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Barbara no longer playing after posting big numbers
By ROB LANGI For the Courier-Post One of the most prolific hitters in Tri-County Baseball League history, Dan Barbara knew it was time to hang up his spikes. After 18 years in the league, the Washington Township resident retired as player/coach of the Washington Township franchise (Kelly's Investments) prior to the start of the season. It's the first time in quite a while that the Washington Township High School graduate isn't playing the game he loves. Instead of putting on the uniform and playing, the 36-year-old Barbara remains active as a coach for Washington Township's 14-and-under American Legion travel team. "It's a little rough not playing for the first time in a very long time," he said. "Coaching, though, has really eased the pain since I'm still around the game almost every day." And as it turns out, he's spending more time with the kids than he did with his Tri-County teammates. "We didn't practice in the Tri-County League," Barbara said. "Now, I practice almost every day with the team. So I don't have too much time to sit and think about not playing." Career leader During his Tri-County career, Barbara played on seven championship teams between 1990-2001. Although approximately five years worth of statistics are unaccounted for, Barbara is the all-time team leader in home runs (74), batting average (.475), RBIs (365) doubles (87), triples (17), runs scored (304), total hits (416), slugging percentage (.867) and on-base percentage (.567). Some consider Barbara to be the best hitter to ever play in the league, which dates back to the early 1950s. "If that's what people say, then it feels really good to be seen in that light," Barbara said. "That is one of the reasons I wanted to step away now. "We perceived that last season I had hit my 100th home run. I didn't want to play past my time. I didn't want to step up to the plate one day, strike out and then hear people in the stands talking about how I used to be this great hitter." ealizing a dream< In 1995, a lifelong dream of every young baseball player came true. Barbara was with the Phillies during spring training as the players' strike continued. Players walked out on Aug. 12, 1994 and the strike lasted 234 days. Baseball became the first sport to lose its postseason to a labor dispute and it took an injunction against the owners by a federal judge to end it. The '95 season resumed with regular major leaguers on April 25, but it was a time Barbara will never forget. "It was a dream come true for me and Pete (Conlin, a pitcher and also a Washington Township graduate)," Barbara said. "I enjoyed the little things the most, like having new balls every day, being at the ballpark from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, having other people wash my clothes, getting paid to play the game and having a decent number of people watching." That said, Barbara enjoyed playing with his Washington Township team more."My time with the Tri-County team was a lot longer than my time with the Phillies, and I met a lot more different people throughout those years," he said. Best friends Even before his time in Tri-County, Barbara played ball with Conlin - his best friend since they were 11 years old. This season is going to be different for Conlin, too. "This will be the first season in 23 years I will not play a competitive baseball game with Dan on my team," Conlin said. "It's a really weird feeling for him not to be here." Conlin, who played briefly at the University of Texas, said he never played with anybody like Barbara. "At Texas, I played with a lot of guys that went pro," Conlin said. "But Dan is the best teammate you could ever ask for. The guy is just a great person to be around." Even with Barbara's amazing stats, it's not Conlin's favorite part about his game. It was how Barbara handled the game. "He was always consistent, both with his play and his actions," Conlin added. "He was never a hothead. Dan always tried to stay calm and relaxed." Comeback? As far as a comeback is concerned, it seems unlikely. Conlin said he would continue to hold out hope but he's not betting on it. "There will always be a roster spot available for Dan," Conlin said. Barbara's name remains listed on the 2005 roster. "Right now, the answer is no," Barbara said. "In a couple years, however, maybe I will play in an over-30 league. But even that I'm not sure about." If there is one thing that's certain, it's that Dan Barbara will never be forgotten in the Tri-County League.
