Famous North Texan Rickey Hill’s life is an incredible story that gives faith to the power of dreams and exemplifies the strength of the human spirit.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, to a poor Baptist preacher and his wife Hellen, Rickey grew up in the 1960s wearing leg braces due to a degenerative spinal disease. Doctors doubted he would ever walk normally. He was teased and taunted by other kids in school, yet even through the physical challenges, bullying and discouragement, Rickey knew from a very young age that what he most wanted to do was play baseball. It was a dream that seemed unattainable, yet he held onto it tightly, feeling like it was God’s calling that he would one day play in the major leagues. He wanted to be the best baseball hitter in the world.
Rickey’s dad had other aspirations for his son. He wanted to shield Rickey from further physical pain. He didn’t see that Rickey could ever become a baseball player with the limitations he suffered. And, importantly, he wished for Rickey to follow in his footsteps along a higher calling to also one day become a minister.
The remarkable true-life story of Rickey Hill's improbable journey to overcome his challenges and play professional baseball are explored in the new movie “The Hill,” starring screen legend Dennis Quaid as his father, Reverend James Hill. This inspirational true story hit theaters nationally in August.
A young phenomenon, despite pain, adversities
At age four, Rickey began hitting rocks with a stick. With his leg braces locked in place, the youngster would hit the “fast ball” rocks his older brother pitched, swinging hard for the bleachers. The family lived in poverty and times were hard, with no money to spare for a ball and bat for a boy who was considered just a dreamer. Every day, though, Rickey would continue hitting rocks with sticks, sometimes for 16 hours a day. He would practice batting wherever he could, in his backyard, outside the church and in open fields.
When he turned seven, his brother encouraged him to play baseball with the older kids who were bigger, stronger and more experienced at the game – and young Rickey surprised them all, hitting the ball better than anyone else.
By age nine, he was playing in a twilight league’s starting lineup, and by the time he reached 12, Rickey was known as the “home run king” by the other boys. From about age 10 on, Rickey would always draw a cross in the dirt each time he came to bat, feeling God’s love and encouragement pushing him on.
Limitations had no effect on his dream – Rickey kept his mind focused on the prize. He saved green stamps to buy his first glove and continued to seek balance between the crippling disease he wouldn’t allow to get him down, the pro ball player he wanted to be, his father’s dreams to become a preacher, and what God truly had in store for his life.
When it finally came time to remove the leg braces, baseball had become a natural for Rickey – yet the ups and downs continued to plague him. While playing for his high school baseball team at age 17, he injured his leg on a sprinkler head in the outfield, requiring surgery, just as the St. Louis Cardinals were scouting him.
At 18, he was invited to a three-day baseball camp where 700 of the top teenage ball players from around the country were competing for a chance at the big leagues. The main tryout field was reserved for the top-rated talent, with Rickey stationed at the worst field, frustrated as he limped around the bases while his extraordinary batting abilities were overlooked.
Eventually, he tapped the top scout on the shoulder and said, “Sir, the hardest hitter is about to leave this camp. How do I get to the main diamond, where the top players are?” The scout was skeptical but invited Rickey back for the opportunity of a lifetime the next day, where the top 18 talents faced off for the camp finale. Rickey was assigned as fourth in lineup and designated hitter for both teams, putting on a spectacular display as the hardest hitter at camp, going 11 for 11, including two singles, five doubles, one triple and three home runs.
As Rickey tells the story, he “entered camp as a nobody and came out as a somebody.” Not long after, he signed with the Montreal Expos and played four seasons in the minors before his body gave out.
Determination and grit
They say it takes a lot to make it in baseball. A strong work ethic and perseverance are important. You have to set high goals and stay focused on reaching them. And you have to continue when the going gets tough. Nobody understands that more than Rickey Hill.
Despite the obstacles life has thrown Rickey’s way, he’s faced those challenges with faith and an unwavering will. He’s been through 49 surgeries in his lifetime, living most of his days in chronic pain but never letting it stop him from his dreams. He’s broken nearly every bone and has been in three near-death car accidents where ribs and his femur have been smashed, his skull was cracked, and one wreck resulted in a year-long concussion. In the last accident, troopers were surprised to find he was still alive.
“My mom always said I was hardheaded,” Rickey jokes.
When he could no longer play baseball, he found golf and now enjoys both playing and teaching the game to others.
All his life, Rickey has moved mountains to climb The Hill, in baseball and other aspects of life. From being dirt poor as a child to living in his car, eating dog food from a can and arm wrestling for $15-20 to make gas money as an adult, he’s managed to hold dear to his faith and determination.
He’s reached some of the highest heights – going from rocks and sticks to achieving a career batting average of 298 - stopped only by his physical limitations.
Today, Rickey plays golf at PGA levels, partnering with famous names like Tony Romo and other celebrities.
Close friend Ron Gourley, Co-Founder, President and CEO of TrendTek Bio, Inc. - a nutraceutical supplements company that has helped relieve some of Rickey’s pain and restore mobility through anti-inflammatories and brain boosting products – has encouraged Rickey to use his heart and energy to inspire underserved kids, just like he once was, to pursue their dreams.
Ron is a past board member of the local Kids Matter International, which helps children in need through programs that empower them and enhance their lives. He led Rickey to the organization, and on October 23, the sports legend will play in the Kids Matter Eagles Challenge charitable golf tournament at Lantana Golf Club in Lantana, Texas.
Eagles Challenge is a hole-in-one tournament valued at $50,000 on each hole, with a $1 million prize opportunity at Hole 19.
Every $100 that Kids Matter receives generates an estimated $400 in new clothes and shoes for children in need.
Tournament registration details can be found at https://eagleschallenge.org/.
Helping children in need through programs that empower them and enhance their lives
Just like the movie of his life, Rickey is about God’s love, faith, perseverance and never letting go of your dreams – and now he hopes to inspire children to do the same.
At age 64, Rickey is giving back to others in a way that would surely make his father proud.
“Having a film made about my life feels inspirational. It’s God-designed.” - Rickey Hill