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In all of my time around sports, only one person ever gave me a trophy and that was the late Gabby Weiss.

Granted, I never wanted a trophy as I’ve never been big on awards, but that didn’t stop Gabby from embarrassing me and having me stand in front of the entire field of youth baseball players for an International Tournament in Todd Park. I was even more flummoxed when Weiss smiled and handed me the microphone to get the Tournament started.

“Have a good time, and play ball!” I muttered out as Gabby grinned.

If you were around baseball in Austin in the past five decades, you probably have a Gabby story of your own. He started the Austin All-Stars youth baseball program 48 years ago, he was the voice of the Packers on KAUS radio, and was often a fixture at Marcusen Park during the summer.

When Gabby passed away last spring, I had a lot of community members asking me if anything was being done to honor the man who had touched so many lives in the local sporting scene. That day is finally coming as Marcusen Park is holding the First Annual Gabby Weiss 12-year old baseball tournament on Sunday, June 8. The tournament will host teams from Austin, Hayfield, and Blooming Prairie, with five inning games starting at 9 a.m., and the last one starting at 5:30 p.m. 

At 4:30 p.m., there will be a celebration of Gabby’s life where his ashes will be spread on Marcusen Park as he requested, and former players will have a chance to honor and pay tribute to him. 

If you ever had any connection to Gabby, it’ll be a great day to show up and honor him.