The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for July 31, 2017

Racecar driver Bobby Allison.

EIGHT YEARS AGO

AUG. 6, 2009

Sparta Academy began fall football practice last Thursday, and 22 players make up this year’s fall roster.

Players on this year’s roster include Nick Andrews, Tom Andrews, Brandon Baggett, Will Booker, Joey Bradley, Michael Brown, Brooks Carpenter, Michael Cook, Devlin Crosby, Ashton Culp, Alex Fleming, Nicholas Hardin, Taylor Harrelson, Jacob Hendrix, Chance House, Cody House, Jody House, Davis Johnson, Logan Manus, John McDonald, Dylan Middleton and Drayton Rodgers.

Sparta is scheduled to kick off its regular season schedule on Fri., Aug. 21, when the Warriors take on Escambia Academy at Stuart-McGehee Field in Evergreen. Last year, Sparta slammed Escambia, beating the Cougars, 35-0, in the season-opener at Canoe.

Hillcrest High School was scheduled to hold its first official preseason football practice Tuesday night in preparation for the upcoming football season.

The Jags could have kicked off practice as many teams across the state did on Monday, but Hillcrest head coach Maurice Belser opted to give players a day off to recover from “Camp Belser,” a rigorous preseason camp geared toward getting the Jags in better shape.

After a team meeting Tuesday evening, the Jags were scheduled to hold a practice “under the lights” to simulate game conditions during their first practice, Belser said.

33 YEARS AGO

AUG. 2, 1984

Photographer and Mayor-elect Pat Poole provided the cutline for this picture: “Stanley Johnson on the reel and Harry Crabtree on the dip net teamed up to land this 21-pound Blue Catfish last Saturday at Camden. It’s not a record, but when you catch ‘em on a bream hook, it is noteworthy.”

Race king Allison leads State March of Dimes: Alabama March of Dimes is proud to announce as Honorary Chairman for the 1984-85 campaign, Bobby Allison of Hueytown, Ala.

One of Alabama’s favorite sons, Bobby was NASCAR’s 1983 Champion of the Year. Bobby, who is one third of the famous “Alabama Gang,” along with brother Donny Allison and Neil Bonnett, pledges his support for this year’s campaign.

Along with Alabama State Poster Child, Scott Cunningham, Bobby has already filmed a Public Service Announcement for this year’s National Telethon and later on, during the campaign, will be on a poster with Scott, which will be distributed statewide.

58 YEARS AGO

AUG. 6, 1959

Greenies Cop Title In Amateur Loop: The Evergreen Greenies clinched the Conecuh County Amateur League pennant by walloping Pine Orchard, 16-4, here Sunday.

It was the Greenies’ 13^th victory in 14 starts. A suspended game earlier this year with Pine Orchard is yet to be played.

Leon Stinson, making his first appearance on the mound, pitched a neat seven-hitter for the win.

His teammates banged out a total of 18 hits, including a home run by Jeff Moorer.

The Greenies will conclude their schedule with a two-game series with Paul before they play host to them here Sunday.

All-Star game here Aug. 23^rd. George Gaston with a 10-0 record is expected to pitch against Paul.

Jr. leagues will stage star tilts Saturday: Byron Warren, president of the Evergreen Junior Baseball League, announces the 1959 All-Star game will be played Saturday night at the Jr. League Park, game time will be at eight o’clock.

Warren states that he cannot give the names of the players for the American League at this time. A double-header tonight will have a bearing on the standings of the teams. All-Stars are chosen from the second, third and fourth place teams.

The names of the players and the teams from which were chosen in the National League are: Red Sox, Crosby, Harper, Hansen; Giants, Baggett, J. Ellis, B. Thornley, Mosley; Yankees, Dees and Salter.

RESULTS: Pelicans v. Orioles: The Pelicans edged the Orioles, 6-5, Monday. Eddie Messer and Harold Wright, Orioles whirlers, gave up no hits but walked many. Knud Nielsen twirled for the Pels. Wayne Caylor and Tommy Hartley were head stickmen for the Orioles.

Chicks v. Orioles: Ziss-Boom-Bah! A cheering section? Not exactly – just a couple of Orioles fans cheering their team to victory over the Chicks, 8-3, Tuesday night. Jack White gave up one hit to Donnie Pittman. Bobby Sasser and Gary Faulkner twirled for the future Dodgers. Tommy Hartley and Wayne Caylor collected the two Orioles bingles.

Yankees v. Red Sox: The Yankees almost wore out home plate Tuesday night. They crossed it 17 times. The Red Sox contributed little to the dish’s depreciation. They tallied only once. Scott Cook notched the win on the hill. Vernon Crosby and Don Hansen belted for nine Yank base blows. Robert Rigsby and Claude Aaron was three for four and Scott Cook was one for two for the victors. Claude Johnson’s triple was the Red Sox’s only blow.

Giants v. Yankees: The Yankees captured a 14-3 win over the Giants Monday night. Terry Salter and Rusty Price, an Oriole, were the victors’ twirlers. Steve Baggett went all the way on the hill for the Giants. Robert Rigsby was three for four and Claude Aaron and Mike Moorer were one for two for the Yanks. Jimmy Ellis and Eddie Moseley each had a double for the losers.

Hawks v. Orioles: The Orioles clobbered the Hawks, 23-5, Thursday night. Jack White was the Oriole flinger. Jack Driver, Larry Wright, Tommy Chapman and Marvin Salter were the Hawk wingers. Wayne Caylor had a single for the Orioles. Wright had a triple and Jimmie Riley was one for two for the losers.

83 YEARS AGO

AUG. 2, 1934

Rabb News by King A. Cole: The local baseball team played Herbert Friday and defeated them 20 to 4.

BOY SCOUT NEWS – Troop 80 – Our ball team has had three games rained out or called off, but we play Repton team on our field Thursday afternoon at 2:30. It should be a fast, good game. Why not meet us at the park?

At five o’clock Thursday afternoon, the troop will meet at the City School to go to Steven’s Pond for swimming and outdoor tests.

There may be something in this retributive justice idea – at least as far as Evergreen baseball is concerned. Sunday before last, as well all know, the rain saved the locals from a probable drubbing at the hands of Chapman’s lefthanded hitting outfit. Then last Sunday Jupiter Pluvius arrived at the psychological moment to prevent the Melton outfit from putting one in the won column.

There was a cheering note, however, in spite of the rain. Loice “Skin” Hyde started chunking that apple and was going great when the rain started. Skin had the hefty Andalusia looking plenty tame, using a mixture of fast balls and curves. Tom Melton went behind the pot and shifted Woodrow Lawlis to right field. The combination worked fine, with Lawlis showing up as an efficient gardener.

Sam Jones and Lawlis were the big guns in the Andalusia game, bringing in the punch that has been missing from the locals’ offense for lo’ these many days. Lawlis took one hefty cut on his first trip up and sent Nelson under the spreading branches of the leftfield oak tree for his fly. Next time up, the husky Florida lad rammed a hot one through shortstop that would have been a base hit with Travis out there. The hit scored two runs.

Woody Mott returned to the local wars Sunday, after a short absence. The portly Selmian arrived too late to start the ball game. Mott will probably twirl the regular Thursday game in Greenville today.