Dalkin’s more than just a ‘baseball dad’

Sixth in a 12-part series.

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Alan Dalkin was never much of a baseball player. He lived right on the Great Lakes, and instead of taking part in “America’s pastime,” Dalkin did a lot of sailing.

He played a bit of baseball in high school while living in Rochester, N.Y., before completing most of his medical training at the University of Michigan, and went on to become a doctor.

Dalkin, 50, and his family moved to Albemarle County and he began working at the University of Virginia Medical Center in 1991. When his oldest son, William, turned 6, he realized the possibilities in the realm of sports for children in Central Virginia.

Little did he know he would one day play an important role in one particular local youth organization.

“We did soccer and we did basketball and we did baseball, a little lacrosse even,” said Dalkin, who went on to list Cub Scouts and tee-ball for Will and his other son, Ben. Not to mention his daughter Rachel’s horseback riding and music lessons — there was plenty to keep Dalkin and his wife, Trish, on the run.

“[Will] liked baseball the best, and so we sort of got involved in that regard, and that was really the beginning of it,” Dalkin said of his introduction to the Central Little League. From 2001 until just a few months ago, he served as league president.

“Well the first year, I have to say, not being involved in any volunteer organizations other than Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, I didn’t realize how much effort it takes to run everything,” Dalkin admitted. “How much time it takes, and manpower, finances and things like that. So the first year, I’d say I actually watched.”

But even in the early days of his affiliation with Central Little League, those around him knew that he would be a great leader.

“The amazing thing about Alan is that you have a nationally recognized UVa endocrinologist who comes out to Pen Park every day and quietly sets about doing all those necessary but unglamorous jobs that need doing so the kids can play,” said Al Archer, a longtime member of the league.

Dalkin’s beginnings as a “baseball dad” were apparent, but he wanted to be able to do more after his first go-round.

“I realized, you can’t let that happen again, you’ve got to participate in some way, shape or form,” Dalkin said. “So thereafter I started to coach for a couple of years, then I volunteered on the board to be what’s called the player agent.”

As player agent, Dalkin’s duties included everything from making sure the tryouts and draft went as scheduled to making sure the children were all signed up and registered. Dalkin began working closely with then-league President Chris Conti. When Conti’s tenure ran out, Dalkin was on deck and ready to knock one out of the park.

During his six-year career as president, Dalkin helped make several changes for the league at Pen Park, such as upgrades to the concession stands, new dugouts, a new scoreboard donated by Pepsi, Bermuda infield grass and batting cages.

“When I was starting,” Dalkin recalls, “… I just felt that the league needed somebody who could kind of connect the dots, I guess.”

Dalkin has arranged for the league to cover the expenses of any child who cannot afford the registration fee. He also recruited his fellow employees and university students to serve as coaches and has made sure that safety is the top priority, assuring parents that medical services will always be available if needed.

Dalkin has been known to mow the outfield, rake the infield, help out behind the concession stand and even umpire a game or two.

The concession stands and restrooms that Dalkin helped put together are not only for the league, but for anyone around the park during games.

“It’s right by the park, right there by the playground,” Dalkin said. “So we get kids coming by that are swinging and playing, they get thirsty and want something to eat or drink, we can cover that, too.”

Dalkin was nominated for the Distinguished Dozen by his colleagues — former league Secretary Bert Hawkins, longtime coach Kevin Doyle, current President John Kuehler and Archer. They described Dalkin as dedicated, tireless, passionate, energetic, enthusiastic and inspirational.

“I’ve known him for about eight years or so,” Hawkins said. “I’ve seen him work with the league and admired what he did, and I guess every volunteer organization has that one person who seems to do the work right, and he’s the one who did it.

“My first inkling of the kind of enthusiasm and perspective Alan had on the game occurred when we coached together the first year in the league,” Doyle said. “Alan showed up on the first day of practice completely organized, handing out copies of the schedule and team rules, taking care of everything. His first rule for the kids was to have fun.”