Clay native currently serves league as State Commissioner

MYRTLE BEACH, SC-Clay County native Doug Strong was recently recognized for his years of dedicated service to youth athletes, the community, and the Babe Ruth Program here at the Southeast Region Babe Ruth League meeting of state commissioners.

Strong, who is a 1983 graduate of Celina High School and member of the Clay County Sports Hall of Fame, was honored with induction into the Babe Ruth Southeast Region Hall of Fame with his family in attendance earlier this month.

After starring in baseball and basketball during high school, Strong coached his first Babe Ruth baseball team in 1984 at the age of 19 in his hometown of Celina.

In 1991, Strong began umpiring high school and Babe Ruth baseball.  During his career as an umpire, he called two Tennessee High School State Tournaments, 16 districts, 20 regionals, and 10 sectionals.

Strong’s Babe Ruth umpiring career also stands as one of the best in Babe Ruth baseball, as he umpired 14 World Series, 20 Southeast Regionals, 30 State Tournaments, 35 districts, and hundreds of local league games.

Following his umpiring career, Strong stayed active in Babe Ruth baseball, becoming a District Commissioner for three years and then the Tennessee State Commissioner, which is a position he currently holds.

Besides Babe Ruth, Strong has also been a big supporter of all sports in his community and continues to be a vital part of youth athletics in Celina and Clay County.  He is also a former coach of multiple high school sports and still helps raise money for the youth athletes of Clay County to assure they have what they need to be able to participate in athletics.

Multiple letters from local officials and community leaders were submitted In support of Strong’s recent Babe Ruth Hall of Fame induction showing the impact he continues to have on the community.