The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

KEITH Butler, arguably one of the greatest shortstops to play in the game of fast-pitch softball, was remembered by his Budweiser Eagles as one of the potent pieces to their dominance of the New Providence Softball Association.

Butler, 63, died on October 5.

He joined the Eagles in 1977 when manager Philip ‘Sparrow’ Saunders lured him from the Royal Bank, headed then by Valentine Grimes. At the time, the players were under contract.

The following year, Budweiser won their first of many championship titles.

“When I approached Valentine Grimes, he signed the contract right away. If he didn’t sign it then, he would have had to wait for another year,” Saunders said. “I went to Valentine Grimes’ house and he signed the contract right away.” As a right-handed player, Butler batted from the left and created havoc on the basepath for their opponents as either the leadoff or second batter in the Eagles’ line-up.

“Everybody wanted to get Keith or would have liked to have him on their team. He was a person with discipline. He was the easiest person to manage on Budweiser team,” Saunders said. “Whatever I told him to do, he did it. He made the sacrifice. From I was coaching the team, I never heard him get in any argument or a row with anybody. If I called practice seven days of the week, Keith was there every day. That was why he developed as the best shortstop.”

The late Andre Rodgers, the first Bahamian to play in the Major League, was Butler’s mentor. At one time during a national team trip, Butler teamed up with second baseman Adlai ‘Mossah’ Moss to turn an incredible double play against the United States.

Unfortunately, they didn’t get the official call.

Saunders said it’s a tough time for Budweiser, who earlier this year lost Charles ‘Chuckie’ Smith, another talented infielder. He said they are also praying that one of their relief pitchers, Harold Whyte, gets a full recovery after suffering a stroke over the weekend.

Compact Richard ‘the Lion-Heart’ Johnson, the permanent fixture on the mound as the Eagles’ mainstay pitcher, said he and Butler developed a bond as they played well together, both locally and on the men’s national team.

“Anytime you lose one of your friends, it’s difficult. We were almost like family. If anyone remembers Budweiser, we stuck together as a team for a very long time,” Johnson said.

“That was a part of our success. We grew up hanging around each other. Even now as we get older and we see each other, we reminisce about the times we shared together. We had some very good old days.”

When he came to New Providence in 1981, Johnson joined the Eagles and he played with Butler for about 20 years. During that time, Johnson said every national team he went on, Butler was on the team as the starting shortstop.

“That was a testament to the talent that we had,” Johnson reflected. “Up to the time he was playing, he was the country’s number-one shortstop. I know we played on at least 10 national teams together.”

Perry Seymour, who eventually took over as the catcher from the late Stan Smith and Leslie ‘Truck’ Johnson, said it’s another hard pill for their club to swallow.

“As everybody knows, who Keith Butler was as a softball player, he had a hell of a glove. He never got excited about anything. He was always the same way with a smile on his face,” Seymour said.

“What this is making us all realise how life is. Everybody has their time. So we try to enjoy whatever time we have together. We speak to each other about a lot of things and try to be each other brother’s keeper for a while.”

Seymour, who previously had a scare with his illness, said they are hoping that Whyte will gain a full recovery after he suffered his stroke on Saturday.

The Budweiser Eagles sent their condolences to Butler’s family, including his wife, Helena, parents Dorothea and William Butler, five children, Kaynelle Butler-Paul, Keilyah Butler-Newbold, Kera Butler, Deangelo Butler and Keith Butler Jr, 10 grandchildren and three sisters Denise Butler, Williamewta Bullard and Zina Butler.

May his soul rest in peace.