Cook, Terry

Sometimes the far western part of Kentucky seems to be left out because it is such a distance away from the media outlets in Lexington and Louisville, and news does not always travel swiftly from the west to the central parts of the state.

Being a softball commissioner can also feel as lonely as being in a less noted area of the state.

Terry Cook from Pembroke, KY fits both “lonely” categories being from the western tip of Kentucky and being a softball commissioner and umpire.

Terry served as the Kentucky District 4 commissioner from 1989-2005 registering as many as 85 teams in one season alone in the Hopkinsville region. Hopkinsville, under Mr. Cook’s tutelage, hosted a total of 10 Kentucky State Championships including 7 men’s, 2 women’s, and one youth.

Most recently (2002) he brought the ASA Men’s “A” State to Hoptown to enjoy a new complex, Tie Breaker Park, which is a state-of-the-art softball facility. The “D” West State tournaments from 2003-2005 brought in several teams from around the state, and they were the last 3 state tournaments that Terry Cook served as commissioner.

Terry’s behind-the-scenes work was not always visible to the public, but one could always see him behind the plate as he umpired for 25 seasons on the adult, youth, fast and slow pitch levels. Among his ASA State tournament umpiring stops he called games in Hopkinsville, Owensboro, Bowling Green, and Madisonville.