Baseball Tourney Honors Umpire Who Died During Game

Teams of local youth baseball players have been playing in a tournament in Covina in honor of Tom Clark, in Glendora July 7.

Since Wednesday, six teams of local youth baseball players have gathered to play against each other at Hollenbeck Park in Covina, in honor of Clark, 65, who suffered a fatal heart attack during a Covina Pony League game at in Glendora. Proceeds of the tournament will go toward Clark’s family, said Clark’s daughter Brooke Butler.

A memorial will be held for Clark Saturday at 9 a.m. at Hollenbeck Park, 1250 N. Hollenbeck Ave., Covina.

Another memorial will be held following the championship game on Monday at 10 a.m.

Clark’s daughter, Brooke Butler, said the since her father’s sudden death.

“So many people have come up to us to say either them or their kids looked up to my father and that he did so much to inspire them,” said Butler.

Clark was a member of the San Gabriel Valley Umpires Association and had officiated games for over 20 years.

Butler said board members of the Covina Baseball Association established the tournament to pay tribute to Clark and the legacy he left behind to all those who knew him.

“It’s a great honor that they’re doing this for my dad,” said Butler.

Members of Clark’s family have the honor of throwing the first pitch at each game.

The tournament ends with the championship game on Monday at 10 a.m.