Mullins dedicates field to Nelson on opening day

By: Naaem McFadden/Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise | SCNow
Published: April 16, 2008

The rain held up just long enough for little league baseball and softball players to show off their new uniforms for the Mullins Recreation opening day this past Saturday. With plenty of sunshine and a strong breeze, little leaguers took to the fields in brief exhibitions that went up to three innings.

The main event of the of the opening day ceremonies was the dedication of Mack Willie Nelson Field. Nelson was himself dedicated to the Mullins Recreation department and contributed over 30 years of community service, assisting with the day-to-day operations with a watchful eye, ensuring that the kids were safe participating in various activities.

Nicknamed “Boss Hog,” he required the youth to display good sportsmanship, and spent many years as a volunteer coach, and supporter of the Mullins High School football and basketball teams. Family members wore commemorative t-shirts on the field as the new Pepsi scoreboard in his name was unveiled. His wife Annie threw out the first pitch to begin the games. “It feels great, it makes me feel proud because he put in a lot of work at these fields,” she said.

The family event brought in numerous spectators, showcasing the 215 participants in 16 exciting match-ups. Recreation director Kenny Johnson was as excited as the young players about the prospects of the feeder programs increasing the popularity of the sport. “I could put everything in the world together out here, but if I don’t have the support of the volunteers and the understanding that it’s for every kid and not just an individual kid, I think the program will be a success,” Johnson said.

New things are being implemented during the season, with an instructional league that will get participants more prepared to transition to the next league. “I think we got some positive things going on, we have some great coaches and a good nucleus of coaches in our instructional league,” he said. One of those coaches is Tim Felder, the skipper that led the Mullins Auctioneer baseball team to a Class 2A state championship in 2000.

Johnson added that Nelson has been involved with all of the programs even as his own kids grew up on the playing fields. “Because of his dedication and hardwork the city put him to work,” Johnson said of the employee that was practically in charge of the department. “He is very much appreciated and very much missed out here,” he said, adding that the void has brought on more work of the staff, but commends assistant recreation director Ken Mason for stepping up to the plate in organizing the activities.

Mullins dedicates field to Nelson on opening day

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