Richard "Lefty" O'Neal

The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton is proud to announce a special visit and presentation by former professional baseball player, Baseball Hall of Fame author, and Morrilton native Richard “Lefty” O'Neal. O'Neal is the only white player to pitch for two teams in the Negro Leagues. He played for the Biloxi Dodgers and the San Antonio Block Sox. He also served in the United States Air Force for twenty-two years and currently serves as a corporate training consultant, a professional baseball scout, and executive board member for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. “My story is about one person with the right purpose, surrounded by the right people, making a difference.” says O'Neal. “My prayer is that it inspires you to make a positive difference one person at a time. Hopefully my life’s journey will encourage you when you are down and remind you to never quit trying to make a positive difference in other lives.”

O'Neal will be telling the story of coming so close to his dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player, what life was like for him as one of the only white players in the Negro Leagues of the 60s and 70s, his experiences as a Major League Scout, as well as sharing a bit of what it was like growing up here in Morrilton.

The presentation will be in the UACCM Fine Arts Auditorium on Thursday, March 3, at 12:05 PM. Admission is free and open to the public. Copies of his book “Dreaming of the Minors, Living in the Bush,” which was recently placed in the Base Ball Hall of Fame library, will be available for purchase with the opportunity to have the book signed by O'Neal.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact David Plummer at (501) 977-2142 or plummer@uaccm.edu