A Reunion on the Diamond
On June 13, the Hickman County High School Bulldogs baseball team opened its historic Mike Smithson Field for the first annual alumni game, drawing a crowd of former players, families and local supporters. Among the alumni in attendance were Mike Smithson, Cody Douchane, Billy Dale Pharris, Mike Lancaster, Wilber Lancaster, Pat Smith, Andy Jenkins, Jessie Davis, BJ Webb, KJ Smith, Hayden Dearman, Cooper Mays, Josh Copley, John Irvin, Ashton Kistler, Ruger Totty, Jon Michael Lewis, Wyatt Batts, Aiden Liddell and Carter Bates.
Legendary coach Mike Smithson, who guided the Bulldogs from the 1997‑98 season through 2008‑09, was on hand to watch the festivities, his presence a reminder of two decades of influence on the program. The event also included a silent auction with proceeds earmarked for a new outfield fence, a project that many hope will enhance the venue for future seasons.
A ragball contest pitted two alumni teams against each other, each led by a coaching figure: Smithson on one side and current head coach Cody Douchane on the other. Smithson's squad pulled ahead early, ultimately securing an 8‑3 victory, highlighted by a home run from Hayden Dearman.
Both coaches took the opportunity to speak about the program’s direction. Smithson praised Douchane’s methods, saying the team is in good hands, while Douchane expressed gratitude for the veteran’s confidence and emphasized the role of community and culture in the program’s success.
The gathering underscored the deep ties between the school, its alumni and the broader Hickman County community, illustrating how a shared love of baseball can bridge past and present.