The Baseball Victoria community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jack Larner, an outstanding player, revered coach and wonderful mentor who dedicated his life to baseball and helping others learn and ultimately excel at the game.
Although his brave and hard-fought cancer battle ended early on Monday morning, his legacy will live on with all who had crossed Jack’s path. He will be remembered for his drive and motivation to be the best player, coach and person he could be while helping others achieve their goals. Throughout his impressive baseball career, Jack stood out from the crowd in many regards, especially for his desire to help junior players find their inner confidence on the field.
Over the years, Jack has been a constant presence at State, National and even International Championships, not only as a player but as a coach as well. After getting his start with Bonbeach Baseball Club and going through the Victorian Institute of Sport, Jack went on to play college in the U.S., making an All-American Team before returning to Victoria to begin his coaching career. He once again played for the Bluejays in the VSBL competition and he also started playing for Dingley Baseball Club in the winter season, initially as an inspirational player and then as a club coach. This ignited his passion to coach and the Southern Mariners Charter offered Jack the opportunity to influence a wider range of junior players through the Academy program. Jack adjusted programs with the coaches in order to accommodate all players, male and female, because he believed everyone deserved the right to improve.
He served as the Southern Mariners Charter Development Coach and was instrumental in guiding the Charter to numerous Victorian championships for 3 years across various age groups. He coached the 2016 Southern Mariners Senior League team as they won the State, National and Asia Pacific Championships, creating a pathway for future teams to follow all the way to the World Series.
While the 2016 Senior League Team was ultimately defeated by Chicago in the final, held in Maine, U.S.A., they made history along the way by becoming the first Australian team to compete in a World Series Championship. Jack was too ill to travel to the Philippines and the USA, but he played an essential part in the planning and preparation leading up to and during these tournaments. As a result of the Senior League team’s success, Baseball Victoria honoured Jack with the Coach of the Year Award in 2016, a fitting tribute and testament to his compelling coaching style and tireless dedication to his role despite his debilitating illness.
Over the years, he has helped to shape many players and prepare them for greater successes on and off the field. He worked with kids in all grades, from Little League to Junior League and Senior League, allowing him to use his personal experience to support players and help them exceed their expectations and personal goals. With his guidance, many players who thought they were only capable of so much discovered they could do more on the mound and in the batter’s box. He was more than just a coach, he was also a mentor and a friend who continued to play an important role despite battling cancer these last three years.
Although his illness made travel difficult, he never complained or let his diagnosis stop him from coaching his beloved kids. Jack impressed many people with his gifted approach to coaching. Baseball was his life, and his passion for the game showed in the way he coached his teams and instilled confidence in his players before they went up to bat or headed out to pitch. He was a calm and collected coach, preferring to quietly inspire and encourage rather than rant or rave. Junior players loved playing for him and wanted to make him proud, this unique ability to get the best out of his players did not go unnoticed.
A regular figure at tournaments and events, Jack did his best to attend everything when physically possible. His friends and fellow coaches noted that Jack just wanted to be there for every game and every moment, even if his doctors advised him otherwise.
Rather than be preoccupied with technical statistics like arm and bat speed, Jack challenged his players by putting them in positions to succeed and placing his confidence in their abilities. Many of the players he’s coached, including U23 World Cup Team player Jackson Boyd, have gone on to achieve great things in Victorian programs, college and beyond. He truly knew how to get the best out of players, and all those who knew him benefitted from his infectious spirit, fantastic sense of humor and obvious love for baseball. He had an insatiable appetite to help younger players and a unique respect and appreciation for the game. He was known for his calm positivity, choosing to inspire players through encouragement and positive reassurance. Jack cared so much about his players that he remained in contact with many right up to his unfortunate passing.
From coaching his teams to massive comeback wins to running morning clinics on the weekend and getting medical approval to fly to Japan with the Australian 15U Team for the Yomuri Cup last year, Jack never gave up on his baseball pursuits. In a fitting finale to Jack’s final year of coaching, the Dingley Baseball Club were presented with Club Champion status this season.
Jack relied on a positive purpose and mental approach that have inspired countless other individuals, and his legacy will live on far into the future.
A funeral service for Jack will be held next Monday, October 22nd, at Bunurong Memorial Park’s Stratus room in Carrum Downs.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Larner family, friends and the entire Baseball Victoria community. Our thoughts are with his parents, Steve and Liz, as well as his sister Taryn and beloved canine companion Harley, along with all those who knew him. Jack will be greatly missed and his contributions and passion for Victorian baseball will never be forgotten.