Oak Forest's Barry Becomes IHSA's King of Swing

With one swing of the bat, Oak Forest slugger Tim Barry made history Friday afternoon at Bengal Field. In the bottom of the fifth inning of a game against Bremen, Barry belted a two-run home run that traveled an estimated 400 feet.

He gave a hug to his coach, Thaddeus Gatton, as he rounded third base and touched home plate to become Illinois’ all-time career leader in home runs and RBIs.

“It’s very exciting to have it,” Barry said. “It’ll make my name (visible) around the world, or just the entire state, but then also my family’s name, too."

Barry, a Kansas State recruit who has aspirations of playing pro ball, now has 50 career home runs, passing the previous record holder, Curtis Parrish of Odin (49, from 2000-2003). Barry's RBI total stands at 194. Stefan Neece of Greenville racked up 193 from 2002-2005.

Barry said the pitch he hit over the left field wall was a slider and little bit inside. He said he wasn’t expecting to hit the home run in that at-bat, but rather on his first plate appearance, in which he doubled to the right field wall. He flew out in his second plate appearance.

“I didn’t get my hands around in the first at-bat, and then on the second one I just got under it a little bit,” Barry said.

When he went up to the plate in the fourth inning for his third at-bat, Bremen intentionally walked him with the Braves leading 5-4. However, when Barry came up in the fifth, Oak Forest led 7-5. And Bremen's coaching staff elected to pitch to him.

After receiving recognition from the crowd, Barry walked over to the Bremen bench to show his appreciation. He knows Bremen coach Mike Cline and many others on the Braves' team.

Oak Forest went on to defeat Bremen 11-5. Gatton said the day was special.

“It’s something great for the school,” he said. “It’s great for the Barry family. It’s great for District 228. Anytime there are accomplishments in District 228, it’s great because we have four schools and without a doubt our whole district is a family.”

Gatton doesn’t think Barry’s home run record ever will be broken.

“There aren’t many four-year starters on varsity and four-year starters that as a freshman, sophomore and junior hit for power,” Gatton said, adding that high school bat regulation changes next year will make it more difficult to hit home runs.

Gatton said Barry deserves the records and recognition that comes with them not only because of his physical attributes and his great swing, but because of how hard he works.

“He’s always working on his game (year round),” Gatton said. “And not many other players can say that. He works very hard to be as good as he is. He’s got a hitting coach, he plays elite level baseball in the summer and fall, and he’s constantly working on his game. If any kid deserves it, it’s definitely him.”

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