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Kelly Dickinson from Lufkin (TX) High School came to Hinds in the fall of 1986 by way of the great Bill Marchant, who coached him in high school and also coached at Hinds during the 1983 season.
He was a gritty, fearless, savvy, and ballsy competitor. He batted right and threw left.
In his one season with the Eagles in 1987, Kelly posted some great numbers as a leadoff hitter and centerfielder. He batted .425, scored 43 runs, drove in 28 runs, stole 18 bases, reached base 96 times for an on-base-percentage of .545, and added 14 doubles and 2 wind-aided home home runs. (his words, not mine). 😁 He also walked 22 times, had only 4 strikeouts and helped lead the Eagles to our first state championship in 37 years and Hinds’ first appearance in the NJCCA Eastern District Tournament.
Kelly was chosen by his teammates as the Hinds Player of the Year and was also an All-State and All-Region 23 selection.
He has reminded me many times over the decades that he went 10 for 10 in a doubleheader against Jones and robbed a home run to win a game at Utica and that pitcher Pat Rapp bear hugged him and squeezed the breath out of him in the celebration.
He continued his playing career for Marchant at Delta State University.
Kelly Dickinson was truly one of the great characters of the game, both on and off the field.
Rick Clarke's Diary of a Mad Baseball Coach 