In 2023, the membership of the Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball will elect a new Treasurer, Media Director, and Chattanooga and Knoxville Player representatives. The election will be held electronically and members will be able to vote the week of the Sulphur Dell Cup, with the results announced at the Sulphur Dell Cup Banquet the evening of September 16, 2022. Here are the candidates, and their biographies as provided by the candidates.
Treasurer
Robbie “The Natural” Cook – Nashville Maroons
I would like to ask for you vote in our upcoming election for the office of Treasurer.
As a founding member of The TAVBB completing my 11th season I have been active in volunteering for many duties along the way. As a business owner of “Hester & Cook” we have sponsored our league since it’s inception. Our league has been a bright spot in my life and in my family’s life. I have been blessed to have had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people over all the years. Gratefully I have also been able to play along side my son Will, who joined last season. Now I feel it is time for me to give back.
My qualifications for the position include:
-Co-owner of Hester & Cook.
A Nashville based wholesaler and retailer with 3 retail locations and one candy store. We have just completed our 18th year of business.
-Chairman of the Board of The Wonderful Life Foundation a non-profit 501-C-3 just like TAVBB.
I am very familiar with all of the requirements and reports that must be filed yearly.
-National Delegate for the Austin Healey Club of America.
Thank you for you time and consideration.
Troy “Cobra” Walker – Mountain City Club of Chattanooga
When I randomly came across the beautiful game that is vintage base ball on the open grassy fields of the 6th Cavalry Museum in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA, I was instantly hooked! I only got to witness the last 2 innings of the last regular season game of the summer, but I knew immediately that I needed to be a part of it somehow. Our sport is an absolutely amazing combination of education, healthy competition, and living history! I was willing to volunteer or whatever was needed at the time, but obviously wanted to play first and foremost. As luck would have it, a spot opened up and I was assigned to be a part of Mountain City V.B.B.C. and have completely and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my first few seasons of Vintage Base Ball (with hopefully many more to come). As far as being the treasurer for the Tennessee chapter of this exciting game, I am more than willing to give my time and energies to help propel this modern day historical reality of Base Ball into the future! I have quite a bit of experience of financial management and record-keeping as I, along with several co-investors, own several investment ventures and properties and I have managed the financial records and day-to-day operations for over 12 years now. I don’t pretend to be a professional accountant or anything, but in another life, I probably would have been in financial management of some kind. Weird to say for a 25 year Physical Educator and Athletic Director, I know! In any regard, I would be happy to do whatever is needed for the Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball to grow and thrive. Long Live Vintage Base Ball!
Media Director
Kenneth “Stitch” Douglas – Nashville Maroons
I would like to be considered for the position of Media Director. I believe I could share my passion of vintage baseball through social media to broaden our audience and increase attendance.
I grew up in San Diego with a strong love for the Padres. I was an active kid playing just about every sport, although baseball was always my favorite. The Boys Scouts were also an important part of my upbringing. I learned survival skills, camped, and hiked with my troop, even reaching the 14,500-foot peak of Mt.Whitney. This commitment led to becoming an Eagle Scout.
In college, I received two degrees in both fire science and nursing. I fought forest fires briefly in Utah and then ultimately chose to pursue a full-time nursing career. When my family and I moved to Tennessee seven years ago, I continued nursing while also becoming a realtor. Additionally, I now own a small meat farm for quail and rabbits.
My wife and I have a blended family of five boys and one girl. Many of our children are involved in sports. I have coached soccer and baseball for over fourteen years. Between our son’s travel ball, rec ball, and TAoVBB, our lives are consumed with some version of baseball, and we love it.
In the past, I have served on the TAoVBB Board as both Treasurer and Secretary, and I would be honored to be considered for the Media Director position and appreciate your consideration of my candidacy.
Chattanooga Player Representative
William “Buster” Hollis – Lightfoot Club of Chattanooga
I am running for the Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball Chattanooga
Player Representative for the next two years. I am finishing up my 8 th year playing
for the Lightfoot Club of Chattanooga. This game is a passion of mine and always
look forward to playing the season and traveling with Hogs & Hominy. Base ball
has always been a favorite past time. The comradery and brotherhood that this
game brings us is unlike none around.
On the personal side, I will be married to my beautiful wife 25 years this coming
May. We have 20 year old twins. My daughter is a junior at UTC majoring in
Geology and my son is the lead field installer for Mobility works installing ramps,
lifts and other mobility needs. He is in his 1 st year as a Lightfoot himself.
I look forward to your vote and handling any concerns and questions that our
Chattanooga family may have.
Knoxville Player Representative
Timothy “Yankee Bear” Carroll – Knoxville Holstons
Age 60
Position: Knoxville Player Representative
Years in League: 2018 -Present
Teams: Knoxville Machinists Knoxville Holstens Hogs and Hominy
Current TAVBB Position: Knoxville Player Representative
Brief Bio:
Originally from Eastern Long Island NY. Currently live Oak Ridge TN. Technical specialist in three-dimensional metrology and accelerator alignment. Eighteen years Oak Ridge National Laboratory, prior 12 years Brookhaven National Laboratory, Long Island NY.
Baseball all through youth, school and numerous softball leagues Long Island and Buffalo NY.
Boy Scouts of America Council and Unit commissioner, unit leader, training instructor and coordinator for 12 plus years.
Historic Ramsey House Board of Directors.
Hobbies /Interests: Vintage Baseball Hiking-Endurance Hiking Kayaking Bicycling Fly Fishing Camping Live Music Snow Skiing
National Parks
Read: Thoreau Muir Historical Fiction
I believe representing the Knoxville area TAVBB teams the previous two years have been an absolute honor and privilege. I enjoy being open and candid with our Knoxville ballists and have shared numerous times the importance of communication if there exists any concerns or questions, and gladly share with the board discreet, prompt, and direct. Perhaps one of the most important aspects for me is to hopefully promote our leagues attention to education, authenticity, and pure love of the game for the cranks through our ballists play and actions. If I am chosen again for the privilege of being the Knoxville TAVBB representative, I will continue these same efforts and enjoy the love of this great game shared by us all.
