Whitlock, David

Like many softball superstars, David Whitlock, parlayed his baseball skills onto the softball diamonds and again like others he was discovered at the softball church leagues playing at Green Acres off Poplar Level Road in Louisville.

David smashed the smaller ball mostly over the fence leading Atherton High School in both his Junior and Senior years in home runs, and, in batting average his Junior season. After graduating in 1974, college baseball stints included the University of Louisville and Cumberland College of Tennessee then the M.A.B.A. (Metropolitan Amateur Baseball Association) at Derby City. Then, it was his friends and brothers at the church league where Louisville legend, Ron Thomas, discovered him and gave Dave a tryout for the professional softball club, the Kentucky Bourbons.

Mr. Whitlock not only played but excelled with the Bourbons at Bishop David where he performed from 1979-1982. In his rookie campaign, he was third in hits trailing possibly the best hitters in Kentucky history, Donnie Rardin, Jr. and Nick Nikitas. Plus, he was second in home runs to yet another Kentucky Softball Hall of Famer, Bill Gatti, in 1979 and 1981. The power lefty was in the top three in several offensive categories for the Bourbons including home runs, RBIs, triples, and most hits.

The 1981 playoffs with the professional Bourbons was perhaps his best tying for most hits with his brother and shortstop, Greg Whitlock, also in the Kentucky Softball Hall of Fame. And, he was second in hitting in the 1981 World Series also with the Bourbons. His playoff success was an extension of an All-World Pro League '81 season where David was Top 10 in the league in home runs, RBIs, and hits and selected to the All Pro Team.

From the Bourbons, Whitlock ventured south to play for major Elite Coatings who won the biggest tournament of every year, the 1983 Smoky Mountain Classic.

Then, back in Louisville, Whitlock stayed home with Southside before heading to another national powerhouse, Starpath, from the Bluegrass State. With Starpath, he won the 1988 ASA Super Nationals, the Smokies, the L.I.T., and the Bowling Green Spring Classic.

Dave Whitlock had more skills than just hitting. He was a world class first baseman and better than that a world class person who studied the game and his intensity could be admired every game.

Perhaps his most enduring trait was his entertainment value after late night Friday games. He and his brother, Greg, would keep his teammates loose and smiling with their rendition of every Elvis Presley song ever made.

Even Elvis would be proud because Whitlock's "Burning Love" on and off the softball field makes it not "Now or Never" but always that David Whitlock will shine in the Kentucky Softball Hall of Fame.