Don Guiney

Donald Guiney Commissioner for Baseball For 20 years, Don has organized baseball in London, the last 17 of which he has served as Commissioner of the London Baseball program. Don's involvement originated when his kids participated in the program. Though his kids are long since gone, Don remains a fixture of London Baseball, suffering the wind and rain of the micro-climate at Wormwood Scrubs, where the League plays from April to June each year. Each weekend, Don assembles 21 baseball diamonds, organizes games for six distinct divisions, manages the umpires, and spreads good cheer. The program is unique in spirit: kids come first; and the focus is on self-confidence, learning, and sportsmanship. Don takes time to visit each game, talk to the players, and give high-fives. Each year, 550-600 players enrol in the program. Intake commences at age 7; players graduate to increasingly competitive divisions until age 13. Don was instrumental in developing two softball divisions exclusively for girls. Upon completing the program, kids have an opportunity to develop as umpires. Don is the perfect candidate to carry the Olympic torch: he is everything that the London Olympics are about.