Meet Mr. River Rat: Dave Birchell
Kevin Jones - East Carolina University
There are certain things you can count on every single day in Sanford, Florida. The Sun is going to rise every morning. You’re going to break a sweat just getting into your car. And Sanford resident Dave Birchell is going to be at the River Rats baseball game, rain or shine.
If you have been to more than one River Rats game, chances are you know who Dave is. Birchell, 76, can be spotted on his motorized wheelchair sitting by the first baseline, arriving to the ballpark no later than 5:30. His childlike grin, friendly wave and dedication to the game of baseball have warmed the hearts of many River Rat players, fans and Sanford staff members all season long.
“Whether Dave realizes it or not, his loyalty to the River Rats has inspired so many people. His positive attitude and sheer joy for baseball really collaborates with what the Florida League is all about.” said Sanford General Manager Marc Wassum.
Birchell was at the very first River Rat game in 2004 and has missed less than 10 games in over six seasons. Dave’s dedication is even noticeable to other teams in the Florida League. He is almost always the first fan in the ballpark at every River Rats game, home or away.
“Living alone, you don’t want to sit in that apartment all day. You have to get out and do something. And this is where I get out and meet people.” smiled Birchell.
Birchell’s fascination with baseball began at the young age of eight. Dave grew up on a barn in rural Lincoln, Rhode Island.
“I had no one my age to play with, living out in the country and I used to have to go out in the yard and throw a ball around and chase it yourself,” said Birchell. “But I was hooked on the game ever since I can remember.”
Dave’s father realized the need for a community activity and formed a baseball league when Dave was in seventh grade. A combination of high school, college and semi-pro players traveled in and around the Rhode Island area playing exhibition games. Dave learned a “tremendous amount about the game” and even competed alongside of Chet Nichols, a successful pitcher for the Boston Braves in the 1960’s, and a Rhode Island native.
After graduating high school in 1952, Birchell would sidetrack from baseball, but only briefly. Dave and four of his high school buddies went to enlist in the armed forces. But because of a birth defect on his left hand, Dave was classified as 4-F, meaning he couldn’t serve in the military.
So Dave returned to what he knew best: baseball. Birchell became a certified professional umpire and got his starting gig in the Nebraska pro league in 1953. From there, Dave would migrate all over the country, umpiring in Texas, New Mexico and Florida. After five seasons of roaming to and from different ballparks, Dave’s mother fell ill and he returned to Rhode Island to take care of her. When she passed away he vowed to stay in the Northeast region and started a family, raising three children on his own.
Even though his professional umpiring days were over, Birchell stayed true to the game he loved. Dave began umpiring local high school and senior league games in Rhode Island around 1960, and would serve the baseball community for 23 more years.
Things were smooth sailing for Dave up until 1999. Dave suffered a series of health problems that nearly cost him his life.
“I spent 7 months in the hospital rehabbing a staph infection in my right knee. I went through cardiac arrest twice on the table. I realized how precious life really is.” said a soft spoken Birchell.
Immediately upon being released from the hospital, Dave decided he needed more baseball in his life. Birchell’s son Gary helped him pack and move to Sanford, Florida where Dave has been ever since.
“I love it here because I have baseball year round. My son Gary is a personal trainer, and he trains lots of high schoolers. He would train them, and I would follow them around at their various sporting events.”
Two of the athletes Gary has trained are River Rats pitchers Zach Haile and Jacob Knott. Both have known Dave for many years. “Just seeing how happy we can make him by playing baseball makes it worth playing,” said Sanford relief pitcher Jacob Knott, a player Dave has followed since his days Lake Mary High School. “You will never meet a nicer man and someone who cares as much as Dave.” Dave has been to over 100 different baseball games this season, keeping a ticket stub from each and every one.
Dave has seen the Florida League since day one. During the 2010 season, Birchell really can tell the league has “spread its wings.”
“It has grown tremendously, especially this year. Some of the crowds have been fantastic,” beamed Birchell, who now has dozens of hardcore Rats fans to chit-chat with. “The first couple years a few fans would come, but if the Rats lost a game, they would drop out. Now, more people are in the stands then ever and even more people are just talking about the River Rats.”
Dave’s favorite moment from this season was a 5-3-5 double play executed by Sanford third basemen Tyler Benzel and first basemen BJ Zimmerman. And Birchell sounds like a kid in a candy store when he marvels about Jabari Blash’s cannon for an arm in right field.
“I truly love seeing all these young guys. This year’s team has been fantastic. Its great being with them and it keeps me young.”
Dave Birchell’s excitement and dedication keeps us all young.
Thank you Dave.