By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
LEEDS – The Leeds baseball team honored Jonathan “Dougie” Douglas on Friday evening on opening day of their season by naming the home dugout after him as well as commemorating his name and number on the right field wall with a baseball that has his initials and number painted on it. “Dougie will always be in right field here at Leeds,” said Head Baseball Coach Jake Wingo.
The beloved Jonathan Douglas passed away on June 11 in a drowning incident at Logan Martin Lake. He was 18 years old and had just graduated from Leeds High School in May. Dougie played both baseball and football for the Green Wave, but he was much more than just an athlete at this school and in this community.
“Dougie was a great kid,” said Leeds Principal Rayford Williams. “He was smart. Had a great personality. He was a joy and a delight to be around, an enjoyable kid. As you can see today, he will be remembered around here for years to come. Leeds is a better place because Jonathan Douglas attended Leeds High School.”
Dougie’s brother, CJ Douglas, who was a great player on Leeds’ football team for several years, said this about his fallen sibling. “I had my brother by my side for 17 years and 6 months. I’ll never forget the things he taught me. He always told me to do stuff a certain way. My brother was a special person to me and will forever be a special person to me and my family. I have never felt alone here (at Leeds). This community has been here for me. Coach Hood has always been available and that’s the best thing. All of these people in this community, they loved my brother as much as I did.” CJ also threw out the first pitch of the game.
John Douglas, Dougie’s father and namesake, spoke of the community’s support for his family since the loss of his son. “It’s big. We’ve been in Leeds a long time. At the end of the day, Leeds is a testament of knowing that no matter where you come from, no matter what you have, it’s all about loving one another and building that family atmosphere and that’s what Leeds is all about.”
LaKesha Douglas wants everyone to remember this about her son. “It’s funny you asked about that. On Valentine’s Day I got a visit from two of his closest friends. The one was white and the other was Hispanic. You could not separate them. One thing I know that I got and all of Leeds got from my son was loving everybody. Regardless of color or beliefs, it didn’t matter. He was about love and having fun. If I had to say one thing I want people to remember about my son it’s that. Just love on people.”
Mrs. Douglas also had nothing but positive things to say about how the community has rallied around and supported the family since this tragic day. “I have never felt so much overwhelming love and support for my family. We have been in Leeds for 13 years. It’s always been a family-oriented place. Everyone meets everyone at the baseball or football park. To feel so much support from everybody, I could not believe how much one little 18 year-old boy could touch so many lives. His picture was everywhere. Kids made a memorial on the way down the street. It just showed how
much love people have for him and for us.”
To say that Jonathan Douglas left a mark on the city of Leeds would be an understatement and that was never more evident Friday afternoon at the Green Wave’s baseball facility. On the field, the
team lost to Mortimer Jordan by a score of 11-1 but that was secondary in the minds and hearts of those who gathered to honor their fallen teammate, classmate, student, son, brother and friend.
#8 will forever be remembered and not just because they placed a baseball with his number on it on the right field wall or a poster on the inside of the dugout or a metal sign that reads “Dougie’s
Dugout” on the outside of the dugout, but for his kind heart, his loving spirit, his fun-loving attitude and that “love everyone” mentality. Dougie left an impact on the Leeds community that will never be forgotten both on the field and off of it.