More than 10 years ago, Bubba Boggs would have never found himself standing in right field playing with a group of Adams County Christian School baseball players.

On Saturday, however, the former Rebels welcomed the Parklane Academy graduate with open arms.

Boggs joined his team, The Dirty 30s, to play against more than 50 other alums from nearly a dozen area schools during a fundraiser event at ACCS.

As one who used to play against the Rebels — not with them — Boggs said he was eager to join some of his former opponents after graduating high school in 2007.

“We grew up playing little league against each other,” Boggs said. “I just love playing ball, so this is fun.

“I haven’t been on a baseball field since college. It’s been about eight years. I feel good, but out of shape.”

Though Boggs was used to seeing the former Rebel players in the opposite dugout, there was one player he had become teammates with long before Saturday.

After high school, Eric Perry and Boggs played together at Southwest Mississippi Community College.

Both catchers in high school, Perry said he remembers competing heavily against Boggs.

“He had the best arm on the field behind the plate. It was a cannon,” he said. “He still does.

“This is a little different because we get to joke the whole game instead of just bypassing each other between innings.”

After playing with Boggs, Perry said he’s happy he joined the team.

“We were originally going to do it as an alumni type game, but a lot of people couldn’t come in town so I called Bubba up,” he said. “Him and I have been friends for a long time playing against each other growing up.”

Perry said as soon as Boggs got the call, it was game on.

“I just wanted to know if he wanted to bring out the old spikes and he was ready to go right then,” Perry said.

The Dirty 30s were stacked with other former ACCS graduates including Luke Brumfield, Austin Weeks, Ray Simpson and James Sullivan.

“We try to do this every couple of years if we can — try to relive the glory days,” Perry said. “This couldn’t be any better.”

While the tournament was all fun and games, with players from ACCS, South Natchez, Vidalia, Cathedral, Delta Charter, Trinity Episcopal, Franklin County and Denham Springs, Perry said he still wanted to try his best.

The name Dirty 30s came from most players on the team being either 29 or 30 years old.

“We are here to win,” Perry said. “We didn’t come here just to joke around.”

If anything, Perry said it was good to see some old friends, especially Boggs who traveled from Jackson just for the event.

“We are just out here playing good ole’ baseball,” he said.

Family matters

Also playing with the Dirty 30s Saturday was David New III, grandson of David ‘Papa’ New whom the ACCS baseball field is named after.

The New legacy still lives on as David New III has a 4-year-old son with the same name. While it will be a few years until the little one plays baseball, he already is a Rebel and attends ACCS.

Three generations of the New family came together in support on the fundraiser and enjoying quality family time on the field that was built in 1972.