Alva Review-Courier -

On July 19, 1952, the Fitzgerald Pioneers visited the Statesboro Pilots and played a professional baseball game in the Georgia State League. The Pilots won easily.

The highlight of the game came in the eighth inning when the Pioneers’ batboy, Joe Reliford, pinch hit and then made two outstanding plays in the outfield.

The Statesboro crowd loved it, and Joe’s exploits became well known in Fitzgerald, too. A reporter for the local newspaper wrote a story about the game and included a photo of Joe simulating his spectacular catch that robbed a Pilots player of a home run.

But officials of the Geo...