Legendary youth baseball coach Palmer dies

A longtime travel baseball coach, whose success at getting college scholarships for his high school players was legendary, has died.

Donald "Bill" Palmer passed away on Saturday. The former Glenview resident was 69.

Baseball players from area high school teams, colleges around the Midwest and the Major Leagues are mourning his loss.

Bill San Hamel, head baseball coach at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, is one of them.

"He definitely helped me continue my career and play at the college level," said San Hamel who played at Bradley University. "And he did that for so many other players. He was more than a baseball coach. He was a counselor and an advocate."

Mr. Palmer coached his own children in youth baseball for years before he became involved in forming a series of travel teams for more skilled players.

He started the Niles Braves first to help talented 15- and 16-year-olds play at a higher level, then forming the Lakeside Cardinals for college-bound 17- and 18-year-olds. Its players typically came from Niles West, Evanston, New Trier, Loyola, Notre Dame and St. Viator high schools.

As on-field manager of the Cardinals, Mr. Palmer entered his players each summer in multiple showcase tournaments, where college and professional scouts would be able to evaluate their talent.

This fall alone, the Cardinals played in tournaments at Northwestern, Valparaiso, Illinois State, Illinois Wesleyan, Augustana, Carthage and St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind.

"He was an old-school coach who liked to play 'small ball' and have us be aggressive on the bases," said Phil Kerber of Arlington Heights, a senior at Notre Dame High School in Niles who played on his team this year. "He was basically a legend; everyone wanted to play for him."

Mr. Palmer not only coached the Cardinals through the fall season, he followed up with his 15th annual "Baseball Information Night" held at Notre Dame High, which presented parents and prospective college players with a panel of college coaches.

Players Mr. Palmer coached who went on to play in college and the Major Leagues, include: Adam Rosales with the Cincinnati Reds; Mark Ori with the Houston Astros; George Kontos with the New York Yankees' Minor League system; Chris Friedrich with the Colorado Rockies' Minor League system; Victor Diaz, who played for the New York Mets; Chris Uhle, who played for the Houston Astros; Chris Schutt, who played in the Minnesota Twins' Minor League system; and Kevin Carkeek, who played for the Houston Astros.

Mr. Palmer is survived by his wife Nancy, children Katy (Tami), Susan and Matthew (fiancé Fernanda), as well as two grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 2120 Lincoln St. in Evanston.