Innisfail Indians' Jay Kirkham is not just an ordinary baseball pitcher without athletic roots to carry him on the diamond.
His athletic excellence follows five generations back in the family, and he's pretty good outside the grand old game as well.
When told about his family's long athletic history in the region, which includes baseball, soccer, golf and hockey that is recorded in Candlelight Years, a local history book, Kirkham was surprised.
“It is interesting that my family has always been so involved athletically,” said Kirkham, noting that playing sports was always encouraged. “With baseball in our family for almost 90 years, it's good to know that I am continuing the tradition.”
The 23-year-old right-handed hurler is not only a talented pitcher, but he's played hockey since high school. He has experience with the Three Hills Thrashers of the Heritage Junior Hockey League and plays recreation hockey during the winter.
“I was offered a scholarship to Minot State University out of high school in 2009, and took two years of general education classes, or more accurately, three semesters of classes,” said Kirkham of his commitment for baseball. “At that time, I saw ball as a way to get an education and studying teaching was one option I had.”
While on the team, he played ball on the red-shirt team, which means he was on the roster but not on the playing team.
“You only have four years of eligibility in U.S. colleges, so if I would have finished my education there and played ball, it would have been a five-year cycle instead of four, so I was on the roster only,” added Kirkham. “I practiced with the team and played a few fall ball and inter-squad games. Their regulations cover the number of practices a team can even have.”
At the beginning of his fourth semester, Kirkham received an email offering him a job with EQUS as a power line technician.
Kirkham said the decision was difficult but he chose to return home to Innisfail from Minot and enter the trades, a decision he does not regret.
“I played ball with the Innisfail Merchants, and am now playing my fifth year with the Indians,” said Kirkham. “Ball has been a big part of my life, and the Indians give me an opportunity to continue to play.”
He spoke of the Indians' season to date, noting they are struggling at home but doing well on the road.
“We are nine and six right now, and have no consistency in our game,” added the pitcher. “But one thing that I have learned is that if you work hard every game, good things will come. We work hard as a team. The season is not over yet.
Kirkham gained a love for the game of baseball from his father Don.
“He and I would go outside and play ball. My dad was a big influence on me, and he was also a pitcher,” said Kirkham. “When he played in the fastball leagues he pitched windmill style, which meant that as he pitched I often went ball chasing.”
Heather Kirkham, Jay's mother, spoke of her husband's teen years while living east of town and playing “scrub” ball with family and friends.
“When he turned 16, he got his drivers license and drove to Innisfail to play ball more formally,” said Heather. “He played a lot of sports.”
Even further back to the early 1900s, the Kirkham family were strong athletes in the Innisfail area with both Tom and Fleet Kirkham, sons of George Stafferd Kirkham, prominent in local pioneer community athletics.
Fleet (Fleetwood) Kirkham, was an early baseball coach and soccer player. Amongst his recorded accomplishments are a 1927 Alberta championship baseball victory, curling championships, and being part of a 1918 Innisfail soccer team.
He was one of the earliest members of the ‘hole-in-one' club, along with Dr. Wagner, who introduced golf to Innisfail. After permission was granted by Jack Dodd to clear brush around Innisfail, Wagner and his golf-playing friends formed what is now the Innisfail Golf Club. Thomas, Fleet's brother, also was an avid soccer player.
Whether baseball, curling, hockey, or golf, the Kirkham family has been part of Innisfail's athletic heritage since 1899 and that will continue.
“Participating in sports has always been good and it has helped build a strong community,” said Jay.
