The formation of the Texas Collegiate League, Texas' first major collegiate summer wooden bat league, was announced at a press conference on September 24, 2003. The league is owned and operated by the Haddock Foundation, a section 501(c)3 organization. Gerald Haddock, a minority owner and General Counsel of the Texas Rangers from 1989-98 and a passionate baseball fan, became the league's Chair and CEO.
Teams, owners, and playing facilities in eight north Texas cities were secured. With the assistance of former Major League pitcher and then-TCL Vice President of Baseball Operations Darren Hall, some of the nation's top collegiate players from more than 75 schools were secured. Sponsors providing items such as equipment and transportation were acquired. Coaches and umpires were hired. A 54-game schedule for each team was drafted. The inaugural eight league members were Colleyville-Grapevine, Graham, Granbury, Coppell, Highland Park, McKinney, Mineral Wells, and Weatherford.
Host families, with whom the players live in each community, were secured and jobs were provided for players who requested them. League officials also worked with FSN Southwest on the creation of a weekly television program on the Texas Collegiate League: Baseball: TCL Style (later the TCL Magazine Show on FSN). By early June 2004 everything was in place.
For details please visit http://www.texascollegiateleague.com
or
tcl-tv.vewbie.com
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