MURFREESBORO – A Pike County “wood bat” baseball league has opened its fourth season and is now looking to expand with more players, teams and opponents, according to organizer Jeff Jones, a 2006 Murfreesboro graduate and former Rattler catcher.
Jones, who steers the local hardball team, The Practice Squad, said there are currently two teams in Pike County and that the league is open to players 18 and older. Practices and seven-inning games happen on Saturdays or Sundays at the Murfreesboro City Park.
The Practice Squad’s roster ranges in player age from 22 to 36.
On Saturday night, Murfreesboro’s southpaw mayor, Jim O’Neal, helped kick off the season by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch (a strike) to Jones. Local umpiring legend, Bill Henderson, was also on hand to work the game.
Jones said that adding more players and teams to the area league would create a game schedule that does not involve driving all over to find an opponent. Jones has played in a Shreveport, La., wood bat league and said the team traveled for hours every weekend.
“We’re all grown people here,” Jones said. “We have lives just like everybody else. We don’t want to have to drive all day to play.”
Wood bats are required, but since local players “aren’t Major League Baseball stars who can afford to buy real bats” Jones suggested “cheap ones” that won’t break the bank when they break at the pate and suggested each player have their own personal lumber.
Volunteers and sponsors are also welcome to get on board and Jones added that the umpire position is a paid position.
Jones said he will keep his personal Facebook page updated for more information about the league and interested parties can contact him at (870) 285-1443.
