Fairhope’s Fillingim honored

• Longtime Pirates’ coach throws out first pitch at Annual Heart Health and Blood Drive Game

Tony Whitehead, GCM Sports
Posted 4/9/17

The Fairhope High School Baseball team honored longtime volunteer coach Mike Fillingim to kick off their Annual Heart Health Game and Blood Drive to benefit the Thomas Hospital Foundation

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Fairhope’s Fillingim honored

• Longtime Pirates’ coach throws out first pitch at Annual Heart Health and Blood Drive Game

Posted

FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The Fairhope High School Baseball team honored longtime volunteer coach Mike Fillingim to kick off their Annual Heart Health Game and Blood Drive to benefit the Thomas Hospital Foundation.

Fillingim, who threw out the first pitch, was recognized for his 34 years of service to Pirates baseball as well as support for the foundation which sponsors the Heart Health Game and Blood Drive.

He was also a patient recently in Thomas Hospital's cardiac program, one of the top 100 in the nation. He said he was honored and appreciative of the care he got at Thomas.

“I really appreciate the people turning out,” said Fillingim, who played his junior and senior collegiate seasons under Eddie Stanky at the University of South Alabama. “I’ve been doing this for a long time and always enjoy being around the kids. I just really love the game and enjoy helping pass that on to the younger players. It turned out to be a really a good night and we collected almost 50 pints for a good cause.”

Fairhope head coach Stu Fuller, another former USA Jaguar also benefited from the medical expertise of the cardiac-care at Thomas said Fillingim has been a valuable asset to the baseball program and the community.

“Mike means the world to the program and has helped with so many kids that have been through here. And he’s just been a staple and a pillar for Fairhope baseball and this community since 1983. I can’t fully express how much we appreciate his time working with the players and how valuable he is to us.

“I also really appreciate everyone who organized this and who do it every year. And that includes my wife, Lanette Fuller as well as Kathy Baugh and Jenna Barnes with the foundation. Also, very appreciative of the community for turning out and setting a new record on Coach Fill’s special night.”

The 2017 blood drive produced a record 48 pints this year. For more information on health programs at Thomas Hospital and the foundation visit: Facebook.com/Thomas-Hospital-Foundation