Randy K. Bottner, MD

Like most ballplayers, I started playing early.  My father entered me in Little League at age 5. It was a decision that would have a profound effect on the trajectory of my life.  Baseball and I were inseparable from that point all the way through high school, college and then semi pro.  Even after starting medical school in 1977, I played on a City team in Washington DC and after that, in San Antonio Texas while doing my internship and residency in Internal Medicine.

In 1985, I returned to Washington DC, to do my cardiology training at Georgetown University Hospital.  My baseball career took a hiatus of 16 years as my medical career took precedence.  In 2004 however, a fellow physician who was playing in the local league convinced me to try to make a comeback at the age of 50. I was skeptical but luckily, I had maintained my physical conditioning and after several months of baseball conditioning, I again took the plunge.  The joy that I had taken in the sport that I loved as a child and young man was rekindled and my passion for it was even greater than it had been in my younger years knowing that I was on "borrowed time".

The smell of the grass.  The geometry of the field.  The sound of metal cleats on concrete.  The sensation of making contact with the ball on the sweet spot of the bat.  The exhilaration of seeing a strong throw from the deep hole at shortstop get the runner by a step.  A perfectly placed pitch to strike out a good hitter. I was reliving my youth. I was totally hooked!

That first year, although exhilarating to be back on the field, was also frustrating as the existing league was poorly organized.  That fall, we took a local team down to the Fall Classic in Saint Petersburg.  One evening after a night game, a number of us were sitting around the pool drinking beer and discussing the baseball situation in Savannah.  Admittedly, after a few beers, the talk became looser and for better or worse, I suggested that baseball in Savannah just needed to be organized like a business.

Fortunately, as the managing partner of Savannah Cardiology, I had a fair amount of business background and the following weekend put together the business plan for the Savannah Adult Baseball League.  Also fortunately, I have an incredibly understanding and loving wife who indulged my passion for baseball and allowed me to contribute some seed money (along with equal contributions from the two hospital systems in Savannah) which got the league off the ground.

Lest I sound like it was all my doing, it clearly was not.  There were several other key people involved in the formation and development of the league.  Most notable is a fellow HOF member, Mr. Marshall Spivey and current league players Mr. Kevin Fitzmaurice and Mr. Bill Fielitz, future HOFers to be sure.  Additionally, there were other critical members, including all of the team managers and we all got together on a regular basis to make sure the league not only survived but thrived.

Being involved in the formation of the league and seeing it grow and prosper has been one of the most gratifying endeavors of my life.  Not only was I able to play the game I love for an additional 12 years but I made many great and lasting friendships.  Furthermore, as a physician, to see young and middle-aged men keep themselves in good physical condition is in keeping with all the tenets of good health that I preach on a daily basis to my patients.

I have continued to play into my mid 60s but now only in tournaments and with kids my own age.  I have been very fortunate to become part of a team based in Texas, the San Antonio Lone Stars, and finally at the age of 66 I have 2 championship rings!

I suffered a few bumps and bruises along the way and went through a couple of surgeries but it was all worth it.  I have told myself many times that when I reach the end of my life and look back upon it one of my fondest memories will be of my years in the Savannah Adult Baseball League.  My advice to all of you is this - as long as you are able and your life circumstances allow, you should continue to play for as long as you can.  The day will come when you cannot and when it does, you do not want to look back and think of what might have been.