After a disappointing 3-21 season for the 2015 Pensacola High School Varsity baseball team, the school administration realized that change was necessary in order to turn the program around. The consistent losing seasons were not going to cut it for PHS anymore. During the off season, a new head coach was hired, fundraising support was revitalized, the booster club became more involved, and the organization and players were re-energized for the upcoming season. The players are so hyped for this season that a new unofficial motto developed and is now commonly used around the dugout: “Shock the Nation.”
The new man in charge of the program is head coach James “Jamie” Rigdon, who has a successful and storied past in coaching baseball. With over 10 years of experience at the college level, he is considered a “homerun hire” for the team. Rigdon was the head coach at Savannah State University, his alma mater, in Georgia for nine years. His impressive set of accomplishments include the highest winning percentage as head baseball coach in SSU history, 46 straight wins at SSU in 2000, and an NCAA record that still stands.
Rigdon has several goals in mind for rebuilding the PHS program. “I hope to come in the first year and have one of the biggest turnarounds in state history,” Rigdon said. “We hope to have at least a 15-win season and make it far into the playoffs. I think we have a real chance to win districts, win regionals, and possibly even make it to the state playoffs. I also want to try and encourage more student involvement and activity within our program and to advertise our team out to the community in hopes of attracting more spectators to come to our games.” You will also see when you attend a PHS baseball game this season that all the players’ uniforms are coordinated, even down to the Nike shoes and bat bags, creating a professional and united atmosphere. This comes as a result of heavy fundraising and determination, as each player was required to raise at least $550 in order to acquire all this brand new, high quality gear. “We’re gonna win some games this year, and we need to look good doing it, too,” Rigdon said. The future looks bright for the aspiring Tiger program, and only time will tell if this was the grand slam PHS was waiting for.
Homerun Hire for Pensacola High
by Keith Fell, Jr.
