Little Giants’ Payne gets stake in Generals

Waynesboro High School baseball coach Webber Payne will join the Waynesboro Generals’ minority ownership group in a move that the Generals hope will allow him to act as a liaison between the two teams that both play at Kate Collins Middle School Field.

“With both of us using the facilities, what ever I can do to help is great,” Payne said. “We have one of the better fields in the Valley. I think there are a few more things that can be done, I know money is tight and hopefully we can fix it up ourselves.”

The Generals want to make several improvements to the baseball complex at Kate Collins Field, including purchasing a tarp to cover the infield. Since both the Generals and Little Giants share the field along with Post 340, an American Legion baseball team, majority shareholder Jerry Carter felt that Payne’s addition to the minority group was a natural fit.

“Our focus this year is solidify our partnership with the Little Giants,” Carter said. “There is no more natural way to do that than to have Payne in it. We are ecstatic that he’s on board.”

Payne said that he also hopes his relationship with the Generals will benefit his players.

“Hopefully we can get some kids involved with the Generals,” Payne said. “It’s good for kids to learn from watching practice and hitting with the Generals.”

Before the start of the 2009 Valley League season, the Generals donated money to all the baseball programs in Augusta County and Waynesboro. This year, Carter wanted to focus on only Waynesboro and the park.

“Last year we took our focus and energy and spread it around,” Carter said. This year the focus is strictly going to be the Waynesboro Little Giants and Kate Collins Field.”

The first item on Carter’s long list of improvements for Kate Collins is the purchase of an infield tarp that can be used by the high school team as well. Later he wants to make improvements to the press box and concession stand areas with the help of volunteers from the community.

“It’s time for Waynesboro to quit complaining about what Waynesboro doesn’t have,” Carter said. “Not everyone can write a check … we can donate our time. We want to get people excited about taking part in all things Kate Collins.”