In 2014, a group of former players, led by Anderson Flen, put into motion a plan to honor James and his family for their unselfish and lasting contributions to baseball in the Plateau community and the nation. On June 27, 2014, a banquet to celebrate the life of James “Fat” Robertson was held at the Ashbury Hotel, Mobile, Alabama. The event was well attended with representation from local government, institutions of higher education, community leaders, former players, and friends. The largest representation and, no doubt proudest, were members of the Robertson family. They got a chance to give reflections about their father, see the outpouring of love and hear proclamations, funny stories and words of endearment about a man who was loved by many.
The goal for this celebration was for it to be more than a one-night event; it was to become a lasting tribute. What needed to happen to truly honor James and ensure his sacrifices and those of his family were not in vain was to re-establish baseball in Plateau and surrounding communities. There is much to be done to make this goal a reality. Measures have already been taken by Mobile County Training School Alumni Association (MCTSAA}in partnership with other organizations to put in place a foundation for planning and implementation of community baseball. What better way to remember the legacy of James than to have the fields of MCTS and Whitley School, now idle, overrun with kids engaged in organized summer baseball.
Ideas, involvement and contributions are needed now to bring this goal to fruition. Interested persons can contact James Hope, MCTSAA. Donations can be sent to Community Foundation of South Alabama in behalf of the James “FAT” Robertson Donor Advised Fund. Visit https://www.communityfoundationsa.org/ or call (251) 438-5591 for more information.