Long Ball Baseball Remains Staple in Durham Youth Culture

Graduating seniors playing in the Triple Play Long Ball Baseball League. Photos by Eric O'Neal

As the baseball game ends and the Muckdogs and New York Marlins pay their respects to each other, a woman totes two bags to home plate. The youngsters and the Durham Athletic Park crowd turn silent as she prepares to honor graduating players from her league.

This is a special moment for Patricia James, the founder and president of the Durham’s Triple Play Long Ball League.  James, who works in Duke's Community Service Center, has particular reasons to show pride in her senior players as they begin the next stage of their life. Of the 12 seniors, 11 are going to college and one is going to trucking school.

Matthew Miller, one of the players in the 16-18 age league, is attending Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma with an endearing passion for baseball.

“There’s a possibility that I’ll get to play for Oral Roberts baseball team,” Miller said as he took a break from rigorous practice swings. “Playing in this league was a really good experience for me.”

The purpose of the Triple Play Long Ball League, comprised of three age 13-15 and four age 16-18 teams, is to provide a nurturing environment for local boys. The game is baseball, but the goals extend off the field. James emphasizes this environment with many rule signs around the ballpark, once home to the Durham Bulls minor league team. Duke's Office of Durham and Regional Affairs and several other university units provide support for the league.

No sagging pants are allowed, and all profanity is prohibited in the ballpark. The rules are meant for the young players, but at a recent game this past month, the atmosphere extends to the friends and family in attendance at the park. Though some in the crowd occasionally jest with the players, everything is in a good spirited manner.

Players Walter Parham and Jalen Redmond said that this atmosphere is relaxing, and makes the game more enjoyable to play. The location is special too; once home to Baseball Hall of Famers such as Joe Morgan, the Durham Athletic Park makes the players feel like they are pros.

“For them to even play on this historic field is a miracle,” James said of the players. “I want them to understand that anything is possible.”

Coach John Perry of the Muckdogs said all the adults participating in the league buy in to this ethos. “The maintenance is all taken care of by the facility management,” Perry said. “The players may not have an appreciation for it, just yet. When they get older, they will.”

Baseball league founder and president Patricia James.

James also said that she is looking to add another age 13-15 team. “I’m looking for more dedicated and experienced baseball coaches to help bolster the program and continue to prepare these young men for the world beyond,” she said.

James’ son, Lathan Nobles II, also coaches baseball, and sees the dedication of holding oneself to a high standard paying off for the players. “I’ve watched these guys change and do better, on and off-field, to play,” Nobles said. “They love to play ball.”

Another aspect of the league is the growing opportunities for the players to match their skills against teams from across the country. This year, the 16-18 all-star team will go to the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary beginning July 8 to play teams from Charlotte, Fayetteville, Raleigh and Rocky Mount. Later in July, both 13-15 and 16-18 all-star teams will go to Maryland to compete in the RBI Mid-Atlantic regionals and then see a Washington Nationals game.

Players age 17-18 were also invited to play in a wooden bat-only tournament at the USA Baseball facility in Cary.

“This program has been around for 8 years,” James said. “This is the first time they will get to play a game at the USA Baseball complex, so we are looking forward to the great opportunity.”

“It’s an opportunity for them to get out of North Carolina and out of Durham for a while,” Perry said. “This is a chance for them to go see the world.”

Eric O'Neal is a senior at N.C. Central University and is working this summer with Duke's Office of News and Communications.