By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

It was a night of celebration, reflection and a look to the future as the McKenzie Rebel baseball team held its banquet

Mike Brown, president of the Home Run Club, served as master of ceremonies and began the program by recognizing guests. After the meal, provided by Mallard's Restaurant, Brown introduced MHS baseball coach Lynn Yarbrough, who recounted the season.

"We were 25-11 and that's a pretty good record," said the coach. "We had a good season."

The coach thanked guests, City Parks director Ricky French for his efforts in getting the ballpark ready and assistant coach Mark Stenberg.

"COach Stenberg was really good at tracking stats so we could tell Drew (Brown, MHS catcher) how we wanted to pitch to other hitters," the coach said.

"We'll miss the seniors. Four of them have signed to play college baseball and a couple more could have played if they hadn't signed to play football, too," Yarbrough said. "That's pretty good. The seniors meant a lot to this program and we'll miss them."

The coach praised the efforts of the Home Run Club.

"I've never been to a school that had a booster club like we have," he said. "I can tell you that if it weren't for them, we wouldn't have the program we have."

Yarbrough passed out awards. The Hustle/RBI award went to Nick Chappell; JV/freshman award went to Nick Tucker; Best Defense went to Drew Brown; Derek Carr earned best offense; MVP-top pitcher was Clint Kee; Most Outstanding Player went to Parker Jones; Academics went to Drew Brown.

All-district plaques went to Kyle Kirk, Nick Chappell, Tyler Reeder, Parker Jones, Derek Carr, Drew Brown and Clint Kee.

Two special awards were given. The P.L. Martin team-first award went to Derek Carr. Martin was remembered as a fierce competitor who had an ebullient personality and was a good friend to all those close to him. Martin, a 1977 McKenzie graduate, a Bethel grad, was a three-sport athlete for the Rebs. He died in January of 2004. Prior Martin award winners were Brad Campbell, Marshall Smith (twice), Drew Brown and this year's winner, Derek Carr.

Former McKenzie baseball coach Larry Joe Smith remembered Ricky Chism, a 1988 McKenzie grad and a 1993 Murray State finance graduate, was killed in a traffic accident in 2006.

"Ricky was a phenomenal athlete and one of those that only comes along once in a full moon," Smith said. "He grew so big and strong as a seventh grader that he tore an ACL in eighth grade. I think he probably could have been one of the best football players we ever had if he could have played."

Instead, Chism became a top-flight basketball and baseball player for the Rebels. He was 20-3 as a pitcher in his baseball career and a two-time district MVP. At Murray State, he was featured on the cover of the 1993 baseball media guide.

Smith said he recalled a time when he was suffering from a toothache. He told his wife Tiffany that he was not taking phone calls. Then the phone rang and it was legendary Mississippi State coach Ron Polk, who recently retired.

"I told Tiffany I'd take that call," Smith said. "Ricky got calls from Auburn, Mississippi State and Clemson, but he made me proud by picking my love, Murray State."

Smith is a Murray State graduate.

"Ricky was all business when he got between those white lines, whether it was in a game or practice. He was a leader," Smith said.

Smith presented the Chism award to Tyler Reeder. Winners of the Chism and Martin awards will have their names emblazened on a plaque that will forever hang in the walls of McKenzie High School.

Brown closed the program by wishing the seniors and the incoming officers of the Home Run Club well. He also admonished next year's players to keep the tradition going.