Hubert Edgar "Buddy" Bates (March 16, 1912 – April 29, 1987) was an American professional baseball player whose 18-year active career took place over a quarter century — between 1931 and 1955. All but 15 of Bates' games played occurred in the minor leagues, however. In his only trial in Major League Baseball, the outfielder spent September 1939 with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he collected 15 hits in 58 at bats; he scored eight runs. Bud Bates died in Long Beach, California, at age 75.