DECATUR — At the age of 92 - turning 93 in September - Leonard Truitt is the oldest lifetime citizen of Decatur who still resides in town.

Truitt said there are several ladies a few years older than him, but they are living in a in Siloam Springs rest home.

Truitt may be the oldest citizen in Decatur, but he still has a twinkle in his eye and is vigorous and active. Truitt works at Peterson Farms and puts in a 10 hour day each Monday. The only medication he takes is a Centrum Silver vitamin, he said.

Truitt’s love for baseball began when he was a child. He would often spend his recess time watching the older students play baseball instead of playing with the other children his age.

The school was located at the presentday city hall, and the baseball field was north of the school. Left field was on a hill and players often miscalculated the trajectory of fly balls because of the slope.

Truitt would stand behind them and catch the balls. He soon became very good at catching and throwing. In eighth grade he got his first baseball glove, and by ninth grade he was accepted on the high school baseball team as a left fielder because of his experience.

Truitt continued in his love of baseball as an adult. He played some on the Mt. Zion team, where local farmers would gather on Sunday afternoon to play baseball.

"That was our main entertainment back then," he said.

Truitt has held season tickets to the Arkansas Razorback baseball games since 1980. He goes to all of the games and still drives himself there, although his friends sometimes go along for the ride.

Sports, Pages 7 on 07/21/2010