Once again, collegiate players have come to the 20 team Prospect League for the summer to work on their games. And that includes playing for the Danville Dans. Recently, Dans co-owners Rick Kurth and Jeanie Cooke appeared on Pat O’Shaughnessy’s CHEERS PROGRAM. They talked about the early days of the Highlanders team of collegiate players at Danville Stadium in 1988, in addition to steps taken over the years to improve Danville Stadium, making is stronger and more healthy.
In fact, one key moment cited was back in the 90s, when THE BABE movie starring John Goodman shot the Fenway Park scenes at Danville Stadium, covering when Babe Ruth was a Red Sox pitcher. As Kurth remembered, a certain women’s professional baseball movie also was interested in Danville stadium.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: We had the opportunity at that time to have A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, or THE BABE. And THE BABE people gave us more money, and that was the deciding factor. Obviously, between the two movies, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN was much better. We all know that. (And it was shot at a CICL stadium…Evansville)
One strong tradition with the Danville Dans has been bringing in a lot of collegiate players from the Southeastern Conference, especially with the involvement of Mississippi State coaching legend Ron Polk. And after all, Southeastern Conference teams are seen on television at the College World Series quite often.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: What we did early on is we focused on the SEC. And the reason for that is they have the best baseball; collegiate baseball. And maybe still do. I mean it was basically LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss; for the most part.
And of course, when these collegiate players come to play for the Danville Dans, they stay with host families. And Jeanie Cooke is proud of how welcoming Danville area families are.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: We knew to begin with what a generous people that we have here in Danville. And it is the one thing that makes the program work; it would not work without that.
Pat and Elaine O’Shaughnessy have been host families numerous times. And as Elaine recalls, the first thing she finds out about a visiting player is “what do you like to eat?”
Audio PlayerAUDIO: But I went through my little litany of questions. And I would say “Do you eat breakfast? If you do, what would you eat? If I’m making a sandwich what would you want on it? What would it look like? What would you want on it?”
The Dans have home games next week on Tuesday the 27th, Wednesday the 28th, and Friday the 30th.
To hear all of Pat O’Shaughnessy’s CHEERS interview with Rick Kurth and Jeanie Cooke, please go to https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/cheers-vermilion-county/
