By Greg Higgins

Son inspires MVP player to break 15-year hiatus

Jul 27, 2016 | 7:00 PM

A new glove had to be broken in, a bat bought and the cleats pulled from storage, all because a six-year-old wanted to see his dad play baseball again.

Brett Harrison, 36, won the 2016 North Saskatchewan River Baseball League (NSRBL) MVP after being away from the game for 15 years. Last time he played in the NSRBL was in 1999 for the North Battleford Jr. Beavers, where he was league MVP. At 21 he felt he went as far as he could with baseball and never planned on playing competitively again, until a simple game of catch changed everything.

“I just love seeing my son’s face light up when he plays. (He) is the one that really pulled the passion back into the game for me. Last year we would throw the ball around every day and it’s something that I wanted him to be a part of and watch his dad do,” Harrison said. “It’s great for him to come to the ballpark every game and he watches intently. After the games we always go out and play on the diamonds. He loves being part of the team, running the bases, hitting and catching. It’s all for him.”

Harrison is currently a vice-principal in Maidstone. He brings his teaching experience to the Standard Hill Lakers and takes pride in a leadership role.

“We have a lot of younger guys on our team,” Harrison said. “I think it’s important for me to teach the guys what is likely to happen in each situation. I try to be the one to keep them focused and I guess just trying to be the best leader I can be. The guys make me look good too though. I couldn’t have won the MVP without them.”

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The MVP is determined through voting. Each team ranks who they perceive as the top three players in the league. Harrison was ranked first by 10 of the 12 teams.

“It feels great. To be recognized by all the other teams is a real honour,” Harrison said.

The focus now shifts to the playoffs where the fifth place Lakers beat the fourth place Unity Cardinals. Standard Hill will take on the top-seeded Lloydminster Twins. Harrison knows it will be a big challenge.

“You always want to say you’re going to win the whole thing. Realistically it is possible for us. We take a lot of pride in our team because our players are so local. It is tough when you have a population of 1,500 and you’re going up against teams from Lloyd and North Battleford. I’m not saying it’s not fair but it’s a lot more challenging,” Harrison said.

Harrison is used to the pressures of a tough challenge. He played for Team Saskatchewan, was invited to try out for Team Canada and went to a scouting combine for the New York Yankees.

Harrison admits those days are behind him. Now he wants to enjoy the game with his son Cruz but won’t try to live vicariously through him.

“I’m not going to push him to be a better player or get to a higher level than I was,” Harrison said. If he decides baseball isn’t for him next year, that’s fine by me. Right now he loves it. His favourite players are Encarnacion and his dad. We’ll keep going with that until he changes his mind. I’ll support him no matter what.”

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.