At 15, Matthew Lécuyer becomes owner of a Quebec Major Baseball League team

Matthew Lécuyer is a Secondary 4 student at the Séminaire de Sherbrooke.

The 15-year-old is also the new owner of the Blue Sox de Thetford Minesa Quebec Major Baseball League team.

The organization made the official announcement via the team’s Facebook page.

Since he was on a school trip, we were unable to join the new owner of Thetford Mines training. However, according to the Blue Sox press release, Matthew Lécuyer says he knows that the challenge will be great.

“I hope people will be understanding,” explains Lécuyer. “I will make mistakes and omissions, but I will learn and I will be well supported. »

But how do you become the owner of a baseball team at 15?

It is that before being under the control of Matthew Lécuyer, the Blue Sox of Thetford belonged to his father, François Lécuyer. Having decided to sell the team in 2021, the various negotiations with potential buyers left a bitter taste for the father.

Reached on the line, the former owner explains: “I wanted guarantees. I wanted the team to stay in Thetford Mines, for my son to have a role in the administration, for the name of the team not to change. But no one inspired me enough confidence. So I concluded that the best person to take care of the Blue Sox was my son. He has known the team forever. »

Figures

How much can the Thetford Mines Blue Sox be worth?

We are talking about an amount that varies between $30,000 and $40,000. A nice present.

“It’s a gift that comes with at least 400 volunteer hours,” adds Lécuyer. “The whole structure is already in place around the team and he will be well surrounded. But he will have to take care of the management of the volunteers and renew the agreements with the various partners, which is already quite successful. »

A troubled past

Well known in the Estrie baseball community, François Lécuyer is also known to the courts.

Arrested as part of Operation “Notebook” aimed at dismantling a criminal organization involved in theft and concealment of vehicles on an international scalehe pleaded guilty in 2012 and received an absolute discharge.

Then, in 2021, he pleaded guilty to a $722,500 real estate fraud charge.

A troubled and relatively recent legal past, bequeathing a baseball team to his minor son… let’s just say it would be easy to intertwine the whole thing.

“I find it sad that people might think I’m leaving the team to my boy for the wrong reasons. Anyway, my cases in court are closed, I had the consequences that come with all that. But that has nothing to do with baseball. No way. I could have just sold the Blue Sox and gotten out of this whole thing. But I prefer to think about the team and what’s best for them. »

Time

Aged 52, the former owner will not abandon baseball.

“For several years, I have spent my summers around a baseball diamond. I wish I had more time to be with my friends and family. When I go to see a Blue Sox game, it will be as a fan in the stands instead of running around to make sure everything is okay. That will now be Matthew’s task! »

The Blue Sox’ first home game will take place Sunday afternoon in Thetford Mines.