Editors note: This story was written in collaboration with Harold Wilson, the first president of the Daviess County T-ball League.
This summer marks the 50th anniversary of t-ball being available in Daviess County. The notion of “being too young to play ball” was prevalent for decades until 1974, when Jerry Price moved to Owensboro and introduced the sport.
Price relocated his family to the area for his position as a telephone company supervisor. His kids had been playing t-ball in Chattanooga and were devastated when they discovered they wouldn’t be able to play the sport they had fallen in love with.
He first introduced the concept to different school playground supervisors throughout the county. A young Harold Wilson, 26 at the time and serving as Maceo’s playground supervisor, took Price’s idea and ran with it.
“All the playgrounds played by different rules,” Wilson, now 76, said. “I proposed that all seven Daviess County playground teams and one Hancock County team meet at Maceo for an area-wide tournament.”
He remembers meeting with all the different coaches under a shade tree in Maceo to collaborate on drafting the tournament’s rules. They also named Wilson president of the newly-formed Daviess County T-ball League.
“We all agreed, and history was made,” he said. “Getting the playground ready for such an event was challenging. We had to build restrooms and concessions stands, but we were able to come together to get it done.”
Norman Tomes coached the Maceo team, Brook White coached the Thruston team, and Jerry Hallum led the Sutherland squad, while P.J. Nave managed Philpot and Dariel McGehee led Stanley. Jim Leachman was the coach at Sorgho and Bruce Coomes in Hancock County. Knottsville also had a team.
“I remember how dedicated each coach was to teaching baseball and helping each child learn the rules and improve their skills,” Wilson said.
A massive rain the night before the inaugural 3-day tournament really dampened the tournament’s outlook. Wilson leaned on Kenny Selby, Wally Beachum, James Luttrell, Lindy Mercer, and Hawes Mercer to return the field to safe playing conditions.
Wilson says that orchestrating that first tournament required a massive team of volunteers, and he’s grateful to all of them, especially since everyone was working their standard full-time jobs during the day.
“Lindy and Hawes Mercer saved the day,” he said. “Their company hauled in sand and brought tractors and graders to get the infield ready for the games to proceed. It was a miracle to have such a commitment from the community.”
They finished the restrooms just before the big day and leaned on the local police to assist with parking and congestion on US 60.
“Hundreds and hundreds of fans came to see their youngsters play t-ball instead of just dreaming of playing each night,” Wilson said.
The initial rules were simple. Players had to be between six and nine by the cut-off date of July 31. Each boy or girl had to wear a white T-shirt, blue jeans, tennis shoes, and a team-colored hat. They also had to carry a glove and were allowed three swings on the tee before they were called out on strikes.
Wilson said the City of Owensboro Playgrounds association followed suit and formed a t-ball league the next year.
In 1974, there were eight teams. By 1976, there were 14, which doubled to 28 in 1979. Joe Mason later introduced t-ball to Southern Little League in the early ‘80s.
From there, Wilson said the sport spread rapidly across western Kentucky, impacting the lives of thousands of players over the last 50 years.
He hopes to collaborate with the community to celebrate the anniversary this year. To offer ideas or to assist with the celebration, email him at [email protected].
“That tournament was one of the greatest accomplishments of my life because thousands of boys and girls have benefitted from t-ball,” Wilson said. “Coaches have served the community and youngsters well, and the sport offers parents and grandparents the opportunity watch their little loved ones.”
