Dannie Seaman served as youth role model

The complex comprises: a flood-lit baseball diamond; a softball field; the scene of many championship games; and a Kinsmen Little League field. All this is named in tribute to a man who was an inspiration to all young people.

Dannie was one of four Seaman brothers born to John and Martha Seaman. They were Dannie, Isaac (Ike) Garneau, and Kal. All four were members of the champion Liverpool Larrupers that contributed greatly to Liverpool's fame as a baseball town.

Dannie was not only greatly admired for his baseball skills, but also for giving back much to the game he loved. He spent long hours on the old Bristol Avenue diamond instructing and drilling young players, often to the detriment of his business. His Liverpool High School baseball teams won the majority of the provincial playoffs in which they participated. Three of the aspiring young athletes, Dave Foley, John Hagen and Donnie Wharton were signed to try-out by major league organizations.

Dannie's coaching career actually began in his prime as a player, when he coached the Liverpool Junior Baseball Club team to a Maritime Provinces title in 1947.

As a player-coach at the professional level he established a unique record, three Halifax and District titles in three different locations. In 1955, he led the Liverpool Larrupers to their first and only H&D League title.

In 1957 Dannie became interim coach of the Kentville Wildcats and won. The next season he moved to Truro to lead the Bearcats to the championship.

Dannie Seaman was a shining light in Queens County, Nova Scotia and beyond as he played, coached, managed, and supported sport for the majority of his 59 years. He coached junior and intermediate baseball squads from the 1930s through the 1970s. He was responsible for developing the Liverpool Regional High School Basketball Festival in 1966, and guided it until his untimely death in 1973, while refereeing a college basketball game. The festival remains a major tournament today.

Basketball was another favourite sport of this athlete. I recall playing against Dannie when the Liverpool High School quintet would come up against the town team, the Merpacos (Mersey Paper Co.). and high school teams in league competition. He was a rugged and excellent player. Later I became a teammate when the Liverpool Intermediate squad just missed copping the Nova Scotia provincial crown in post-war years. The locals went down to defeat by a small margin in a two-game-total-point series at the Dalhousie gym in Halifax. Our opponents and winners were a strong New Waterford team. Later, Dannie refereed many basketball contests and gained national status for his efforts.

I remember Dannie well: not only for his playing and coaching ability; but also for his service in the Royal Canadian Navy during the last war; his personality, care and kindness for young people who visited his store opposite the Astor Theatre, and for nurturing the careers of young people.

He was also responsible for guiding and financing young persons into the college stream.

Dannie Seaman, a memorable friend. We miss him!