Eddie Illingworth Trophy

This Perpetual Trophy was struck to recognize the Club’s Most Valuable Player.

After playing baseball as a Pitcher & Shortstop at Preston Technical School, Eddie’s first seasons were played in the 2’s at Westgarth in the early 1950’s. Following successful Claxton Shield campaigns representing Victoria in 1960, 61, 62, 63 & 65, Eddie returned to his roots at W.B.C in the 1975 season & started a remarkable run of club success playing in a Premiership in his first season back. Eddie Illingworth is a 5 – time Westgarth Baseball Club Premiership Player in the 1’s, a two time 1st nine  Batting Trophy winner and one of only 4 W.B.C. players to have polled Association MVP votes in the 1sts over 3 decades. In 2002 Eddie was named in the V.B.A. “Team of the Century” to match his “all Australian” selection of 1962.   As Westgarth’s most decorated baseballer the Club MVP trophy for the 1st nine is named the Eddie Illingworth Trophy!