From the Muskoka Hornets:
At its annual awards banquet held on Saturday April 29, the Muskoka Hornets formally announced that it will retire #25 in a ceremony to be held on Saturday, June 24 at 12 pm at Bracebridge’s Kerr Park. #25 was the jersey number worn by former executive, coach and baseball parent Mike Holm, who tragically passed away in 2017 at the age of 39. Mike is survived by his wife Vicky and two sons still active in the program, Mark and Lucas, who were all present for the announcement. The jersey retirement on June 24 will coincide with the formal ceremony to re-name Kerr Park’s baseball field to Holm Diamond at Kerr Park.
Mark Holm, who is in his last year as a Hornet, recently committed to continue his post-secondary baseball career at Niagara Community College in up-state New York while Lucas is a pitcher and starting center fielder on the Muskoka Hornets 15U AA team. Lucas’s 15U team will play at Kerr Park before the ceremony, while Mark’s 18U Hornets team will play a doubleheader against Innisfil immediately following the retirement ceremony.
“Mike’s contribution to our program cannot be measured in words. He was a true jack of all trades coaching both of his kids, volunteering at house league, helping at fundraisers, raking diamonds at tournaments and participating in all other Hornets activities,” commented Muskoka Hornets President Peter Haynes. “Mike was the true definition of a Diamond Rat and his love of baseball was never ending. I miss him every day but get some peace in knowing his legacy will live on forever both in our program and in Bracebridge at the re-named Holm Diamond at Kerr Park,” Haynes added.
Mark Holm had a big night at the awards ceremony, winning MVP for his 18U AA team, while also taking home the award named after his father for dedication to the program. On behalf of the Hornets program, we wish Mark the best in his future baseball endeavors. Other winners of 2022 awards are listed on the Hornets social media pages and will appear on our website at www.hornetsbaseball.ca. A video montage put together in honor of Mike which included well wishes from former Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, former Blue Jays first base coach and now full-time resident of Muskoka, Tim Leiper, and Toronto Blue Jays World Series Champions Duane Ward and Devon White, will be available on our website in the near future.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
Click here to support local news
Join the discussion: