Three months after the final out, or eight months before the first pitch, last Thursday was a pretty big day for the Dothan Post 12 baseball program.
A number of past players returned to support the program at the Post 12 Golf Tournament at Dothan National.
“Post 12 has had so many great people involved in the program over the years,” manager Larry Tubbs said. “That list of former players is very long. They’re real gracious to come back, even if they’re playing pro ball or college ball. They’ll come back and do the things we need them to do to keep our program moving forward.”
Guys like Clint Robinson from Dothan and Robert Brooks from Enterprise were there, as were four current Auburn University Montgomery players — Justin Williams, Brooks Glover, Daniel Holder and Jordan Reid.
But even players without a direct connection to Post 12 showed up. Cody Johnson, who hit 27 home runs for the Rome Braves last season, and Myrtle Beach Braves left-hander Tyler Wilson from Andalusia, answered Tubbs’ invitation.
“I played for coach Wayne Boyd at Post 375. He passed away a couple year ago,” Johnson said. “I met coach Tubbs through him. Knowing what they do for the kids, there’s really not a lot of programs around anymore that are good summer programs.
“What they’ve put together for guys to play, give them opportunities to be seen by colleges. I mean, you can get a college scholarship, get an education or play pro ball. Anything you can do to give back to somebody doing something like that, you gotta do everything you can.”
Robinson, who played at Northview, Post 12, Troy and now in the Kansas City Royals organization, last year at Burlington, Iowa, recently moved back to Dothan.
Not that his schedule was full, but Robinson said Tubbs’ request to play was an easy invitation to accept.
“When Tubbs calls? It’s always a yes,” Robinson said. “I played with him three years. He helped me out a lot. Post 12 got me prepared for what I was going to face in college and pro ball, playing every day.
“He’s always kept in touch with me. Helped me out when I needed anything. It’s always a pleasure to come back. I mean, he’s asking me to play in a golf tournament. So how can you say no?“
Of course, once the golf started some had their doubts. Glover hit a poor shot and yelled, “Why did I say yes?” as the rest of his foursome broke up laughing.
The day put fun first, but the proceeds raised go back into the Post 12 budget so that next year’s players will have the same opportunities as those who have benefited from the program ahead of them.
“I really appreciate all of our sponsors,” Tubbs said. “It doesn’t matter how many players you bring back, without the corporate sponsors we really don’t have a tournament. Thanks to them for supporting Post 12 baseball.“
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