SMSBL Hall of Fame

Derrick grew up in the small California farming community of Easton, south of Fresno. He was a sports fanatic from the moment he could walk. As a child he would go to his uncle’s college football games and would later follow him around to watch him as a catcher at his Fast Pitch softball league and tournament games. Derrick wanted to play in organized baseball at the age of 8; however, he was not allowed to play in the Easton community league as the age limit was 9. Derrick’s mom and dad signed him up to play in a league in Fresno that accepted 8-year olds. They transported Derrick back and forth to practices and games that first

year and continued to be his biggest supporters throughout his baseball journey.

Derrick followed in his uncle’s footsteps as a catcher in his youth and high school

years. In Derrick’s senior season his team won the Valley championship and finished ranked third in the state. Derrick received All-League and All-Metro honors in his junior and senior seasons and was selected to play in the City-County All Star game his senior yearAfter high school graduation Derrick played baseball at Kings River Community College. Kings River had a

need for a 1st Baseman, yes a 1st Baseman, and coach asked Derrick if he would be willing to give it a shot. Derrick agreed and would spend much of his college career at 1st base. He was team MVP in his sophomore season at Kings River.

Derrick was then recruited to play at California State University, Sacramento (Sac State). He was part of Sac State’s 1986 Regional Championship baseball team that traveled to Montgomery Alabama and participated in the Division II College World Series, finishing 3rd with a tough semifinal loss to the eventual World Series Champion.

After graduation from Sac State Derrick continued to play baseball, fast pitch softball, and slow pitch softball for various city teams into the late-1990’s. Derrick married Michele Lewis in 1993, and they have two children - Jared and Danielle. Once Derrick’s children were old enough to start playing sports, he put his ball playing days on hold and turned his attention to coaching his son’s and daughter’s youth baseball and softball teams. Dave Absher was one of the people that Derrick coached with during this time. As Derrick’s coaching days were winding down, Dave mentioned coming out to a practice with his Sacramento Giants team and that was all it took - Derrick was playing baseball again in 2009 in the SMSBL. He still plays with the Sacramento Giants and Sacramento Royals in the summer and spring leagues. He has also played with the Free Agents on Sundays as well as various tournament teams. Derrick has two World Series rings, one with the Sacramento Giants in 2011, and another with the Sacramento Royals in 2017. He has also been on multiple league and regional tournament championship teams. Derrick was inducted into the Sac State Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.