North Little Rock, Arkansas – The division title for the first half was secured by the Arkansas Travelers. We want to recognize a player who is a vital member of the squad but is never on the field at this point in the season.
The sounds of America’s game, from the crack of the bat to the roar of the audience, fill Dickey Stephens Park, but it’s not only the Travs on the field racking up the points. The entire evening comes together because of something unique.
“They assume it’s an iPad or whatever, and I don’t blame them because usually, it is,” Arkansas Traveler’s Organist Trey Trimble said.
The situation is different at our ballpark. Trey Trimble is the guy behind the music, a position that more minor league teams are removing from the roster, according to General Manager Sophie Ozier.
“We get a lot of fans that come through, and they’re visiting every minor league baseball stadium, and the first thing they always bring to our attention is our organist,” Ozier said.
She stated that having Trey on the squad is just as crucial as the players on the field for a team with a long history.
“We are the third oldest minor league baseball team in the country,” Ozier said. “We’ve been here since 1901. It really is just part of the tradition and what makes this ballpark special.”
In 2008, Trimble first used this position at the keyboard.
“My grandma saw a clipping in the newspaper that was like that big,” Trimble said. “It was a small little thing, and she called me and said, ‘Hey, why don’t you think about playing the organ for the Travs.’”
During a delay due to rain, he stepped up and did an outstanding job.
“No one was playing, so I just kept playing Mario and Nintendo whatever I could think of,” Trimble said.
Even though he is now entering his 14th season, he still views himself as a rookie in comparison to some of baseball’s all-time greats.
“I listen to a lot of the older organists, like for the Dodgers stadium and New York stadium old videos of theirs to see what they played,” Trimble said. “I try and bring a 40’s nostalgic ballpark feel, old fashioned.”
Although he enjoys traditional music, the style he plays is rather different.
“That’s how I play by ear. I never learned to read,” Trimble said.
He only needed to listen to learn each song.
“I have my little keyboard I’ll set up and plug it in,” Trimble said. “I’ll play along with it, learn it and bring it here and play it when the gates open.”
Trimble retains a note better than any recording from the moment spectators enter each at-bat.
“He will speed up or slow down to be able to create some intensity between the pitches,” Ozier said.
From the moment fans enter each at-bat, Trimble remembers a note better than any recording.
“The fans know the types of jingles that he plays, and they almost call for them, and he’ll play them in response, or they’ll start clapping,” Ozier said. “They get really into it.”
Trimble says he’s proud to assume this position in the lineup and make every night truly feel like an old baseball game, from the players who came before to the ones who will undoubtedly follow.
“I think it kind of gives a genuine baseball feel that is kind of hard to find nowadays,” he said.
Trimble is available for every home game. Don’t be shy about saying hello; he will accept some requests.