Jim “The Rookie” Morris will be the motivational speaker at the Tire Industry Association's 2014 OTR Conference.

The OTR Conference will be held Feb. 19-22 at the Marco Island Marriott Resort & Golf Club in Marco Island, Fla. Morris will address the attendees on Friday, Feb. 21. His speech is sponsored by BKT Tires USA Inc.

Morris’ life story was the inspiration behind the Walt Disney film, “The Rookie,” starring Dennis Quaid. To motivate his rag tag high school baseball team, Morris, as a 35-year-old schoolteacher, made a bet that he would try out for the big leagues if his team won a district championship.

When his team won, he followed through on his promise, going to a tryout where he threw 12 consecutive pitches at 98 mph. Three months later, Jim achieved his dream of pitching in the big leagues.

“Although his story takes place on a baseball diamond, we can all relate to fulfilling goals and dreams in our businesses and our lives," says TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield.

TIA anticipates that rooms will become available in the next few weeks.