Former Montague Park and Camp Jordan supervisor, Raymond Byrd, spent a lifetime at the ball fields.
Sunday, Mr. Byrd will leave his home at Pruitt Health in Fort Oglethorpe and travel to Camp Jordan Park where he has fields named after him for an, "Everybody Loves Raymond Day," sponsored by the health care facility and East Ridge Parks and Recreation.
The retired parks supervisor will join many of his friends from the healthcare facility and his family members to watch an adult United States Veterans Baseball League game between the Cleveland Bulls and the East Ridge Braves at 1:30 p.m.
Mr.
Byrd has also asked to umpire at least a half inning, so his cap, shirt, and clicker await the sports enthusiast.
East Ridge Parks and Recreation Director Stump Martin said the pitching match-up will have a big league flare.
"Former Seattle Mariners right-hander, Stephen Pryor, will pitch for the Braves," Mr. Martin said. "Pryor once topped out with a 100 mph fastball, and combined with five other Mariners to throw a no-hitter. He also recorded the win in that game."
Mr. Martin said that former Baylor, Chattanooga State, and UT Martin pitching star Coty Greene will throw for the Bulls.
Mr. Greene was the only player that was on both of Baylor's State Championship teams in 2003 and 2006. He was the Red Raiders career wins leader with 26. He was all OVC at UT-Martin and all TJCAA at Chattanooga State.
According to Pruitt Health Event Coordinator Christy Payne, Mr. Byrd will be honored in a special presentation with the Second Wind Dreams Award in recognition of his dedication and many years of service at Camp Jordan Park.
Ms. Payne explained that the award is a seniors version, similar to the "Make A Wish Foundation Award."
"We asked him where he would like to go and he said to St. Louis to see the Cardinals play," Ms. Payne said. "We told him we were not sure we could do that."
She said everybody loves him at Pruitt Health in Fort Oglethorpe.
"I love Raymond because of the jokes he tells me every day," Ms. Payne said. "He always has good jokes and he keeps me laughing, and he lives life to the fullest."
Marleen W. Abraham also works at the healthcare facility.
"His jokes make me laugh too and he's a man of God," she said. "I love his faith in God and he especially loves his family."
Dwayne Hale ran the concession stands at Montague Park in the 1970's when Mr. Byrd was supervisor there.
"After a hard rain he would never look at me," Mr. Hale said. "He would lower and shake his head and say as long as the sun shined and the wind blows we will play ball tonight."
Mr. Hale said he really enjoyed going to eat at Ryan's in East Ridge with Mr. Byrd.
"I never had to spend money there, Raymond always took care of it," Mr. Hale said.
This special day was supposed to be a secret to Mr. Byrd, but he called this week to talk with Mr. Martin.
"Make sure you have me root beer," Mr. Byrd said.
I guess there's not a secret anymore.
Rev. Denny Manning will have the prayer and Madison Damron will sing the National Anthem prior to the game.
The second game will be an all-star team from the USVBL versus an adult league all-star team out of Dalton.
USVBL Commissioner Billy Massingale said, "We want to thank everyone for letting us be a part of this. Raymond Byrd is such an iconic person in the Chattanooga area and we're proud to be involved."
Admission is free. For more information, call 423-463-4391 or mail smartin@eastridgetn.gov.