Cauley bowing out as head of Indians baseball

A simple phone call to a friend was Pat Cauleys way of letting me know he was cutting his ties with the Texarkana American Legion Indians after nearly two decades of unequaled success as the baseball programs manager.

‘I didnt want you to hear it from anyone else’ Cauley said. ‘Ive decided to step down and let someone else take over.

Unless its his family, no one knows better than me how difficult making that decision was for Cauley. Ive been involved with the newspapers coverage of the Indians since even before the Cauleys turned the program into a family affair in 1991. Its an affair that lasted 16 summers, 458 victories and nine state championships.

There are those who will question those numbers because of declining membership in American Legion baseball in Texas since the mid-1980s, consequently watering down the talent and making it easier for serious programs to win. And they would be right.

But thats not Cauleys fault. All he did was put the best team on the field he could. His record, for which he has no reason to apologize, is a reflection of his dedication to the program as was the ‘Team of the Decade award he received for his seven state titles in the 1990s.

Yet like any baseball coach worth his fungo bat, Cauley is more apt to remember the losses than the wins and titles. And if he has one regret during his time with the Indians, its likely the failure to qualify a team for the American Legion World Series.

He came close, reaching the Mid-South Regional championship finals four times, including his inaugural summer. But his best chances came in 1994 and 1998 when his teams had leads they couldnt hold.

In 1998 at Bartlesville, Okla., the Indians swept through pool play and the semifinals unbeaten, and built an early 7-1 lead on Jefferson City, Mo. But Cauleys strapped pitching staff couldnt hold off the Missouri champions, who triumphed, 12-9, in extra innings, earning the berth in the World Series at Las Vegas.

In Fayetteville, Ark., the 1994 team took a two-run lead to the ninth inning, but the Arkansas state champion, Russellville, rallied for a 5-3 victory. The other finals losses came to Gonzales, La., in 1991 in Woodward, Okla., and the host team Blue Springs, Mo., in 2003.

There have been other disappointments such as the two-games-and-out regionals at Edmond, Okla., and Tupelo, Miss. But the good has certainly outweighed the bad.

Not many dads get the chance to coach or coach with their sons at the American Legion level of baseball. Patrick, the eldest, didnt play for his father, but did coach with him, and was actually the designated manager in 1994.

Middle son Casey played for Pat in the 1992-93 seasons and also got valuable coaching experience with the Indians that no doubt helps him as a member of the Queen City High School staff.

Ryan, the youngest Cauley, seemed to be the least interested of the sons in the sport, but became a valuable member of the 1998 regional finalists, and eventually joined his dad and Casey as a member of the Indians coaching staff.

Gay Cauley was also at her husbands side the entire time, handling off-the-field activities and organizing events such as fund raisers for the program. Her contributions cant be overlooked as far as the programs success is concerned.

Its been an uphill battle for both. Until last year when a local automobile dealership offered financial help as a team sponsor, the Cauleys were primarily responsible for raising team monies. The biggest contributor was the annual Indians tournament in June, and Mother Nature was not always cooperative, leaving the coffers shy of funds in more than one summer.

At 55, Pat Cauley is nearing retirement eligibilty at Sears, where he has worked as a salesman for more than 20 years. He has had the companys cooperation in taking time off during tournament time for the Indians, for which he is grateful. But he realizes new management might not be as agreeable.

That could have played a role in Cauley stepping down. So could the rise in popularity of select baseball in Texarkana that has cost him the services of some of the best players, the likes of which he once took for granted.

But in reality it was a team decision.

‘We just want to spend more time with the grandkids’ said Gay Cauley. ‘Bradys playing ball (surprise, surprise) this summer and we want to be able to go to his games. We enjoyed every minute with the Indians, and we will miss being with the people involved and all. But we both feel like its time to let someone take over.

To my knowledge its still not official who that someone will be, although a couple of names have been bandied about. Regardless, it will require a commitment to excellence.

One such as Pat Cauley and family made 16 years ago.