Baseball star Buck O'Neil to speak in Holden

   by Christi Hedglin
   Staff Writer

Soon, residents of Holden will have the opportunity to meet "Baseball's Greatest Ambassador," Buck O'Neil.

The Holden Sports Association is spearheading the event, which is expected to generate funds for the construction of a new, three-diamond baseball field on the northern edge of the city limits. The event will be held Saturday, May 12 at 6:30, at the Holden High School gym.

According to representatives of the Holden Sports Association, although the construction of the new baseball field is an ambitious project, it's much needed.

"Serving 350 to 500 kids, teens and adults throughout baseball season becomes more of a challenge every year on our two baseball fields,". Johnson noted that after all of the scheduling for league play had been completed last spring, the coach pitch teams were allotted a total of two practice dates on the playing field for the entire summer season.

With the help of Buck O'Neil - and Tony Wrisinger of the Kansas City Royals organization - perhaps Holden's baseball players will be looking at more practice and playing time in coming years.

The first phase of the three-diamond baseball field is expected to be completed and ready to play on by late spring. With O'Neil's visit to Holden, perhaps the next phase of the project can begin.

O'Neil served as a first baseman and manager in the Negro Leagues from 1937 to 1955. In 1939, he began an association with the Kansas City Monarchs that would last 17 seasons. As first baseman, O'Neil was part of the Monarchs club that won four consecutive Negro American League pennants. After three active years in the military, O'Neil returned to the league in 1946.

He played on nine championship teams, managed five East-West All Star Classics, played in three Negro League World Series' and won a Negro National League batting title. As a manager of the Kansas City Monarchs, O'Neil was responsible for more than three dozen baseball players going to Major League organizations, including Ernie Banks.

During the 1940's, O'Neil traveled to Holden with the Kansas City Monarchs and played on the baseball field which is still used today.

In 1962, O'Neil became the first African-American coach in the Major Leagues with the Chicago Cubs, coaching future Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Lou Brock.
  In 1988, O'Neil returned to Kansas City as a scout for the Royals. In addition to scouting, he serves on the Veteran's Committee at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. O'Neil is the chairman of the Negro League's Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

O'Neil will be visiting Holden some time soon at a dinner organized by the Holden Sports Association for the people of Holden.

O'Neil will be speaking and will also sign autographs during the evening's events.

"It's not too often someone of Buck's magnitude comes to a small town like Holden," Tony Wrisinger, project coordinator for the Buck O'Neil CD said. "He gets a great response, and is very much in demand in speaking circuits."

O'Neil has appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, Larry King Live, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and at 89, continues to speak to groups across the country on a regular basis.

Advance tickets to the event may be purchased at Western Auto, Lloyds' Foods, O&M Enterprises, Bank of Holden and from members of the Holden Sports Association, or by calling (816) 850-4071.

The cost will be $25 for a family of four and $5 per person after that. Individual advance tickets will be $10. Gate admission will be $30 for a family of four, and $12 for an in individual.

"Once you've heard Buck, It's something you'll never forget," Wrisinger said. Anyone who wishes to know more about Buck O'Neil should visit www.bestofbuck.com .