We didn’t know it then, of course, but when the lights went out after the last game in 2009, the curtain fell on a summer baseball program that made it possible for hundreds of youngsters to continue their educations and baseball careers.

Durant American Legion baseball is no more.

“A program run by adults to help kids become adults.”

That was the header on the introductory page of the 2001 Fourth of July Durant American Legion baseball tournament game progam.

It was a program dedicated to the memory of Robert Doraty, a long-time Durant businessman, who, along with several others, spent many volunteer hours to keep the program alive.

The last paragraph on the intro page: American Legion baseball is a program that should always be continued in Durant. Hundreds and hundreds of people over the years have proven that Durant knows how to make the program work.

Durant American Legion baseball started in 1947, played two years in Durant, moved to Colbert for the next five seasons, then returned to Durant.

Since 1953, the boys of summer ruled when school was not in session. Durant fielded teams in every year except 1983 and 1989.

Durant nipped Denison 3-2 in 1966 to win the first 4th of July Tournament, since named the Harlene Taylor Gumm 4th of July Tournament.

Harlene spent much of her own time and money to pay the insurance and do the necessary paper work to keep the program going when things were tough for the Legion post.

With the exception of 1989, Durant has hosted a 4th of July Tournament from 1966 to 2009. At its finest, the tourney used Lloyd Plyler and Billy Miller Parks and brought visitors and money to our city.

Durant has fielded an American Legion team in 57 of the last 63 years. That’s an exceptional run, but it’s now over. Used to be, you could spin around until dizzy, throw a rock in any direction and hit a Legion baseball team.

There are now fewer than 10 teams in the state. Traveling teams, high school summer teams, All-Star teams, vacations, video games, working to support cars … all have contributed to diminish summer baseball for boys 16 to 18 years old.

Back in the day, coaches were not paid, had to take care of the field, round up umpires, hustle transportation and meal money, furnish and find ways to operate the concession stands. In their spare time, coaches tried to put teams on the field.

Today, coaches are paid, almost everything else is furnished. Coaches take care of the field and try to put teams out there.

Lately, games have been canceled because not enough players showed up. Teams would enter a tournament, lose a game and just not return for the next one. Durant was not among those teams.

A small group of men in the fall of 1991 formed the Durant American Legion Baseball Committee, which was chaired by Jim Saunders, who served in that capacity three years, then another two years as a committee member.

Committee members had no sons in the program, no personal agendas. Everything was done in the best interest of the baseball program.

The program suffered economic hardships in 1994-95-96 and almost bottomed out.

Everybody should be familiar with “bailout” as one of our national buzzwords today and we all know it’s far less that positive.

Durant’s American Legion baseball program had its own bailout 12 years ago, thanks to former Yuba Cowhand Larry Dyson, one of the survivors of the automobile crash-and-burn.

Dyson agreed to help and Dyson Motors became the major sponsor in 1997. He has provided transportation, meals and lodging when necessary, uniforms, equipment and unwavering support of the young men who wore the local colors.

Fans will recall Dyson working the sweatbox that passed for a concession stand at Plyler Park on South fifth. His employees, Mark Ellis, Chris Coder and their families, logged lots of time to keep everything running.

The concession stand had to be stocked and manned (or womaned), ice had to be brought to the park, trash had to be collected, umpires had to be paid, restrooms had to be papered … the list is a long one.

Ellis, who served as general manager of the American Legion team, has been a major part of it for the last dozen years.

“Kids today just won’t commit to that much time,” Ellis said. “There’s too much else to do even without all of the other teams. It’s hard to find dedicated individuals willing to spend the necessary time to deliver a good program. High school coaches want their own kids playing for them in the summer and we can understand that.

“There were just too many things that added up in the negative column.

“Larry definitely wanted to keep the program going, but if you don’t have coaches and players and other teams to play, there’s just no way to do it. He put quite a bit of money into it, bought a couple of buses, lots of uniforms and equipment, meals and motel rooms.

“There’s no question we would still sponsor the program if we could make it work.”

Nobody will say it, but it’s safe to say Dyson Motors has spent between $120,000 and $150,000 over the last 12 years. The money is never mentioned when Larry Dyson talks American Legion baseball. He talks kids and opportunities.

He has always been a strong supporter of local athletics and was personally involved until an accident a few years ago sidelined him.

Durant Legion teams have had 48 winning seasons, seven losing seasons and a pair of break-even campaigns. The majors team has qualifed six times for the state tournament.

Durant fielded a Double-A team in 2007, coached by Zach Crabtree and assistant Ryan Richardson, that went 31-7 while winning state and national championships.

The Dyson gang never posted a losing season. The string of 20-consecutive winning campaigns closed after the final game of 2009.

Three coaches have won more than 100 games with the Durant American Legion.

Crabtree coached the majors six years with a record of 220-73 (73.1%). Billy Jack Bowen coached four years (137-48, 74.1%); Shane Hill had three years (116-60) and recorded the lone 50-win season (50-16) in 1999.

Once upon a time, Durant hosted the American Legion State Tournament. That was when Lloyd Plyler was running the program.

It’s a good thing he was a carpenter. Had it rained one more day, he would have been trying to build an ark.

Durant never had another shot at hosting the big show. The field was fine. There was simply no place to park.

“What I miss most,” Dyson said, “is working the concession stand at Lloyd Plyler Park and seeing everybody. I really enjoyed doing that and I did it for the kids.

“I was proud to help provide a little better level of baseball. I am proud of the fact that in our 12 years, every kid who wanted a college scholarship received one. I’m proud of the fact that we never charged a kid to play baseball.

“Several individuals and businesses have been involved in sponsoring the program. We were able to provide our fans an excellent brand of baseball and we were able to keep kids in college.

“A lot of our former players have been very successful. Many are coaching and we still have players come by to visit us at the dealership. That makes it all worthwhile. I wish we could have kept the program going. We tried everything, but I guess American Legion baseball has run its course throughout the state.

“We’ll miss it.”

Saying goodbye to the boys of summer

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