Out of the Park: “Home Run” Production Brings Dale County’s History and Love of Baseball to Life
By: Jeff Devine
Tonight’s Performance hit it out of the park…and into the theater! Joshua Harding’s “Home Run: A Fixins to Tell Story” is a tale of perseverance, the love and history of baseball, and how the game and historic Eagle Stadium truly got their footing in post-World War II Dale County.
“Home Run” is a continuation of the Bicentennial celebrations that mark Dale County’s 200 years of history. Woven throughout this production was a subplot that shared the story of how residents of Dale County banded together to first raise the money needed to build the stadium and, later, to finance much-needed renovations of the stadium that was falling apart at the time. The plot point provides an interesting and timely parallel as the Flowers Center is currently in need of renovation and maintenance. More on that later.
With veteran musical director Margie Benson at the helm and coaching the cast and crew, the show brought Dale County’s baseball history to life with heartfelt performances, lively musical numbers, and a historically accurate narration by John Crawford as Joe H. Adams. Adams served as owner and editor of The Southern Star for decades before retiring. Adams sadly passed away last year at 91. The show revealed the rich history of Eagle Stadium. Before Dale County had Eagle Stadium, “Marley Field” stood at that location from 1933-1935, and the Dixie Amateur League team played there. Combining great storytelling, beautiful musical pieces, and dedicated acting, these elements captured the spirit and revealed the history behind Ozark’s beloved Eagle Stadium in a way the both celebrates it and has fun with it.
The story opens in 1946 and tells the tale of the Ozark baseball team that, at that time, played in the Alabama Florida League and played home games at the newly-built Eagle Stadium. The Ozark Eagles won the Class D pennant in 1952 for the Alabama-Florida League. *An extended article on the 1952 Ozark Eagles’ history and stats for that year is included at the end of this story.
The production also featured players from this year’s team of Carroll High School Eagles.
Balancing nostalgia with original works, the production celebrated not only the games and players of Dale County’s past but also the stadium’s place as a community gathering ground. With a fun mix of humor, emotion, and hometown pride, “Home Run” proved itself a true hit, connecting the audience to the history and heart of Dale County baseball. This is a win for young writer and Carroll High alumnus Joshua Harding.
With music directed by Michelle Kelley, the show opened with Carolyn Clark’s stirring rendition of “The Pages of My Life” before John Crawford and the full chorus lifted the energy with “Song of the South.” Classics like “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” had the entire cast joining in, while Josh Harding and the ensemble of baseball players delivered crowd favorites such as “Centerfield,” “You Gotta Have Heart,” and “Take One for the Team.” Mackenzie Taylor added a reflective note with “Just Give It Time” and later led a moving performance of “Angels Among Us” alongside the cast.
The cast includes some talented individuals with many playing multiple characters: John Crawford as Joe Adams; Drew Kelley as Workman, Julian Morgan, and Otis Johnson; Shan Hobson as Buddy Williams; Hughston Williams as Buddy Jr. and Warren Weeks; Owen Kelly and JAmes Tilley III and Donny; John Forrest Page as Jack Stokes, Jr.; Hooper Smith as Child; McKenna Kierbow as Child and Laura Weeks; Lucy Williams as Child; Blake Cannon as Tom Lisenby, Tom McClendon, and Umpire; Caleb Tomlin as Johnny Bryan and Mr. Trautman; Collin Williams as Billie Farrar, Jimmy Clifton, and Jack Stokes; Mackenzie Taylor as Leadell Williams; Sara Dunn as Betty Snellgrove; Joshua Harding as Chase Riddle; Jack Robinette as Spencer Davis and Max Weeks; and Judson Bartley and Tom Goff; Durwood Judah, and Ernest Pierce.
After the show, Margie Benson spoke about the history and importance of The Flowers Center, pointing out that, “Flowers has been here for 40 years with thousands of young people taking part in its activities. Many of the young people think of it as a second home.”
“Theatre is one of the greatest teachers of life skills that young people will carry with them throughout their lifetime,” Benson added.
Benson also spoke of the need for donations so that the Flowers Center can get Much-Needed renovations to its restrooms and maintain general upkeep, including landscaping and other maintenance work. She spoke passionately about Flowers Center, saying she hopes it can continue to be used for many years to come.
As a 501(c)3, all donations to the Dale County Performing Arts Council are tax-deductible and can be addressed to
Margie Benson
725 E. Broad Street
Ozark, AL 36360 Make checks out to DCPAC
More about the 1952 Ozark Eagles: The 1952 Ozark Eagles brought pride and joy to Ozark, winning the Class D Pennant in the Alabama-Florida League.
The 1952 Ozark Eagles blended local pride with out-of-state grit, rounding out a roster with several players whose bats, throws, and hometowns are part of their identity. Right-handed pitcher Bob Duliba, born January 9, 1935, from Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania (5′10″, 180 lbs), anchored the staff. Manager Chase Riddle, a righty both at the plate and in the field, came out of Columbus, Georgia (born September 17, 1925; 6′0″, 190 lbs), and was both the team’s leader and top offensive threat. William Kimball offered southpaw positional work—batting right, throwing left—and **Samuel Williams, a left-left hitter/thrower from Snowhill, Alabama, added regional connection (6′3″, 195 lbs).
Also among the better-documented: Edward Ryndak from Chicago; Carl Smith, a left-handed player (6′1″, 220 lbs); Hillory Stanton and John Whiddon, both right-handed in throw and bat, with Whiddon standing out at 6′5″, 170 lbs. Meanwhile, **Dean Friend** from Hot Springs, Arkansas, is listed by hometown though his batting/throwing hands are not recorded.
Orie Agnew, Grover Bridges, Winton Cahall, Joe Clark, Bill Farrar, Billy Giddings, Emmett Goos, Wayland Goza, Russell Harris, Mickey Henson, Morris Johnson, Austin McDonald, Julius McDougald, Harold Mitchell, Harry Moore, Jack Newman, Arthur Pacanowski, Lanier Payne, Joe Pearce, Carl Smith, Hillory Stanton, John Sullivan, Charles Trammell, John Whiddon, Samuel Williams, Edward Ryndak, and Herb Yoxtheimer all contributed to a club that would finish first in the Alabama-Florida League with a 77-37 record.
