He will go down as one of the most influential people in the South Hastings Baseball League history, but he was much more than that.
Tuesday morning, at the age of 66, John “Bat” Masterson passed away.
Earlier this month on a hunting trip (Abrams Hunting Camp) with family and friends, Masterson began feeling unwell. Shortly after returning on November 20, Masterson suffered a stroke and passed away November 30.
Masterson was a very talented baseball player, getting opportunities at training camps for the Montreal Expos and Pittsburgh Pirates.
He started playing in the South Hastings Baseball League with Latta at the age of 16. He played for Foxboro IGA and once they disbanded, he joined Uens Pole Line Construction. That club won multiple South Hastings titles. He was a pitcher, catcher, 3rd baseman and centre fielder during his career.
The Cornerstone Blues Senior A Baseball Club (out of Belleville’s Rotary Park) was also part of “Bat’s” history. He was part of the 1979 team that won the Eastern Ontario Baseball Association Championship. They went to the Ontario Senior Baseball Championships in 1980. He was with them from 1978 to 1982.
After retiring from playing, Masterson helped create the Tyendinaga Mudhens, a club he would manage for many years. At the time of his passing, he was also the president of the South Hastings Baseball League. He was part of the South Hastings Baseball League for 51 years.
He also created, developed and coached the Melrose Tal Trees baseball team that won EOBA championships in 1999 and 2000. They were All Ontario Champions in 2000.
It was not just baseball that Masterson was actively involved with. He played hockey with the Frankford Huskies Junior C team and Tweed Intermediates and Stirling Senior Club. He also coached the Deseronto Bulldogs rep teams at several different levels.
The family will be having a small graveside service in the coming days and there will be a Celebration of Life in Melrose near the start of the 2022 South Hastings Baseball season.
John Masterson is survived by his wife Cathy, son Darcy (partner Megan Kirk), granddaughter Quinn, parents Mary and Gerry Masterson, his brother Brian and Barry. His brother tom and sister Anna Marie have passed also.
