Wayne County Museum Receives Autographed Bat from World Series Champs

The Wayne County Museum was honored on Monday, August 17th, when the 6U Wayne County Diamond Youth baseball team presented the museum with a special baseball bat. This bat is special because it is autographed by each member of the team that became Diamond Youth World Series Champions last month. The bat was actually used by the boys during the World Series. This awesome team of young men battled through eight games, defeating teams from Virginia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and Louisiana on their way to bringing home the Championship Trophy.

“We are honored to receive this special baseball bat,” said Jerry Duren, Chairman of Friends of the Museum. “We already have a display set up at the museum featuring the bat, and everyone is invited to stop by and see this display along with the many others we are always adding to that are connected to the history and milestone events in Wayne County.”

Mr. Duren said that Gerald and Myra Staggs first had the idea of asking the team for an autographed bat. Their idea resulted in this great addition to the museum.

Also on display with the World Series bat are some other wooden baseball bats that were produced by the company Holthouse and Hartup right here in Wayne County in the 1930s. All the fascinating displays at the museum are connected to Wayne County and its people from times both past and present.

Anyone who has items or information that would be of interest to the museum that they would be willing to donate or loan is encouraged to stop by the museum, located on the square in Waynesboro.

Pictured are the coaches and team members of the 6U Wayne County Diamond Youth World Series Champions. Team members are Willie Maples, Ace Kelley, Colt McDonald, Chad Jones, Aiken Eaves, Noah Tidwell, Lou Cole, Jaxx Gaston, Jude Janes, Easton Ray, Sam Moore, and Major Risner. Coaches are Jason Janes, Jeremy Risner, Boston Ray, and Logan Cole.

Photo by Garry Barnett