PARKSTON — Chris Braley is back in the amateur baseball scene. 

The Parkston resident was named the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association secretary-treasurer in February, replacing Herb Sundall after 23 years of service to the association. 

For Braley, it’s a return to South Dakota amateur baseball, where he’s a former player and Sunshine League president. Braley said his new position allows him to renew his amateur baseball connections, but in a different role.  

“I played 17 years, and the relationships that I have made because of baseball are amazing,” said Braley, who is an attorney at Braley Law Office. “You cannot believe how many clients I have because of my baseball connections, and it’s beyond just clients. They are friends.”

Sundall approached Braley in spring 2024 about potentially replacing him, but he was reluctant at the time. Braley mulled it over and later expressed interest in the position, before being voted to the secretary-treasurer position at the SDABA meeting in February. 

And he’s leaned on his predecessor through the transition. 

“I have got him on speed dial,” Braley said about Sundall. “He knew there was going to be a transition and he’s reached out. But as it’s gone on he doesn’t reach out to me anymore. I reach out to him. He had me on the reins for a while, but he’s like ‘Here, you take over.’ But he’s been a wealth of information.”

Braley does have experience working with Parkston baseball as president, worked with the local VFW baseball, the I-90 Little League baseball and coached youth baseball for 19 years. He also recently oversaw renovations at The Pond, Parkston’s hallowed baseball field. 

But he’s never done work at the state level. As the secretary-treasurer, Braley oversees the management and reporting of the SDABA’s finances and keeps minutes of the organizational meetings. 

“It was kind of overwhelming to begin with,” Braley said. “But now I think once I get through a cycle then I know what to expect.”

Braley has been impressed with the knowledge and passion for baseball from the SDABA commissioners, while they’ve also helped assist with his new role. 

“It’s a big learning curve,” Braley said. “But quite honestly it’s gone smoother than I expected. Herb has helped me and the rest of the commissioners are stepping up. Their patience with me has been great. It’s gone pleasantly well. But again with the help of those who have been here ahead of me are making that difference.”

Braley, a Parkston native, graduated from South Dakota State University in 1993 as a double major in geography and history. Braley played one season of college baseball for the Jackrabbits. 

He graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1996, and has been practicing law in both Parkston and Corsica since 1996. 

He played 16 seasons for the Parkston Mudcats, and one season of amateur baseball in Iowa.