As I sit to write a note of “congratulations” to Bamberg-Ehrhardt head coach David Horton I reminisce about the experiences that I have had with him as a coach and a person.

Many people who know Coach Horton understand his knowledge and expertise that he has toward the game of baseball. The part that goes unnoticed is how much he not only helps current and former players and coaches but he also enjoys helping others even though they may have never played for him or coached along with him. I am an example of this tutelage, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to say “thank you” and congratulations to a coaching legend.

As a former high school and college baseball coach, I have had the opportunity to get to know Coach Horton in many different lights. The one thing that you learn early on is that Coach Horton is an honest, sincere, hard-working, knowledgeable baseball man that cares deeply for his players like he does his entire family. I can still remember going over to talk to Coach Horton after a baseball game for his help in recruiting players for our Legion team. He told me he would love to help but I would have to walk on the field and talk because he promised his grandson he could run the bases after every game and he was not going to let him down. That spoke a lot about Coach Horton, the family man who has found the perfect balance between baseball, family and his love for both.

There has been one consistent person in the dugout with Coach Horton that I believe can match him pretty close with his baseball knowledge, and that person is Mrs. (Susan) Horton. When I first met Coach Horton and his wife I realized he was the true legend of baseball, but wow, the knowledge Mrs. Horton has for baseball is astronomical (to this day I believe she makes him look good sometimes by suggesting certain moves in a baseball game, and I believe Coach would admit that). She is truly a great complement and is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. You can not say hello to Mrs. Horton without getting a hug around your neck, and she is that way with everyone that she meets.

There has never been a time that I have talked with Coach Horton about baseball that he has taken any credit for his success over the years, instead giving all credit to his players and coaches. As a former coach I understand what he is saying, but he is the reason for all of the state championship signs that line the outfield fence and since he won’t say it himself, I decided I would say it for him.

It has truly been an honor to get to know Coach Horton over the years, and I respect his friendship.

Coach Horton: As a former opponent both as a player and coach, I respect your hard work and dedication to the sport of baseball. As a friend, I appreciate the advice you have given me over the years that will make me a better person, husband, and father in my own life. Thanks for the memories, Coach Horton, and I look forward to seeing you achieve many more wins in the future because you are only getting younger!

Brian Newsome coached baseball at Claflin University from 2003-2006, at Swansea High from 2001-2003 and Orangeburg Post 4 during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. He is currently a principal at Allendale-Fairfax Middle School.

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