The Freddie Wetzler Tournament got underway at Taylor Field and White Hall High School on Thursday under perfect weather conditions, somewhat different that the start of last week’s Jim Hill Wood Bat Tournament where heavy rains washed out Day 1.
Of course, Jim Hill was in his usual spot, watching the action from the stands, shaking hands, talking baseball and preparing the field for the next game.
Hill doesn’t even think about it at this point. He does things by feel.
“I have to go turn the lights on,” he said during our conversation about tournament namesake Freddie Wetzler, long before anyone would have noticed it was time to prepare for the impending darkness that was still several minutes away.
But just like clockwork, and without most even noticing, the lights flickered on and came to life as the sun set on another glorious day at Taylor.
I continue to grow more respect for Hill every time I talk to him. He reminds me of my dad. They are only a year apart in age and share the same passions. Both love the game of baseball and the kids they cater to.
My father was a coach and an educator for 32 years and whether in the classroom or dugout, always had the kids’ best interest in mind.
Hill gave me the rundown on Wetzler during our brief conversation and why the tournament carried his name.
Wetzler was a longtime coach in the local Babe Ruth leagues before becoming affiliated with American Legion ball. Once Legion ball came to town Wetzler became the District Administrator for the league and went on to be Arkansas Commissioner of American Legion from 1988 to 1991. He was still active in legion ball until his death on Dec. 28, 2009.
The event was originally called the Coca-Cola Classic and was played in Fort Smith.
“They dropped the tournament and people down here got together to bring it down here,” Hill said. “They wanted to pay tribute to him.”
Wetzler passed away on Dec. 28, 2009. His wife “Tootsie” passed away May 1.
Wetzler was a 1950 graduate of Lake Village High School and a retired conductor for the Missouri Pacific. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and was a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW.
Nothing lasts forever. But Wetzler and the notable Billy Bock have their names forever etched in the bowels of Taylor Field history.
Jim Hill stayed behind to make sure it continues.
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Chan Davis is a sports writer for The Commercial. Email him at cdavis@pbcommercial.com.