Born in Laurens South Carolina, Morris was drafted in the 1979 MLB draft into the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. As a left-handed pitcher, he played professionally for 14 years including with the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations. In 2011, Morris founded CMR, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, whose mission is to serve youth, with an emphasis on disadvantaged families, by providing a safe opportunity to learn and develop their skill in baseball and in life. CMR provides, among other services, academic tutoring and counseling, life skill services, and personal mentoring, as part of its mission, which mission is substantially similar to that of UDACF.