Introduction – Kenneth Crawford (Professor K)

Founder, Baseball Heaven
Community Advocate | Sports Facility Developer | Public Policy Researcher

My name is Kenneth Crawford, also known in academic and community circles as Professor K. I am a lifelong constituent of Shawnee, Oklahoma, and my work began with a simple concern: public safety at the Lions Club Ballfields. When I began asking questions about safety standards, land use agreements, and facility oversight, I received few clear answers from city officials or governing bodies. What began as curiosity quickly evolved into a deeper investigation into the systemic challenges facing youth sports governance—both locally and across the state.

This journey has been deeply personal and professionally transformative. At times, it has been misunderstood—seen as finger-pointing or tied to past experiences—but at its heart, this work is about seeking truth, protecting families, and ensuring accountability in our communities. I set out to understand how public assets like parks and youth sports facilities are managed, funded, and sustained for future generations.

My inquiry into the Lions Club Ballfields in Shawnee led me to a complex trail of public records, legal documents, and land-use agreements—including the Instrument of Transfer that governs the Lions Club Ballfields themselves. As patterns of poor transparency began to emerge, my research naturally expanded to include other Oklahoma municipalities, including the cities of Moore, Choctaw, and Seminole. Each offered its own lessons, challenges, and insights, which have helped shape my current expertise and advocacy.

This work is grounded in more than investigation—it’s supported by lived experience. I was instrumental in the planning, fundraising, and development of the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex, built in memory of my son, Brian. That process inspired the concept of Baseball Heaven: a space of healing and tribute for families who have lost loved ones and whose memories are rooted in the joy of youth baseball and softball. It is a place for grief, remembrance, and forward motion.

But as I worked to bring Baseball Heaven to life, I uncovered deeper issues impacting youth sports statewide: a chronic culture of financial opacity and weak governance. These challenges are often perpetuated by elected officials and municipal leaders who lack adequate education or experience in youth sports management and economic development.

My current research focuses on the financial structures of youth tournament organizations, with a special emphasis on the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA). I analyze the legal and economic ripple effects of the ongoing USSSA lawsuit in Florida, which includes allegations of racketeering and financial mismanagement. These issues do not exist in a vacuum—they shape how local tournaments are priced, how public facilities are used, and how trust is built or broken in our communities.

By cross-referencing documentation from local municipalities—including facility contracts, financial audits, tournament sanctioning policies, and land transfers—I’ve begun assembling a broader picture of Oklahoma’s youth sports culture. This includes patterns of insufficient oversight, fragmented governance, and nonprofit programs operating without transparency or fiscal accountability.

This journey—fueled by experience, loss, and a relentless pursuit of integrity—continues through BaseballHeaven.net. This platform blends research, advocacy, and community storytelling to spark dialogue and drive reform. I invite you to explore, engage, and contribute to the ongoing mission: to protect youth sports, honor those we’ve lost, and build something better for the families still playing today.