expansion under his guidance and leadership. UMB has batting cages at all four diamonds, as well as an indoor batting cage (he brokered its donation and original construction) and pitching mounds in the rink in the summer for inclement weather. Regan stickhandled through a pandemic and kept pushing UMB coaches to continue spreading his passion for baseball. Every year L’Heureux has the tools in place for Unity Minor Ball teams – baseball and softball – to succeed in provincials as there are teams in every group, sometimes two teams. They all strive for Tier 1 status. L’Heureux made Unity a T1 baseball town, in a community of 2,500 souls.”
The nomination also read, “Currently … one of our ball diamonds is being renovated. Regan took vacation time – actual holiday days from his job – to ensure the man hours were there to get the job complete. He is the project foreman, the general contractor and the full-time labourer. He dug in sprinklers, and he helped lay the sod. He lined up volunteers but put in more hours that is so far above and beyond it is inconceivable. As a side note, Regan nor any of the kids he will inevitably coach, will play on that diamond.
“L’Heureux’s incredible dedication to the wonderful game both on the field, and behind the scenes makes it impossible to imagine a more deserving winner of any award."
