Photo by Michael Johnson
The family of Gerald Kane Sr. holds the sign that will hang over the backstop of the first softball field at the Diamond Mound softball complex. On hand for last Saturday's dedication was son Gerry Kane Jr., grandson Josh Kane, wife Dolores Kane and daughter-in-law Becky Kane with her newborn.
Slow Pitch Softball
Softball field dedicated to Gerald Kane Sr.
WADSWORTH — Gerald Kane Sr. loved the game of softball, spending 35 years as an umpire at the diamonds at Softball Unlimited in Wadsworth.
Kane passed away suddenly March 16 at the age of 77 at his winter home in Barefoot Bay, Fla.
Last Saturday morning, in his honor, players surrounded diamond one at the now-called Diamond Mound Softball Park as they held a dedication to Kane with his family on hand.
“He was very well respected — a great, great man who spent 35 years umpiring right here,” said Jeff Drain, a pitcher for the RDS/Kast Farms softball team. “I would see him at the golf course at Sonyea all the time, and no matter what, he always made his way over to say hello and ask how I was doing. That’s just the type of caring person he was.”
The official name of last Saturday’s tournament was the Gerald Kane Memorial Softball Tournament, which hosted 12 teams from across the area, including teams from Buffalo and Syracuse.
Full Blast (Buffalo) won the tournament title with a victory over ICS in the championship.
But, while the tournament itself was a big hit, the Saturday morning dedication was well attended.
A beautiful sign which reads, “Diamond 1, Dedicated In Memory Of Gerald Kane Sr. 1934-2012” was placed on the backstop of the first field.
The sign was graciously donated by Kevin Morris, owner of Star Construction.
A plaque was placed on the backside of the first field backstop in memory of Gerald Kane Sr. at the Diamond Mound Softball Complex.
