Going Beyond the Hobby

Sometimes I think my Dad, Myself, and My Son were born with a baseball in our hands and the visions of 6-4-3 double play running through our heads. My Dad, known as Duke Penley, was the cornerstone of my love for baseball.  It was always a part of our lives and continued to be so until he passed away in 2021.  I got the pleasure of coaching my son with him for several years before his health took a turn, and will forever be some of my favorite memories.  

Coaching baseball means more to me than just coaching and just baseball.  I love the game and all that it entails.  The hard work, the dedication, the vision, not only on the field but for the game itself and its intricate workings, the kids, the laughs, the jokes, the hustle, the grind, all of it.  I love every single part of baseball.

This indoor facility is a tribute to my Dad who dedicated his entire life to this game, to countless kids and teams, and to a dream sometimes I think only he knew.  It is also for my son, who loves the game with a kind of passion that most cannot understand.  He and my Dad were a lot alike in that department. 

My baseball career started in Bristol Va Little League and while it hasn't quite ended yet, it afforded me the opportunity to play at VA High where we won the 1992 State Championship, a starting second base and shortstop position at VA Intermont, St. Andrews, and finally graduating from Emory and Henry College.  I am a U.S. Army Veteran serving 2 deployments in Saudia Arabia and Iraq.  I am a teacher in Buchanan County and a baseball coach at VA High and Middle.  I have been coaching youth baseball for over 10 years. 

I believe in sportsmanship first. The sport is the game, and we are all in it together. While I am very competitive, I also want to support all the competitors as we strive to keep baseball the greatest game ever played. I work every day to better myself, to better the game, and to be the best coach and mentor for my students and players.