INNISFAIL - News about Innisfail's senior men's baseball team changing its name to the Innisfail Trappers has gone viral on social media, with massive interest across North America.
The local team's initiative to be responsive to growing public concerns the team's former Indians moniker was racist, also has caught the attention of mainstream media outlets across North America. According to former team manager Desmond Bouteiller, the story has been picked up by radio and television stations, as well as newspapers across Canada and as far south as the state of Georgia in the U.S.
The story has also caught the eye of Tom Kilburn of North York, Ont.
He read about the name change of the Innisfail men's baseball team and was so moved and inspired he quickly pledged his assistance to help the team accomplish its goal of purchasing new uniforms.
On Nov. 28, he set up a GoFundMe page to help raise $2,000 for the Innisfail team.
“I just wanted to see the team recognized in some small way for doing this,” said Kilburn, noting the recent publicity over the same issue with the Cleveland Indians during the major league baseball (MLB) playoffs in October.
“The action eventually came from grassroots baseball in Alberta,” he added. “It is inspiring when change can come from unexpected places. It gives us hope through a reminder that we all have the ability to change our world for the better, even in small ways.”
The positive response to their name change and the out-of-province funding from Kilburn has not gone unnoticed by the newly renamed Innisfail Trappers.
“We're extremely grateful and a (little) surprised that he took that initiative,” said Jay Kirkham, the team's head coach. “We're definitely thankful for him.”
The Innisfail Trappers have also started with their own fundraising efforts, noted Kirkham, using FundRazr, a Canadian crowdfunding site and Facebook app similar to a GoFundMe page.
Their goal is to raise $5,000 for the team.
“That will give (us) lots of room to replace all of our uniforms. We currently have two sets of jerseys for two different colours,” he said, noting the home and away jerseys.
The recent publicity surrounding controversial team names, particularly during October's MLB playoffs in Toronto, has shed light on the issue, said Kirkham and may have contributed to some of the feedback and awareness about Innisfail's efforts as well.
“(The) national television attention and so many people tuning in to watch the playoffs started the education process for a lot of people and how that word might be offensive,” explained Kirkham. “That is definitely helping us in getting our word out there and what we're trying to do too.”
He said the team will be meeting in December to discuss possible colours and a new logo for the Innisfail Trappers next season.
Kirkham noted the positive impact the team's name change is having and the exciting future ahead for the team's 21st season in 2017.
“It feels very good to be like a role model of sorts, to start the process and show people that it can be done,” he said.
“It's been a change that we've been looking into for a couple of years. We're definitely excited to move on and try out the new name, new logo and new colours,” said Kirkham. “After 20 years of the Indians we'll have a fresh start.”
Tom Kilburn
"It is inspiring when change can come from unexpected places. It gives us hope through a reminder that we all have the ability to change our world for the better, even in small ways."
