The Goodwood community is mourning the loss of a local sports legend, Trevor Barnley, who passed away on Sunday 11 May after decades of service to baseball and his community.
Born on 21 January 1948, Trevor was a true Goodwood boy. He matriculated at J.G. Meiring High School, where he showcased his athletic talents early on by playing fullback for the school’s first rugby team.
After school, Trevor joined what is now BIV Consulting Engineers, where he worked diligently until his retirement in his early seventies. But it was on the baseball field where Trevor truly left his mark.
“Trevor joined the Goodwood Demons Baseball Club from a young age and was a great baseballer and club man. He was a real stalwart, serving the club tirelessly,” said Raymond Tew, his former teammate and lifelong friend.
‘Top baseball team’
Trevor’s pitching prowess quickly caught the attention of selectors, and he went on to represent both Western Province and South Africa in Little League. One of his early highlights was touring then-Rhodesia with the South African u-16 baseball team in 1964, playing two test matches in Bulawayo and two in Salisbury.
As he matured, Trevor’s impact on South African baseball deepened. He was selected for the Western Province Senior Baseball Team.
He became instrumental in the province’s dominance in national championships. His performances earned him multiple All-Star selections and helped solidify Western Province as the top baseball team in South Africa for many years.
Mentoring younger players
In 1982, Trevor reached the pinnacle of his playing career when he was selected to represent South Africa against the Chinese in Taipei, Taiwan. In an international match, he approached with skill and composure.
Even in his later years, Trevor’s passion for the game never waned. At 74, he was still throwing batting practise for local teams and mentoring younger players.
‘He assisted the Goodwood Municipality’
“Trevor knew everything about the technical dimensions of the baseball field and the preparation of the ground,” Tew recalled.
“He assisted the Goodwood Municipality in preparing the field for all tournaments held in Goodwood and played a major role in readying the venue for the first International Baseball Tournament held in South Africa, right here in Goodwood, in 1992.”
Hall of fame
For his decades of dedication, the Goodwood Demons Baseball Club awarded Trevor Life Membership. In 2014, he was inducted into the Western Province Baseball and Softball Hall of Fame as a pitcher—a testament to both his athletic skill and his enduring legacy.
“Trevor was a true gentleman, loved by all who played baseball with him and against him, Barnley died of a heart attack,” said Tew.
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