Whitesboro News-Record
30 years ago…
July 21, 1996
RESIDENT ATTENDS BASEBALL PLAY-OFFS AS OFFICIAL
Don Barker, Whitesboro resident and former WISD teacher/coach, attended the UIL state high school baseball championships played on June 6 and 7 at Disch-Falk Field, University of Texas in Austin. This was Barker’s second consecutive trip to the state play-offs, however, he did not go as a spectator. Barker was officially selected to call three of those play-off games. He also officiated at the 1995 state play-offs.
Umpires must be invited through a specified selection process by state UIL officials in order to officiate at the state tournament. This invitation is offered following recommendations by other officials, coaches, and the UIL selection committee. For the state level baseball play-offs, officials are paid a total of $120 stipend for
the entire tournament, plus mileage and expenses.
“I’ve been calling baseball games for 30 years,” Barker said. One season, he worked 114 games in the high school summer league. Barker views his umpiring sideline as “another way to stay involved with kids.”
Whitewright Sun
30 years ago…
July 18, 1996
DARWIN TO PARTICIPATE IN STATE ROPING COMPETITION
Lonnie Darwin is the 1996 Breakaway Roping Champion of District IV of Texas 4-H Clubs and will be competing for the state championship in Abilene on July 22nd. Lonnie won this honor at the district show in Athens, Texas, where youths whose ages ranged up to 18 years from 15 counties were competing.
Lonnie posted his winning time of 6.402 while riding Bueno Bando, owned by his brother, Bert.
Lonnie, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Darwin, will be a seventh grader in Whitewright Middle School. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Houston Darwin of
Whitewright and Mr. and Mrs. Woodley McCarley of Blue Ridge.
WHITEWRIGHT DIXIE TEAMS QUALIFY FOR STATE
Whitewright will be sending two teams to the Dixie League Baseball State Tournament.
Whitewright’s Major Division Team (11-12 year olds) earned their trip to the State Tournament by winning the six team, Sub-District I Tournament and then defeating the Delta County All-Stars in the District 5 Tournament.
The AAA Division Team (9-10 year olds) earned their trip to State by winning the five team, Sub-District I Tournament and then defeating the Bonham American
All-Stars in a best two out of three series in the District 5 Tournament.
The State Tournament will be an eight team, double elimination format. The AAA Division Tournament will be played in Crosby, Texas (near Houston) and Whitewright will begin play on Saturday, July 20 at 2 p.m.