Announcement
For many baseball players who grew up in High Park and Etobicoke the name Nick Rico is synonymous with baseball. Nick Rico played pro baseball and came home in the 50’s. He played and coached under the watchful eye of the famous Carman Bush who ran a baseball operation that was the true definition of community. For years, Toronto produced the finest baseball players anywhere but more importantly developed young men who were taught to be strong contributors to society. Nick Rico was instrumental in that development as nobody has ever been a better teacher of baseball than this fine man.
As Nicky got older he reserved his commitment to the game by instructing players. Teaching them what he learned in a way that was second to none. One of Nicky’s favourite places to work with young players was High Park. Nick worked at the High Park summer program where players from all over the city came for Nicky’s instruction. On any given night, for decades, Nicky could be found patroling High Park hitting fungos, giving advice and loving the game. It was always amazing how Nick treated all the beginners with the same respect as the superstars, just taking joy in seeing all players improve. Today Joey Votto will tell you how it was Nicky who helped him develop his timing at the plate as Nicky’s ageless advice stood the test of time.
Nick Rico was a gift to the game of baseball. High Park players for decades benefitted from that gift as many went on to become successful players and more importantly successful people because of Nicky. Teach them play right, make sure they get it right, enjoy watching them play and prepare them for life. That is the advice he gave to any young coach who would listen. As Nicky always used to say “Take two and take it to right- Stay Loose!!!”
Missed but never forgotten.
Nick's family requested in honour of Nick's life and in memory of his committment to young baseball players, donations can be made to Toronto High Park LL. Cheques or money orders, made payable to "Toronto High Park Little League” noting in Memory of Nick Rico, can be mailed c/o 287 South Kingsway, Toronto, ON M6S 3V3.
