By Stan Caldwell
stanmansportsfan.com
PURVIS – Tony Farlow just thought he was going out to select a raffle winner before the second annual Purvis High Baseball Alumni Game on Saturday.
But then he noticed his family come out, then Lamar County school officials, then former players, media and others, and he knew something was up.
And what was up was a singular honor for the longtime Purvis baseball coach, the official renaming of the Tornadoes’ diamond to Tony Farlow Field.
“It was a complete surprise,” said Farlow.
“I had no idea they were going to do something like this. I’m very grateful, but, like I said, I’m very grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to coach at three different schools, all the wonderful players and assistant coaches I’ve had. It’s made it a joy to coach.”
Farlow has coached 23 seasons as the head coach of the Tornadoes, but his record of success preceded his tenure at Purvis.
A graduate of the old New Augusta High School in Perry County, Farlow was working for his uncle in construction and began coaching on the side.
“I was coaching my little brother’s Dixie Boys team in Hattiesburg,” said Farlow. “And that’s when I decided that was what I really wanted to do with my life.”
Farlow walked on to the football team at Jones College (then Jones County Junior College), earned a scholarship then went on to Southern Miss.
He began his high school coaching career in 1989 at Lumberton and guided the Panthers to the Class 2A state championship in his first season. He was at Lumberton for six seasons, the coached at Richton for three years before taking over at Purvis.
As coach of the Tornadoes, Farlow’s teams have won their region six times, captured six South State titles and three state championships, in 2004 and 2005 in Class 3A, and 2012 in Class 4A.
“There have been so many great memories, we’ve probably got a top 10,” Farlow said. “I know a few years back we beat West Lauderdale, who had a really stacked team, and going on to Jackson and winning it up there (in 2012). That was special.
“We’ve just had so many rival games around here – friendly rivals, and a couple of them not so friendly. But those games are so big, and so much fun to be a part of.”
Among those who came to be a part of the ceremony was former longtime Oak Grove coach Harry Breland, one of those friendly rivals he referred to.
“I got a (head coaching) job right out of college, and I didn’t have any experience,” said Farlow. “You know, you have to learn from people like Larry Watkins (former longtime Petal coach now at Sacred Heart) and Harry Breland, and I’m still learning from them.
“I leaned on some of the guys like that; sometimes it’s people you lose to that learn the most from. Harry’s a great friend of mine and I have a lot of respect for him. We’ve had some great games – we haven’t won many of them against them – but you still learn how to be a better coach when you play against men like that.”
The Purvis Diamond Club, the school’s baseball booster club, decided last year to rename the field, previously known simply as the Purvis Baseball Field, in honor of the school’s head coach.
“Last year, before Covid-19 shut us down, our Diamond Club president presented the idea of recognizing Coach Farlow and his accomplishments as head coach,” said Hoyt Tyner, who organized the event and made the presentation on behalf of the club.
“Since the season was cut short (in 2020), we didn’t get to do that, nor two weeks ago (when the event was originally scheduled), so we’re doing it today.”
Current members of the Tornado team brought out and displayed the lettering that will adorn the field’s centerfield fence, while former players assembled for the alumni game gathered in the infield to pay tribute to their former coach.
Farlow was also joined on the field my his wife, Stacey, and their two children Brady and Tatum, along with members of his extended family.
“I didn’t see my family until I got out here,” Farlow said. “My wife and my son were here for the alumni game because he’s playing in it, but I didn’t see my sister or my father-in-law until I was standing out here.”
Over the course of his career, Farlow has amassed a record of 592-315-1, a winning percentage of 65.3 percent, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
Before the ceremony, Purvis opened Farlow’s 24th season as coach with an 11-0 run-rule victory over Laurel, getting a no-hitter from four pitchers: Walker Flatt, Hunter Jackson, Damon Piercy and Jojo Parker.
“Got a no-hitter and a win,” said Farlow. “It’s a beautiful day, the sun’s out and I get to spend time with some of these guys I used to coach.
“Nope, it’s not work; it’s fun today.”
