TIFTON — Tift County baseball will show its support for Reece Watson Friday with fundraisers taking place during the Blue Devils’ home doubleheader against Camden County.

Watson, a Truett McConnell baseball player who graduated from Tift in 2020, was seriously injured in a car accident March 5 and is hospitalized.

A GoFundMe page, “Help Reece Watson pay for medical bills,” had reached $21,000 as of Wednesday, with support coming in not just locally but from all over Georgia.

“Rally for Reece” is not only online support for Watson but at campuses at Truett McConnell and Tift. Truett McConnell has a prayer service for Watson at 8 p.m. today.

Tift County baseball head coach Kyle Kirk has been in contact with the Watson family throughout and said he plans to visit the hospital this weekend. Players have signed a game ball that Kirk is taking with him.

Friday will see several fundraising efforts.

“We’re going to raffle off some donated items,” Kirk said. He is getting items together, but already knows of a jellies basket. “We’re going to have a tent set up for people to be able to buy tickets.”

Kirk said, in addition, some concession stand proceeds will go to Watson.

There will be a special guest at Friday’s games. Connor Thomas, legendary Tift player now pitching in the St. Louis Cardinals chain, will be in town on his way to spring training and will throw out the first pitch.

“We’re hoping for a big crowd and a big community effort,” Kirk said. “If we have to bring in extra seats, we’ll do it.”

The Camden games start at 5:30 p.m.