ten years after

Few may remember this — few may want to remember, actually — but today is the 10th anniversary of the first home game played by the Jackson Diamond Kats. That was the one-and-done independent league club that rushed into Smith-Wills Stadium the year after the Generals left. A crowd announced at 2,389 (not that many were there) heard the team introduced as “your Jackson Bandits” when they ran on the field for the first time. Oops. The crowd then saw the D-Kats commit four errors and get out-hit 10-7 but beat the Alexandria Aces 5-4. The D-Kats scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth on a base hit by Willie Gardner (who would be kicked off the team a short time later). Tupelo native Gardner was one of 18 players with Mississippi connections on the D-Kats’ initial roster. Mississippi State alum Brian Compton started that first home game. Southern Miss alum Danny Shupe got the save and William Carey product Mark Davis the win. Former Delta State standout Casey Myrick had a hit, scored a run, drove in a run and put down a key sac bunt in the eighth. Ole Miss alum and ex-big leaguer Steve Dillard was the manager, and he would endure a horrible year. The team was bad, setting all kinds of Texas-Louisiana League records for losing in finishing 38-74. Things were also rough off the field under first-time general manager Tim Bennett. The club, owned by the league, drew about 700 per game (if that) for the 2000 season and ultimately folded after falling behind on their lease payments. So … if a toast is in order for the 10th anniversary of the D-Kats’ home opener, do it with a flat beer.