CNLL History

Mr. John Maddox, a local businessman, was the inspiration for Little League baseball in Clarksville. Mr. Maddox seeing the need for organized youth baseball in the community gathered support from local civic organizations, community leaders, and elected officials to start a Little League in our area.

Mr. Maddox along with the first coaches, Tommy Elliott, Soapy Haynes, Whitey Albright, and Billy Hickerson formed the Clarksville Little League and began playing in 1950. The event started with excitement and fanfare, as a parade with a band, fire trucks and players dressed in their uniforms marched proudly through downtown to celebrate that first season.

Play began at the newly built Merricourt park with 4 teams (Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, and Tigers). As new teams were added and interest in baseball grew in the community the league expanded. In 1965 the Clarksville Little League split into two leagues, the Clarksville American Little League, which continued to play at Merricourt Park, and the Clarksville National Little League, which began playing behind the recently built Barksdale School.

Bob Huddleston was instrumental in starting the Clarksville National Little League, which began with six teams (Braves, Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs, Giants, and the Dodgers). Another person instrumental in the early years of the league was Eddie Page who served in various capacities from 1967-1985 as a coach and board member. Field 2 is dedicated in his honor.

The league added two more teams in 1972 (Reds and Mets). As time went by more teams were added, additional fields were built, and more people volunteered their time. Carroll Poole, Robert Taylor, Bruce Myers and Len Rye are just a few of the other civic-minded citizens who have faithfully served over the years.

There have been countless others in the community who have volunteered their time and resources in making Clarksville National Little League baseball an organization worth participating in. Whether these boys and girls continue in athletics beyond their CNLL years or not, each one has been exposed to the concepts of leadership and teamwork, preparing them for successful lives in whatever activities they pursue in the future.