For years, Morris noticed a concerning lack of growth among young African-American players in baseball. Not nearly enough kids under the age of eighteen had the awareness or access to the game of baseball and he knew that he had to help. Shortly after his MLB playing career, he decided it was time to take an active role in being a part of the solution. So, only three years after throwing his last professional pitch, he was running a program with 15 kids and three coaches. Morris -- or Coach Madden, as the players, coaches and volunteers usually call him -- began with a very clear vision for his program: a family environment from day one, youth participants with positive, coachable mindsets and coaches who really know the game.

After a few years, CMR grew from one team to three: 18U, 16U, 14U and the community began to take notice. The requests for 12U, 10U and 8U came rolling in and the organization obliged, even opening up tee-ball to an overwhelming response. These days, depending on the day, you can find Morris doing anything from leading meetings with his board and strategizing with community partners to scheduling field time for teams and coaching the 18U and CMR Elite kids. From calls with players, parents and coaches to those with the media and community partners, his wife Sandra (who coaches tee-ball) would like you to know that his phone never stops ringing. But, as with everyone in the CMR family, she knows what's at stake for the kids and families being served and stepping up to the plate for them is a daily joy and a blessing.

What some CMR players/families, partners and volunteers have to say about Coach Madden:

"His compassion for the kids and their growth and learning is what powers CMR..."

"He is the difference maker... his quiet leadership is encompassing... he is the main reason we are able to change lives..."

"He is the heart and soul of the organization... he sets the tone and keeps our momentum..."