It’s been a little more than four months since the Covington High School baseball team capped off a storybook season by beating Forrest for the Class AA state title.

Last Thursday at Don Chandler Memorial Field, you would have thought it had just happened.

About 200 people – fans, band members, cheeerleaders and parents – showed up as Coach Brad Warmath, Kyle Ginn and the team were honored once again, this time by ESPN.

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A producer and camera crew from the sports network were on hand as Warmath and Ginn were inducted into SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays List. Nine others around the country were also honored and a SportsCenter telecast that is scheduled to air today on SportsCenter between 11 a.m. and midnight will honor Ginn and Warmath.

“It’s just unbelievable,” said Covington principal Mark McClain. “We’re just thankful for all the support ESPN has given Kyle, the Warmath family and our community … It’s amazing how our county comes together when somebody is in need. What ESPN has done has helped even more.”

Warmath and Ginn took a helicopter ride around Covington during the event so they could get an eye-level view of the water tower in Covington that now bears their names.

Ginn hit a homer during the state title game May 24 after missing the regular season with a knee injury. Warmath, along with his wife, Paige, battled life-threatening illness during the season. Both were recognized on ESPN hours after the title game.

Warmath and Ginn were given SportsCenter jackets and water tower replicas during the event.

Covington Mayor Justin Hanson, who also spoke at the event, said, “We’re here to honor the love we have for this town, this team, this player and this coach.”

Jeff Ireland
Author: Jeff Ireland