Doug Beckett is a gentleman. Friendly, wise, and compassionate, he believes in giving back to the community. And Doug has a passion for sport. From the time Doug Beckett retired from teaching high school math and physical education in Toronto in 2000 and moved back to his family home in Tiny, he has been an integral part of the Midland sports community. He has given his time and shared his knowledge, expertise, and love of sport. Doug Beckett is highly respected for his numerous contributions to local baseball, hockey, and basketball.
Doug Beckett
In baseball, Doug has been president of the Midland Penetang Baseball Association since 2003. He has been the field scheduler for this association, the Midland Penetang Minor Baseball Association, and the South Simcoe Baseball Association. Doug has coached numerous minor baseball teams and is an active level three umpire, serving as Umpire in Chief from 2007 to 2015. He is one of the founding members and treasurer of the Northern Elite Osprey Baseball Association. Doug has also been the Vice President of Select for the York Simcoe Minor Baseball Association since 202. Doug’s passion and wisdom for sport, baseball in particular, came from personal experience and success. From 1967 to 1970, Doug was a pitcher in the Boston Red Sox system of the MLB. He compiled a career record of seventeen wins and twenty-three losses with a 4.74 ERA in his 120-game pitching career with the Waterloo Hawks, Greenville Red Sox, Louisville Colonels, and Pawtucket Red Sox.
In hockey, Doug has served as Coach, Secretary, Tournament Director, Ice Scheduler, and Treasurer for Midland Minor Hockey and has coached the North Central Predators AAA hockey team. Doug has also been the North Simcoe Girls Hockey Ice Scheduler and the North Central Predators Ice Scheduler since 2015.
Doug refereed basketball for many years and was a volunteer Basketball Coach at Mundy’s Bay Public School, Penetanguishene Secondary School, Penetang Minor Basketball Association, and Georgian Bay District Secondary School.
In these various leadership roles, Doug believes in the development of players, not only for the game but to provide life skills. He encourages players not just to play the game but to think the game, adapting to varying situations and challenges. Doug also spent tremendous time and energy leading his executive members with administrative tasks, such as registration, equipment, securing umpire training, and organizing tournaments. Indeed, these examples of Doug’s service to the community are highlights of the sum total, and this isn’t the first time his efforts have been formally recognized. In 2011, Doug was awarded the South Simcoe Minor Baseball Association Lifetime Membership. In 2012, Doug received the John Gibson Community Leadership Award for his contributions to the community. In 2021, Baseball Ontario recognized Doug with the “Don McKnight Memorial” Affiliate Volunteer of the Year Award.
Trevor Harris, President of the South Simcoe Minor Baseball Association, describes Doug this way: “He is exemplary to his peers, other coaches, (and) role model to not only the players but to other organizations. His contribution to the game far exceeds reasonable expectations, having a positive impact for several years ahead. Mr. Beckett should be bestowed the highest recognition granted by this committee for his leadership, dedication, and professionalism.”
