This site is dedicated to all the players who toiled in Negro League Baseball, and all the Barmstorming Teams, eventually
paving the way for modern day players. To my father,
Jack Oates who made me believe I could play
and instilled the most vital aspect of my game, the killer instinct, by encouraging me to throw the brushback at batters digging
in. To my uncle
Demetrius "T-Meat" Raynor who taught me the will to win, my high school coach,
JD Evans who taught me to work hard and excel at my game. Coaches
Lionel Hickerson
and
Sonny"JO" Bennett who taught and encouraged me. To my sandlot catcher, Bruce Bennett who allowed
me to throw any pitch I wanted. I owe a special thanks to a man I learned to love, the late
Charles
Middlebrooks, my baseball coach with the Clowns, who taught me toughness and pride in playing baseball.
I would like to pay a special Tribute to my good friend, the late Carver Durham,
a walking encyclopedia on the Negro League Baseball and one helluva baseball player too. We miss you my friend.
Also to Allen Warren, Buck Oates and my teammates on the Indianapolis
Clowns.
