Every summer, young baseball players around the country lace up their cleats, break in their new gloves, and see the grimace on their mother’s face every time they show her how dirty they got their pants. They play through middle school, high school, some into college, and even fewer professionally. Then, it’s over. An organization in the DFW area is trying to change that.
The North Texas Amateur Baseball League is an organization that gives former players an opportunity to continue to play the game they love. The NTABL offers leagues for players ages 18 and over, 35 and over, 45 and over, and a Rookie League for players of any age who need a few games to get back to competitive shape. Different age divisions offer players from any decade to cross over the base paths a few more times.
“The league is a place that gives guys the chance to just play ball and have fun. The guy we have come out to play come from all walks of life. We have college kids, CEOs, mechanics, lawyers, and busboys. It’s a true cross section of America,” said League President Kirk Pruitt.
Tryouts for players who are not yet on a team took place on a recent Saturday morning on the baseball fields at WT White High School in Dallas. Players from all age groups took the field, showcasing their skills for coaches and league officials out scouting the talent.
Pruitt, along with the players, also has a real job. He works for Zims Autotechnik in Bedford, and deals with parts for European made luxury cars. He volunteers along with the rest of the executive board to help run the league.
“I get people who say, ‘I can’t believe how organized this is,’ and really all we want is for others to enjoy this as much as we do,” Pruitt said.
At one point, the volunteer work would flow over in his actual job. It got to the point where he had to stop taking phone calls about baseball while he was on the clock at Zims Autotechnik.
Established in 1988, the NTABL has an annual budget of about $140,000. That money helps supply balls, fields, umpires, and other league expenses. Last year, the league organized and played a total of 367 games over their four divisions. The most important games of the year take place in Dr Pepper Ballpark, the home of the Frisco RoughRiders, but those games are not only about baseball.
In 2012, the NTABL established a relationship with the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. The proceeds raised from ticket sales, player entry fees to participate in All-Star events, and donations were all collected to benefit the hospital.
The league hoped to raise at least $5,000 for the hospital the first year, and ended up raising more than $12,000. The second fundraising attempt in 2013 was even more successful, raising more than $16,000.
“One of the most exciting elements of the event is the opportunity to invite patients to throw out the first pitch at the start of each game,” said TSRHC Senior Director of Special Events Ashley Givens. “The experience of throwing out a first pitch in a minor league ballpark is one of the most memorable moments of these children’s lives.”
The excitement that comes with throwing off of a mound in a professional team’s stadium flows through the players just as much as the kids.
Rick Burish was introduced to the NTABL in 2005, 20 years after his early baseball career ended. As a pitcher growing up in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, he was the MVP of his high school team, and made All-District and All-Conference teams. He played some baseball in college, and took part in some summer semi-pro leagues, but his baseball career ended after he got out of school.
“I couldn’t throw as hard as I did in high school, I was more of a thrower back then,” Burish said, “I had to become a pitcher in the NTABL. I could still throw in the high 80s, but I had to learn how to work hitters, and pitch more to contact.”
The older version of Rick Burish on the mound easily rediscovered his All-District self. He won the Bobby Newton Pitching Award in 2009, 2010, and tied for the award in 2011. The award goes to the pitcher who finishes the season with the most wins.
Burish’s final year in the league was 2012 when his professional life took him to San Francisco, but he still has a strong opinion on the competitive level of the league.
“This league is not for softball players. If you think you are a good slow-pitch softball player and want to just come out and play hard ball, it’s going to be a long weekend for you,” Burish said.
Joey Hayden is a senior Sport Management major and Journalism minor. You can contact him via email ([email protected]) or tweet him @jhayden24seven.
