August 2013 (17) Quinn Stevenson was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 17.  Quinn loved sports (many of them), he had many best friends and was enrolled in Western Academy of Broadcasting – he wanted to become a sports broadcaster.

April 2018 (18) Evan Thomas was killed in the Bronco Hockey Team bus accident.  Evan was a bright light and loved being a part of a team.  He was a great student winning several awards.  His future was bright.

Both boys grew up playing Blue Jay baseball (in Saskatoon) enjoying the game and the buddies they played with.

The families have always been somewhat connected but now share the pain of losing a son.  Saskatoon Baseball named baseball Tournaments after the boys.  Quinn’s is a Midget AA which has turned out to be one of the largest in Western Canada hosting 24 teams.  Evan’s is a Bantam AAA tournament with lots of exciting things planned.  The families decided to create a T-shirt to sell to teams entering the tournament.  They reached out to 22fresh in Regina Kip Simon (owner) came up with the phrase Pearls only for the Boys and loved it.   Kip Simon’s goal with this piece was to appeal to all baseball fans while still paying respect to Evan and Quinn, that loved the game. The idea of “Pearls Only” came to him while thinking what baseballs would be like in the after life. They would always be Pearls.

Pearl /pərl/noun
Slang for a brand-new baseball right out of the box/package.  A term used most likely only by players/families deep into baseball culture. Players get really excited when coach brings out a new box of pearls to throw in the bag.

In Saskatoon there are many upgrades to baseball facilities happening under the umbrella of the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.  Because the boys loved baseball it was decided that all proceeds from the shirts will be going to The Gordie Howe Sports Complex in Evan and Quinn’s names.

For more and how you can order your own shirt, here is Bonny Stevenson: