Tag Archive for baseball

Dilan Lawson Wins Dizzy Dean World Series

August 4, 2011 Front Page, Sports 3 comments
Dilan-Lawson
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Dilan Lawson has put a smile on the faces of his parents, grandparents and members of the Madison County community. The 10-year-old superstar has returned from South Haven, Miss., with a Dizzy Dean World Series championship under his belt.

Dilan began his baseball career six years ago in Madison County, playing tee-ball in the Babe Ruth League. He has been playing travel ball for the last two years, currently playing for Parks and Recreation in Valdosta, Ga.

Dilan is the number one pitcher for Parks and Recreation.

Coached by Carl Rose, who is assisted by Dilan’s dad, Mike Lawson, Parks and Recreation was the only team in the 10 and under World Series who went through undefeated. They played a team from Louisville, Ala., in a two out of three series for the title and won the first two games, 14-3 and 16-9. They did not have to play a third game.

Dilan is the son of Mike and Lindsey Lawson of Madison. He has a younger brother, Thad, who wants to follow in his brother’s footsteps and became a ball player. His grandparents are Bobby and Phyllis Lawson and Jim and Cindy Hunter and Rosa and Bill Crowder.

Dilan attends Madison Academy.

 

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Madison Is Well Represented At All Stars Game

August 2, 2011 Sports Comments Off
Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo by Kristin Finney, July 31, 2011 Seen showing off their skills are some of the dancers from Becky’s Dance Step Studios. From left to right they are Mauri Tourangeau, Cheltsie Kinsley, (background) Toni Blanton, Brigitte Blanton and April Bishop.

Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo by Kristin Finney, July 31, 2011 Seen showing off their skills are some of the dancers from Becky’s Dance Step Studios. From left to right they are Mauri Tourangeau, Cheltsie Kinsley, (background) Toni Blanton, Brigitte Blanton and April Bishop.

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

The sounds of cheering and the cracking of baseballs against bats could be heard throughout the Lowndes High School, in Valdosta, Ga., on Sunday, July 31. The game began at 7 p.m. but the events began at 6 p.m. The cost of admission was one canned food item or a $1 donation for the Second Harvest Food Bank. The teams played at the Lowndes High School baseball field.

Amber Abbott sang some of her favorite songs during the pre-game warm-up and gave the crowd a taste of her talents. She also sang the national anthem at the beginning of the game.

Two teams, the Young Bruisers and the Good Ol’ Boys, were competing during the game. The Young Bruisers consisted of baseball players who were 25 years old or younger. The Good Ol’ Boys consisted of played older than 25.

A group of 10 girls from Becky’s Dance Step Studios showed off their dancing skills during the seventh inning stretch. Prior to the seventh inning, the girls came onto the field dressed in their best country attire and danced to Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake it for Me).”

There were also raffle tickets being sold, thanks to American Aluminum. The winner of the raffle got a chrome toolbox or dog box for their truck. The toolbox or dog box can be customized any way they want. It was valued at $369.

 

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Dilan Lawson Plays On Dizzy Dean World Series Championship Team

July 28, 2011 Sports Comments Off

Congratulations to Dilan Lawson, who played on the 10 and under Dizzy Dean World Series Championship baseball team. The team won the tournament in Mississippi. Way to go, Dilan!

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Madison County 12 and Under team WINS AGAIN.

July 18, 2011 Front Page, Sports Comments Off
12U Boys


Submitted by Brian Annett
The same 12U team that “stole the show” in the District Tournament back in June repeated their performance this past weekend at the Babe Ruth Baseball State Tournament in Live Oak, Florida July 14-17. Madison opened up with San Jose from Jacksonville and suffered its first loss on the tournament trail, losing 10-0 in the State Tournament opener. “We were sick after that first game, and worried about how the boys would respond”, said head coach Brian Annett. The coaches and parents got their answer pretty quickly as the team disposed of Tallahassee the following day 11-10, Melrose 11-7 (Gainesville), Atlantic Beach (Jacksonville) 16-0, Suwannee 10-0, and then beat a talented Atlantic Beach team in the Championship game 7-3. “There is no question the right team is advancing to the Regional Tournament. This team is physically fit, mentally fit, and getting better at the game of baseball every day. It would have been so easy to throw in the towel after the first game with San Jose but our boys (Madison boys)didn’t quit”, said Annett. Now the team will trade in their Madison Jersey’s for TEAM FLORIDA jersey’s. The team will depart to face teams from the Bahamas, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Kentucky at the Babe Ruth Regional Tournament in Aiken, SC. “From what I’ve been told this age division has made history here in Madison County by being the first 11 and 12 year old group to wear a Florida jersey, that’s huge. These kids will remember this for the rest of their lives and us coaches feel lucky to be along for the ride”. Annett also said he was impressed with the local support at the game on Sunday. “It was overwhelming, I don’t think I’ve seen that many people at a game before and our boys played a heck of a game for them”. Traveling to this tournament will be costly. If you or your business would like to support this team, here’s your opportunity. The team will be accepting donations for an authentic autographed team photo, this Thursday, July 21, on the courthouse lawn from 11-1pm. Come show your support!

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Madison 12U Boys Win State Baseball Title

July 17, 2011 Sports One comment
Back Row: Coach Andy Briggs, Hunter Burt, Tremone Akins, Jim Flournoy, Trey Mitchell, Dustin Bass, Jacob Johnson, Dylan Bass, Dillon Burns, Coach Brad Robinson. Front Row: (l to r) Jae Mitchell, Drew Herring, Jared Miller, Steven Walden, John Flournoy, Jarrett Briggs, Drew Annett, Coach Brian Annett BACKGROUND: TEAM BUS #1255 (Old Faithful)

Back Row: Coach Andy Briggs, Hunter Burt, Tremone Akins, Jim Flournoy, Trey Mitchell, Dustin Bass, Jacob Johnson, Dylan Bass, Dillon Burns, Coach Brad Robinson. Front Row: (l to r) Jae Mitchell, Drew Herring, Jared Miller, Steven Walden, John Flournoy, Jarrett Briggs, Drew Annett, Coach Brian Annett BACKGROUND: TEAM BUS #1255 (Old Faithful)

Photo by Emerald Greene
Madison’s 12 and under boys’ all-stars win the state baseball championship tournament, defeating Atlantic Beach 7-3. Next stop: Aiken, S.C. for the regional championships.

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Madison 12 and Under Boys Baseball Steal The Show At Babe Ruth Tournament in Live Oak

June 30, 2011 Around Madison, Sports Comments Off
Pictured back row, left to right are: Coach Brad Robinson, TreMone Akins, Jae Mitchell, Jim Flournoy, Dillon Burns, Dustin Bass, Dylan Bass, Hunter Burt, Coach Andy Briggs. Front row, left to right are: Coach Brian Annett, Drew Herring, Jared Miller, Drew Annett, John Flournoy, Steven Walden and Jarrett Briggs.

Pictured back row, left to right are: Coach Brad Robinson, TreMone Akins, Jae Mitchell, Jim Flournoy, Dillon Burns, Dustin Bass, Dylan Bass, Hunter Burt, Coach Andy Briggs. Front row, left to right are: Coach Brian Annett, Drew Herring, Jared Miller, Drew Annett, John Flournoy, Steven Walden and Jarrett Briggs.

Made up of 11 and 12 year old boys from Madison County, the team played perfectly throughout the entire 11 team tournament, beating Perry (18-1), Wakulla (5-2), Jefferson County (14-4), Lafayette County (9-5) and then Lafayette County again in the Championship game (14-9).

Coaches Brian Annett, Andy Briggs and Brad Robinson were all high on their ball team saying “We never quit, we played as a team and we left it all on the field.”

With the district Championship under their belt the team will begin to prepare for state tournament play in Live Oak, Fl. on July 14 – 18.  Come out and watch your team win state.

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8U Baseball All-Stars Selling Chicken and Rice at Courthouse

June 10, 2011 Around Madison, Sports Comments Off
In front: Wesley Borgert. Back row, left to right: Brannon Tolar, Riley Borgert and Rhett Rutherford

In front: Wesley Borgert. Back row, left to right: Brannon Tolar, Riley Borgert and Rhett Rutherford

8 and under Babe Ruth League All-Star baseball players are selling chicken and rice to help pay for travel for tournament play. Plates are $5 each and the chicken and rice was cooked by Buster Bass, chef extraordinaire.

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Aucilla To Play Melody Christian In Regional Baseball Finals Friday

May 11, 2011 Front Page, Sports Comments Off

By Fran Hunt
Special from ECB Publishing, Inc.
Despite losing the district title, the Aucilla Christian Academy Warriors baseball team beat district champion Munroe in the regional quarterfinal and regional semi-final games. The Warriors earned a trip to the regional final on Friday, May 13, as they travel to Live Oak to play against Melody Christian. The first pitch will be thrown out at 4 p.m.

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J.A. Lane: Greenville’s Baseball Icon

May 10, 2011 Around Madison, Sports Comments Off
Regal’s Wildcats, one of Greenville’s earliest youth baseball teams.

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
J.A. Lane has a vision for what he wants the Tracy Stephens Recreation Park and J.A. Lane field to look like.
“We’re painting it black and gold,” he says as he points to the press box and the dugouts at the ballpark in Greenville. “We want it to look the way that it did when the high school played ball here.”
Memories of the Greenville High Pirates make Lane hearken to memories of yesteryear. Like many ballplayers, he can still remember the pride in donning the baseball uniform. He can also remember the smells associated with baseball; smells of hot dogs cooking, peanuts roasting, the smell of the leather baseball glove and the newly mown hay. Most of all, he remembers the action as he played left field for the Pirates.
J.A. Lane has been a man of action on many things over the years.

Regal’s Wildcats, one of Greenville’s earliest youth baseball teams.

When the school decided to do away with baseball during his senior year, Lane organized a petition drive to bring it back. When Greenville youngsters needed something to do, Lane, along with several other Greenville citizens, formed a Little League, which was associated with Tallahassee in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Lane, along with Bobby Harper, Tracy Stephens, Leonard Bembry, Zeke Griffin, Abe Mills and others had to depend on their own abilities to raise funds to establish the first organized recreational baseball program in Greenville’s history. They were able to start a tee-ball league, a little league and a senior league. The league was affiliated with Tallahassee before joining the Babe Ruth League in 2000. The town’s recreation baseball league went independent in 2005 and have been ever since.
Because of the early efforts of Lane and men like him, Greenville youth still have a baseball program to day. Later on, the town was able to secure grant funds to build a baseball facility.
Because of Lane’s efforts, the Greenville Town Council voted to name the field for him. In addition, he has also been honored by the town by being asked to be the Grand Marshal in the Country Christmas parade.
J.A. Lane grew up in the Lovett area, northeast of Greenville. His parents were Julius Audley Lane and Carrie Elizabeth Lane. He was born Julius Audley Lane, Jr., on Sept. 16, 1943. His parents shortened the name to J.A.
Playing baseball under Coach Leon Suggs at Greenville High School, J.A. developed his love of the game and he didn’t let distance from the school separate him from playing either.
“I used to hitchhike to Greenville to play baseball,” he said.
After high school, Lane joined the Marine Reserves and went to work as a forklift operator at Georgia Pacific in Greenville.
J.A. is married to Janie Lane and has five sons, Greg Lane, Julius Lane, Chris O’Neal, Eddie Peters and Jody Scott.
J.A. is now semi-retired but keeps busy tending the grounds at the Recreation Park for the Town of Greenville.
When he has a little spare time, he enjoys riding horses and fishing.
J.A. still plays softball with Greenville’s co-ed recreation league, which he helped start. He pitches on his team, which recently won a benefit softball tournament.
J.A. shirks off any praise heaped on him by others, saying, “I don’t do much. I’m just trying to help the youth out.”
In the mean time, J.A. works on trying to get a youth football program started in Greenville and works on getting the ball field done in the style of the old Greenville High School Pirates and Greenville Middle School Indians.

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Video: Cowboys vs. Lions in Senior Night Action

April 29, 2011 Sports Comments Off

Video by Cheltsie Kinsley from the Madison County High School Cowboys’ senior night game against the Leon Lions on Thursday, April 27.

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SINGLETARY POWERS COWBOYS PAST VALDOSTA

April 21, 2011 Sports Comments Off

Tae Singletary saved one of the best performances of his stellar baseball career at Madison County High School for last. The hard throwing right-hander overpowered the Valdosta Wildcats, striking out fifteen and giving up only three hits. If that wasn’t enough, Singletary broke a scoreless tie with a two-run home run in the fifth inning as the Cowboys trounced the Wildcats, 7-1.

Singletary kept the Wildcats in check with his trademark fastball and a sharp breaking ball. The Cowboy senior, in sixty innings of work this season, has struck out 111 hitters and compiled a 2.55 earned run average. At the plate, Singletary is hitting .349 and leading the Cowboys’ home run production with five round trippers.

The Cowboys pounded out 13 hits against Valdosta pitching en route to the victory. Aaron Brown had three hits in five trips to the plate. His fifth inning single put him aboard for the Singletary blast. Singletary reached base in all five of his plate appearances, adding a single and three walks to his shot over the left center field wall. Brown added his own two-run homer in the sixth inning and tacked on an RBI double in the seventh to finish with three RBIs and three runs scored. Heath Carroll was near perfect at the plate with four singles in five at-bats. D.J. McKnight had two hits and an RBI. Laterrian McDaniel and Zack Money also had base hits for the Cowboys.

The Cowboys head into district play next week having won four of their last five games. The boys from Boot Hill face the district host Rickards Raiders on Tuesday, April 26th, at 7:00 in a district semifinal contest.

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Cowboys Varsity Baseball To Honor Five At Senior Night

April 19, 2011 Sports Comments Off

The Madison County Cowboys baseball team will honor five senior ball players Thursday evening at 5:00.  Kelvin Singletary, Marterrius McDaniel, Laterrian McDaniel, Tavarus Dennis, and Jakelby Johnson will play their final home game as the Cowboys host the Leon High School Lions.
Singletary will conclude a stellar career at MCHS.  Considered a top prospect, Singletary has already signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Northwest Florida State College.  He has turned in dominant performances as a hard-throwing pitcher and as a hitter with power and speed.
Marterrius McDaniel has logged time as an outfielder, second baseman, and pitcher for the Cowboys.  Once on base, he is a threat to steal bases.  Laterrian McDaniel has been a starting middle infielder for the Cowboys for most of the season.  He has wielded a strong bat in the top portion of the Cowboy lineup, contributing several clutch hits throughout the season.  Johnson has provided solid play during his starts at first base.  Dennis has seen limited playing time, but provides leadership to the Cowboy roster.
The players will be honored prior to the start of the game with the Lions at Boot Hill.  Although it will be their final home game, these seniors will lead the Cowboys into district tournament play on Tuesday, April 26th, against the Raiders of Rickards High School.

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Babe Ruth League Set To Play Ball!

March 24, 2011 Front Page, Sports Comments Off

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The smell of hotdogs cooking and popcorn popping will be in the air as Babe Ruth League Opening Day is set for this Saturday, March 26, at the Madison County Recreation Park. The park is located west of Madison, off US Highway 90.
The fun begins at 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies and a cake auction.
Games will begin at 10 a.m. and run throughout the day.
Play ball!

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Cowboys Baseball Season Opens

February 10, 2011 Sports Comments Off

By James Ertzberger, Madison County High School Cowboys Head Baseball Coach
Madison County offically opened its baseball season last night, Feb. 9, in Suwannee. The Cowboys varsity baseball team played in the pre season classic at Suwannee agaisnt the Suwannee High Bulldogs. Madison won the game 2-0 in 6 innings due to a time limit rule.

Aaron Brown (Junior Pitcher/Shortstop) started for the Cowboys and was dominate threw 4 innings. Striking out 7 and only walking 3. He allowed only 3 hits and 0 runs in route to the win.

Kelvin (Tae) Singletary (Senior Pitcher/Outfielder) picked up the save throwing 2 innings. Singletary faced 6 batters and struck out all 6.

On offense the Cowboys only had 4 hits. DJ McKnight (Soph. Pitcher/Outfielder) was 1 for 1 with a double, HBP, BB, and 2 runs scored.

Jarrod Burns (Freshman 3B/Pitcher) was 1 for 3 with 1 RBI.

Heath Carroll (Junior 1B) was 1 for 3 with 1 RBI.

Adam Odiorne (Junior 2B) 1 for 2.

The Cowboys are back in action Friday night. They travel back to Suwannee to complete their part of the preseason classic at 7 agaisnt Holmes.

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Madison Babe Ruth League Hosting Signups

January 26, 2011 Front Page, Sports Comments Off

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison Babe Ruth League will be hosting signups on two different weekends.
The first signups will be held this Saturday, Jan. 29. The second signups will be held Saturday, Feb. 5. The times will be from 9 a.m. until noon each day at the Madison County Courthouse.
A meeting for anyone interested in coaching will be held Sunday, Feb. 6, at the Courthouse. Anyone interested in coaching this season needs to attend the meeting, which will begin at 2:30 p.m.
Team tryouts will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, beginning at 9 a.m, at the Madison County Recreational Park, located west of Madison County High School off Highway 90.
Babe Ruth League Baseball is open to boys, ages 4-15, and Babe Ruth Softball is open to girls, ages 4-16. The registration cost is $40. Players will need a birth certificate with them at the signups.

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ACA Warriors Baseball Schedule

January 25, 2011 Sports Comments Off

By Fran Hunt
Special to Greene Publishing, Inc.
With action beginning soon on the baseball diamond, the schedule has been determined for the Aucilla Christian Academy varsity Warriors.
Aucilla will man the field against Hamilton County, February 15 at 4:30 p.m., away; Altha, February 18 at 6 p.m., away; Bell, February 21 at 1 p.m., away; Lanier County, February 22 at 4 p.m., away; and John Paul II, February 25 at 3:30 p.m., home.
March will see the Warriors facing off against FAMU, March 8 at 5 p.m., away; Altha, March 10 at 3:30 p.m., home; Westwood, March 11 at 4 p.m., home; Malone, March 14 at 4 p.m., home; Georgia Christian, March 15 at 4 p.m., away; FAMU, March 18 at 3:30, p.m., home; Munroe, March 22 at 6 p.m., away; and John Paul II, March 31 at 6 p.m., away.
April has action slated against Maclay, April 1 at 3:30 p.m., home; Bell, April 4 at 3:30 p.m., home; Maclay, April 7 at 4 p.m., away; Munroe, April 8 at 3:30 p.m., home; Malone, April 12 at 5:30 p.m., away; Lanier County, April 14 at 3:30 p.m., home; Hamilton County, April 15 at 3:30 p.m., home; Echols County, April 18 at 2 p.m., home; and Georgia Christian, April 21 at 3:30 p.m., home will wind up the regular season.
The District Tournament will be held at Munroe and is slated for April 24 and 25, times to be announced and April 28 at 6 p.m.

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ACA Coach Hughes Passes Reins to Former Player Drew Sherrod

January 11, 2011 Sports Comments Off

By Fran Hunt

Special to Greene Publishing, Inc.

Longtime Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) Head Baseball Coach Ray Hughes has decided to step down from his position following 34 years as the program’s head coach and one year with its junior varsity.

Hughes will reverse roles with first-year Assistant Coach Drew Sherrod, who played for Hughes from 2001-2005 and will take over as head coach, effective immediately.

While playing for Aucilla under Hughes’ leadership, Sherrod and the Warriors were District Champions in 2003, 2004 and 2005. They were also Regional Finalists in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

In the ACA record books, the second highest most runs scored during one game was in 2005 against John Paul II, when the Warriors scored 28 runs.

In 2004, Sherrod scored the second highest most home runs in one season with eight.

In 2005, Sherrod also tied for the most RBIs in a season with 46, a record set by Leonard Thigpen in 1984.

Hughes, who recently retired as ACA’s athletic director after 25 years of service, felt it was in his best interest, as well as that of the program’s, to hand over the reins to Sherrod and serve as his assistant.

“I have been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach a game I love for the past 35 years,” Hughes said. “Drew Sherrod was one of the most dedicated players I ever coached. I think he will do an excellent job.”

“After having led our program for over 30 years, we can’t thank Ray Hughes enough for all of his dedication and efforts in serving our school, our students and our Savior,” said ACA Principal Richard Finlayson. “He has positively impacted so many people in so many ways. We are excited about his commitment to continue to be a vital part of our coaching staff and about his enthusiasm in regard to the future of our baseball program.”

“We are also excited about turning the reins over to Drew Sherrod,” Finlayson added. “He is extremely knowledgeable about baseball and is a very positive coach that approaches coaching with a great deal of enthusiasm. Most importantly, he is looking forward to the opportunity to serve God through this new role. We have great confidence that our baseball program will continue to grow and thrive under Coach Sherrod’s leadership.”

Sherrod recently joined the ACA staff as a physical-education instructor, assistant varsity football coach and middle-school boy’s basketball coach.

“I am so excited and thankful to have this opportunity,” Sherrod said. “Coach Hughes is a legend at this school as well as in the sport of baseball. It means the world to me that I get to coach at my alma mater but it is extra special that I get to coach alongside Coach Hughes.

“It is going to be a great challenge, but one I am very much looking forward to,” Sherrod added.

Sherrod, a standout pitcher and infielder for Hughes, went on to play one year with North Florida Community College before transferring to Florida State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management. Sherrod is also an instructor with the Southern Ball Academy of Tallahassee.

“Coach Sherrod has proven extremely beneficial to all of our sports programs since joining our staff in August,” said ACA Athletic Director Mary Beth Bishop. “He brings substantial knowledge of fundamentals and technique and his enthusiasm for our baseball program has our players more than ready for the upcoming season.”

The Warriors begin regular season play around the diamond, against Hamilton County at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 15, away.

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