Dudley Mayor Jason Locke on Little League ball, life, leadership in a close-knit community

Dudley Mayor Jason Locke goes Slightly Off The Record with Kyle Dominy, Clay Reynolds and Payton Towns III for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from Little League baseball and softball to the city’s upcoming sewer improvement work. He offered an update on those much-needed repairs, which are just underway, to some critical sections of the aging infrastructure, and how they fit into opportunities for future growth. But here at the height of the summer, Dudley Little League – whose all-star teams are currently in the thick of postseason play – was the first order of business.

He explained his vision in founding the organization back in 2011, and how its growth and success over 15 seasons has been tied as much to the community’s family- and faith-based environment as it is to sports. Further reflections about life in this quintessential small town led to some perspective on what gives Dudley a sense of home for so many, including those in the tight-knit Locke family who were hit hard by the unexpected passing of his older brother Bobby just over a month ago. He shares some memories of the former ballplayer and dedicated DLL volunteer, as well as another member of the league’s family whose loss, just as suddenly a few years ago, has inspired a fitting memorial in the form of a weekly concession stand special featuring his favorite menu item.