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.
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."
CLASS ACT! NCSS would like to salute Henry County High School senior, Jovaal Hollingshed, who showed true class last...
Posted by Newton County Schools on Thursday, March 30, 2017
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.”
An update to a previous post we shared regarding exceptional sportsmanship displayed by a Henry County High School senior baseball player. Jo Vaal Hollingshed was recognized during the April BOE Meeting but not just by the Henry County School System. Newton County School System leaders and administrators visited the BOE meeting to make a special presentation. http://bit.ly/2onb7F3
Posted by Henry County Board of Education on Tuesday, April 11, 2017
