National Senior Softball Hall of Fame
Points Path Nominee
CRAIG DENNIS BAKER
CURRENT AGE DIVISION: 60+
BIRTH DATE:12/20/45
RESIDENCE: Oklahoma City, OK
NUMBER OF YEARS IN SENIOR SOFTBALL:11
NSSHOF POINTS EARNED:8 ½
AWARDS
1999 USSSA50 AAA All-WorldLiberty Construction
2002 USSSA55 MAJOR All-World Bale Chevrolet
2002 SPA55 MAJOR All-AmericanBale Chevrolet
2005 USSSA60 MAJOR+ All-WorldTX. Iron Men
2005 SPA60 MAJOR+ All-AmericanTX. Iron Men
2006 SPA60 MAJOR+ All-AmericanHendricks Sports
2006 NSA60 MAJOR+ All-WorldHendricks Sports
2006 ISSA60 MAJOR+ All-WorldHendricks Sports
2007 SPA 60 MAJOR+ All-American Boaz
Dennis Baker comes highly recommended as a candidate for the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame.
His skills on the field are noted by several of the recommendations written. Rita Wallenberg, State Farm Insurance agent and friend of Dennis for the past ten years, makes the following statement regarding Dennis’ offensive prowess, “His skills on the diamond are legendary!” His manager, teammate and roommate, Jim Cary, a member of the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame, writes, “Dennis is the ultimate team player. He has always been one to do what ever is best for the team without respect to the role he has been asked to play. On defense he has been asked to play almost every position on the team and is ready for that role at all times.” But what is striking about all of Dennis’ letters of recommendation is not only do they allude to his softball skills but they all primarily emphasize the faith and character of this man. A sampling of these observations are listed:
Eddie Borjas, OK USSSA Church Director, “People at my ballpark love talking to Dennis for he is a great Christian man and a great human being.”
Lisa Cook, Earlywine Park YMCA Administrative Assistant, “As a YMCA staff person, like Dennis, I feel I can count on Dennis for inspiration and direction. He is never too busy to take time for those who ask. He is a motivator, wanting everyone he comes across to feel special and to be the best they can be.”
Joe Flores, teammate and NSSHOF member, “Dennis is a religious man who believes in helping his teammates, as well as others, in spiritual needs.”
Freddie Simpson, NSSHOF member, “Dennis is a special person to all that he encounters with his strong friendship and religious belief.”
C.L. Talley, OK Softball Hall of Fame member, “Dennis is a man of character and very devoted to the game of softball.
Bridget Baker, Dennis’ wife, “Dennis is a man of character and he brings it to the world of softball. He is a man who loves God and humbly shares his faith and convictions to everyone at any sports complex.”
Dennis (himself), “I like to mentor young people in the same manner in which I was mentored. My position with the YMCA of Oklahoma has afforded me the opportunity to do this”
In summary, Dennis epitomizes what a National Senior Softball Hall of Famer should represent, someone with outstanding abilities on the field and outstanding character off the field.