A BROMSGROVE man, whose contribution to the town included introducing baseball to residents, has died at the age of 92.

William Jones, known to many as Buck, was born in Canada on July 9, 1922.

In 1936 the Jones family came to England and soon Buck moved to Bromsgrove where he spent the rest of his life.

Buck's father bought a gas station on Worcester Road, that became known as the Regal Garage.

The Messenger reported on Buck in 1958 giving him another nickname - Mr Baseball - as he was widely credited as the man to introduce the sport to town residents.

He founded Bromsgrove Baseball Club in 1956, establishing its headquarters in Charford.

He held car boots sales to collect funds for a club kit, and in its first year the club won the prestigious Birmingham League Cup.

During his life he served in the Canadian Service Corps 5th Armoured Division and was in the transport service riding his favourite Harley Davidson motorbikes.

In his life, throughout war and peacetime, Buck did five Atlantic crossings - at one point returning to Canada and crossing the country on the Canadian Pacific railway.

As well as baseball other sports played a crucial part in Buck's life including go karting where, as member of the town club, he won a 24 hour race in France.

Buck died at the age of 92 in January, and his coffin was transported to his funeral at Redditch Crematorium on a Harley Davidson bike.

Wife Sheila said: "He was a wonderful man and loved and admired by all who met and knew him."

The family ask anyone who want to make a donation in his name, to give money to the Stroke Association.