By Jonelle Bobak
“Put a twist in it!”
“Just hit the mitt!”
“Finish it up right here!”
These are some of the chants that long-time fan Steve Hines yells out while attending Gardner-Webb baseball games. You know Hines is in the Henry Moss Stadium when he starts cheering on the team.
Hines is a 1972 graduate of Shelby High and has lived in Shelby, N.C., his whole life. He has been living and breathing sports since he was born. He was also an umpire for 15 years.
“I played basketball, baseball and softball growing up and I have never gotten away from it,” said Hines. “I’ve been going to games a long time and I go to all of them.”
He has been attending Gardner-Webb sports games for 40 years. He calls himself a “sports junkie.” Back in 2013, he was awarded Cleveland County’s Fan of the Year.
Hines said, “It was something I had never been recognized for, it was good.” The Cleveland County Fellowship of Christian Athletes awarded Hines and others at a ceremony at Shelby City Park.
On the city of Shelby’s website it states, “Added in 1968, this award, sponsored by radio station WOHS, goes to the person selected by the Award’s Committee as having been Cleveland County’s
number one Sports Fan in the past year.”
He loves to support local teams because they are a part of his community. “These are the guys that represent the community of Cleveland County, it helps them and the community,” he said. “When the squad is doing good, we’re doing good.”
Hines has a grandson, that plays baseball at Crest High School and he watches his games as well.
Hines said when he is not attending sports games he is watching them on television.
Rusty Stroupe, Gardner-Webb’s head baseball coach, is very thankful for Hines’ encouragement and support for the team.
“We can always count on Steve, he roots for us in the good times and the bad times,” said Stroupe.