Sportsnet’s Jamie Campbell pays it forward, gives back in Woodstock

Showing decent form for a little league baseball non-pitcher, Sportsnet Blue Jays Central host Jamie Campbell fires a ceremonial first-pitch strike Thursday evening at Southside East Diamond. (Jeff Tribe photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

Sportsnet Blue Jays Central host Jamie Campbell continued to pay it forward and give back through Baseball Canada 13U opening ceremonies Thursday, Aug. 21, at Woodstock’s Southside East Diamond.

Along with an engaging address, Campbell delivered a ceremonial first pitch, delighting both the crowd and ‘guest umpire’ City of Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione.

“Right down the centre, it was perfect,” credited the mayor. “He may not be a pitcher, but we’re sure glad he’s here.”

Opening ceremonies featured introductions of 12 participating teams from Ontario (3), Quebec (2), British Columbia (2), Alberta, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador, the latter ‘enjoying’ a lengthy bus ride after disruptions in scheduled flights.

“Thirty-seven hours,” Acchione marvelled. “And they made it here just in time to celebrate our opening ceremonies.”

The list of dignitaries warmly welcoming participants included Baseball Canada representative Dirk Driederg, Oxford MP Arpan Khanna and Acchione, extending a sincere thank-you to the grounds crew (city parks and rec staff) and all the volunteers responsible for making the event.

“We are so proud to host this again this year and showcase the City of Woodstock - the Friendly City - to everyone across Canada.”

Campbell’s presence came about in part through the confluence of three fortuitous events: the Blue Jays having a night off, the attraction of a fun event, and the fact his maternal grandfather, Osborne Canfield, is buried in the family plot within the city. But mostly, it’s the lingering legacy of a chance 1977 encounter a nine-year-old Campbell had with Lyman Bostock, then an outfielder with the Minnesota Twins.

Jamie had begged his father, Peter, to take him from their Oakville home to Exhibition Stadium as his dad relented for a Jays/Twins game the first weekend in May. Hoping to get an autograph or chat with hometown heroes, including Doug Alt and Bob Baylor, Jamie got to the park after the Jays had taken batting practice and retreated into their clubhouse.

“So, I ran down to the field anyway,” he recalled.

Bostock, a major leaguer Campbell would subsequently be told was a highly compassionate and caring individual, was taking in the sun on the field, glancing up to spot the only kid within 100 metres. Instead of looking away and ignoring him, the career .311 hitter with the Twins and California Angels walked over to, “nine-year-old red-headed me.”

“I froze,” Campbell smiled, but would eventually be drawn out by Bostock’s informal approach, asking him about Toronto and what fun things there were to do in the city. “Just conversational,” said Campbell, for whom Bostock’s kind and generous gesture planted the seed for his future career. “I was hooked from that moment.”

After graduating from the then Ryerson Polytechnical Institute with a radio and television degree, Campbell’s path eventually led to Sportsnet, play-by-play coverage, and, since 2010, as studio host of Blue Jays broadcasts. The highly recognizable television personality was clearly the star of the show through both official duties and an extended autograph and selfies session.

“That probably comes from him (Bostock),” said Campbell, who never lost his appreciation for their brief, yet formative encounter. Bostock was tragically killed in September of 1978, mourned as an outgoing, friendly human being who always looked for the best in people.

“That was the saddest time of my young life,” admitted Campbell, who patiently accommodated each request.

“I don’t do it because I feel obligated, I do it because I want to,” he explained, musing aloud about the possibility some other youngster might be inspired, as he was. “You never know.”

As Campbell continued to make new fans, arguably his first, Mother Nancy, watched from the press area behind home plate, a slightly different vantage for the official first offering.

“Just a little over this way,” she said, indicating an area inside to a right-handed batter. “But pretty darn good for a kid that didn’t pitch.”

Her son always was a sports fan, says Nancy, taking the train to go to games or discovering where opposing teams were staying and hanging around the lobby looking for autographs.

“And I love the fact he’s doing exactly what he wanted to when he was ten years old.”

Enjoying Jamie’s broadcasts has enhanced her own appreciation for baseball, along with the occasional opportunity for a live view from the Sportsnet booth.

“He sure loves what he does.”

Full disclosure, what could be considered one of Jamie’s signature moves involving a broom following a Toronto series sweep, isn’t something he picked up at home. He was pretty helpful and his room was always neat and tidy, but Jamie was never front and centre when housework called.

“The broom is definitely for sweeping baseball,” Nancy laughed. “Nothing he learned at home.”

Thrilled to join her son for the trip to Woodstock, a proud mother thoroughly enjoyed the shared outing, supper in the city’s downtown after, and watching her son perform both official and unofficial duties, giving back to a sport which offered him so much.

“He’s just a kind, thoughtful and caring person,” Nancy concluded. “Very generous with his time.”