Adults who grew up playing softball in Niagara-on-the-Lake returned to the diamond last weekend to celebrate Tina Pollak, the late softball coach whose loved ones say did everything she could to help aspiring young players be able to play the game.

Steph Pollak, Tina’s daughter, organized the tournament to celebrate her mother’s contributions to the league and, in turn, to bring some old teammates back together.

“These players were coached by [Tina] from as young as tee-ball, so a lot of them came back for this tournament,” Steph said.

Two teams played in the one-game tournament — a boys team and a girls team. But based on the chatter and compliments on the field, it was clear players were really on one team to support the charity event and remember Tina.

The teams were sponsored by MJ’s Own Munchies, Auto View, Phil’s Independent Grocer and Corks Restaurant. The tournament raised money for Wellspring Niagara, a cancer support group in Pelham.

Tina, who was a board member of the NOTL Minor Softball Association, died of cancer in 2005 but remained active in the league and with the kids throughout her treatment and up until her death.

Charlie Pollak, Steph’s father, said it was important to Tina to continue her work right up until she couldn’t anymore. He served as a board member alongside her for 12 years.

“It was all about getting the kids involved,” Charlie said. “She gave her all to softball.”

Charlie said her biggest effort was ensuring any child, despite financial circumstances, could get in the game.

If a family couldn’t afford for their child to join the league, Tina would privately take care of their fees, Charlie explained.

“One child who came never knew anything about baseball and we took him in […] his family said that was the most fun that he ever had in the summer,” he said. “That’s what it was all about for her.”

Each player sported a jersey with the letters “TP” written on the front to honour Tina’s work to make softball in NOTL more inclusive and popular.

Steph said she is proud to carry on her mother’s legacy in this way.