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BLACKSOX HISTORY
NOW ENTERING OUR 33rd Year
The Burkburnett Blacksox are among the nation's oldest
and finest college preparatory programs for high school age players who aspire
to play college or professional baseball. The Blacksox sponsor teams at
several different age levels to assist their players in improving both as
baseball players but more importantly as young men. With the Blacksox
organization in its 4th decade it has unrivaled experience and knowledge
that it uses to help its players fulfill their baseball dreams and to
develop into outstanding men. The Blacksox organization feels that it has
the responsibility to help its players become more productive members of
society.
Don Patty, the team's head coach, began the program in
1976 with a meager budget of $800. Because of its initial very
small financial base the team had to use volunteer umpires who were
willing to officiate their games for free. Field problems also
plagued the team, as it was the lowest in priority of six teams seeking
to use the same diamond.
This Burkburnett organization struggled for two years
until the local American Legion Post began sponsoring it in 1978.
The annual budget then increased to $3,500; the name "Blacksox"
was adopted; and Johnny Jones became the team's General Manager.
Under Legion sponsorship the Sox experienced the excitement of playing
international baseball in an 8-game journey through England that led to becoming
a "brother club" to the Clifton Cougars of Nottingham -a
relationship that continues today.
Mickey Cornelius, owner of the Cornelius Insurance Agency
in Burkburnett, assumed the responsibilities of General Manager in
1984. At that time the team's budget climbed to $12,000; local
Burkburnett businesses helped make possible $350,000 in improvements to
the high school baseball field; and the Sox finally had a place to call
home.
The Blacksox developed into the dominant team of its age
bracket in Texoma with a reputation that has attracted players from the
local area, all of Texas, several states, and even as far away as
Australia. The Blacksox programs compete in Premier Baseball. In 2008 the
Blacksox will send teams to 3 different championship events in Premier
Baseball. The Sox have been perennial qualifiers for Texas
and National tournaments, advancing to regional play 10 times and competing
in the 1992 Connie Mack World Series And the Premier National
Championships in 2005. 2006, and 2007.
In 2004 the Blacksox were invited to become a charter
member of Premier Baseball – the most unique and strongest youth
baseball organization in the world. Premier Baseball is an aggregate of
baseball organizations that have been in existence for a number of years
and have achieved a high level of success on the field. Organizations
were selected not only for their quality on the field but also by their
demonstration of an unsurpassed level of sportsmanship on and off the
field. Premier Baseball holds its organizations to an unparalleled Code
of Ethics in amateur baseball.
In addition, the organization annually hosts some six
tournaments consisting of varsity and junior varsity levels in the high
school season, 16 & under and 18 & under divisions during the
summer season. Their home tournaments routinely attract teams from
throughout Texas and Oklahoma,
and result in an annual financial gain for the Wichita
Falls economy of $300,000-400,000 in overnight
lodging, meals, recreation, etc.
The Burkburnett Blacksox Baseball Team has greatly
progressed over the past 33 years from a recreational team to a nationally
recognized and respected college preparatory team with an annual budget
of more than $300,000 and a fully-furnished dormitory to house the
players and assistant coaches from the collegiate ranks. More than
350 alumni have advanced to collegiate baseball, many of whom are now
lawyers, bankers, businessmen, civic leaders, and parents of future
successes; scholarships totaling some $4.5 million have been awarded to
past players; at least 37 have been drafted by major league
organizations; and about two dozen have played or are currently playing
professional baseball.
The Blacksox opened their new 7,000 sq. ft. workout
building in June 2001. This state-of-the-art facility was donated
by the Gomez family of Colleyville, Texas and bears their name, The Gomez
Workout Facility. It contains indoor cages for hitting, mounds for
pitching, and cameras that are connected to video recorders and
monitors. There is a full weight room that is outfitted with a
tread-mill, bicycle, and stair master, as well as a full kitchen and
lounge area with pool table, big screen television, and DVD and VCR
players. The Gomez Facility is recognized as the finest facility of its
type in the world.
In 2003, the Blacksox began operations of the Blacksox
Baseball Academy . The Academy is designed to give players the benefit of
instruction and a high level of competition throughout the summer. The
Academy is housed in the Cornelieus Center, which opened in 2003. The
Cornelius Center is a 9000 square foot facility with housing for 80 players
and their coaches. There is also a practice infield and 7 practice
pitching mounds located next to the facility. The facility is unlike any
other in amateur baseball.
The tradition that began in 1976 continues today.
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