ROUND ROCK, Texas — On the day that Minor League Baseball officials announced there would be no 2020 season, a baseball league in Texas hit the field. The Texas Collegiate League has been around since 2004, but this summer it has new teams around the state because ballparks like the ones in Round Rock and San Antonio are available to be used. 

“It’s been tough to look out of my office the last three months and not see any baseball on this baseball field,” says Round Rock Express president Chris Almendarez.

With the Dell Diamond not in use for minor league baseball, Almendarez and the TCL worked out a deal to add a team in Round Rock this summer, allowing its teams to play there this summer. 

“Taking about two months off, it’s been hard,” says Kendall Achilles, a Cedar Ridge grad who plays at UIW. 

“I’ve missed the field and I’m sure all my teammates have missed the field as well,” added Austin Smith, a Cedar Park grad and pitcher at Southwestern. 

The Round Rock Hairy Men is what the team is called. It’s composed of college players from all over Texas and some other states. Many of the players grew up in Central Texas, like Round Rock grad Jared McKenzie. 

“Not having sports is a tough deal but being back on the field with a new group of guys and being able to play the game is just awesome,” says McKenzie. 

McKenzie is now an outfielder at Baylor. He was off to an incredible start to his freshman season, when things were canceled because of COVID-19. McKenzie earned a starting spot, was hitting over .400 and was named a freshman All-American. He had a smooth transition from high school to the college game. 

“Rather than focus on playing at a Division 1 field against big schools, you just got to make the game smaller than what it is,” says McKenzie. “Being able to relax and have fun made life a little easier.” 

The Hairy Men roster has a couple of former Round Rock Dragons like McKenzie. One being Luke Almendarez. Nobody on the team is more familiar with playing at the Dell Diamond than him. He grew up coming to the ballpark all the time because his dad, Chris Almendarez, is the president of the Express. To add to that, the manager for the team this summer is Chase Almendarez, Luke’s older brother. 

“Chase is the best person, brother and coach that there is,” says Luke Almendarez. “He is hard on me but in a good way. He wants me to be the best.” 

“Him and I have a relationship that’s great, but on the field he’s just like any other kid,” says Chase Almendarez. 

Baseball is a welcome return for all of the folks involved, but they also understand the risks and safety measures needed for this season to work. 

“The thing we talk about is creating our own little bubble,” says Chris Almendarez. “We’ve also talked about responsibility of where they are going afterwards.” 

“We all just want to play baseball and will do whatever is necessary to keep everyone safe,” says Smith.

The Round Rock Hairy Men open the TCL season on the road this week, with their first home game at the Dell Diamond to be played on July 7.​