Baseball Victoria is saddened to hear of the passing of Ronald “Ron” Russ, a well-known Victorian player, at 82 years of age.
Ron was a highly respected baseballer in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. His lengthy baseball career included stints at Victorian clubs such as Williamstown, Waverley, Blackburn and Knox.
In the late 1950’s and early 1960s, Ron was known to be an outstanding pitcher with a variety of pitches and very good ball control, with his fastball estimated at over 100 miles per hour. 20,000 people would attend Norwood Oval in South Australia to watch the televised state level matches he played in.
Ron was the Australian pitcher in the 1959 Australian All Star team, and he represented NSW in the Claxton Shield in 1958 and South Australia throughout the early 60’s. Over the course of his time as a representative player, Ron won four Shipway medallions for best and fairest, as well as the Patrons Trophy with North Adelaide in 1961/62, the News trophies in 1961 and 1963 and innumerable other awards and trophies. He was the first baseball player inducted into the Hunter Valley sporting hall of fame in Newcastle in 2013 for his contribution to the game. Ron was also named as pitcher for South Australia Baseball "Team of the Century 1908-2008.”
Ron made many lifelong friends through baseball, many whom he would play alongside before later facing as opponents. In one example, Ian Chappell was Ron’s catcher in Ron’s last and Ian’s first Claxton shield games. They faced each other on opposing teams later at the Masters games in 1994 in Brisbane and were delighted to be reunited.
As a young man, Ron was seen throwing a tennis ball, and invited to join a game of baseball. With his throwing strength he was put into the pitching position. Knowing little about the game at that point, he asked where to stand. Once he became familiar with the sport, Ron followed his sporting passions from NSW to SA, leaving his job as an electrician and boarding at Rolly Vaughton’s Pub in Adelaide. He continued to play and coach throughout his life as part of local clubs, with a never-failing love of the game. His wife, Helen, and two daughters, Julie and Caralyn, were his regular supporters, and sometimes vocal hecklers of the opposition.
Ron represented Australia again as part of the Australian Aces at the World Masters games in Phoenix, Arizona in 2001, 2003 and 2007, in over 60 and over 65 divisions. At his last Master’s games, in 2007, he was 70 years of age.
Although retired for many years, Ron played two more seniors games, with North Balwyn Stingers. At the age of 76 he played with his son-in-law Steve Pahos and grandson Adam Pahos against his former teammates at Knox Baseball Club. Ron pitched for two innings, giving up just one run. Two years later, when his youngest grandson Ryan turned 14, and Ron was 78, he was struggling to make the distance with a pitch. When the coach called him up to the mound Ron dug deep and pitched well for an entire innings. He was determined to fulfil his dream of playing baseball with both his grandsons, and these were amongst the proudest moments of his life.
Both Ron’s grandsons have represented Victoria in junior leagues, and currently play seniors first and second. Ron’s daughter Caralyn and son in law Steve are both active in the baseball community, particularly at their MCC club. Ron’s granddaughter Jasmine Stout (MCC, Lacrosse section) is also following in his footsteps. She won the B grade women’s league best and fairest in 2019, and also represented Victoria U15 in 2015, winning the national championship. Ron was proud that he attended all this season’s baseball games and every one of his grandchildren’s state representative games, often travelling interstate with his family to attend. Ron’s love of the game never wavered, and he enjoyed his last game as a spectator just a week or so before falling ill.
Ron played with many clubs, inspiring younger players and making lifelong friendships. A few of these clubs included:
A Note from Ron’s Family Regarding Memorial Service
Ron will be remembered on Friday 1 November at 5pm. This memorial event is for all those whose lives he touched from all areas of his life – his family, golfing buddies, cattle farming, school, motor bike riding and time as a salesman. The event will be held at MCC Baseball Club: Surrey Park, Surrey Dr, Box Hill VIC 3128. Wear your baseball cap, if you like.
For those planning on attending, an RSVP on the Facebook event would be much appreciated: https://www.facebook.com/events/2513768318860474/?ti=cl ) or an email to julieruss@hotmail.com with subject heading “Ron” and the number of people will help for catering plans.
If you wish to submit an anecdote about Ron or a photo please do so on his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ron.russ.1610), or via email julieruss@hotmail.com with subject heading “Ron” and “anecdote about xxx”. We will read these out, or may invite you to come up to speak if you request that.
Rather than flowers, we think donations to a baseball prize in Ron’s name would have pleased him. We have created a fundraiser on Facebook, entitled “donations in lieu of flowers for a baseball prize in Ron Russ’ name.” A link will be shared on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ron.russ.1610
Baseball Victoria was provided this memorial notice by the family of Ronald Russ.