Дата публикации: 30-06-2026 12:38:00

Aaron Williams, an Oakfield-Alabama graduate who spent six seasons playing minor league baseball before returning to his hometown, got the start in Monday's exhibition game against Syracuse.
Photo by Howard Owens
A sunny late afternoon and an exhibition game win for the Batavia Muckdogs on Monday, with the home team beating the Syracuse Salt Cats of the New York Collegiate Baseball League, 3-2.That makes for a good day.It was also a good day for starting pitcher Aaron Williams, a 45-year-old Oakfield-Alabama graduate who spent six seasons playing minor baseball plus another two in unaffiliated professional leagues (source). He got to pitch in front of family and friends in a Muckdogs jersey for the second time in as many seasons."I love that Joey gives me the opportunity to come back to do what I love," Williams said. "I have three girls, and it’s awesome to show them inside of the stories of when I pitched in the minor leagues for 6 years. I used to pitch for the Houston Astros and made it all the way to Triple A. I’m 45 now, and the fire still burns."Williams was lifted in the second inning after giving up two runs.After a visit to the mound, walking with Williams back to the dugout, Manager Joey Martinez put a hand on the pitcher's shoulder, and they smiled."Aaron is a good friend," Martinez told The Batavian later. "When we came off the field, I asked him, 'Did he have fun?' and 'I'm glad you got to do this in front of your kids.'"We share a brotherhood of being former pro guys, and that's a unique bond," Martinez added.Williams attended Alfred State and is the Pioneers' all-time strikeout leader with 200 Ks. From 2000 through 2002, he was 18-14 with a 3.23 ERA, throwing 21 complete games and three shutouts. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Twins in 2002. He spent four seasons in the Houston Astros farm system.In six seasons in the minors, Williams was 14-17 with a 4.02 ERA and 178 strikeouts. In independent ball, he went 8-9 with a 2.49 ERA.Batavia scored in the final frame of the seven-inning game for the walk-off win. Jalen David crossed the plate after stealing third and then sprinting home on an errant throw by the catcher.After going out and firing fastballs at collegiate hitters, Williams had a message for all athletes: "Life is too short, and you never know what tomorrow will bring. If you have the opportunity and the ability to chase your dreams, do it until you can’t anymore."




Aaron Williams walks off the mound with Manager Joey Martinez. "I'm glad you got to do this in front of your kids," Martinez told him.
Photo by Howard Owens








Photo by Howard Owens




Photo by Howard Owens




Photo by Howard Owens




Photo by Howard Owens




Photo by Howard Owens




Photo by Howard Owens




Photo by Howard Owens




Photo by Howard Owens

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