March 7, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
The Joey Reeder Baseball Field!
Seven months after the Board of Education voted to name the high school baseball field in honor of the legendary coach, a formal dedication ceremony was held Friday evening at DCHS.
Family, friends, former players, and others gathered for the tribute which took place prior to the Tigers game against Macon County. Surrounding him on the field during the ceremony were Reeder’s mother Faye, his wife Shelby, daughter and son-in-law, Paige and Byron Adcock, and granddaughters Stella and Lakelyn. Coach Reeder also threw the game’s ceremonial first pitch.
After falling behind 5 to 0 in the first inning, the Tigers rallied later in the game but lost to the visiting Macon County Tigers 20 to 14.
Coach Reeder guided the Tiger baseball team from 1982 to 1997.
WJLE’s Voice of the Tigers John Pryor emceed the following tribute.
“On August 8, 2024 the Board of Education voted to name the Tiger baseball field as the Joey Reeder Field due to his 16 years of dedication to the program, the players, and outstanding accomplishments”.
“From the years 1982 to 1997 he led his teams to an overall record of 387 wins and 146 losses for a winning percentage of 73%. His district record was 179 wins and only 15 losses for a district winning percentage of 92% and a post season record of 55 wins and 23 losses for a winning percentage of 71%”.
“During his baseball tenure Coach Reeder won 13 district regular season championships, 13 district tournament championships, 2 district runners-up, 1 district 3rd place, 2 regional championships, and 2 state quarterfinals. Two of his teams ranked in the Johnson City News High School Baseball poll top 25 for the Tennessee Classification”.
“Joey Reeder was a 12-time District Coach of the Year, the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association District Coach of the Year 4 times. The Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year, Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year, and he was named as Coach of the Tennessee High School All Star Game for the East Squad 2 years”.
“During his tenure coaching DeKalb County High School Tiger baseball, his impact on players consisted of 17 players who played college baseball and two players who were selected in the major league draft”.
“We would like to thank the school board for commemorating Joey Reeder, his former player’s accomplishments, and his family for their unwavering support”.
“Finally, on behalf of the former students, your colleagues, and especially your former players, we would all like to thank you for making our lives better and congratulations to you for this well deserved honor Coach Joey Reeder”.