OFF THE RECORD

A League of His Own

By J. BRADLEY COMPERE

I can still remember the smell of the fresh-cut grass, the taste of mustard and relish on a hot dog, the cracking sound of singles, doubles, triples and even a home run or two. It was opening day of Little League in 1984 and I had just arrived at the Olmos Park Baseball Fields in San Antonio via my father’s pick-up truck. I recall observing a handshake taking place between my old man and my coach, signifying, in my mind, an old friendship. In actuality, they were business associates, both San Antonio trial lawyers. Little League was a memorable and rewarding part of my childhood, due in large part to the enthusiastic participation and dedication of my father and my coach.
It is not unusual to find lawyers participating and dedicating themselves to the Little League experience. However, it is a rarity to find a lawyer so passionate about it that he would be elated to have “Coach Tanner” embossed on his tombstone.
Hugh Tanner is a self-proclaimed sports fanatic and a highly successful partner in the Houston office of Fulbright & Jaworski, where he practices in the demanding field of commercial litigation. However, as immediate past-president and current board member of the West University Little League, as well as coach of the A’s and the Mustangs, Tanner takes great pride in “accommodating” (not “sacrificing”) his schedule so that he can be a role model for children. This includes his own children, as he coaches both his son, Alec’s, baseball team and his daughter, Paxton’s, softball team. In fact, around the office he’s regularly referred to as the “Commissioner of Baseball.”
There’s no limit to the zealous dedication Tanner brings to the field. A few years ago, he spent a good amount of time in Auburn Hills, Michigan on a case. Because it was baseball season, Tanner flew back to Houston for his team’s baseball games, then turned around and flew back to Michigan. Tanner recalled his client being impressed by the dedication he displayed for his Little League team.
Tanner grew up around Little League Baseball in Mississippi, playing through high school (he joked that he wasn’t quite athletic enough to play among the college ranks). “I can recall the names of all of my coaches from the time I was seven years old,” Tanner remarked, “I even remember the smell of the coaches on the field.” He went on to college, then law school, at Mississippi. Tanner moved to Houston in 1980 and has been practicing law with Fulbright & Jaworski for 20 years. He has spent the last nine years involved with the West University Little League.
“Little League Baseball keeps me grounded,” admitted Tanner, “It’s a great reason to get involved.” Tanner also found that being so thoroughly involved in the West University Little League has brought him closer to his children.
His association with the West University Little League also has brought Tanner closer to his community. West University is a small town, at least compared to many other areas of Houston. However, according to Tanner, West University boasts the largest Little League in the country, with roughly 1,100 participating children. Tanner referred to the West University Little League Fields (located at West University Elementary School) as the “social epicenter of West U.” The entire community gathers at West University Elementary School on the weekends. And for two years, Tanner was the president of that social epicenter.
In fact, while president of the West University Little League, Tanner felt he wanted to make a difference, do something spectacular. He learned about a program from Steve Keener, the president of International Little League Baseball, which had developed a special league for children with physical and mental limitations. Tanner felt that every child should have the opportunity to play baseball. Thus, with Tanner’s assistance, every child in West University did get that opportunity with the creation of the “Challenger Program.”
The pride and sheer joy that Tanner expressed while talking about his executive term with the West University Little League showed its importance in his life. “I want to instill a winning attitude in every child,” Tanner said. To him, the goal isn’t winning ballgames, but encouraging active participation, citizenship and sportsmanship. Those attributes, according to Tanner, make for a winning attitude. Tanner is no doubt a role model for the children, and he encourages other professionals to be role models as well.
“A lot of lawyers come up to me and say that they wish they had the time to commit to Little League,” Tanner stated, “And I tell them that it’s all a matter of priority.”
Tanner believes that any lawyer can participate in the lives of children; they just need to make the time. He feels that, as lawyers, we generally have Type-A personalities, which translates into a passion for the jobs we do for our clients. Tanner truly believes that we can take that passion, that vigor, and bring it to the lives of our children through active participation in community activities such as Little League.

J. Bradley Compere is an attorney with the firm of Rymer, Moore, Jackson & Echols, P.C. He graduated from The University of Texas in Austin with a B.A. and earned his law degree from St. Mary’s School of Law. He also is a member of The Houston Lawyer editorial board.

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