Opening Day First Pitch: Bob Braddock

Bob Braddock joined the Hartsville National League on Opening Day for two reasons.  One was to umpire for O-Zone.  The other was to be honored with throwing out a first pitch.  Mr. Braddock has quite a history with Hartsville National.  Aside from umpiring in the league for the past 20 years, Mr. Braddock played on the 1967 Hartsville National All-Star team that won the Dixie Youth World Series. 

As if being a major part of baseball in our community weren't enough, Bob Braddock has also served on Hartsville's City Council for the past ten years.

Mr. Braddock, thank you for all you do for our community. 

Opening Day First Pitch: Coach Jimmy White

On March 21, 2015, Coach Jimmy White threw out a first pitch for the Hartsville National Dixie Youth Baseball League.  During his tenure at Hartsville High School, Coach White won over 500 games, 2 state championships and numerous region championships.  He also coached the 1986 state American Legion championship team.  And while it doesn't rank up there with his previous accomplishments, Coach White's first pitch was right down the middle. 

Coach White, thank you for all you have done for baseball in this community.  You truly are a legend. 

Opening Day - Doughnuts in the Dugout

 

New for 2015 at Hartsville National, Doughnuts in the Dugout is a program sponsored by St. Bartholomew's Church.  The program isn't complicated; the players get doughnuts and eat them in the dugout.  Throughout the season, each team will participate in the new program.

 

 

The Lions enjoyed their doughnuts after getting their pictures made on Opening Day.

 

 

 

Check out the boys of MKA Mechanical as they enjoyed some doughnuts before getting underway on Opening Day.

 

Opening Day Recap

 

Our 2015 Opening Day was fantastic!  It started with Coach Jimmy White, City Councilman (and umpire; and 1967 Hartsville National World Series Champion) Bob Braddock, Striker the Cobra and Caleb Walters (2015 BBQ Ticket Selling Champion) throwing out first pitches.  From there, we saw baseball action across all leagues.  

 

 

In O-Zone, Opening Day consisted of a twin bill with the games counting in the regular season standings.  It didn't take long for the fireworks to start.  The third batter of the season hit the first home run.  Noah Skeen put Darlington Packing on the board early and Steve Irick's crew never looked back in their 10-2 win over Pennington & Meadows.  In the second game, Coach Willie Austin and Palmetto Pride held off a late rally from Saleeby & Cox, winning 10-5. 

 
In Minor League action, all five teams got on the field for abbreviated games.  Judging from Opening Day action, our Minor League will be full of big hits, daring base running, top notch pitching and overall outstanding play.

 

Farm League also got underway with abbreviated games on Opening Day.  The bats were blasting and the runs were pouring in.  Head Coaches Rob Brazell, Shelley Gaymon, Dave Pulling, Mike Walters and Steven Wint should all be excited about the talent in their league this season.

 

 

Instructional League also got underway on Opening Day.  Above, you see first base coach Dean Hall providing some instruction to a young player.  Every at-bat is exciting in Instructional League. 

 

Hartsville National's Board of Directors would like to thank everyone who helped make Opening Day a success for our players.  The Board would like to specially thank the members of the Coker College Men's Soccer Team and Spirit Squad for helping with our annual BBQ fundraiser.  



Opening Day is set for March 21 at Byerly Park!

 

Don't miss Opening Day 2015 on March 21 at Byerly Park!

2015 Opening Day Game Schedule

Opening Day will start with first pitches being thrown out by: 

• Legendary Hartsville High School Baseball Coach Jimmy White
• Our Chief Umpire and Hartsville National Alum Bob Braddock
• Striker the Cobra, Official Mascot of the Coker College Cobras
• The Top BBQ Ticket Seller in the League

Games times are:
 
10am
 
Galloway Auto Glass at Morphis Pediatrics (Field 8)
Lions at Kiwanis (Field 7)
Allstate at MKA (Field 6)
Pennington & Meadows at Darlington Packing (Field 5)
 
11:15
 
Sonoco Recycling at Palmetto Precision Products (Field 8)
 
11:30
 
Jiffy Print at Hartsville Surgical Center (Field 6)
 
12:00
 
Palmetto Pride at Saleeby & Cox (Field 5)
 
12:30
 
Rotary & Marvin Odom (Field 8)
Sonoco Recycling at Sonoco (Field 7)
 
1:00
 
Jiffy Print at SPC Credit Union (Field 6)

           

Spring Training set for February 21st

 

Hartsville National will hold its 2015 Spring Training (formerly known as Tryouts) on February 21st.  All players who are new to their 2015 league or new to Hartsville National need to attend.  Instructional League players and players returning to their same league as last year do not need to attend. 

 

Spring Training generally consists of players fielding, throwing, hitting and running to give coaches an idea of the new talent coming into their league.  Following Spring Training, the coaches will meet to determine the teams.  Players will be contacted the week of February 23rd by their head coaches.

 

For more information about Spring Training, contact Bruce Douglas at hartsvillenational@gmail.com.