On an April evening cold enough to have me wondering if polar bears were going to be lumbering down Mississaga Street any minute, there he was with a bat in his hand, standing on the muddy ball diamond at McKinnell Park.

Dean ‘Deano’ Heliotis, one of Orillia’s baseball legends, was passing on his knowledge to a group of boys and girls who could easy pass for his grandchildren.

The moment wasn’t lost on one parent draining in the moment, obviously aware of the vast baseball knowledge Heliotis has tucked away between his ears.

“These kids have no idea of how lucky they are to be getting this coaching,” she said.

Bat in hand and knocking around a few grounders to the young kids, Heliotis went over fielding drills with them.

He taught them how to properly plant their feet and bend down to get over the ball, making sure their glove was set to receive the ball.

I had to chuckle when Deano gave no quarter when commenting on their flexibility and the fact they couldn’t or wouldn’t get low to the ground.

“I’m a lot older than you guys and I can get down to the ball. If you want to grab the ball, you have to be able to get down and get it,” he barked.

I say barked, because in the decades I’ve watched Heliotis in action, he’s never issued a baseball directive quietly.

He is a no-nonsense guy, who has no time for players who don’t want to learn or refuse to work hard when it’s baseball time. And that goes for seven and eight year olds as well. His abrasive nature has rubbed some parents and players the wrong way, but you have to give him credit. It’s his way of approaching baseball. It has led to success on the field and more times than not, he has provided most of his players with better preparation for life

I’ve been blessed in that I have had the chance to talk one-on-one with Deano on a number of occasions and seen the quieter, mellow side of the man.

His love for baseball leaks from his ears and he remembers fondly the names of the young men who he not only coached, but also left his own life so much more enriched and vibrant.

Much like life itself, baseball has its tough moments. Moments that make you want to pack it in, but it is the mentally tougher players who end up meeting the challenges head-on.

It might be tough throwing that concept at a group of seven and eight year olds.

But even I’ve run into my share of eight year olds who won’t take no for an answer and love to push the envelope with adults.

When they were the dynamic duo in Orillia baseball circles, Heliotis and Gander Ross had few if any equals locally.

In terms of strategy, they’d outcoach opposition teams to the point where they be totally dazed and confused.

And when the Majors lost a game, Heliotis and Ross would be up to all hours of the night after the contest dissecting the baseball battle, making sure they’d be well prepared for the rematch.

Since the passing of his best friend and baseball right arm Gander, Heliotis now has a significant hole in his life.

But baseball keeps his eyes twinkling and lights the fire within.

It’s April and ball diamonds in the Sunshine City are awakening for a new season.

It’s also providing Dean Heliotis with another chance to pass on his coaching advice to yet anther generation.

For people my age and older, it’s a joy to see Dean still giving back to the game he loves. And for that we all offer a simple few words.

Thanks Deano, for staying with the game, because your contributions will never be forgotten.