Frankie Ballard’s baseball career traces back to the early 1960s when he played a pivotal role in leading the American Legion Velvet Bombers to multiple state titles and deep postseason runs. That success propelled Ballard to new heights, where he carved a name for himself in baseball circles from Owensboro to the minor leagues.
Today, reflecting on a lifetime of memories, Ballard speaks fondly of the game that shaped his life and the relationships forged along the way.
“I grew up in Owensboro after my dad, who played professional baseball and football, moved here for work,” Ballard said. “I started in Little League, played Babe Ruth, and eventually joined the American Legion team – the Velvet Bombers. We had some great players back then, guys like David Watkins and Richard Anderson. We won state championships in ’60, ’61, and ’62 and advanced to regional tournaments.”
Ballard credits his father’s influence for his love of the game.
“My dad played in the Dodgers organization as a catcher before an injury to his collarbone ended his career,” he said. “He also played professional football as a linebacker. His passion for sports inspired me.”
Ballard played for Daviess County initially before transferring to Owensboro Senior High School, where he joined one of the deadliest pitching staffs in Kentucky High School baseball history, consisting of Wayne Frakes, Bobby Woodward, Jim Jolly, Jim Howes, and Ballard.
After high school, Ballard signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1963. His minor league career saw him pitch in the New York-Penn League and spend time in winter ball with the Braves. Along the way, he crossed paths with notable players, including Cito Gaston, who later managed the Toronto Blue Jays, and Mike Lum, who played for the famed Cincinnati Reds.
Ballard’s journey through baseball wasn’t just about the game; it was also about the relationships he built along the way. At a training camp with 100 pitchers, he was chosen to demonstrate the fundamentals of pitching. He even crossed paths with legends such as Hank Aaron.
Amid the challenges of segregation, Ballard’s true character was on display. When some teammates weren’t allowed in restaurants during road trips, he brought food back to the bus so they could eat together.
“He didn’t see color,” Ballard’s daughter Tina Fatzinger said. “He saw brothers.”
Ballard’s career was cut short due to family responsibilities.
“My dad was battling cancer, and I was married with a child,” Ballard said. “I had to make some decisions, so I left baseball and started a career with JCPenney, where I stayed for 29 years.”
Though his professional baseball days ended, Ballard never lost his connection to the game. Ballard’s legacy also lives on through his influence on teammates and friends.
Johnny Maglinger, a former teammate, described Ballard as “a machine on the mound” with a knack for giving credit to others.
“He always said, ‘No pitcher is worth a darn without a good catcher.’ He was a true team player, someone you gravitated toward,” Maglinger said. “He was the perfect teammate – a bulldog on the field but always smiling and uplifting.”
After retiring, Ballard ventured into business, opening Frankie’s Sports Bar on Burlew Boulevard in Owensboro.
“I never dreamed of going into the bar business,” Ballard said. “But I really enjoyed it. We had pool leagues, dart leagues, and games on all the time. It was a great experience.”
Ed Dearmond, who played with Ballard in the Western Kentucky Independent League, remembers him fondly.
“Frankie’s arm was shot by the time we played together, but his knowledge of the game was unmatched,” Dearmond said. “He had relatives here in Muhlenberg County, and I wish I could’ve played with him before his injury. Today, he’d have Tommy John surgery and keep going.”
Though Ballard never made it to the major leagues, his impact on the game and the people around him endures.
“Baseball is a beautiful sport,” Ballard said. “I miss it, but I’ve had a good life, and I’ve been blessed.”
Now 80, Ballard continues to cherish the memories and friendships he built through baseball.
“It’s always about the people you meet along the way,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
