Team, parents surprise Stacey

Call it a pleasant surprise for Eddie Stacey. Covington County Babe Ruth players, parents and officials gathered Tuesday night at Hilltop Meat Co. to honor not only the host team of the 2013 Babe Ruth Baseball 16-18 World Series, but its coach as well.

Stacey had a huge part in that event, held here in August.

In addition to coaching, Stacey helped organize event, which was marred by rain delays.

During the World Series, Covington County defeated Mobile 3-2, and then Onondaga, N.Y. 6-5 in its final two pool play games. To start the tournament, CC fell 12-8 to Dexter, Mo., and 6-0 to San Benito, Calif.

Stacey said a big “thank you” to the players’ parents during the dinner.

“Thank you, especially to the parents,” the coach said. “To the players, y’all did a wonderful job in the World Series. Y’all did good.”

At the tail end of the dinner, Stacey, who coached the team throughout the summer and during the series, was given a shadow box containing his jersey, tournament program, an official game ball and a team picture. Stacey also received a plaque with a picture of him coaching during the tournament.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Stacey said about receiving the gift. “I’m very pleased with what they did for me.”

The banquet, planned as a thank you to the players’ parents and coaches, was originally slated for the night of Covington County’s final day at the tournament.

Team parents got together and came up with the idea of getting Stacey the shadow box, parent Carolyn Graham said, noting that it took a great deal of effort to keep the gift a secret.

“It was a collective idea,” Graham said.