Boaz celebrates successful opening day

The Boaz Parks and Recreation Department held opening day ceremonies for youth baseball, softball and t-ball teams March 30. The program hosted around 300 players for this event.

“We were honored to have the attendance of many local figures in our community,” said Sonja Hard, the department’s director.

Trey Higgins from Oxford High School is a sophomore at Snead State. He is a transfer from Mississippi State University and will be continuing his baseball career at Samford University. Higgins opened the ceremonies with a prayer.

The next local standout featured was Brady Gable, a sophomore at Boaz High School. He is a three-year member of the Boaz Barracudas Swim Team, a member of The Lighthouse travel team and has performed all over the Southeast.

“Brady did a magnificent job honoring our nation with the singing of the National Anthem,” Hard said.

The first pitch for the baseball program was thrown out by Snead State Head Coach/Athletic Director Casey Underwood. The catcher was Hudson Bone, son of Matthew and Anna Bone.

Underwood has been coaching at Snead State for 20-plus seasons. This is his sixth season as the head coach.

Under his leadership, the Snead baseball program has become one of the nation’s premier junior college baseball programs.

After winning the 2021 ACCC Northern Division regular season championship, he led his team to an unprecedented 2022 season, where they won the ACCC title for the first time and made their first appearance in the JUCO World Series. That team had the school’s best record ever at 42-16.

Not only does his players excel on the baseball field, with over 100 players going on to play at four-year colleges and having one debut in the Majors this past season, but they excel off the field as well, having a 100% graduation rate. The Parsons have received the ABCA Excellence Award and ACCC Baseball Academic Team Award.

“That speaks volumes for our community college and the staff that it has,” Hard said. “Coach Casey, thank you for all you do.

“We must also thank Dr. Joe Whitmore and the first lady, Mrs. Janet Whitmore, and all the staff at Snead State for all your dedication. We appreciate you all.”

Opening ceremonies were also privileged to showcase a very special group of ladies with the 30th anniversary of Boaz’s own 12U girls softball team that won the World Series in 1994.

The team’s coaching staff featured head coach Tommy Willoughby and assistant coaches Donna Maples and Mary Brown.

Members of the team were April Wilson Limbaugh, Leslie Smith, Tiffany Eller Bright, Jenny Elkins Rodgers, Patti Jo Taliaferro Hendrix, Kari Rosenbauer Alexander, Jennifer Smith, Jamie Tucker Camper, Lindsey Peek, Julie Britton Lewis, Leah Willoughby Roden, Anna Mosley Bone and Selena Herron Orengo.

This Boaz 12U softball All-Star team was the first team to bring Boaz City a title. The World Series was held in Kingsland, Georgia. They outscored their opponents in the World Series 63-16 and went 5-0 in the tournament.

“It was an honor to welcome these ladies back on the fields and have them participate in our opening day ceremonies,” Hard said.

“The pitcher for that 1994 World Series team was Tiffany Eller Bright, who threw out the first pitch for our softball players. The catcher was Lexie Jacobs, daughter of Spencer and Leanne Jacobs.

“Again, thank you ladies and coaches for being a part of our day.”

Boaz City Council members who attended opening ceremonies were David Ellis, Matt Brannon, Fran Milwee and Mike Mathews. Boaz Personnel Director Jeff Sims served as public address announcer for the ceremonies.

“We would also like to thank our mayor and city council for all the support day in and day out with all the programs and events that we host,” Hard said.

“Along with that, we could not continue without the support of our sponsors and for sure the parents for allowing their kids to participate in our league. Saying thank you to you all is a smidge of how much you are appreciated. None of this is possible without everyone working as a team.

“It was a great day in Boaz. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work in a city that supports and is dedicated to their departments.”