TORONTO - It is with deep sadness that we report of the passing of Canadian Baseball Hall-of-Famer Ken Kutsukake, 93, who died peacefully earlier this week with his beloved wife and soulmate, Rose, by his side. He was honoured in his memorial service on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003.

Kutsukake was one of only eight remaining living players from the infamous Vancouver Asahi Baseball Club, who were inducted into the Hall in 2003. He was the group's spokesperson at the induction ceremony in St. Marys, Ontario, on June 28, and even played golf in the tournament the day before. Since the 2003 induction ceremony, held in late June, two other Asahi veterans also have passed away, Bob Higuchi, 95, of Pickering, Ontario, and George Yoshinaka, 81, of Lethbridge, Alberta.

The Vancouver Asahi, a team of Japanese Canadians, were the pride of Vancouver's Little Tokyo prior to World War II. The Asahi stole bases with abandon and placed bunts with the accuracy of pool shariks - it was a brand of baseball that made them the top gate attraction on the west coast in the '30s, and won them the Pacific Northwest Championship five years in a row. However, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, the Canadian government interned everyone of Japanese descent. As a team, the Asahi never played ball again.

Yet, when these men, along with thousands of Japanese Canadians, were removed to prison camps, they took with them the spirit of baseball. Bats and balls started appearing and these former Asahi players assembled baseball teams wherever they were. Soon these men were playing against their RCMP prison guards, then with the local townspeople - many of whom had never seen a Japanese person before. This helped to dispel suspicions and fears and led to lasting friendships.

"This is one of the proudest moments of my life," Kutsukake stated in his acceptance speech. "I know all of the Asahi players who have passed away are smiling upon us today, thanks to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame."

As a tribute to the Asahi, Pat Adachi wrote Asahi: A Legend In Baseball, and the National Film Board made a documentary called Sleeping Tigers: The Asahi Baseball Story, which won Best Feature Documentary at the Asian Film Festival held in San Diego last month.

Kutsukake began as an Asahi when he was 12 years old. He belonged to the "Clovers" team (the youngest Asahi team, he wore # 5) and worked his way up to the top Asahi rank as a catcher, and had his best years behind the plate during the 1939, 1940 and 1941 championships. When the Japanese people were forced to evacuate Vancouver, Ken ended up in the Kaslo camp. With his former battery mate Naggie Nishihara, they formed and organized a baseball team. From there, the Japanese Canadian people were forced to move eastward. Ken went to Montreal and joined a French team and was catcher for the Atwater Baseball Team in 1947. The following year, in 1948, he came to Toronto and played at Christie Pits. He later managed the Midget Baseball Club and won the West Toronto Minor Baseball Association Championship in 1950. He also managed Bestway Nisei Baseball Team which won the Old Millen Stadium located at Danforth and Broadview in Toronto. In 1956, he was manager of Honest Ed's (Ed Mirvish's) Nisei Baseball Team and won the Senior Baseball Championship. Kutsukake had a great deal to do with the Asahi Reunion in 1972. Till his death, he volunteered at Castleview Wychwood Towers Seniors' Home where families provide a Japanese lunch for the Japanese Canadian residents. He was a strong Blue Jays baseball fan and attended many of their games.

ST. MARYS – 28 November 2003

Please mark your 2004 calendars:
February 27 – Announcement of 2004 Inductees
May 1 – Museum Opens
June 25 – 8th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic
June 26 – 2004 Induction Ceremony

Please note: KIDS ON DECK 2004 SUMMER CAMPS FOR BOYS & GIRLS:
* Week-long camps (drop off Sunday, pick-up Saturday), includes accomm. & meals
* Focus on baseball FUNdamentals & other sport activities (e.g., swimming, trip to SkyDome)
* Social Justice and Cultural Awareness programs incorporated
* Baseball Celebrities to take part