The Mentorship Journey
1968
Oak Bay High School
Dave played on the Oak Bay High School basketball team that won the BC provincial title, alongside lifelong friend Walt Burrows — a teammate in both baseball and basketball since childhood, and later a scout with the Minnesota Twins. Both went on to attend the University of Victoria.
1988
Oceanside Baseball
Dave's coaching life began here — years before "legend" was a word anyone used about him. He started as a Little League coach, a pivotal first step.
1994
Parksville Royal
Dave took the helm of the Royals — a role he would hold for the next 22 years, shaping the future of elite youth baseball on the island through his leadership.
1995
Island Premier League
Working with GM Clyde Inouye, Dave helped launch a five-team league built on a simple idea: the best players should play against the best. It became the model for the BCPBL.
2020
A Lasting Legacy
Dave passed away on November 30, 2020. Tributes poured in from across the baseball community, honoring a man whose influence shaped hundreds of lives on and off the field. The Royals now play at Innouye-Wallace Field, and the Canadian Baseball Network’s annual honour for BC baseball builders is named the Dave Wallace Award, with Dave himself its first recipient.
Canadian Baseball Network Honoured Coach Award
The Canadian Baseball Network established the Honoured Coach award to recognize exceptional builders of the game. Dave Wallace was named the namesake and first recipient for his unparalleled dedication to youth baseball.
Over his 23 years with the Parksville Royals, Dave was instrumental in founding the Island Premier League and shaping the BCPBL. He prioritized long-term personal and athletic development over short-term scoreboard wins, leaving an indelible mark on BC sports.
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