08/26/2026
Tomorrow night at 6:30, just before we kick-off the 2026 football season by hosting Southside, a new chapter of Hokes Bluff Athletics will be added to the history books.
On behalf of our storied baseball program, we will be retiring the number 16 jersey, forever cementing its legacy alongside the very best that have ever walked these halls and stepped onto these fields. This is the highest possible honor that our athletic program can present. To do such a thing requires a player to not just be talented. No, a player would need to have established new standards for excellence, leadership, and integrity during their time as an Eagle.
A player would have to try to be like Jake Ball.
Jake’s time wearing the number 16 for Hokes Bluff Baseball was, in a word, dominant. As a sophomore in the 2001 season, he earned 4A First-Team honors as a designated hitter while leading the Eagles to a semifinal playoff berth.
The 2002 season saw Jake anchor the infield on the way to an appearance in the state finals. He hit a staggering .490, and earned first-team honors at the county, area, and state levels (across all classifications). He was the Gadsden Times Offensive Player of the Year, and even got invited to play in the prestigious North/South All-Star Game, during which he earned MVP honors after going 4-4 with a double and a home run.
Jake was able to top it all off in 2003 by leading Hokes Bluff to a 4A state title. He repeated his appearance on the First-Team All-County, All-Area, and All-State teams. He was the Class 4A Player of the Year, and finished runner-up for the ultimate crown of Mr. Baseball in the state of Alabama. That season saw him hit .485 from the plate while also pitching his way to a perfect 10-0 record, featuring a microscopic 1.21 ERA. He was also named Etowah County’s Player of the Year, making him one of very few athletes to earn that honor in three different sports in the same season.
After high school, Jake signed a Division-1 scholarship to play baseball for the legendary Jim Case at Jacksonville State University. In 3 of his 4 seasons as a Gamecock, JSU won their conference championship. They also earned two berths in the NCAA Tournament. Jake earned All-Conference honors in 2005, 2006, and 2007. When his JSU career ended, he was the school’s all-time leader in hits, games played, and games started while also ranking in the top ten in RBIs, doubles, runs scored, and walks.
Jake wore number 16 with unmatched pride while bringing immense honor to our school and community. His jersey will be framed and displayed here at the high school as a permanent testament to his incredible legacy.
Please join us tomorrow night at 6:30 as we celebrate and congratulate one of Hokes Bluff’s all-time greats.
