NORWELL — The Norwell baseball community filled the Clipper Community Complex on June 13 to honor the memory of Jack Birtwell, a former Norwell High School standout whose impact on teammates, coaches and friends extended well beyond the baseball diamond.
The memorial alumni game, organized by Birtwell's close friends Jamen Durka and Ryan Snow with strong support from longtime youth baseball leader Scott Achorn, brought together former Norwell High School players, families and community members to celebrate Birtwell's life while raising money for the Jack Birtwell Memorial Scholarship Fund.
According to Achorn, the event exceeded expectations. The 2022 Norwell High School varsity team defeated the 2023 varsity team 11-7, but the score was secondary to the purpose of the day.
"The event for Jack was a huge success and we could not have done it without Norwell being one family!" Achorn said after the game.
The ceremony included several tributes to Birtwell. His family received a framed Norwell High School No. 15 jersey, a specially engraved baseball bat and baseball, and a display case containing signed game-used baseballs from Norwell Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball, Norwell High School baseball and the 2022 and 2023 varsity teams. Families also presented a photo collage commemorating Birtwell's life.
Birtwell's parents, Kate and Bruce Birtwell, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before organizers presented the family with a $3,000 check for the scholarship fund established in his memory.
The idea for the event came from Durka and Snow, two of Birtwell's closest friends. Durka said the goal was to create something meaningful for the family while bringing together the community that supported Birtwell throughout his life.
"Ryan and I were Jack's best friends, so we thought it would be fitting to organize this for him," Durka said.
Durka first met Birtwell through baseball after moving to Norwell in eighth grade. Their friendship grew through years of playing together, including on the Norwell High School varsity team.
"Jack was a kid that loved baseball. He loved his family more," Durka said. "The memorial game is about us and about the community, but it's really for his family."
Throughout the day, organizers emphasized that the gathering was not only about baseball but also about supporting Birtwell's parents and sisters as they continue to navigate an unimaginable loss.
"I'd just really like them to see the community together and be there for them," Durka said. "I just want this to be something his family can remember."
Birtwell moved to Norwell as a child and quickly became one of the community's top baseball players. Achorn said he excelled at every level of youth baseball before continuing his career at Norwell High School, Gordon College and later Sacred Heart University.
Yet those who knew him most closely said his character left a greater impression than his athletic accomplishments.
"During the time that he was a little kid all the way up until the time that he was playing collegiate ball and semi-professional ball, he was one of these people that just was good-hearted, positive, had a smile on his face all the time, loved life, loved people and loved the game of baseball," Achorn said.
Achorn described Birtwell as someone who could immediately make others feel comfortable.
"He was actually the type of kid that within five minutes after meeting this kid, he made you feel good," Achorn said.
That reputation helped draw dozens of former teammates back to Norwell for the event. What began as an idea for a traditional alumni game evolved into a tribute featuring players from Birtwell's junior and senior varsity seasons.
For Durka, the day also reflected the determination and ambition that defined his friend.
"I want Jack to be remembered as someone who was driven in his goals, but besides that, was just a great man," he said.
As players reunited, families gathered and community members shared memories, organizers said the event demonstrated the strength of the bonds formed through youth sports and the lasting impact Birtwell had on those around him.
Annie Jones contributed to this reporting.
Annie Jones contributed to this reporting.
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