Dick, often times called “Tricky”, played American Legion ball at the age of 13 through 17.  After legion ball he played shortstop for the Jacksonville Minors, managed by Scoop Puhl, receiving $7.50 a game.  From there, he went to the Medford Craters, managed by Paul ‘Hoosier’ Hoffard.

In 1935, Dick left Medford on a football scholarship to Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington where he played halfback on their football team and guard on the basketball team.  In 1936, football was de-emphasized, so he returned to Medford to play for the Medford Rogues, later playing on Cliff McLean’s Ashland town team.

In 1938 and 1939, Dick coached basketball at St. Mary’s High School, winning the first Jackson County “B” Championship for St. Mary’s in 1939. In 1940, and now playing for $25.00 a game, he played with Steve Crippen, Billy Calver, and Hoosier Hoffard in the Northern California League. With much success on the baseball field, he also was an avid bowler, winning the Medford City Handicap Bowling Championship in 1941.

“Uncle Sam” called Dick to Fort Lewis, Washington in 1942 assigning him, on a permanent basis, to play baseball and basketball, along with his other regular army duties. The Fort Lewis basketball team attended the National AAU Basketball Tournament in Denver, Colorado two years in a row, their team beat the Harlem Globetrotters twice, which was quite a feat, and the 1942 baseball team had a record of 23 victories in 27 games.

Dick ended his ball playing career with the Old Timers in the Southern Oregon League.