Seabolt honored for 50 years of service with Boynton

After 50 years of service, a local iconic couple was honored this past Thursday.

Frank Seabolt, the director of the Boynton Recreation Association, along with his wife, Ginger, were commemorated with a plaque for their role in expanding Boynton Recreation and operating Frank Seabolt Field, a place where recreation summer league teams and Ringgold Middle School plays America’s pastime.

Seabolt, who was honored just before a 15-under summer league game between Boynton and Lakeview, was instrumental in garnering additional local interest in rec league play. As years of blood, sweat and tears were exhausted in hopes of ballooning children’s interest in Boynton Recreation, Seabolt said it was a special time, which happed to be a surprise announcement.

“It was quite an honor,” he said. “I’m just an old country boy. I thank the Lord for just letting me have my health. See, I had my 84th birthday last week. And of course, I have a young wife. She’s right by my side. She loves kids. She’s done a lot of great work.”

Seabolt started his work in 1967, when he joined Boynton Recreation, which is under Dizzy Dean Incorporated, a nonprofit that strives to allow children to play the game they love. The league, however, only had four baseball teams during that time.

A keen vision on expanding the league was always on Seabolt’s mind, he said. Seabolt said he always wanted to give children the opportunity to play

baseball, whether they were good enough to play professional baseball or not.

At first, there were close to 100 players in the league, but interest in the game followed for several decades to come.

Following five decades of service — including overseeing all operations during baseball games — and with the help of folks like Chad Jones, Jesse Cross, Eric Alexander, Brad Butler and Candi Cain, who helped raise money in several tournaments, the league now commands nine baseball and softball fields between Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe on Old Georgia Highway 2 with 30 teams and close to 400 players.

To date, at least 15 players have risen through the ranks of Boynton Recreation to find themselves in the minor leagues.

Ringgold Middle School baseball coach Tas Womack, who was once coached by Seabolt, said he was grateful for all Seabolt did for summer league ball. The Tigers are working on finally having a field of their own.

“I’ve been fortunate to be around some great baseball men in my life and Mr. Seabolt is definitely one of them,” Womack said. “For me personally, Mr. and Mrs. Seabolt are like family. They have been very willing, supportive and accommodating with everything we (RMS) have tried to do over there. As excited as we are about getting a field of our own, I will definitely miss working daily with such a great couple who are devoted to helping young people and the community.”