A 1972 graduate of El Dorado High School and an All Ark Valley League Baseball player, Barry Cross has a fine list of accomplishments. He was a member of the 1971, 1972 and 1973 American Legion teams and two of those years (1972 and 1973) the team finished as State Runners-up. In 1973, he was named as the State Tournament Most Valuable Player. Also in 1973, he played in the American Legion All-Star Series for the West Team.

Following his Legion play, Barry moved on to college baseball. He played for Kansas Wesleyan University and in 1967, was honored with the Dean Evans Award. He was also selected by his teammates as the Most Valuable Player that year.