The members of Herts Baseball Club — and the wider British baseball community — will come together on Saturday for a memorial to our team-mate and friend Kal Dimitrov.
Kal, who was 43, passed away suddenly last Sunday after being taken ill during a league game.
On Saturday, everyone is invited to gather at our Grovehill ballpark in Hemel Hempstead from 11 o’clock. This is the chance for people both inside and outside the club to send their love to his family, and to say goodbye to Kal.
At 12 minutes past 12, there is to be one minute’s applause in celebration of his life — both his enormous contribution to British baseball and his place in our hearts.
Kal’s number 12 jersey will be retired at the memorial. We ask for everyone who comes along to bring a baseball shirt if they can, so these can be laid out to cover the diamond in tribute. These may be Herts jerseys, or from any other club.
Herts has been touched by the response from across the baseball family to Kal’s sudden passing. There have been messages of support from Plymouth to Liverpool, Southampton to Oldham — as well as from the Essex Archers, who were caught up in Sunday’s tragic events.
The Dimitrov family has been particularly moved by tributes from youth players who had been welcomed and encouraged by Kal when they joined Herts. They described him as a great mentor and a true friend, and said they would always consider Kal a family member.
He was never part of the formal set-up of the Little League, but worked incredibly hard to make it a success and his warmth and enthusiasm was crucial.
A book of condolence will be available to sign on Saturday. Friends who were alongside Kal for his 13 years at Grovehill will share some of their memories.
Food will be available, and people should feel free to bring along drinks or other refreshments. This is a desperately sad occasion for us all, but our aim is to remember and celebrate someone whose warmth, humour and friendship provide our strongest memories.
We understand that you will not all be able to make it, but we also know that you will think of Kal wherever you are.
The memorial for Kal Dimitrov will start from 11am at Grovehill Ballpark, Washington Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 6NH