It's been two frustrating injury-plagued seasons for New Westminster native and Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, but his local fans haven't given up on him.
On Saturday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Justin Morneau Field in Moody Park, the New Westminster Baseball organization is hosting a get-together where the group will unveil its newly created "Get Well Soon" banner that it plans on sending to Morneau.
"Justin has done so much for this organization. This is just us showing him that we appreciate his support and he's in our thoughts," Ron Suffron, president of New Westminster Baseball, said in a press release.
Morneau has long been a supporter and sponsor of the organization. Each year, he donates new batting gloves that are distributed to kids on baseball season's opening day.
Morneau also donated the money that the organization has used as seed funds for the Justin Morneau scholarships, which are awarded at the end of each baseball season to three players who need financial support to pursue their post-secondary studies.
On Saturday, the banner will be at the field and all fans of Morneau are invited to come down to the park and sign the banner wishing him a speedy recovery. In the event of rain, the banner will be under cover in the batting cage. The event will also feature a hot dog barbecue.
Morneau, who sustained a concussion that ended his 2010 season, recently underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his knee and a bone spur from his ankle. Those injuries ended his 2011 season.
