Blue Sox News

Aug 8, 2016

The Blue Sox are the 2016 Birmingham Industrial League Champions!!!! (18-2)

Since the beginning of the year the Blue Sox trusted head coach Greg Rudolph and Quazzi Covington to take the lead and show them the way. Pitchers Austin Carpenter (MVP) and Brandon Reynolds both pitched complete games to win the series 2-0.  The Sox dominated the entire year and were rewarded with four of the five league trophy’s!  Regular Season Champions, BIBL Champions, Batting title (Darius Rudolph, two years in a row) and Series Most Valuable Player.

 

 

July 31, 2016

Congratulations to the 2016 Blue Sox on earning their first place standings!!  After a slow start in the first couple of weekends the Sox were able to turn things around and finish on top.  A special Congratulations goes to the 2016 MVP Austin Carpenter!!! (Pictured Below)  The Sox will begin the Championship series Saturday, Aug 6 in Birmingham, Al.

Other awards earned by the Sox goes to Darius Rudolph on the Birmingham Batting title.  Second place for the Batting title belongs to Kevin Covington.  Sixth place was earned by Kenny Akin.  Congratulations to these three Sox Players holding down the top spots within the league.

May 13, 2016

A new year is about to begin!!  This year the Blue Sox changed things up.  A new Gadsden team was being formed with in the same league. Due to the lack of quality players from both teams, the management decided to combine teams to be more competitive.  Please come out and show your support and see how the Sox will dominate the league this year.

 

August 20, 2015

The 2015 season came to the conclusion with the Sox facing defeat in the semi finals of the Huntsville’s North Alabama Adult Baseball League.  The Sox management wanted to congratulate Aaron Gambling on becoming the 2015 Most Valuable Player:

 

Congratulations to Jamie Rochester on becoming the 2015 Most Improved player:

 

 

June 11, 2015

The home game for June 14 has been changed 2:00 for the first game and 4:00 for the second game.

 

June 6, 2015

The season is off to a good start.  The Sox were able to hold off the league champions but came short with the Tigers.  Hopefully the Sox will be able to hold there on against the Pirates and the A’s.

May 31, 2015

The season will begin on May 31, in Huntsville Al.

The Blue Sox will be updating the website soon.  Please be patient during this process.

 

April 25, 2015

The season will start around May 17.  The schedule has not been released just yet but it will be posted ASAP.

March 31, 2015

Try outs for the 2015 Cherokee county location will be April 4 at the Babe Ruth Field.

 

June 24, 2014

The Cherokee County Herald took the time to write an article on Kevin Covington written by Shannon Faggen.  Please take the time to read it.  Click here for the Kevin Covington article, or read below.

BASEBALL: Blue Sox’s Covington imparts wisdom to the next generation

Posted: Monday, June 23, 2014 2:02 pm | Updated: 11:32 am, Tue Jun 24, 2014.

Shannon Fagan, Sports Editor

CENTRE – The name Covington is associated with athleticism in Cherokee County, particularly baseball.

Kevin Covington has certainly lived up to the family name.

A 1996 graduate of Cherokee County High School, the outfielder was selected that same year by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 45th round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

Instead of playing for the Blue Jays, Covington signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played four seasons in their organization, including stops in Great Falls, Montana and Yakima, Washington.

Covington said former Major League All-Star Mike Piazza was in the minors at the same he was. Covington roomed with current Boston Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino for two years. Former Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda witnessed Covington’s first home run in the minors.

“It was a great experience,” Covington said. “I never got a chance to make it to the Major Leagues, but that level there was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Being in the same organization as Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella, who took their first steps there in their professional careers, that was awesome. I loved it.”

Covington, now 36, still plays the sport he loves, but his role has changed. He’s now a mentor for the next generation on the semi-pro Centre Blue Sox.

“A lot of people ask me ‘You wish you were still in the pros?’ Yeah, everybody wishes they were, but playing at this level here is unreal,” Covington said. “To be able to show the younger guys is the main thing. The things I did wrong, I can show them not to do that at an early age. That way, they won’t make the same mistakes if they get the opportunity. I’m trying to teach them the professionalism they need to have to go on to that level.”

But don’t think Covington can’t still swing the bat that attracted Major League teams to him to begin with.

Covington earned the Birmingham Industrial League’s batting title in 2013 with an average of .575, including eight home runs, a pair of doubles, six walks and 12 RBIs.

He’s picked up right where he left off from last year. At the midway point of the 2014 season, Covington – primarily a designated hitter – led the league with a .625 average, including three homers and a .717 on-base percentage.

“When he comes up to bat, it’s not a question of him getting a hit. The question is if he’s going to hit a home run,” longtime friend and Blue Sox manager JoJo Bynum said. “When he’s up there, everybody’s looking at him. Other teams have respect for him. The first game we had this season, they intentionally walked him at two or three times. They know he can hit.

“He exaggerates his lean a lot. He’ll start forward, and when the pitcher rears back, he slowly goes to his back leg and supports his weight, then he swings. It’s a pleasure to watch him bat.”

Covington credits his father, Gerald, for his advice when he was younger. Gerald Covington is the team’s hitting coach and has been with the Blue Sox organization since the 1950s.

“My dad always told me the older you get you become a better hitter,” Kevin Covington said. “That didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me at the time, but I finally understand what he meant by that. If I could go back in time with the hitter I am now when I was in pro ball, I think it would make a bigger difference.”

Kevin and Gerald Covington aren’t the only Covingtons on the team. Wally and Quazzi Covington are assistant coaches. Justice joins Kevin on the Blue Sox roster.

“Ever since I can remember, playing sports has always run deep in our family,” Kevin Covington said. “My dad was an awesome baseball player in his prime. He could have easily gone pro. My cousin, Shawn Covington, actually played for the Texas Rangers for four or five years. I have a nephew, Justice Covington, who’s an awesome ball player and has pro potential. He’s still learning and working out the kinks. He’s getting better every game.”

Bynum said “the Covington name is baseball.”

“Growing up, they knew me, and they knew how much I loved the game and played. They adopted me into the family, saying ‘Come on, let’s go play in this tournament’ or ‘Let’s go play in that tournament.’ I was one of them. I grew up playing with Kevin. I was at Cedar Bluff and he was at Centre, but we played on our summer league teams together.

“I was the only boy in my family, but to me, they were all my brothers. They grew up in baseball and I was right there with them. They took me under their wing.”

Taking players under his wing is what Kevin Covington is trying to do with the younger Blue Sox players now. He says the most important thing for them to remember is their attitudes.

“Your attitude plays the biggest part in whatever sport or whatever it is you’re doing in life,” he said. “Just because you strike out or make an error, you still have to concentrate on the next play. You can’t just let one bad thing that happens to you affect your whole game. That’s my role.

“I used to be that kid who wanted to do so well. When I didn’t, I let it bother me so much. You’re going to make an error, but you have to be able to mentally get that out of the way and focus on the next play. That’s what I messed up with as a younger kid. I put so much pressure on myself. I’m trying to get these guys out of that frame of mind and have fun.”

 

 

 

May 22, 2014 (Rain out update)

The home game verses the Birmingham Cardinals has been rescheduled to Saturday June 28.

 

May 19, 2014

The Blue Sox had the ceremonial first pitch for the 2014 season.  Gerald Covington is the oldest living Blue Sox and bench coach.  Management wanted to take the time to Honor him during our game.

May 01,2014

First game is Saturday May 10 at Windom ball field.  Game time starts at 3:30.  Please come out and enjoy your favorite Blue Sox players.  Admission will stay $1.00.

April 30, 2014

The season is two weeks away and the Blue Sox management are ready to kick off the season.  This year we have the batting champ of the 2013 Birmingham league, Kevin Covington, returning.  Two aces for the Sox Jayde Boatfield (RHP) and Malcolm Brooks (LHP) will return to prove there domination for another year.  Key players like Kenny Akin, Justin Mackey and Justice Covington are returning for another shot at winning the league title.

2014

The season will upon the Blue Sox nation soon.  Sox management will hold a day or two of try-outs for anyone wishing to play be given a chance.  There is a limited number of people to be placed on the roster. The main position needed by the Sox will be pitchers.  Please check back to this page for further information.

2014 Roster

The search for players for the up coming 2014 roster is on.  If you know of anyone that is interested in becoming a Blue Sox please send us their contact information.  We are trying to seek out the best of the best and spots are limited on the roster!!!

Sox Awards

In addition to the awards, Kevin Covington was awarded a plague for the highest batting average from the Fred Horn Industrial league.  Congratulations to the Sox on the accomplishments for the 2013.  The Blue Sox had the best 3, 4, and 5 hitters in the league!

Sox Awards

The 2013 Fred Horn Industrial league website gave four awards away this year.  The Blue Sox earned three out of the four site awards.  Kevin Covington won the highest batting average.  Shawn Covington earned the third best batting average and Nico McElrath was the home run king for 2013.  These Blue Sox did a great job by earning these awards after being in this league for the first year.

Kevin Covington accepting the 2013 Batting title from the Fred Horn Industrial League web site.

Shawn Covington accepting the 2013 third place batting average trophy from the league web site.

Aug 15

The 2013 season has come to an end.  The Blue Sox would like to thank the entire Centre community for supporting us through the season.  They were some exciting games this year and we hope we can continue this great tradition.

Sox Awards

The 2013 Sox have given the top awards to the team. Congratulations to the three Blue Sox on earning there award this season.

The 2013 Most Valuable Award (MVP) has been given to utility player Nico McElrath:

The 2013 Most Improved Player (MIP) goes to Pitcher Jayde Boatfield:

Honorable mention towards most improved has been assigned to Kenny Akin:

 

Aug 3

The Blue Sox advanced to the second round today with a win over the Butler Bombers.  Sunday Aug 4 the Sox will play the Birmingham Cardinals at Jefferson State Community College.  Saturday Aug 10 the Sox will play there last game at home for the season.  Please come out and support your local Blue Sox.

July 28

2013 Playoffs

The 2013 Fred Horn playoffs begins Saturday August 3.    The Fred Horn standings are finalized.  If everything stays as is, the Blue Sox will be playing the Butler Bombers for the first round of the playoffs.  This will be a one game take all to advance to the second round of the play offs.

Fred Horn Industrial league play off format: The first round is a single elimination.  The second round will be the best two out of three.  The finials will be the best three out of five.  Please keep checking back to our Schedule site for more details.

 

July 19

The home game rain out game against the Butler Bombers of Birmingham has been rescheduled for this Sunday July 21.  First pitch starts at 3:30.  Please come out and support your Blue Sox for the last regular season home game.

July 18

Please take the time to visit our History page to see Gerald Covington tell some history of past Blue Sox teams.  As the season continues more videos of him telling stories will be posted on that site.

July 6

“Blue Shirt with the Blue Sox“

Sox fans the Blue Sox management would like to give back to the community that has supported us the entire year.  This Saturday (July 13) anyone that comes to the game with a blue shirt will get in absolutely free!!!!!  We have a double header with the Leeds Pirates. The first game starts at 2:00.  Please come out and show your Sox pride by wearing your blue shirts and lets show the Pirates the entire sea of blue in the stands.

July 1

The History page is now open for the public.  Please keep checking out the history site as the Blue Sox post videos and articles about the history of former Blue Sox and members of the Centre community.

July 1

Nico McElrath has been showcased by the Cherokee County Herald for the great season he is having.  Please take a moment to read his article.  (Nico McElrath article)

June 30  (Blue Shirt with the Blue Sox)

The Blue Sox has two more regular season home games left.  (July 6 and July 13)  Please come out and support your local Sox during these two dates.

To give back to community that has supported us through out the season, Sox management will host the “Blue Shirt with the Blue Sox” on July 13.  Any fan that wears a blue shirt to the park will get in absolutely FREE!  As a co-manager for the Blue Sox I really believe this will be very inspiring to the players  to see a solid sea of blue in the stands to prepare for the upcoming post season.

June 18

The Blue Sox  had a huge when Sunday against the defending league champion Buck Village Stars 12-8.  The Sox increased their record to 5-2. Now there is a three way tie for second place with in the Fred Horn Industrial league.  At this pace the Blue Sox are a shoe in for the play offs and a good chance on making it to the finals.  This Sunday (June 23) the Hooper City Royals will be in town for a double header beginning at 2:00.  If the Sox can pull two wins out, this will give them sole custody of second place.  The Royals will not go down quietly since they were in the finals last year and still have a team worthy enough to get back in the playoffs.

June 9

The Blue Sox were rained out on Sunday June 9th with the Leeds Pirates.  The make up game will be held on July 13.  This will be a double header starting at 2:00.

June 3

The Blue Sox hosted the West End Dodgers from Birmingham Sunday at the Babe Ruth field. Once again there was a large turn out from the community.  The Blue Sox took the time to honor “Frog” West, for all the hard work he has done to get the field ready for the season and taking the time to line the field off before all the home games.  Please take the time to check us out for our next home game Saturday against the Bessemer Bombers at 3:30.

 

May 26

The Blue Sox management would like to thank the Centre community for coming out and supporting your local Blue Sox.  There was a very large turn out at the game this past Saturday.  The Sox management has decided not to raise the price of admission for the 2013 season.  The Blue Sox will only charge $1 for the rest of the home games.  Please keep coming out and supporting all of your favorite players.  Tell your friends, eat a hamburger and enjoy the atmosphere at the Centre Babe Ruth field.

May 19

The game with Hooper City has been cancelled due to the field conditions.   This game will be played in Centre as a double header on June 23.  The upcoming game will be very tough as the Sox will get ready to play the Cardinals.  The Birmingham Cardinals win the Fred Horn League almost every other year.

Please come out and support your Blue Sox Team.

May 11, 2013

Thank you to the Centre area for coming out to support your local Blue Sox.  There was a great turn out at the babe ruth field even with a threat of rain.  The Blue Sox Management have decided to keep admission to $1 to keep the large number of supporters in the stands.

The Blue Sox were able to keep their rival team at bay.  8-1.  Please come to our next home game May 25.

May 8, 2013

The season starts this Saturday; May 11 (Weather permitting, at Windom Field)  first pitch starts a 3:30 against the Hit Squad of Gadsden.  The Blue Sox have collected key players from around the area from Huntsville, Alabama, Cherokee county, Rome, Georgia and the Birmingham area.  It’s without a doubt we have a lot of talent but the hardest thing will be trying to get the individual players to play as a team. If that can be achieved the Blue Sox will be a very hard team to beat in the Fred Horn League.

Community Appreciation :

The Blue Sox will like to take the opportunity to lower our admission price for the first couple of games to allow as many patrons from the local to community to come and enjoy the game.  Please come out support and cheer on your favorite players with $1 admission!!!!

April 15 2013

Weekly practice has been going well.  With only a four weeks until the first game the non-college players are getting back in the swing of things. The Roster is almost complete with some late additions of some key players.

Co-managers Wally Covington and Jo Jo Bynum are tying to gather the supplies for the concession stand for all the home games against the Fred Horn opponents.  Check back soon for details on players and coaches news in the upcoming days.  For more information please use the Contact us page

Also see the Fred Horn Industrial league site for League news.