photo by Ben Hillyer

Eric Fry, president of the T.M. Jennings League, does everything from making sure the t-ball equipment is set up to stocking up the concession stand. Fry sets the baseball tee at home plate before the first ballgame was scheduled to begin Thursday.

Eric Fry works to keep T.M. Jennings baseball going

By Brian Reynolds (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Monday, June 30, 2008

NATCHEZ — When dark, ominous clouds began to roll over the Frazier Primary School baseball fields Thursday, many parents decided to stay home — Eric Fry on the other hand, stayed on the ball field.

Fry is the president of T.M. Jennings Baseball and is responsible for everything from the concession stand to selecting umpires to getting pitching machines ready.

“It’s steady,” Fry said, during the few moments he was not on his phone, calling to get umpires and coaches to the fields. “It’s like another job but its fun. When you see the outcome it’s worth it.”

Photo by Ben Hillyer

From the T. M. Jennings pressbox, Eric Fry keeps his eye on the fields with his assistant Tamara Fakes as baseball players practice.

Fry was working at the T.M. Jennings field Thursday when The Dart fell on George F. West Boulevard.

Fry said he typically arrives at the fields 30 minutes before the games start to set up the t-ball stands and the pitching machines and get everything else ready.

“I come early to get everything ready for the six o’clock game,” he said. “I’ve got to make sure everybody’s got all their balls — got everything they need.”

Fry, who has been president of the organization for two years said he dreams of seeing it grow. There are now 13 teams.

“I’ve got a vision of seeing this hill full — back how it used to be,” he said.

The main goal of T.M. Jennings baseball is to give children something to do in the summer months, Fry said.

“It’s all about the kids,” he said. “Anytime you can get that many kids together doing something constructive, thats a good thing.”

Robert Anderson, a T.M. Jennings umpire who was recruited by Fry, agreed.

“I like it because I just run around with the kids,” he said. “That’s the main objective — keep the kids out of trouble.”

Keenen McCallister, a baseball player at Natchez High, was also recruited by Fry to be an umpire.

“I played over here when I was little and when I got to high school he saw me playing and asked me to umpire,” he said.

McCallister was also appreciative of Fry’s hard work.

“He does a very good job,” McCallister said. “He makes sure everything’s in order. He comes early and leaves late.”

While Fry does much of the work for T.M. Jennings, he could not do it without help, especially Connie White and Jamonica Stampley, he said.

“There’s a lot of people and it takes everybody,” Fry said.