A dedication ceremony was held last Friday afternoon before the Tigers’ baseball game against Macon County, honoring one of the Tigers’ longtime coaches, Joey Reeder. Reeder was joined by his family as Coach Joey Reeder Field was commemorated.

The DeKalb County Board of Education had voted to rename the DeKalb County High School baseball field in August 2024, honoring the former long-time DCHS Tigers baseball coach. Reeder coached the Tigers for 16 years, from 1982 to 1997, leading the team to an overall record of 387-146, with a district record of 179-15. The Tigers’ post season record under Reeder was 55-23.

Many of Reeder’s former players were on hand for the event, along with friends and family. Reeder’s mother Faye, his wife Shelby, daughter and son-in-law, Paige and Byron Adcock, and granddaughters Stella and Lakelyn joined him on the field as the dedication was announced. Reeder even had the honor of throwing the first pitch in the game.

During Reeder’s time as coach, the team won 13 District Tournament Championships, 13 District Regular Season Championships, was twice District Runner-up, once District 3rd place, won two Regional Championships, and two State Quarterfinals. The team went 16 consecutive without a losing record, had 17 former players signed or walked on to play college baseball, two former players selected in major league draft, and for two years finished ranked in the Johnson City News High School Baseball Poll Top 25 (All Classes).

Reeder won 12 District Coach of the Year awards, four District Coach of the Year Award (Tenn Athletic Coaches Association), one Regional Coach of the Year (Tenn Athletics Coaches Association), one Regional Coach of the Year (Tenn Baseball Coaches Association), and two years coached for the East Squad in the Tennessee State High School All Star Game.

Reeder had served as a DCHS teacher for 30 years, and has worked as Attendant Supervisor for the school system for the past 13 years.

School Director Patrick Cripps, who played high school baseball under Coach Reeder, had stated during the August school board meeting, “Coach Reeder’s stats I dare say will never be met again in our community. His district record was 179-15 (.993) and if you look at those 15 district losses, that’s over a 16-year career.”

“But as much as he taught us on the field on how to play, he expected us to be that type of young man and represent his club. We had to make the grade in class. We couldn’t get in trouble at school and definitely couldn’t get in trouble on the streets because at that time, he could boot you. He didn’t need you and he would not keep you around if you got in trouble. I have used him many times over my career as a reference and as somebody that I go to. Coach, it’s a privilege to say that field is going to have your name on it from now on,” said Director Cripps.