Baseball After Hours brings Mississippi Power, families to Scaggs Field
Before the game started, Shon Willis could be seen on the edge of the Meridian Community College’s Scaggs Field, throwing and catching baseballs with MCC President Dr. Thomas Huebner.
Willis was warming up to deliver the first pitch for Baseball After Hours with Mississippi Power, an event hosted by MCC to offer the utility company employees a chance to come to campus, watch a baseball game and enjoy family-friendly activities that included free popcorn and photo ops with MCC mascot Victor the Eagle and Mississippi Power mascot Louie the Lightening Bug.
More than 200 people participated.
An MCC alumnus, Willis is a lead lineman for Mississippi Power, working with the utility for 22 years. He trains and develops the apprentice lineman. He also gets in throwing practice because his son plays baseball for Southeast Lauderdale High School.
Willis was pumped after the perfect pitch.
“I love it. I love the occasion. I love that the ball went across the plate, and I love representing the company,” he said minutes after his throw.
He continued, “It’s a win, win, win.”
Others shared his enthusiasm to be at Scaggs Field ballpark. “All of our employees have commented on what a beautiful facility this is,” said Chris Phillips, Mississippi Power area manager. “We’re always looking for ways to bring our employees together to fellowship,” he added.
Phillips noted that employees spend lots of time in the trenches to get the lights back on. “So, to lower that stress needle and spend some quality time and sharing camaraderie in this environment is special.”
Mississippi Power engineering analyst Tony Hogan agreed. Hogan, who is also an MCC alumnus, and his wife, Katie, brought their children Marshall, 6, and Brody, 3 to Baseball After Hours. “It’s a good time to be with family and enjoy some baseball,” Hogan said.