Clines, Johnny

From a historical perspective, sponsor Johnny Clines from Richmond, Kentucky virtually wrote the softball history book for Madison County. "I like to tellthis story," chuckles Mr. Clines as he talks about finishing 2nd and 3rd many times in his 40 plus years of playing and sponsoring. "When I was very young, over 40 years ago, as I tell my friends, we were so proud to finish 3rd amongst Madison County's best softball teams. The reason I get a kick out of this is because there were only four teams in the entire city." Those four teams, including Johnny's, built their own field of dreams literally at the old Richmond Round Track using push mowers to cut the grass and the base paths. In those days (late 60's and 70's), single digit scoring of 5-2 and 4-3 was commonplace.

After graduating from the field they built and practiced on, to Madison High's softball diamond, the scores rose quite a bit, and Johnny Clines recalled his first ever thumping at the hands of Harold Lane's bunch by a score of 42-2. Mr. Lane's, Wynn's, and Standard & Oil were the teams to beat in those years. Although it took some time, Clines eventually got the upper hand on his one-time rival.

Getting the upper hand, pulling off the upset, winning against all odds that was why sponsor Clines put so much money, time, and effort into the sport he loved so much. "We were a family based and friend based team who played in whatever leagues our players wanted to play in, and although we played tournaments close to home, we never ran from competition." It took Cline's Construction 19 years to fulfill Johnny's biggest dream making it to the Kentucky State Championships. In those days, one had to win their district and region before getting a chance to play for the state title, and Johnny's district and region, which included the Lexington area, was the toughest around. "We finished 12* out of 70 or so teams in the state," recalled Clines, but it truly was his most special softball moment. "My brother, Allen, always looked on through the fence during early practices or a game, and every year for 18 years Allen would whisper the exact same thing to me, "Johnny, you gotta bunch of racehorses." But, in 1987, he looked at Johnny and said something different, "I believe you're going to go all the way this year," and brother, Allen, was right. Sadly for Johnny Clines, his brother passed away before he could witness Clines Construction making it to the state championship in 1987. After that final regional win, after a long weekend in Lancaster where the regionals were held, Clines remembers how tired he was, and he fell to his knees, pointed skyward and rejoiced, "What about that, Al!"'

Making it to the state was obviously his favorite, but playing on Friday nights at Lake Reba in Richmond during the 22 years of the Daniel Boone Classic, with a chance at one of those upsets, was a close second. And, Clines Construction played in all 22 Daniel Boone Classics regardless of their odds of winning it. His biggest surprise came when they upended one of Kentucky's top five teams, Texas Roadhouse of Morehead, KY.

Winning state titles, conquering national championships, being the favorite most weekends those are attributes that make up many members of softball hall of fames around the country including this one. But, helping friends and family participate in something they might not otherwise be able or afford to do has its place in this hall as well. The many players that Johnny Clines has touched in 40 years are appreciative, and they include friends and family members alike with his youngest son, Josh who is 30, who is still playing as well as his daughter, Jody, who was a star in her own right at Madison Central playing four years and carrying a hefty 481 fast pitch batting average. Oldest son, John John (38) and Jeremiah (34) were able to enjoy their days on the softball diamonds as well due in part because of their Dad and long-time sponsor, Johnny Clines.