Vancouver Canadians Draw Community Support at Hot Stove Luncheon

Hot Stove Luncheon | BCBusiness
At this year’s Hot Stove Luncheon, the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation presented $20,000 cheques to both UBC Baseball and Challenger Baseball.

Sold-out annual event features new looks, big stars and serious fundraising

“Whenever we can put 600 people in Vancouver in a room in January to talk about baseball, that’s a pretty good day,” said Vancouver Canadians president Andy Dunn in his introductory remarks at the team’s annual Hot Stove Luncheon last week at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

Mayor Gregor Robertson was on hand with a proclamation declaring “Vancouver Canadians Baseball Day.”
 
Since taking over the team in 2007, owners Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney have endeavoured to turn the Canadians into one of the most respected sports brands in North America. In 2013, the Canadians became the first-ever franchise from north of the border to be awarded the John H. Johnson President’s Trophy as the top team in minor league baseball.
 
The Canadians brought some high-profile guests to share stories and mingle with the guests at lunch. Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopolous offered up his strategies on player acquisition for the upcoming season. Former Canadian and current Blue Jay Kevin Pillar autographed the jersey off his back for the winner of the day’s raffle. Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar and five-time All-Star Fred McGriff entertained the crowd with tales from their great careers.
 
The three-time Northwest League champion Canadians also previewed some new looks for their upcoming season, with the brand-new gear immediately available for purchase. Four uniforms were unveiled, including a distinctive red “Nooner” jersey that will be worn for all day games. A maple leaf has replaced the apostrophe on the primary “C’s” logo, and a new character based on the historical Mountie was introduced as a tribute to baseball’s century-deep roots in B.C.
 
At its core, the Hot Stove Luncheon is a fundraiser for the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation, which supports youth in sport at all levels. The event included live and silent auctions, and $20,000 cheques were presented to both UBC Baseball and Challenger Baseball, an organization that works to provide a league to children with cognitive and physical disabilities.
 
The Foundation is now entering its third year of operating the Vancouver Canadians Baseball League. In cooperation with the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Coast BC, 300 five-to-10-year-olds will have a chance to play organized baseball this summer at historic Nat Bailey Stadium.