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Lyons bringing baseball to ravaged Gulf Coast

BY KATIE STRANG | caitlin.strang@newsday.com

December 23, 2007

When Hurricane Katrina hit his home in Biloxi, Miss., Barry Lyons only had time to round up his family, grab his wife's purse and rescue the family's miniature schnauzer, Jingles, a Christmas present for his 7-year-old daughter.

Lyons, a former catcher for the Mets from 1986-1990, lost everything in the storm: his business, his house, scrapbooks and tapes from his playing days, even his 1986 World Series ring.

What he did not surrender to the storm was his vision to bring minor-league baseball to Mississippi's Gulf Coast. The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina more than two years ago only strengthened his resolve.

Lyons, who partnered with development firm Overtime Sports, spearheaded the effort to bring a minor-league stadium to D'Iberville, Miss. According to Lyons, the $35 million stadium, which will seat about 6,000, should be completed by 2009. Lyons also hopes to create a major league-affiliated Southern League franchise.

"This is my way of giving back to the community," Lyons said. " was very devastating. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. So many people lost so much."

Lyons said the overwhelming damage caused by the storm has left people starving for entertainment. With what he describes as an "inherent love" for baseball in the community, Lyons thinks a minor- league team and stadium will revitalize the area.

"Overall it has brought southern Mississippi closer together and made us more of a united group," Lyons said. "I just think a minor-league baseball team and this stadium project is going to be even more uniting, in the Gulf Coast in particular."

The idea to bring minor- league baseball to the Gulf Coast popped into Lyons' head before he retired. But when he moved back to Biloxi five years ago to take care of his elderly parents, he finally had the chance to achieve his goal.

Lyons was penciled in to present his master plan, including the design of a waterfront ballpark, to the Biloxi City Council on Sept. 6, 2005.

But Hurricane Katrina hit Aug. 29, and Lyons had bigger things to worry about. He and his wife had put a few items in plastic containers on their dinner table, fearing the worst that could happen was some water on the floor. What he had not envisioned was the utter havoc the storm created. Lyons, his wife, their 7-year-old daughter and his elderly father were forced to ride out the storm in a ski boat attached to a trailer under a carport. They stayed in the boat for six hours until the water receded, then sought refuge at a neighbor's house.

"It's something you could never describe. We didn't eat for two days," Lyons said. "It was just like a war zone. Total devastation around us."

With Lyons looking for a way to help revive his community, his focus remained on his baseball project. No matter what endeavor Lyons tried after retiring from the game in 1996, he never really left the game. Whether it was announcing or managing, he remained entrenched in the sport.

"I could never work in another field, in anything other than baseball. I've pretty much tried my hand in all parts of it," Lyons said. "I knew as a little boy I just loved baseball with a passion that I can't really describe. I grew to love it, and through all the ups and downs, nothing has ever changed that. I love to see it played the right way. I love to see the joy on players' faces when they're out there and having fun."

Lyons has fond memories of his travels across the country during his playing career and of his stay in New York, where he primarily backed up Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter. But he never doubted that he would return to the Gulf Coast and try to implement his dream.

"This is where I grew up and I'm very proud of where I'm from," Lyons said. "I've always promoted my hometown. It's a coastal city, not a big city, but it has its own unique character to it, and I'm a Biloxian through and through. I'm looking forward to it finally happening, and I just can't wait until opening day."