Chad Hayes and his Lady
Phoenix Softball Team
It was the intention to mention Coach Chad Hayes of the Sonoraville Phoenix softball team in my last week’s column. Coach Hayes was told at the region tournament of my regret of not getting my remarks in that column. As they say, “better late than never.” So let me make one or two observations.
The Lady Phoenix finished third in the Region 6-AAA tournament last week and qualified for the state playoffs for the second straight year. Chad has shown a diligent work ethic and attention to matters that count in directing the Sonoraville softball program.
The coach and his young ladies are to be commended by dedicating themselves to a goal and reaching that goal. I wish Coach Hayes and his girls well in the playoffs that will begin on Wednesday. See Alex Farrer’s articles for name of opponent and site of the games.
As a side note let me say once again that when Gordon Central opened staying at Calhoun. Also, let me commend Clint’s daughter Lily who was an outstanding pitcher for Sonoraville in the immediate past years.
Chad’s program is one I can admire and wish well.
Gordon County’s Own
Frank Seabolt, Jr.
The region softball tournament at Ringgold last week provided a visit with one of the outstanding athletes of Gordon County of long years ago. Frank Seabolt, Jr. and I are the same age. His athletic journey was traveled through Red Bud High.
When Frank, Pruney McEntyre and I get together there is always a joyful, humorous, and friendly conversation about our meeting in the 440 yd. dash at Calhoun in the spring of 1952. Pruney, Wiley Clark and me were pitted against Red Bud’s entrants of Frank, Billy Walraven and Archie Gaines. The results of the race are not pertinent at this point except to say we all have laughed for years at the proceedings.
Frank (Junior Seabolt to me) played basketball, softball, and baseball over the years. He is a legend in his area of Catoosa county and other parts of Georgia and the nation. Frank has conducted one of the outstanding and competitive baseball programs for players 18 and under for years.
His participation in the Dizzy Dean Program led to the World Series being brought to his home field in Boynton. Fans will know him by reason that he was a high school basketball official for most of his adult life. I could write long about the accomplishments and recognition of Frank Seabolt. The principle thing I want to say is that my grandson, Jared Mills, was blessed by playing for Frank until time (age) ran out on him.
It was great seeing Frank and his wife and renewing old stories and hearing new ones of our actions over the years. We lost Frank in Gordon County when his job took him to Tennessee and then back to Ringgold. Frank is one who had dedicated his life in a wonderful way to the development of our young men.
I am thrilled that we can recognize Frank Seabolt, Jr. as a native of Gordon County. At our age time is taking us into the latter years of life. It is hoped that someone will step up and nominate Frank for the Calhoun-Gordon County Sports Hall of Fame. I would like to be around when he is elected into the Hall. He has earned it.
A wonderful Birthday
No new car or a new suit of clothes did I receive on my 81st birthday last Friday, Oct. 9. What I did receive meant much more to me than any material or physical item. All the emails, text messages and Facebook statements touched this old heart.
But Friday allowed more reward than I deserve. You will read in today’s paper about Coach Diane Smith’s Lady Jacket softball team winning the region championship for the fourth consecutive year. The win earned the Lady Jackets the number one seed from our region; that means we will play the first-two rounds of two best of three at home should we keep winning.
Beating Ringgold two out of three in the Region was great. It wasn’t easy and there was dubious conduct on the part of officials (I do not mean umpires). Still Calhoun won and now it is a battle to head to Columbus again.
Another big present was Coach Hal Lamb and his Jacket football team “laying it on” the Sonoraville Phoenix. You would have thought I had blasphemed all ladies of the Sonoraville community when a few years ago I said I enjoyed defeating Sonoraville more than any other team I know. It is the football team to which I refer. Coach Kremer and his staff are to be commended for the outstanding job they have done this year. Surely, any Sonoraville supporter would rather beat Calhoun than any other team. If not something is wrong with them.
Thanks coaches and players for providing me with the greatest presents possible.