A Homecoming for a Yellow Jackets Legend
Alex Pratt, a former standout pitcher for Middlesboro High School, has been appointed head coach of the Yellow Jackets baseball program, taking the reins of the team he once chased with a glove and a dream.
Pratt’s high school career was marked by four years as a starter, two selections to the All‑52nd District and All‑13th Region teams, and three nods to the SEKC all‑star roster, including two Pitcher‑of‑the‑Year honors.
After college stints at the University of the Cumberlands and Lincoln Memorial University, where he earned a degree in wildlife and fisheries biology, Pratt returned to his hometown to teach science at Middlesboro Middle School, while also coaching middle‑school football, baseball and serving as pitching coach for the varsity squad.
During his tenure as pitching coach, the Yellow Jackets captured three district championships and reached two 13th Region Championship games, a testament to his ability to develop talent.
Now inheriting a program that finished 8‑13 this season and has endured three consecutive sub‑.500 years, Pratt says he wants to rebuild a culture rooted in discipline, effort and pride in the black and gold.
He envisions developing young men of character who represent Middlesboro with integrity, aiming to restore the team’s winning tradition and give the community a reason to cheer again.
Vision for the Future
Pratt’s plan centers on instilling a work ethic that matches the town’s blue‑collar spirit, emphasizing fundamentals, mental toughness and academic excellence.
He also hopes to leverage his background in wildlife and fisheries biology to teach life lessons about stewardship and teamwork, reinforcing the idea that success on the field mirrors stewardship off it.