Marlin “Coach Gil” Gilliam has been a driving force in Southfield and surrounding communities through baseball for the past 30 years. His dedication has created a second generation of baseball lovers, as seen in the case of Alex Credit and his son Avery. Gilliam, who played and coached all three major sports, has a special focus on baseball due to the lack of it in inner-city suburbs. The Southfield Athletics was founded in 2004 after the Southfield Little League disbanded to provide a higher level of baseball for kids.

Volunteer-led Organization and Field

The Southfield A’s is a nonprofit, volunteer-led organization that plays at the higher levels of travel baseball. With 12 coaches leading 50 kids aged 6 to 15, they strive to offer a quality baseball experience. Their field is located at Springhill Baptist Church on 21900 Middlebelt Road. The mission is to prepare students for high school baseball while keeping costs affordable for parents.

Season and Training

The season typically wraps up in October, but the older kids start conditioning this month, and the younger ones begin in January. Their first game is at the end of March. Gilliam emphasizes the importance of repetition and muscle memory at the higher level. The 14-and-under division plays around 60 to 65 games between spring and fall, showing the commitment required from both parents and coaches.

Values Inculcated

Being a member of the Southfield A’s is about more than just playing baseball. Gilliam and the coaches instill integrity, discipline, and the ability to face challenges. Baseball is a sport of failure, but players must learn to persevere. For older boys, it’s a tool to get into school and help parents. Intermediate-aged kids learn the importance of teamwork. Younger kids are reminded of the importance of fulfilling their responsibilities at home.

Former Players’ Success

Looking at the Southfield A’s website, one can see that former players have continued their baseball careers at the collegiate level. This is a testament to the program’s success. Credit believes in the organization’s growth and the job Gilliam has done. He sees the potential for continued success and flourishing.For more information, visit southfieldathletics.com.