Like Babe Ruth, Lenox Lively never let the fear of striking out keep him from playing the game. Through his relentless determination, the 17-year-old Swainsboro High School senior of the class of 2024, has developed an unwavering love for the game as well as an unmatched talent that has helped him earn a spot on the Queens University of Charlotte division one baseball team.
Lively officially committed to Queens Friday, September 15. However, his destiny began at the very young age of three when his parents, Billy and Mandy Lively, signed him up for t-ball.
“Growing up in a baseball family and playing the game at a young age helped my love for the game develop into the calling that it is today.” explained Lively.
From that moment forward, Lively worked hard to develop his skills as a catcher which eventually led to a permanent spot on the Swainsboro Tigers baseball team.
“I have never missed a game since my sixth-grade year for any reason.” said Lively, “I started in middle school as a sixth grader on the A team and then moved up to high school and started on varsity my freshman year. I have been a four-year starter in high school.”
Although Lively has been recruited by Queens as their Primary Catcher, he also plays corner infield and corner outfield. While baseball is his first love, Lively additionally played football all three years of middle school and started quarterback on varsity his freshman year but decided to focus more on baseball.
Throughout the duration of his sporting career, Lively earned numerous awards and titles including Perfect Game All American, was Swainsboro High School’s Offensive Player of the Year two times in a row, was the GHSA Second Team All-Region Utility Player and the GHSA First Team All-Region Catcher, was Swainsboro Middle School’s 2019 Pitcher of the Year and earned the highest batting average that same year, and has also been a member of several Perfect game all tournament teams.
As Lively's years as a Swainsboro Tiger come to a close, his future looks bright under those Stick Williams Dream Field lights. He explained that he’s looking forward to his future as a Charlotte Royal and after graduation plans to major in aerospace engineering and eventually use his knowledge and degree to better develop airplanes, that is of course, if he doesn’t get drafted to the majors first.
When talking about his future and moving from his hometown of Swainsboro to Charlotte, North Carolina, Lively lamented, “I will miss my friends that I grew up with but mainly the bond that I share with my family and dogs on a daily basis.”
He further wanted to express an abundance of gratitude to all who helped make his goal achievable.
“I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love and my family, friends, coaches and mentors that have made me the man and player I am today. It has always been my dream to play division one baseball and I am pumped for the challenge!” He concluded.
Congratulations Lenox on this incredible opportunity! The staff of The Forest-Blade hopes your senior year is made up of everything you hoped it would be. Go Tigers and go Royals!
