On the latest edition of our On Deck podcast, we had the chance to sit down and speak with Al Starr, a co-founder and coach of Beehive Baseball in Auburn, AL.
A native of Auburn, Starr is someone who has extensive experience around the game of baseball, something that goes back to his playing days. Having played in college for two seasons at both Lurleen B. Wallace Community College and Troy University, Starr would also see time in independent ball with the Frontier League before his playing days would come to an end.
After playing the game, Starr had a goal for helping the next generation of baseball players in the Auburn area, and would return to the area to help found Beehive Baseball back in 2012.
“I pretty much grew up playing baseball. I love the game, and love teaching it,” Starr said. “I enjoy watching kids develop and grow into good young men and baseball players, and that’s what we do here at Beehive.”
Beehive Baseball has grown into one of the premier travel baseball organizations in east Alabama. The organization has players from not only the Auburn-Opelika area, but also different parts of the state such as Montgomery and Birmingham.
Located on Starr’s family farm, not far from Auburn University’s Plainsman Park, Beehive Baseball uses two indoor facilities that come equipped with multiple batting cages, areas for infield work, and bullpen work, and two outdoor fields for use. The premier facilities help foster Starr’s commitment to development and coaching.
“We teach a lot of fundamentals, a lot of throwing,” Starr said. “We try to start them off really young to get their arms right so we don’t have any problems going into their teenage and high school years.”
Beehive players range from 9 to 17 years old, and the organization strives to place players in multiple tournaments beginning the summer when they are 9. In fact, Beehive Baseball is looking forward to a big summer this year, with teams headed to WWBA, PBR, and Nationals tournaments.
Baseball is a passion for Starr and Beehive Baseball, and is something that is shared by former players who have returned to coach and help the organization. The program will only continue to grow, with a focus on continuing to build the next generation of baseball players in and around the Auburn area.
