What do the initials DK stand for on High Park’s new house league hats?

That’s a common question parents and players are asking as we celebrate Opening Day and a return to baseball in 2021. The letters stand for Daniel Keith, who passed away late last summer at the age of 24 after many years playing and coaching at High Park Little League.

Each time a player dons the cap and takes the field, he or she honours the spirit Daniel brought to the park as a team player and caring mentor who helped coach several recent championship teams. In many ways, his contributions weren’t a surprise, but rather the continuation of a long tradition of giving back.

Daniel’s story is the latest chapter of one High Park family’s remarkable baseball legacy that extends back two generations to his grandfather – Ernie Keith – for whom the HPLL diamond is named. Daniel’s dad, Matt Keith, a long-time coach with the Athletics and rep teams, recently took the time to recollect how the Keith family story has become so inextricably linked with High Park baseball over the past half century.