By: Steven Wilson
The smells of fresh cut grass and popcorn. The feeling of the midday sun beaming down on a summer’s day. The sound of the crowd roaring and the bat cracking. In just a few words, you’re there – the ballpark. Not many life experiences can be captured this way, with a simple recitation of the sights, smells, and sounds that comprise them. And there exist even fewer events with which so many of us can universally relate on a personal level. But whether it’s as a player, a parent, a coach or a fan, nearly all of us have a memory or two that can be traced back to the game of baseball.
Today, America’s national pastime, at least at the professional level, has lost some of its popularity. Sports like basketball and football have captured the country’s attention, thus taking part of baseball’s audience. Recognizing this steady loss of fan support, Major League Baseball has gone as far as attempting to literally speed up the game, implementing rules where pitchers are allowed less time between throws, and hitters are fined for stepping out of the batter’s box too often. Add to that the lack of star power compared to decades past, and it becomes easier to see why other sports are supplanting our national pastime in terms of generating new fans and viewers. Yet even with interest waning in watching the pros, children across the country remain enthusiastic about participating in the game their parents and grandparents grew up playing.
Nowhere is that more evident than the fields where little league baseball is played.
Maybe the appeal at the youth level lies in the pure enjoyment of spending a summer’s day outside. Cold weather is for football, and basketball is usually played indoors. But baseball will always be the sport of the summertime. Or maybe kids just like baseball because there’s something inherently fun about playing catch, something exhilarating about hitting one over the fence. Either way, a quick drive around Owensboro on a Saturday in May will confirm that baseball at the little league level is still gaining momentum, especially in our town.
In 2004, Sports Illustrated christened Owensboro as “Kentucky’s Sports Town.” That distinction was due in large part to our city’s outstanding baseball facilities. Owensboro Parks and Recreation operates and oversees 17 baseball and softball fields. Those fields host multiple tournaments and youth leagues, providing ample opportunities for Owensboro’s youth to play baseball. In addition, numerous schools and churches have built fields of their own, further encouraging kids throughout the city to step up to the plate.
It is from the seeds of sportsmanship and competition planted in those very fields that several successful careers have blossomed. Many have heard of Brad Wilkerson’s accomplishments on the diamond, such as becoming Owensboro’s first Olympic gold medal winner as part of Team USA at the 2000 Sydney games. While the sport of baseball may have taken Wilkerson the farthest in terms of on-the-field success, little league has laid a solid foundation for countless Owensboro youth.
Rod Drake is best known now as the head coach of the 2015 Kentucky State Champion Owensboro High School boys’ basketball team. Others remember him from his accomplished playing days at OHS or Kentucky Wesleyan College. But like so many other successful athletes, Drake got his start in sports on the baseball field. In fact, recalls Drake, “Baseball was the first organized sport I played, when I played for the Colonels, coached by the late Richard Anderson.” So strong are Drake’s memories of his time as a little leaguer that he still remembers his first ever at-bat. “It was a two-strike bunt down the third baseline for a hit. I’ll never forget it.” Though several years have passed since that first at-bat, the friendships Drake forged during those days still remain. “Jimmy Richeson recently shared a team photo with me of the ‘73 Colonels. Jimmy and I played little league for four years and he’s a friend for life,” said Drake.
In recent years, Owensboro has produced several stars on the field, some of whom are still pursuing major league careers. Justin Marks currently plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A team in Reno, Nevada. Prior to that, Marks took the mound for the Louisville Cardinals and the Owensboro Catholic Aces. But Marks got his start in Cal Ripken little league. Though he’s playing on a much bigger stage, where the stakes are decidedly higher, Marks fondly remembers his times in Owensboro little league. “Some of my favorite memories as a little leaguer were traveling with teammates, staying in hotels, and cheering on my teammates,” Marks recalled. He joked that it also wasn’t so bad having your mom bring you a mid-game snack and drink. For current players and parents, Marks emphasizes the importance of enjoying the game as much as possible. He says, “In little league kids should be learning the fundamentals and having fun with their friends. Baseball is a lot of fun at that age and the last thing you want is for over-competitive parents to take that away.” Coming from someone who plays the game for a living, that’s pretty sound advice.
Off the field, Owensboro also has its share of baseball-related success stories. The October/November issue of Owensboro Living featured a story on Dinger Bats, a family-run business that manufactures baseball bats for the pros, and whose business operations are based right here in Owensboro. In a follow-up with Dinger Bats founder, Kyle Drone, he revealed the role Owensboro played in taking his growing company to the next level.
Drone played baseball against Brad Wilkerson in a semi-pro league that pitted Wilkerson’s Evansville Outlaws against Drone’s Saline Co. Monarchs. After meeting in that summer league, their relationship continued through the time that Wilkerson was playing with the Montreal Expos. During that same time, Drone was starting Dinger Bats, and Wilkerson began using their bats in the pros. According to Drone, “He was very instrumental in helping Dinger break into the big leagues with our bats.” As an added piece of trivia, Drone recalls that Wilkerson hit the last home run in Expos’ franchise history, and the first home run in the history of the Washington Nationals franchise – both were hit using a Dinger Bat.
Having signed numerous MLB players to contracts, Dinger Bats is a growing player in the baseball equipment world. Still, even with the success he’s experienced as an adult, Drone can relate it back to his time spent playing baseball as a child in Illinois. “Playing little league growing up definitely helped develop my love for the game,” says Drone. From there, Drone played college baseball, as well as catcher for the AA affiliate of the Cubs, before founding his own business. But it all started on the field in little league.
With these stories of success on and off the diamond, and even on the basketball court, it’s evident that both little league baseball and its legacy remain alive and well in Owensboro.