In Memory of
 Terry O. Watkins

Many of you knew him and some of you didn't.  For those who did, you knew his spirit and passion for the game.  You knew his zany humor as well as his quirkiness but most of all, you knew his talent.  It was unmistakable!  Many of you walked back to the dugout, shaking your heads, with a newly acquired K in the scorebook next to your name wondering what just took place.

Terry O. Watkins was a native of Sacramento and a work-your-way-up-the-ladder baseball legend around these parts. After exhibiting raw pitching talent in high school he attended Sacramento City College where he worked hard and honed his skill becoming the star of the staff.  His hard work paid off as he earned a baseball scholarship to Saint Mary's College of California. That is where I met "T Bone" back in 1976 as we became team mates...two knuckleheads that connected, one from Oakland & one from Sacramento.  His star continued to rise at the "Saint in Moraga" as he became a pitching sensation on a staff that included former major leaguer Tom Candiotti.  After his college career, on June 15, 1979, Terry signed a professional contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.  He was successful in the Blue Jays making it to their AAA farm team but his career was cut short by untimely injuries as he was a step away from the "show".

At the time of his passing Terry was still active in local adult baseball.  On Friday, August 15th, Terry came home early from work in the afternoon feeling a bit fatigued.  His family got him to "chill out" for the remainder of the day and he was laying down resting.  In the early evening upon checking on him, he had collapsed and passed away of a heart attack.  Terry leaves behind his wife Tamara, daughter Erin and son Trevor.  Please keep them in your prayers and well-wishes.  For those who are interested his homegoing arrangements are as follows:

A viewing will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2008
3 pm - 7 pm @ Morgan Jones Funeral Home
4200 Broadway  Sacramento, CA. 95817

Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 22, 2008 at 11:00 am
Antioch Progressive Baptist Church
7650 Amherst St
Sacramento, CA. 95823

Interment immediately following services @ Sacramento Memorial Lawn
6100 Stockton Blvd. Sacramento, CA. 95824

Repast immediately following Interment @ Antioch Progressive Baptist Church

Written and submitted by Tony Jackson, 48 Valley Dogs
 
 

In Memory of Umpire and Friend
Hal Arthur Kaiser Jr.

Sacramento umpiring legend Hal Kaiser passed away last Saturday evening approximately 6:30 pm at his home. Hal has been a mainstay in Sacramento for many years, having trained umpires that he himself umpired when they were growing up.

The following was Written by Vince Miles, Manager of the 38 Dodgers and 38 Commissioner.

The old saying, "You can never judge a book by it's cover" was ever so true when it came to Hal Arthur Kaiser Jr. Larry Whitmer of the Dragons and I were the lone "non umpire" representatives of the Sacramento NABA at Hal's memorial service. It was like an umpire's convention, but they were very nice to Larry and I. Umpire Chief of SAC NABA Thane Tuttle asked Larry and I to sign the "umpire" baseball that was given to one of Hal's family members. That was a very kind gesture I thought. Anyway, I mentioned the "judging a book" thing when it came to Hal. What I learned about him at the service was that he had a huge heart....This man went back to college so he could teach preschool. His motivation was so that he could spend more time with his adopted son. That's right, Hal taught preschool at the Valley Christian Academy in Roseville. He was well known on the campus and church grounds as "Papa Hal".

The kids truly loved him as they spoke so eloquently of their experiences with him. We all have had our various opinions of Hal, but to really get to know him you could not help, but love him. My last on the field encounter with Hal was something I'll never forget. There was something different about him, it was like, he found peace. We had this amazing conversation and we would converse throughout the innings and then after the game we shook hands and hugged. I told him to take care of his self and with that weathered face and blue eyes he gave his trademark wink and walked away....I actually saw Hal one more time after that in his home.

He had just came home from umpiring in Dixon...He looked very fatigued and withdrawn....At the memorial service it was told that Hal had collapsed somewhere up in Auburn inside Target.....His health was diminishing fast and furious. It was to the point that Hal could no longer do one of his favorite things....umpire. On Saturday June 21, 2008 Hal got called up to the "Big Leagues." Heaven could always use a good umpire. During the service it came as a huge surprise when one of the umpires used a quote from no other than the "original #42," Jackie Robinson, to describe his relationship with Hal......."A life is not important except on the impact it has on other lives." Peace to you Hal

Congratulations 2007 League Champions!!