Merv Clyma died in Nelson on January 20 aged in his late 70s.
His death follows that of another stalwart in Des McCammon less than three months ago.
Both were life members of the Otago Softball Association and were extremely influential figures in the sport.
A founding member of the Ellis Park club, Clyma played for the club through his teenage years.
He switched to Dodgers in the late 1950s as he wanted to become a pitcher.
In 2013 a shield bearing Clyma’s name was created to be played for between the two clubs.
He was a staple in the Otago team throughout the years and played for the South Island in 1960 and New Zealand in 1967.
While working as a sales representative he also played for Auckland, Wellington and Manawatu.
When he returned to Dunedin in 1974 he made his mark as a coach, both with Otago and Dodgers, while continuing to play into the 1980s.
He coached the South Island to an upset one-run win over the North Island in 1982.
A year later he coached the Black Sox against the United States and Japan.
Alongside that he was instrumental fundraising for the Dodgers club.
He also played senior football for Roslyn Wakari and in later years took up bowls and bridge.
