The Thomasville HiToms have had some larger than life players come through Finch Field over the years. While baseball stars come and go, the HiToms newest addition is assured to be around for many summers to come.

Before tonight’s game against the Asheboro Copperheads, Thomasville will unveil its new 5’10”, 97-pound player-to-be named later in the form of a wooden chainsaw sculpture that will be both a fixture at Finch Field and a symbol of the Chair City’s commitment to the future.

“We’re excited and humbled by this wonderful new addition to the ballpark,” HiToms President Greg Suire said. “It’s pretty cool and is a great gesture by the city. I think it will resonate well with our fans and others who visit Finch Field. I’m very grateful that the city thinks enough about us to do something like this.”

On May 1, Thomasville Tourism hosted the ECHO Chainsaw Sculpting Invitational in downtown where craftsman from all over the country showed off their wood-working talents. Randy Everett, a wood sculptor from Colfax, played a huge role in getting the event to Thomasville, and local organizers wanted to find a way to compensate him and city officials for the competition’s success.

“I was always small and I was finally able to get a pip-squeak like me signed to a big team,” said Mark Scott, executive director for Thomasville Tourism. “The chainsaw competition was such a huge success and this one of the few things I’ve been a part of where all the sides were 100-percent happy. It didn’t bring in a ton of money, but it brought in enough to keep the doors open for next year. We think we have found a way to enhance it and a big part of our success was teaming up with Randy [Everett].”

Scott presented City Manager Kelly Craver with the idea of accepting a sculpture as a sign of appreciation, but exactly where the token would go was a sticking point. Displaying the sculpture at Finch Field ensures residents and tourists both enjoy its craftsmanship and are reminded of the annual chainsaw competition.

“We didn’t have the funds to outright give Randy money for helping,” Scott said. “We needed to give something to the city as well. Kelly thought it was a good idea but also wanted something that could act as a marketing piece. So much goes on at Finch Field within our community, so why not a baseball player? I have no doubt this will be a top-notch piece. Hopefully we’ll win four or five games in a row and he can gain legendary status.”

Tonight is Thomasville Chamber of Commerce Night at Finch Field, and the sculpture will be unveiled before the HiToms game at 7 p.m. Exactly where the sculpture will go and what his name will be has yet to be determined. Suire feels the new addition can become a Finch Field landmark that draws the attention of fans and visitors for years to come. The sculpted player will be wearing a HiToms uniform, leaning on a bat with a ball in his other hand.

Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 888-3578, or duke@tvilletimes.com.