Denny Leathers

Auxiliary Picks Louise Brown . (1963, September 20). Centre Daily Times, p14.

Carlson, M. (1965, September 8).Leathers Finishes 2nd Campaign in Pro Baseball. Centre Daily Times, p18.

(Editors Note: Mark Carlson of Bellefonte, part-time Times sports writer, is attending school in Florida. He traveled to Orlando one day to see Denny Leathers, former Bellefonte athlete, pitch in the minor leagues. The following is his interview with Leathers.)

By MARK CARLSON

Playing baseball in the minor leagues is like going to post graduate school - you work to "polish up on a trade you have already learned."

Denny Leathers, a former Bellefonte Little Leaguer, Babe Ruth Leaguer and Red Raider athlete, is polishing up his pitching game with Miami, one of the 10 teams in the Class A Florida State League. He hopes that one day his work in the minors will pay off with a trip to the major leagues.

Leathers, property of the Philadelphia Phillies, finished his second season of Professional ball last weekend. A year ago, he pitched for Bakersfield in the Class A California League.

The 6-1, 185-pound right hander owned a 6-5 record for the Marlins through last Tuesday. In 27 appearances, he had five complete games in 15 starts and a 3.00 earned-run-average. In 97 innings he had 92 strikeouts.

"My main problem is control." Leathers said the other day. "Al Widmar, (Philadelphia's pitching coach) has been in Miami to work with me and this is what I concentrate on when I'm throwing."

Last year, Denny was 4-4 at Bakersfield. However, he was hampered most of the season by a sore arm he acquired on a 12-hour bus ride early in the campaign.

The highlight this year has been the three consecutive wins he picked up in mid-June. Ironically, he won all three while his girl friend, Bonnie Evey of Bellefonte, and her sister were visiting in Miami Beach.

However, he has had his troubles ever since.

"The Phillies sent us three pitchers when we already had eight (the player limit in the league is 17) and the Marlins gave three of us a 'vacation' - on the inactive list. I was having my troubles at the time, especially with control," Leathers said.

After a 10-day rest, he didn't pitch for about a month. When he did it was in relief. His next start was two weeks later (Aug. 25) when he fired a seven-hitter and beat Leesburg, 6-1, on his 20th birthday.

"I was really glad to get a start," he said, " I hope the win will give me at least one more before we close the season."

Denny was supposed to fly home Monday and report yesterday to Lock Haven State College for freshman orientation. He has registered for the first semester in physical education.

He left Bellefonte March 15 for Leesburg, Fla., where all the Philadelphia farm teams train. He hasn't been home since.

"Being away from home isn't bad," Denny said. "Most of the players are my age and we have a good time.

"Life in the minor leagues is not as bad as many people think. Our only expenses are our room and board in Miami. When the team is traveling the club pays our hotel bills. They also give us $3 a day to cover our meals. The only rough part of playing in this league is traveling. Everything is by bus.

"Living in the minors is rough if you fail to associate with your teammates."

Leathers, who is classified LS 2 (meaning limited professional service two years) by the Phillies, started his baseball career in the Bellefonte Little League when he was nine.

His first manager was Harold (Pickel) Rossman, who still manages in the league.

"Pickle and my brother Dick really got me interested in baseball. When I made the All-Stars as an 11-year, Pickle told me I would be playing professional ball some day. I guess after that I really worked toward the goal he set for me," Leathers said.

Denny also made the All-Stars in 1958 at the age of 12 and helped lead the Centre Countians to the State Little League Championship. He pitched the final game and beat Jessup, Pa., 2-1. The team then lost to Darien, Conn., in the Eastern Regionals at Staten Island, N.Y.

Denny played in the Pony and Babe Ruth Leagues after graduating from Little League and was a member of the Babe Ruth League All-Star team that won State honors in 1961. Denny pitched the semifinal game in the State Tournament and beat Mifflin County. Brother Dick and Marlin Conaway coached Bellefonte that year.

Denny lettered in baseball for three years at Bellefonte High under Coach Forrest Benford. He doubles as a shortstop and pitcher. Bellefonte never won the Central Penn Scholastic Baseball championship when Leathers played. The closest the Raiders came was in Leathers' senior year when they lost to State College in a playoff. He also played varsity basketball two years for Coach Dick Bell.

Jocko Collins signed Leathers to a professional contract in September of 1963.

"I had another offer from the San Francisco Giants, who wanted me as an infielder," Denny said. "I hope that if I don't make it as a pitcher, I will be able to give the infield or outfield a try."

If he doesn't make it as a pitcher, he won't have to polish up on his hitting game. He was hitting over .300 (10-for-32), including three doubles, last week.