Members of the 2023 All-Over The Mountain Baseball Team are, above, front row from left, Evan Smallwood, Spain Park; Matthew Widra, Spain Park; CJ Gross, Spain Park; Jackson Miller, John Carroll Catholic; and Nick McCord, Oak Mountain. Back: Caleb Barnett, Mountain Brook; James Graphos, Mountain Brook; Charlie Berryman, Mountain Brook; and Jacob Tobias, Spain Park. Below, from left, from Vestavia, Grant Downey, Hudson Walburn, Aiden Black, Coach of the Year, Jamie Harris, Jackson Harris, Jable Ramey, Christopher Johnston, and John Paul Head. Not pictured: Cole Edwards, Evan Smallwood, Clay Spencer, Lucas Thornton, Spain Park; RJ Hamilton, Hoover; Levi Nikoli, Tripp Gann, Homewood; John Robicheaux, Gabe Young, Mountain Brook; Brady Waugh, Drake Meeks, Briarwood.
By Rubin E. Grant
In the wee hours of the morning on May 19, Jackson Harris and his dad, Jamie Harris, were at Vestavia Hills’ baseball field chatting.
It was a celebratory conversation. The Rebels had just returned from a late night at Jacksonville State University, where Jackson Harris, a senior first baseman, had helped his dad, the team’s head baseball coach, bring Vestavia Hills its first state baseball championship since 2000.
“We got home and hung out at the field,” Jackson Harris said. “We sat down and talked together. It was great to win one for him and keep the family tradition.”
Jamie Harris played for legendary Vestavia Hills baseball coach Sammy Dunn while the Rebels were in the midst of winning nine titles in 10 years from 1991-2000.
Jackson Harris played a starring role in bringing the title drought to an end. He had a clutch RBI single in the Rebels’ 4-1 victory in the decisive third game of the championship series against defending champion Central-Phenix City that clinched the title.
It was the finishing touch on a season during which Jackson Harris put up some phenomenal numbers at the plate. He batted .395 with a .534 on-base percentage and a .702 slugging percentage, producing a 1.235 OPS. Among his 49 hits, 24 were for extra bases (15 doubles, four triples and five home runs). He also had 38 runs batted in and scored 37 runs. He drew 20 walks, was hit by pitches 18 times and had seven stolen bases in nine attempts.
If that weren’t enough, he had a 3-0 record with a 3.63 earned-run average on the mound in a limited role.
Over the Mountain baseball coaches took note, voting Jackson Harris the 2023 OTM Baseball Player of the Year.
“I am honored to be selected,” Harris said. “My high school career was great and my senior season was special, getting to play with the other seniors who are my friends. We had a lot of team chemistry.
“And it’s cool that my dad gets coach of the year.”
Jamie Harris was tabbed the 2023 Coach the Year, but he took a moment to talk about his son’s honor.
“Wow! I couldn’t draw it up any better with him as a senior beating Central-Phenix City in the championship series,” coach Harris said. “He’s been an unbelievably great player for us for three years. With him being named player of the year, it caps off a magical season.
“It’s a special experience with him being my son and seeing the joy on his face after we won the state championship. He wanted to win one so bad. He’s grown up around the game since he was born.”
Jackson Harris will follow in his dad’s footsteps and play baseball at Samford. Before he dons the Bulldogs’ uniform, he hopes to add some muscle to his 5-foot-10 frame.
“I’m going to work out this summer and try to get as big as I can,” he said. “I weigh 180 and I’m trying to get to 190-195 before I get to Samford.”
Meet the Team
Jackson Harris is one of seven Vestavia Hills players on the All-OTM team, joining third baseman John Paul Head, catcher Hudson Walburn, outfielders Chris Johnston and Grant Downey and pitchers Aiden Black and Jable Ramey.
Spain Park also landed seven players on the team: first baseman Cole Edwards, third baseman Evan Smallwood, catcher Clay Spencer, outfielder Matthew Widra, designated hitter Jacob Tobias, and pitchers C.J. Gross and Lucas Thornton.
Mountain Brook has five representatives: second baseman James Graphos, outfielders Charlie Berryman, John Robicheaux, and Gabe Young, and pitcher Caleb Barnett.
Homewood put two players on the team: shortstop Levi Nickoli and designated hitter Tripp Gann. Briarwood had two representatives: designated hitter Brady Waugh and pitcher Drake Meeks. Oak Mountain also had two players voted to the squad: shortstop Nick McCord and pitcher Matthew Heiberger.
Rounding out the team are second basemen R.J. Hamilton from Hoover and Jackson Miller from John Carroll Catholic.
Coach of the Year
Coach Harris led the Rebels to a 34-11 record and the state title in his eighth season at the helm, but he spread the credit for the coach of the year honor.
“I think it is a staff award,” he said. “It’s not about me. There were five guys other than me who are passionate about what we do and they deserve all the credit.
“We have such a balanced staff. I’m smart enough to get out of the way and let them coach.”
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