ROCKINGHAM — A day of celebration for the rich tradition of the Richmond Senior High School baseball program packed Raider Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The Raiders hosted their inaugural Alumni Day during a non-conference varsity and junior varsity doubleheader with Mooresville High School.
Alumni from the past five decades mingled and reminisced near the field house, while a cookout of hamburgers and hotdogs was operated by Brown and a host of other coaches and volunteers.
“It was a really good day, especially for it being the first year,” Brown said. “We had a really good turnout and it was great to see a lot of the older guys there who had won a state championship.
“They were excited to be there and that was awesome to see,” he added. “I spoke to each of them and they were really appreciative of what we’re doing and for honoring them. These guys are proud to be Raiders and that’s what it’s all about.”
Prior to the game, all of the alumni present were called down to the field. Public address announcer Jim Butler also offered a special recognition of the 1974 baseball team, which is celebrating its 4A state championship run 50 years ago this spring.
That roster earned the school’s first 4A state title, with the 1973 team winning the 3A state championship the year prior. Richmond also won 4A baseball titles in 1976 and 1983.
The 1974 team was coached by George Whitfield and assisted by Hal Stewart and Bobby Rainey. Team managers were Steve Bateman, William Reader and Doug Smith.
Doing the work on the diamond were players Greg Allen, Larry Brower, Charlie Davis, Herbie Dawkins, Steve Hodges, Terry Massagee, Henry McDuffie, Chuck McLean, Eddie McLean, Jeff Norton, David Quick, Luther Reader, Ricky Watkins, John White, Randy Wilkerson, Ronnie Yarbrough and Chris Yow.
Butler also recognized the team’s bat girls — Lorna Dailey, Bridget MacNair, Kay Morman, Denis Sullivan, Bunny Treadaway and Vicki Young.
Those present at Alumni Day were Coach Stewart, Davis (pitcher/outfielder), McDuffie (infielder) Eddie McLean (infielder), Quick (catcher), Smith (manager), Wilkerson (catcher), and Yarbrough (pitcher/outfielder/former RSHS head coach).
With a giant “74” painted in the grass behind home plate, the state championship team members stood there while the other alumni filled in on the third baseline.
Stewart threw out a ceremonial first pitch to Wilkerson, who took over his former position for a few moments.
Following the introduction of the 1974 title team, all alumni joined the current Raiders on the field for the playing of the National Anthem. Around two dozen alumni were on the field.
Brown also said he wants to continue the event and anticipates it to “grow more and more each year.”
Below are photos of the Raider baseball program’s inaugural Alumni Day, taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.
