Hendrickson, Jr., James (Jimmy) M.

Like many softball players before him, Jimmy Hendrickson's softball inspiration began with a church team. In 1974, Woodbine Baptist fielded a church team in Corbin, Kentucky called the Woodbine Baptist Rebels.

As a young player, Jimmy Jr. probably had no idea that his tiny Baptist church would produce the stepping stone to what is now one of the longest running and most popular softball tournaments in Kentucky's storied softball history. The tournament, which began in 1974, was aptly named the Woodbine Rebels Shootout, and it celebrated its 40' anniversary in 2013--and, is still looked forward to each summer from players and teams from Kentucky's southern border and around the Bluegrass.

The glue that kept the Woodbine Rebels Shootout together the past 40 years plus is tournament director, player, ASA umpire, eventual sponsor, and coach Jimmy Hendrickson, Jr. The Shootout has to limit between 30 and 40 teams each June or July due to a shortage of fields in the Corbin area, but those two diamonds at Amos Miller Park in Corbin are part of a charm factor that originally made the Woodbine an instant hit. The fields, which are side by side, are separated by a hill that overlooks both diamonds and give spectators a great view to enjoy the games which start on Friday night and end late Sunday. Other Woodbine perks over the years include T-shirts for each home run hitter, a very nice arrangement of tournament awards, and a tremendously inexpensive entry fee compared to other tournaments.

Jimmy Hendrickson and the Woodbine Rebels staff made a very good decision early on to limit the home runs per game to one per team despite a cracker box first field with fences close to the 280 foot mark. Players and teams as a whole had to learn to hit the ball down for base hits instead of swinging their guts out and the home run limits provided many close games and made the art of hitting and defense an integral part of the game.

Although the Woodbine Rebels Shootout and Mr. Hendrickson are forever linked together, Jimmy wore many hats other than that of tournament director. He was a fantastic player for the Woodbine Rebels as they dominated church and independent ball from the mid 70's through the early 90's highlighted by a 1992 Kentucky ASA "A" Church State championship and a 1993 NSA Kentucky State Church title. The years leading up to their state championships were filled with a dozen league championships and independent recognition from ASA, NSA, and USSSA at various southern regional tournaments.

Woodbine's team success also expanded to the female side of things as player Hendrickson changed hats to become coach in the late 70's. The Woodbine Rebels girls went on to become district and regional champs in 1980.

Running tournaments, playing, umpiring, and coaching the girls team was not quite enough for the very busy and successful Hendrickson. He decided to add youth to his coaching resume, and his youth teams won the 10 & Under, then 12 & Under, ASA National Championship in 1997 and the 18 & Under ASA National title in 2003.

Whether it was youth, church, independent, girl's team, or directing tournaments, Jimmy's love and dedication to the sport of softball has touched thousands in a 40-year span, and he has certainly left a lasting impression on Kentuckians around softball diamonds everywhere.