The ballparks are great and the fans love baseball, but this league is were 90% of past phenoms come to die.
I work closely with 15-minute-of-fame type of guy's on a daily basis.
Remember Trey Beamon, Shane Monahan, Kim Batiste, Brian Williams, Curtis Pride, Bryan Rekar, Jose Lima, or Doug Jennings? If any of those names ring a bell then you've either been to an Atlantic League game or you know your baseball history.
I'm 25 years of age, in the best shape of my life, just married and on my road towards chasing a baseball fans dream of getting paid to watch baseball. I'm the voice of Atlantic City Surf baseball for 126 games this season. If you happen to vacation in wonderful South Jersey then you'll probably head out to The Sandcastle Ballpark right off the shore to catch a game.
The league is what most call a triple-A independent league. It's the most successful independent operation in the country and we got the ball players to prove it.
The league is only six years old yet every stadium is a top-of-the-line attraction that rival most newly built double-A parks.
It's neat to think most of these guys had a chance to be something (and some did) but just fell short. I watch them play baseball and see the love they have for a game that abandoned them years ago.
Don't get me wrong, not every joe-smoe can play in this league. This is where lifetime Minor leaguers and ex-big leaguers come to play when they still want to be loved by fans (look at Rickey Henderson).
I love the fact that I get to call a game over the radio and have an entire history already recorded on these guys. It sure beats doing play-by-play at the single-A or even double-A level where the athlete's aren't yet established.
I love to talk baseball, but most of all I love to speak great words about these guys between the lines. They don't have to be playing anymore, but they do for love of the game.
Kim Batiste has been playing since 1987 in professional ball. They say he should have hung them up after his Phillies lost in the 1993 World Series. Since then, "Batty" hasn't really performed. Yet, he still plays for love of the game and boy is he a nice guy.
Brian Williams pitched in the 90's with the Astros, Padres, and Tigers. He had success in the Major's but not enough for any team to sign him to a Minor league contract. He pitches for love of the game.
Doug Jennings is another old name. He's been playing professionally since 1984! He came up with that power house Oakland team in the late 80's. In the first 16 games this season, He's hitting over .400 and playing great defense at first base. Who would have thought?
My point is this. It's the last chance league for most, but it could easily be the I-Love-This-Game-So-Much league.
I'm at the beginning of my career as a play-by-play voice for baseball, and what a joy it's been to hear the stories and see some of the faces I had stored away in special Baseball card plastics to keep their rookie cards fresh.
I love this game, but it doesn't match the love these veteran's have for baseball. I'll forever be grateful that my first real experience came at the expense of some fine players last.
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Posted May 26, 2003.
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