11/13/08

NEMCC BASEBALL WINS DURING OLD TIMERS GAME

BOONEVILLE, Miss. --“Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger”

This one was for the record books and the score did not even count.

Approximately 75 former Northeast Mississippi Community College baseball players reunited Saturday, November 8 for the first Northeast Mississippi Community College’s alumni baseball weekend and old timers’ game.

Players spanning five decades (1950s-2000s) stepped onto Harold T. White Field at Booneville City Park and drifted back in time.

Gone were the shorts, T-shirts, sweatpants and shirts worn that day as each one reminisced about donning the black and gold and took the field as a Northeast Tiger once again.

Two teams battled it out with each team using a variety of pitchers ranging from the 1970s through the 2008 season to try to quell the opposition but in the end, it did not matter, everyone ended up a winner.

Stories of days gone by and adventures during playing days were the norm for Saturday’s festivities.

While some of the younger players participated in the old timers’ game, many found a spot, recalled their playing days and caught up with teammates – many seeing each other for the first time in years.

“We wanted this day to be one entirely of recognizing those from past teams,” said Northeast Head Baseball Coach Kent Farris. “They have provided the foundation for our program and are responsible for what we have today.”

Current players had a chance to listen to the 1962 baseball team tell what it was like to win the state championship and catch up on some modern history as well.

Farris was the one recognized before the Old Timers’ Game as members of the 1962 state championship team along with their coach Hal Hughes made the day a momentous occasion by presenting Farris with the 1962 State Championship trophy and a photo of the team.

Some of the state championship team were asked if they would return and without blinking, agreed to come back next year.

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