Written By: Daniel Payne
Photo by Bridget Stokes
When Cade Horton began playing baseball at a young age, he always dreamed of going to college and playing baseball. And hopefully even get a chance to play even further. It is what most kids who have ever touched the diamond dreamed of. As he entered his 7th grade year he had earned a spot on the varsity baseball team. This doesn’t happen very often, especially in a school the size of Bibb County. But it didn’t take people long to realize that this kid belonged there. Then came the day that would bring everything to a sudden stop.
It was April 4th, 2016. It was just another normal day at Centreville Middle School. A game of kickball was being enjoyed by many on the playground that day. Then the unthinkable happened. Another student slid into Cade’s leg and broke it. And it wasn’t just a normal break, it was as bad as it could possibly be. One would have to think what could possibly be going through Cade’s mind as he was being rushed to the hospital. Being the competitor that he is, I am certain he was upset that his baseball season was over. Little did he know, he had a lot more to worry about than the season being over.
Over the next year or so, Cade would have 9 surgeries and 3 picc lines placed into his leg. He would go through therapy and just when it seemed like all was well, back to the operating room he would go. On September 22, 2017, the doctor released Cade to go back to playing sports. He said he remembered going to the field with his dad that day and leaving in tears in his eyes thinking he might not ever play again.
But not only would Horton play again, he would become one of the top prospects in West Alabama. He has been on numerous All State teams and going into this year he has been on the Tuscaloosa News Super 9 team twice.
Cade not only played baseball, but lettered in basketball for two years and football for three years.
On Friday April 9th, surrounded by his family and teammates, Cade signed to play baseball with Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Mississippi. He plans on majoring in kinesiology.
Cade is the son of Job and Sherry Horton. He is the grandson of Zeke and Rosie Horton.
Cade had this to say, “ I love being a part of the Bibb County baseball program. I’ve been so blessed the past 6 years to be around great coaches and great players. Being able to go to war with some of my best friends that I’ve grew up with and making deep runs into the playoffs year in and year out is something I will never take for granted. I would like to thank my parents for everything they have done for me. They sacrificed so much for me to do what I love. I would like to thank them for raising me into the man I am today. They are my biggest role models. I would also like to thank the Bibb County coaching staff and players for pushing me to be the best player I can be.”
Cade will definitely be missed but we all want to wish him nothing but the best as he moves forward with his baseball career. If you have gotten a chance to know this kid, you know you better not bet against him.
