Copyright The Mercury News
For Pleasant Hill athlete and entrepreneur Bill Duby, baseball has been more than just a game— it’s been his lifelong teacher of resilience, community and purpose. Born in Walnut Creek and raised in Orinda, Duby’s journey began on the fields of Concord, where he picked up a bat and glove at just 3 years old. “I started in Concord at JOBL (Junior Optimist Baseball League) and continued there until playing for travel ball teams in Concord and Antioch throughout my adolescence,” Duby said. “Growing up in Orinda was a blessing because of the people, the strong community and the great schools. The small-town atmosphere was peaceful and grounding.” Now 25 and living in Pleasant Hill, Duby balances two worlds: life as a professional baseball player — most recently with the Frontier League’s Ottawa Titans — and as the founder of Duby Baseball, a youth development program. For Duby, his youth meant traveling between Orinda, where he attended school, and Concord or Antioch, where he played baseball. “That balance gave me a valuable perspective between privileged and less privileged environments,” he said. “It made me more appreciative and inspired me to give back to the surrounding community.” He says that mindset became a defining part of who he is today as an athlete and mentor. At Orinda’s Miramonte High School, Duby says his love of the game translated into standout performances on the field, including a memorable run to the North Coast Section championship. “Pitching in that game stands out the most, along with the sense of unity we had as a team,” he said. “The camaraderie and collective drive we shared were unlike any other team I’d been a part of.” Duby’s early influences included his father, Bill Duby Sr., the head baseball coach at Concord’s Mount Diablo High School, and two former pros — Aaron Miles, a World Series champion and Bob Ayrault, a former Major League Baseball pitcher. “They all played key roles in shaping my development as both a player and a person,” he said. His hard work paid off. In 2018, Duby earned the awards of Diablo Athletic League MVP, MaxPreps Player of the Year and the Will Newton Memorial Award for character and leadership. “Those awards reflected the hard work and dedication I put in during the offseason,” he said. “They helped open doors — college offers and opportunities that shaped who I am today.” Duby says his belief in leadership, influence and integrity led him to earn a certificate in organizational leadership alongside his bachelor’s degree at Western Kentucky University, where he also played Division I baseball (wkusports.com/sports/baseball/roster/bill-duby/4257). He says transitioning from high school to college ball was no small feat. “The strength and conditioning demands increased significantly because the game moves much faster,” Duby said. “The room for error becomes smaller and expectations much higher.” After college, Duby signed with the Oakland Ballers, a professional team that generated local buzz for bringing baseball back to the East Bay. Just before the season began, though, he was traded for not one but two players. “It was definitely a shock,” he said. Still, he turned the experience into motivation. “Once those emotions wore off, I realized that playing in the Frontier League was a promotion, since there are more affiliated and former MLB players.” Duby’s professional career has taken him across the United States and into Canada, with long bus rides, hotel stays and the constant rhythm of travel. “During the season, it’s nonstop,” he said. He says one of his proudest moments came when he was selected for the Frontier League All-Star Game while playing for the Ottawa Titans. “Everything from the game itself to the events surrounding it — horse racing, visiting Cooperstown, private dinners — it was surreal and something I’ll always be grateful for.” When he’s not traveling for the season, Duby focuses on Duby Baseball, his own youth baseball organization based in Concord. “Since playing baseball makes it hard to hold a traditional job, I started Duby Baseball to provide a safe, nurturing environment for today’s youth through the game,” he said. His vision goes beyond teaching players how to hit or pitch. “I noticed many organizations lacked experienced coaches who had played at a high level,” Duby said. “Our program offers fundamentally sound, elite-level coaching rooted in professional experience, structure and development.” The organization runs structured practices, camps and lessons, using technology-driven training tools to help players grow. Duby Baseball starts with 8U through 14U players (ages 7 through 14) and feeds into a partner program, Golden State Grind (15U-18U), which Duby also co-founded. Duby says his coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, respect and attention to detail — lessons he applies on and off the field. “It’s all about the little things, like looking coaches in the eye, giving firm handshakes and showing respect,” he said. “After bullpens, I have pitchers shake the catcher’s hand and say, ‘Thank you for catching me.’ The difference between good and great is the little things.” He credits mentors like Vince Dell’Aquila and Skip Tague for shaping his approach to coaching, communication and leadership. “There’s no feeling like being part of someone’s baseball journey,” he said. Duby says balancing life as an athlete and entrepreneur hasn’t been easy but has taught him patience and perspective. “I’ve learned to really listen to people and be up-front and honest,” he said. “Loyalty and taking care of your people — whether teammates, players or parents — is everything.” Looking ahead, Duby says he hopes to keep competing at the highest level while expanding his youth baseball program. “I’m grateful for every part of the journey: the challenges, the opportunities and the people who’ve supported me along the way,” Duby said. “My focus now is on giving back to the next generation — to show that with the right work ethic and mindset, passion can become purpose.” For more information online, visit dubybaseball.com, instagram.com/dubybaseball, ottawatitans.com/roster or facebook.com/dubybaseball.
