Bob Phillips has been a quietly efficient and effective player and dedicated volunteer to Norfolk County sports for 60 years. In 1948 Bob played his first softball game for North Public School in the Simcoe Minor Softball Association. At age 15 he coached his first team and continued as a coach and organizer for decades after.

He became league convener in 1964 and in 1965 took the bold step of splitting the Squirt league into Airplane and Rocket leagues that proved to be quite successful. In the mid-70’s he introduced T-ball for 6 –7 year olds and in 1984 he introduced the 5-pitch/slow-pitch league for 7-8 year olds, later to be called the Novice league.

He has been a valued player, coach, convener, treasurer and umpire for a number of ball and hockey teams and leagues in and around Norfolk. Bob still enjoys playing slow-pitch.

In 1984 he received a well-deserved award from the Ontario Softball Association for his outstanding contribution to minor softball and in 1987 he was awarded the Clarence Perkin Award for his great contribution to minor softball.

As David Petterson once wrote, Bob Phillips “is a quiet, dedicated, hard worker who ultimately brings success to activities”.

For this and much more, Bob Phillips is being officially inducted into the Norfolk County Sports Hall of Recognition.

By Don Stewart

December 2006