Battle Baseball Complex Beautification Day set for Saturday
Kinston High School is planning a dedication to a legend — but first, it needs your help.
On Saturday, May 4, there will be a dedication ceremony at the school’s baseball field for Hall of Fame coach Ronnie Battle at 4 p.m. Battle was an advocate for assisting the youth in the community through sports, serving as the Kinston High School head coach in baseball for 23 years.
He led the Vikings to the NCHSAA 3A third round of the state playoffs in 2003 and was named the Eastern Carolina 3A’s coach of the year in the process. Battle also coached the American Legion Post 43 baseball team from 1998-2017, winning more than 400 games combined.
Battle, 68, passed away Jan. 5, 2018, after complications from pancreatic cancer.
Last May, the Lenoir County Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to name the baseball field the Ronnie Battle Baseball Complex; there will be a beautification day held Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch will be served to all volunteers, and organizers are asking volunteers to bring items such as rakes, shovels and gardening gloves.
“We’re dedicating the baseball field to Ronnie Battle and we’re encouraging the community to come on out,” Kinston Athletics Director Perry Tyndall said. “We’re excited for this event and to have the complex dedicated to a man who helped so many young men become better in baseball and life through Kinston and the American Legion over the years.”
Birta Battle, Ronnie’s wife of 42 years, said her husband was a big part of Kinston lore and was loved by many as he served the area.
“He meant everything to so many people,” she said. “He loved the community, sports, his children, family, coaching — he did very well with everything.”
There will be a benefit dinner sale on Saturday, April 13 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the KHS cafeteria. All plates are $10 and consist of barbecue chicken, candied yams, string beans, bread and a dessert. All proceeds will support the Ronnie Battle Baseball Complex.
To purchase tickets or for additional information, contact Birta Battle at 252-523-0289.
