‘Now batting for the Tornadoes . . . ’

Spears trademark calls a big hit with Alcoa Middle baseball fans

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

Alcoa Middle play-by-play man Harrison Spears, a.k.a. "Carl Lamarcus Chen," works the Jeff Kidwell Memorial Baseball Tournament championship game on Monday at Alcoa High. Photos by Jolanda Jansma

Just as it started to get dark, “Sunshine” came to the plate.

Heritage Middle chose not to pitch to Austin Ensley, instead putting the Alcoa Middle right fielder aboard with a free pass. Up in the press box, Harrison Spears didn’t miss a beat.

Next up for the Tornadoes, the talented, young public address announcer crooned, was “Cheese.”

Jack Warrick loaded the bases on a fielder’s choice, setting the stage for a dramatic, ninth-inning squeeze. Sixth-grader Griffin Livesay got the bunt down perfectly. Dustin Clabough sprinted home from third.