Utah Adult Amateur Baseball League Pioneer Rory ‘Doc’ Docter Still Making a Difference After 30 Years and Multiple Eye Surgeries

By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communication

Gary Bowman is the League President of the Utah Adult Amateur Baseball League, a position he has held since 2003.  He came into the league in 2001 and was a 2009 inductee into the MSBL National Hall of Fame.  But there is a man behind the scenes that helped bring Gary into the league back in 2001.  Enter Rory ‘Doc’ Docter.

“I would like to have Rory “Doc” Docter featured on the MSBL website,” stated Bowman in a letter to Steve Sigler.  “He’s run a team since 1992 and he was the reason I joined the league. He is also a producer for KUTV Channel 2 News.” 

There is obviously more to the story.

“Back around 2001 Gary was riding his motorcycle and saw the lights and decided to stop and see what was going on,” explained Doc.  “He saw me out there and thought I was a coach or something but when he saw me running around, he realized that there was something going on.  I came into the league in 1992 and after some conversations, Gary followed in 2001.  It was meant to happen.”

Doc is 67 and has been at KUTV since 1984 and was in Sterling, Colorado for six years prior to Salt Lake City.  In 1992 he answered an ad in the newspaper for league tryouts and before he knew it he was a Dodger.

“The Dodgers were my first team and then we merged with the Royals in maybe 1994 or 95.  In 1996 I went to the Yankees and then took them over as manager in 1998, where I remain to this day.  We have graduated to the 40-over division, which is even more exciting because my son just turned 40 and we can play together.”

Doc and his son have experienced the Father/Son format at the 2017 MSBL World Series in Arizona.  Doc got a hit and his son didn’t, which is still a bragging point around the holiday tables.

“We were only able to go that one year, unfortunately.  In 2018 I had some serious eye issues and multiple surgeries and have just recently been able to get back a little on the field, now that the brain and eyeball are talking again.  I primarily DH but at least we are together on the field, which is very special.  I coached him in Little League, American Legion, and can now coach him as an adult.”

Doc’s Yankees have had a small taste of success but success isn’t always defined as wins or losses.

“We won the league in 2011, which of course was very special.  But the bigger plan is to have fun, play together, and enjoy the camaraderie.  I have had to cut a few players because their attitudes just didn’t fit in.  I like to build a team where everyone gets along and has fun.  It is very gratifying to see the sons coming into the league in the 18-over division and keeping the name going.”