10-Time National Baseball Congress World Series Champions
Santa Barbara Foresters

Very Sad News

Speaker at hall of fame event and fisherman

With a heavy heart, but with gratitude for the lives they gave us, the Foresters are sad to announce two deaths in our family.

Coach Gary Woods passed away on Thursday, February 19, of a heart attack. Gary was part of all five of our national championships. His leadership, his work with our young players, and his knowledge of the game were awesome. He was a great friend to us and wore his Foresters F with great pride. A former Major League player and current scout for the Chicago White Sox, he brought his whole family into the fold, with many members of his extended family as regulars at Foresters games. Dozens of professional baseball players can point with pride and love to Gary as one of the mentors and teachers that helped them achieve their dreams. “The Forester Family lost not only a wonderful coach and mentor but a dear friend, father, and brother to so many,” said manager Bill Pintard. “His players were like his sons and he cared so much for all of them. He will be dearly missed by all of us but never forgotten. Rest in Peace, our brother.”

Doug Reeves died Tuesday; he had been dealing with a serious illness. Doug was a part of the Foresters for almost two decades as a board member and volunteer extraordinaire. Whether helping set up the stadium, cooking hot dogs, making trips for whatever was needed, Doug was always there, putting the team first and himself second, always ready with a smile or an offer of help. Doug was also a talented architect and contributed many hours to the Foresters and Santa Barbara City College to help create the best baseball fields in the area. He and his wife Carla were also host families many times, and his extended baseball family will remember him with great love. “I can’t imagine how we would have achieved so much in taking care of our fans for so many years without Doug’s hard work, commitment, and caring,” said board member Jim Buckley.

We ask that you remember Gary and Doug and their families in your thoughts and prayers. We will miss them and honor them and continue to do the right thing . . . as they strived always to do. As more information is available, we’ll try to post it here and on the Foresters Facebook page. Thank you.

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