Matty's memory lives on

THE second annual Matty's Memorial Perpetual Baseball Cup will be held on Sunday, celebrating the life of a Bendigo baseballer who passed away after an asthma attack in 2013.

The game will raise money for the Asthma Foundation of Victoria and raise awareness for organ donation group Donate Life.

Scots and Falcons will face off against each other in A, B and C grade baseball matches at the Albert Roy Reserve to honour the long-time Scots player.

Matty's mum Julie Smith is the brains behind the event. 

"We have to make Matty's passing matter and prevent this happening again," she said.

She said she would be satisfied if the event prevented just one death from asthma.

Last year's event raised $3500 for the Asthma Foundation through fundraising and canteen sales.

Ms Smith said it was important to get the message out that although serious, with the proper treatment, asthma was a manageable condition.

"With an asthma plan you can lead an almost normal life without restriction," she said.

"We want people to know they don't have to let asthma stop them from being active."

Many of Australia's top athletes were also asthma sufferers, Ms Smith said.

She said it was important for asthmatics to understand their symptoms and see their doctors at least twice a year.

The other component of the day is raising awareness of organ donation.

Matty's organs have helped eight recipients. 

Ms Smith said knowing Matty's organs saved lives helped make some sense of his passing.

"It's confronting. But as a parent, you've got to fulfil that and know that his organs are going to help someone who wouldn't be here today otherwise," she said. 

Some of the recipients have gotten in touch with the family to thank them for Matty's selfless act. 

Ms Smith said hearing from the people Matty helped save was a healing experience. 

Matty's stepfather and baseball teammate Warren Smith said the Bendigo baseball community rallied around the family after the 34-year-old's death.

"They all knew him very well and they approached us about having a game for him," he said.

Mr Smith said the tournament helped the family with the loss of their son, brother and uncle.

"There's a sense of something good coming from something tragic," he said.

Matty's surname has been withheld as he is an organ donor and Australian law restricts the identities of donors being shared.