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In early October, the IAB held a ceremony to thank the family of Paul Gutman for their generous donation which made possible the erection of dugouts and spectators seating on both fields at the Ra'anana Baseball field site. The ceremony was followed by a Senior League game between the Sharon and Gezer teams. What follows are remarks made by Bruce Maddy-Weitzman at the ceremony. |
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"Friends,
We've come together today to honor the memory of our friend and former teammate, Paul, and to thank Sharon, Chuck and Matti for their very generous donation which enabled the IAB to erect the players benches and spectators benches which have added so much to our budding "field of dreams."
"Bernie's Bottle Club" (BBC) and "36ers" softball was a central part of my life for many years, and Paul was an integral part of us - a good and decent man, a fun teammate, a gracious host, and above all, someone who loved his family. His success on the National Team made us all proud; his joy at the Maccabiah's Opening Ceremony parade remains an indelible memory.
A little over one year ago, I received an e-mail from Matti, whom I had last seen as an 11 year-old, romping around the field with Paul during our practices, shagging flies and barely avoiding line drives. It was quickly evident in our correspondence, Matti, that you had grown up to be someone your father would have been very proud of - sensitive, inquisitive, connected to this place and eager and ready to make your way in the world. In between our getting reacquainted through reminiscing about the old days and talking about common professional interests, I told Matti about our project to transform a wasteland of rocks, thorns, rusting pipes, wild horses, accompanied by the ever-present possibility of heat prostration, into a pleasant, playable place to be play ball. Only those who played here can fully appreciate how wonderful these dugouts and benches, together with a real field, really are. If anyone needs further evidence, they should come out here on any Friday afternoon and see how many kids are playing ball.
Some of us BBC-elders are still out on the field trying to make believe we haven't aged all that much. I know that Paul would still be playing too, if not forever young than at least fitter than the rest of us, had not fate intervened. But there's now a new generation of players, some of whom are here today, and I'd like to think that Paul would be pleased that his memory would be honored in this way, which we've inscribed in the following plaque.
So again, Sharon, Chuck, Matti, on behalf of the IAB, many many thanks."