Blue Wahoos New Batboy Wade Vadakin Elected To Southern League Hall Of Fame
February 10, 2020
Wade Vadakin, the beloved former batboy for the Mobile BayBears, who will work games this season for the Blue Wahoos, has been elected to the Southern League Hall of Fame.
Vadakin, 40, born with congenital brain-stem damage and visual impairment, was voted to the 2020 class through the league’s annual Special Consideration Ballot. He endeared himself to the BayBears and Mobile community as the team’s batboy since their inaugural season in 1997.
On August 11, the Blue Wahoos announced Vadakin will work Blue Wahoos home games as their batboy. Team president Jonathan Griffith presented Vadakin that day with a Blue Wahoos jersey during the final “Bay to Bay” series between the teams in Mobile at Hank Aaron Stadium.
After 22 seasons in Mobile, the BayBears’ Southern League franchise transferred to Huntsville following the 2019 season and will debut as the Rocket City Trash Pandas in April.
“Once we knew Mobile was going to leave (as franchise) and knowing that Wade had been at our ballpark (visiting batboy) along with being at Hank Aaron Stadium since day one, it came up in conversation,” Griffith said.
“We talked about what is Wade going to do without baseball and it became one of those things where we said we wanted to make sure he still has baseball and he’s still around baseball enjoying something he loves.”
Vadakin, who lives in Fairhope with his parents, was elected to the Southern League Hall of Fame for his two decades of dedication and effort with the BayBears. He was given the title of “Director of On-Field Operations.
His signature moves were “Riding the Bull” when he pretended to be on horseback, after picking up a bat whenever the BayBears scored a run.
As he said during the Aug. 11 ceremony, “On one hand, it sucks saying goodbye to Mobile, saying goodbye to Hank Aaron Stadium – a place I called home for 22 years. On the other hand, it’s exciting being part of a new team (Blue Wahoos), being with a new organization, being with new players.”
Vadakin will be formally enshrined as part of the 2020 class in June during the Southern League All-Star game. He will be entering with a star-studded class that includes legendary Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson, who got his start with the former Asheville (N.C.) Orioles when that franchise was member of the Southern League.
Also inducted will be former Seattle Mariners star Edgar Martinez, who was inducted last summer into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. for his decorated career. Martinez played two full seasons with the Chattanooga Lookouts in 1985-86.
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, who was manager of the former Greenville Braves, now Mississippi Braves, will be inducted as well.
The fifth member of the class will be former Charlotte O’s general manager Frances Crockett Ringley, who was the first female general manager in professional baseball during a 12-year span.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Niceville Soccer Tops Tate In District Championship Game
February 9, 2020
The No. 2 ranked Niceville Eagles defeated the Tate Aggies 3-0 in the District 1-6A soccer championship game Saturday night.
Niceville, also ranked No. 6 nationally, is headed to the playoffs.
With the switch this year to using MaxPreps ratings to determine playoff berths, Tate did not rank high enough to advance to regionals despite being district runner-ups.
Logan Tyree was named the MaxPreps player of the game for Tate.
Jay Lady Royals Win 1-1A Basketball Championship (With Complete Tourney Scores)
February 9, 2020
The Jay Lady Royals claimed the District 1-1A championship with a 59-56 win over Paxton in overtime.
The Lady Royals advance to the regional semifinals Thursday night at Jay against Ponce de Leon.
Complete District 1-1A tournament scores were as follows:
Quarterfinals
Central 52, Laurel Hill 46
Northview 47, Baker 30
Semifinals
Paxton 68, Central 39
Jay 51, Northview 11
Championship
Jay 59, Paxton 56
Tate’s Thompson And Uebelsteadt Sign with Bellhaven; Williams Inks With East Tennessee
February 6, 2020
Tate High School kicked off National Signing Day with three players signing letters of intent.
Conner Thompson and Coner Uebelsteadt both signed with Bellhaven University, a private Christian School in Jackson, Mississippi. Josh Williams inked with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee.
For a complete list of area signees, click here.
Pictured top: (L-R) Connor Thompson, Josh Williams and Connor Uebelsteadt. Pictured below: The three sign their National Letters of Intent Wednesday morning at Tate High School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Davis And Findley Sign With Northwestern; Hawkins Inks With Benedictine
February 6, 2020
Three Northview High School Chiefs signed their National Letters of Intent Wednesday afternoon.
Garrick Davis (6′3, 260-lbs) signed with Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Davis signed as an offensive lineman. Cameron Findley (6′2, 305-lbs) also signed with Northwestern College as an offensive lineman.
Jacob Hawkins (6′2, 220-lbs), signed with Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Hawkins signed as a defensive end. Hawkins will be joining former Chief Lance McLaughlin who signed with Benedictine College last year.
“The Northview football program and coaches are extremely proud of these three young men as they get the opportunity to continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level,” Northview Chiefs head coach Derek Marshman said. “All three individuals handled things the right way, taking care of the classroom first and making academics a top priority. They all have worked extremely hard for this opportunity. I am excited to see what the future holds for these young men.”
For a complete list of area signees, click here.
Pictured top: (L-R) Jacob Hawkins, Garrick Davis and Cameron Findley. Pictured below: The three sign their National Letters of Intent Wednesday afternoon at Northview High School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
National Signing Day: Here’s The List Of Area Signees
February 6, 2020
Here are National Signing Day signees from around the North Escambia area:
Tate High School
(Click here for photos and more)
- Conner Thompson – Bellhaven
- Conner Ubelsteadt – Bellhaven
- Josh Williams – East Tennessee
Northview High School
(Click here for photos and more)
- Garrick Davis, Northwestern
- Cameron Findley, Northwestern
- Jacob Hawkins, Benedictine
Pine Forest High School
- Bryce Alderman, Hutchison
- Brandon Andrews, Hutchison
- Ladarius Clardy, Kennesaw State
- Vontarious Hill, Coahoma
- Mi’Trez Rawls, Judson
- Thomarius Walker, UWF
- Dacarrion McWilliams, UAB
- Eric Young, Coahoma
West Florida High School
- Joel Lett, Bellhaven
- Quanteris Gaines, Catawaba
- Donte Thompson, Hohokam
Washington High School
- Eric Thomas Jr., Arkansas
- Mickey Hynes, Lake Erie
- Malcolm Moultire, FAMU
Escambia High School
- Davis Gayle, Hutchison CC
- DT Gideon, Tennessee Tech
- Frank Peasant, Middle Tennessee
- AV Smith, Itawamba CC
- KD Teamer, East Mississippi CC
Catholic High School
- CJ Davis, Stetson
- Jamarvis Turner, West Alabama
Escambia County High School (Atmore)
- Tre Lambert, West Alabama
- Jamarcus Lewis, Pearl River CC
- Ra’quan Crenshaw, Community Christian
- Eric Ferguson – Community Christian
- Jacob Hammac – Faulkner University (football and baseball)
Pictured: Signees from Tate High School (top) and Northview High School (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Quarterback Club Elects New Officers For 2020
February 5, 2020
The Tate High School Quarterback Club has elected new officers for 2020.
They are President Brian Byrd, Vice President Neal Johnson, Treasurer Stacy Lambeth, Secretary Debbie Westergreen, Head Football Coach Jay Lindsey and members at large Robin Foster and Megan Walters.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Registration Open For Escambia County Adult Softball
February 5, 2020
Registration is underway for the Escambia County Parks and Recreation Department’s spring softball league for adults 18 and up, offering options for co-ed, competitive and recreation teams. Registration and payment are due Friday, Feb. 28 to the Parks and Recreation Department, 1651 E. Nine Mile Road. League play begins Tuesday, March 3. The cost is $400 per team, and all leagues use United States Specialty Sports Association modified rules.
- Co-ed League: 12-game schedule on Monday nights, played as double headers.
- Recreation League: 12-game schedule on Tuesday nights, played as double headers (3HR/out).
- Men’s League: 12-game schedule on Wednesday nights, played as double headers.
League management reserves the right to reassign teams to different divisions.
Click here for a registration form. For more information, please call 850-475-5220 or email mahumphreys@myescambia.com.
Three Northview High Weightlifters Place At Regionals
February 1, 2020
The Northview High School weightlifters placed in the Girls Weightlifting Regionals Friday.
Naudia Carach placed third, and De’Janique Lowery and Taylor McMinn both placed fifth in their individual classes.
Pictured above: (L-R) De’Janique Lowery, Taylor McMinn and Naudia Carach. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties
January 29, 2020
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety internet-completion courses in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in February. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The locations and times of the online completion course are:
Escambia County
February 12 (6 to 10 p.m.) & February 29 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Molino Community Center
6450 Highway 95A in Molino
February 26 (6 to 10 p.m.) & February 29 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Langley Bell 4-H Center
3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Santa Rosa County
February 5 (6 to 10 p.m.) & February 29 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
February 19 (7 to 10 a.m.) & February 29 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Santa Rosa County Extension Office
6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676.