R. I. P. John Leonard. former Baseball Canada INF
Yvonne, with the late John Leonard
By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
John Leonard was a member of the Team Canada senior team and attended the National Baseball Institute from 1986-1991.
And when SS Leonard played he was usually in the midst of the action.
David Krug (Oakville, Ont.) was on the mound for Canada at the World senior championships in Edmonton. And Krug was in a tight spot: bases loadedm none out, against The Netherlands.
The Dutch hitter lined a ball off the shoe of an off-balanace Krug. The ball went to Leonard who threw a strike to 2B Barry Petachenko (Welland, Ont.), who fired to 1B Gary Van Tol (Pincher Creek, Alta.) for a double play.
Van Tol threw across the diamond and the Netherlands runner from third was eventually erased in a rundown. Triple play?
When Krug reached the dugout he told coacheds Bernie Beckman and Jim Ridley (Milton, Ont.) that the liner which hit him in in the foot had not touched the ground on its way to Leonard. The Netherlands were taking the field -- a run up -- when Ridley emerged to argue. He told the umps that the first out was recorded hen Leonard (Oakville, Ont.) caught the ball off Krug’s foot, the second out was made when Petachenko cuaght the ball at second and Van Tol the third out at first base.
But had the runner at third tagged? Canada took the field, appealed at third and the ump ruled he had not, taking The Netherlands run off the board.
Canada prevailed 7-6.
“He was heck of a hitter left-handed hitter, think Wade Boggs," said former teammate Kevin Briand. "He never gave in and rarely ever struck put. He was also a great teammate. He had your back. Tough as nails. Really sad.
"John amd Carol Haar. John Leonard and myself had lunch together just over a month ago. “
The point of the story is not to give you the results of the 1990 Worlds.
He was with the 1985 Team Ontario … a teammate of Greg Hamilton’s. For Canada, he also competed for Canada in the 1987 Pan American Games and the 1996 Goodwill Games. Staying in BC, he played for the North Shore Twins and legendary Canadian Hall of Famer John Haar in 1987.
The news here is that John Leonard, son of Sam Leonard, has passed.
From his sister Annie Leonard:
**RIP JOHN LEONARD**
To all that knew, loved, and ever met Mike and my youngest brother, John Leonard …
It is with the utmost sadness and heartbreaking displeasure that I have to share this awful and devastating news. We are all in such disbelief of the unexpected tragedy and loss our family has just experienced.
During this long weekend in British Columbia, a completely anomalous camping accident has taken our Johnnie from us, and he has passed. Because he has so many friends and extended loved ones outside of our immediate family, this was the easiest way to notify everyone.
A long-standing Bylaw Officer with the City of Port Coquitlam for almost 30 years, passed away following an accident while off duty. He dedicated many years of service to our community and was known and respected by colleagues and residents alike for his unwavering commitment to public service and genuine care for those around him.
John was also well known in the community as an avid ball player and umpire.
As a tribute to John, City Hall and Leigh Square will be lit in blue for one week starting this evening.
Our thoughts are with John’s family and all those who knew and cared for him during this difficult time.