Knox County Parks & Recreation

Baseball Field at Schumpert Park Named for Coach Bud Bales

The field is home to Central High School’s team.

 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—Knox County Parks and Recreation held a ceremony today to officially name the baseball field at Tommy Schumpert Park for Coach Bud Bales. The field, at 6400 Fountain City Road, is the home of the Central High Bobcats, where Bales coached for many years.

Doug Bataille, Senior Director of Parks and Recreation, welcomed the crowd of supporters that included formers players, coaches, and associates of Bales, all of whom surprised the unsuspecting coach. Tommy Schumpert, former Knox County Executive and an earlier coach at Central, brought Bales to the field, for what he thought was just a dedication of the school’s field.

After recognizing those in the crowd, Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale introduced Bales’ family, also in on the surprise—his wife Carol, their daughter and son-in-law Lori and Mike Snapp, with their children Morgan and Cade; and son and daughter-in-law Rusty and Pam, and their children Chelsea and Alyssa.

Ragsdale then highlighted Bales’ career before introducing Central Principal Danny Trent.  Trent announced the annual Bud Bales Award winners, and then helped unveil the 10 feet long sign, which will be placed under the scoreboard.

Coach Bud Bales graduated from Young High School in 1956, and went on to play baseball at Carson Newman College. He then played professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs farm system.

He started his teaching career at Inskip Elementary school, then transferred to Central in the early 1970s.  Most of his time at Central was spent teaching business classes, but he also worked with the annual staff, and was an assistant coach in football and basketball.

He was named head baseball coach in 1974 and continued until 2000.  He led the team to 12 District Championships, 7 Regional Championships, and the State Championship in 1990.  He recorded over 500 wins during his career.  Seventy-eight of his players went on to play college ball, and 10 have played in the big leagues, including Todd Helton.

For more information, please contact Knox County Parks and Recreation, 215-6607.