The Esquimalt Lions Club, under the presidency of Arthur Bowker, was one of the principal driving forces in establishing Little League Baseball in the Esquimalt Municipality and in Victoria West.

During his tenure as president of the Lions Club, Mr. Bowker, along with many others, worked tirelessly toward obtaining a charter from Little League Baseball in Williamsport, Pennsylvania; and the dream became a reality in 1955.

The Esquimalt/Vic West Little League was subsequently formed with Mr. Bowker as its first president. Arthur and Emma Bowker hosted many meetings in the family home on Esquimalt Road; committees were formed, and managers and coaches were appointed. The original League was comprised of four "major league" teams as well as "minor league" teams. The four major teams were:

• Esquimalt Merchants
• Pirates
• Yarrows (Shipyards)
• Esquimalt Lions

Team tryouts were held and the major teams were subsequently 'drafted' by the managers under the auspices, guidelines and rules set forth under the Little League Charter.

The first officially sanctioned games were played on a Saturday afternoon in the Spring of 1955 at Bullen Park on Lyall Street. Bullen Park was the Little League venue in Esquimalt until the move to the park on Lampson Street. The first season was deemed to be a great success - culminating with the defeat of the Lions by Yarrows in the playoffs.

Following Mr. Bowker's untimely death at age 48 in 1961, the decision was made to dedicate the new park in memory of his significant contributions to the Municipality of Esquimalt.

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Arthur Scott Bowker