High school baseball player delays game to comfort opponent whose father died

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Georgia high school baseball player is being recognized for his outstanding sportsmanship after a player on an opposing team lost his father.

Earlier this season as the Eastside High School Eagles played a home game, the father of pitcher Michael Hipps Jr. suffered a medical emergency while cheering on his son. He later died.

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On March 29, Hipps returned to the home mound for their first time since his father’s death. His team released green and black balloons in honor of his late father at the start of the game.

The Eagles were taking on rival school Henry County High.

As Hipps prepared to throw the first pitch, Henry County shortstop Jovaal Hollingshed left the batter’s box and walked straight toward him.

Hollingshed gave Hipps a hug and a handshake before returning to start

"We salute you, Jovaal Hollingshed," wrote Newton County Schools in a Facebook post. "Class act, young man."

School officials in Newton County later honored Hollingshed at a ceremony.

“In today’s day and age, we all could use a lot more kindness and a lot more thoughtfulness,” said Newton County Schools’ superintendent, Samantha Fuhrey. “While he might think his actions were simple, they meant a great deal to our Newton County family.”