Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette The baseball field in Tapiola next to the Otter Lake Sportsman Club has been named after lifelong athlete Harold Filpus. Filpus attended the surprise sign unveiling and was presented with an Otter Lake Old Timers Slo-Pitch League license plate and a team jacket with the modern blue color.

TAPIOLA — The ball field next to the Otter Lake Sportsman Club in Tapiola had gone unnamed for many years … until Thursday. In between games of the Old Timers Slo-Pitch League, a ceremony was held to honor longtime athlete, Copper Country resident and retired Otter Lake Volunteer Firefighter Harold Filpus. Filpus is regarded among softball players as a kind and charitable individual who has given much to the community and served as an inspiration to participate in the local “old timer” leagues. His name will now adorn Harold Filpus Ballfield.

The 87 year old Flipus has been attached to the area for many years, being a part of the Otter Lake Sportsman Club and playing ball in the Twilight League beginning in 1957. Filpus was part of some championships when he first joined the Twilight League, he and his team winning in 1958, 1959 and 1960.

Filpus left the area for a while before returning in 1968 and resumed his participation in local athletics, which eventually had him playing in the four team Slo-Pitch Leaugue, reserved for players 50 years or older. During his time playing softball, Filpus would also tend to the field and help in the organization of the teams and games. One of the players from the Otter Lake team, Roy Duquette, said Filpus would reject a courtesy runner if he hit the ball. While Filpus has retired from playing softball in the league, he still takes on a nearly one mile long daily and plays hockey.

One of the players from the South Range team, Don Cvengros, said he came to play for the team because other leagues he played in were seeing much younger players participate. Cvengros was searching for a more balanced age league, and came across the Slo-Pitch League. When Cvengros started playing, he filled in a gap in Filpus’ roster for a game which Filpus was acting as the skipper. Cvengros said Filpus was a nice guy and he was happy to see people of similar age be able to spend time playing a sport.

“It’s just the camaraderie,” Cvengros said. “That’s what this is all about in my opinion, what it’s all about.”

Filpus’ daughter, Houghton-Portage Township Middle School Principal Julie Filpus, was in attendance at the ceremony. Julie also believes the camaraderie is the largest draw for the league’s athletes and her father’s impact on them stems from his love of sports.

“I just think it’s maybe his love for being on a team and the camaraderie that comes around it,” Julie said. “He likes to be active. And he just takes pride and in wellness. He’s 87 years old, and he really tries to maintain good health and a good outlook in his activity.”

In regards to naming the field after her father, Julie said it is an honor.

“I think my dad is very deserving. I think community means a lot to him. I like the fact that you know his commitment and his vision for this area will be on that sign, and people can ask about him in the future, and someone might know a little bit of something of his commitment,” Julie said.

Duquette unveiled the ball field sign and presented Filpus with an Otter Lake license plate and an Otter Lake jacket with the team’s current blue colors. Before the ceremony Duquette said Filpus was an inspiration to the players, and part of the reason he got into playing softball in the league.

“He’s an inspirational guy that inspired a bunch of us to get our butts off the couch,” Duquette said. “Not a soul was against it; everybody was all for naming this field after Harold.”

Once the sign was revealed, Filpus had thoughts to share.

“It’s been a great thing and very enjoyable, and I’ve met so many nice people all through the years, and these guys are just a great bunch to be with,” Filpus said. “But it finally got to the point where my legs gave out.”

Filpus later shared he was surprised at the size of the crowd at the baseball field, and was unaware of what would happen that day.

“I had no idea what was going on. Roy Duquette called me last night and says ‘Make sure you come up to the ball game tomorrow night and we got food up there, so come on up there.’ So I came up here and I was wondering, ‘Why in the world, is there so many people here?’ Because even in championship games, we didn’t have people like this. ‘What in the world brought so many people up here?’ And this is what it was. You can’t believe what an honor that is to have something like this. I mean, it’s just incredible what the people have done here and how many friends I’ve met all through the years, playing ball and just having a good time over here.”

Filpus said he continues to be active because he does not like sitting around at home and still enjoys his sporting activates along with the company it brings. He also had a message for potential ball players who will come to the Harold Filpus Ballfield.

“All I can say is that for every ballplayer, that everyone that comes out here: don’t quit,” Filpus said.