Beloved former Mariner helps raise funds for league and to rebuild ‘Ed’s Shed’
It didn’t take much talk to get Dan Wilson to come back to Bainbridge Island.
“It felt good to be a part of it again,” he said. “I was happy to do it. I had a great time last year. It’s a great group of kids and I’m glad to do it this year.”
The former catcher for the Seattle Mariners will make his second straight appearance for “A Night with Dan Wilson” tonight at Woodward Middle School from 6 to 9 p.m.
Tickets are $18 and are available at the door.
Event organizer Lynn Ferrari said all proceeds will go to the league to help purchase equipment, maintain fields and most importantly, rebuild “Ed’s Shed.”
The shed was badly damaged by fire in March and equipment, the control panel to the scoreboard and trophies from various tournaments and the 2001 Little League World Series was lost as well.
BILL president Mike Sheehan said they’ve got most of the shed done, but they’re still waiting on volunteers to take time out of their schedules to finish what’s left.
He’s glad that Wilson, a friend of his, can come back and do the event.
“It’s huge,” he said. “The event is fun by itself, but to have Dan make it back is great,” he said. “It’s not a one-time thing like with most athletes. When he gets involved, he makes a commitment. That’s the way he is.”
Ferrari is excited for Wilson’s appearance as well.
“It’s huge for the island,” she said. “It shows what a great community we have to be able to attract a major league player to an island fundraiser.”
The event will feature a live auction on items such as Diamond Club seats and signed items from Mariner players and Wilson.
Along with a game room and an obstacle course, the event will feature a speech by Wilson on his Little League experiences as a kid and his current turn as a softball coach for his daughter’s team.
“It’s been a blast, but it has its challenges,” he said of his time as coach.
Wilson is also glad he can share his time with others.
“Anytime you can support kids and baseball is great.”
