Ocean Springs’ Chris Fox earns NJCAA Gold Glove Award after errorless year at Meridian Community College

For Chris Fox, baseball has always been more than just a game. Now, the former Ocean Springs standout is being recognized as one of the nation’s best defenders.

Fox earned the NJCAA Gold Glove Award following his sophomore season at Meridian Community College, an honor given to the top defensive players in junior college baseball. The recognition caps off an outstanding season in center field, where Fox posted a perfect fielding percentage.

“The moment I found out was when I was on the phone with my Meridian coach talking about how they looked next year and all that stuff,” Fox said. “Then he said he got a message on his phone and he said, ‘Fox, you’re a Gold Glove winner!’ I was like, ‘Oh gosh, no way.’ The moment didn’t really feel real, but it was definitely truly an honor, and I’m super blessed to win that award.”

What makes the accomplishment even more impressive is that center field is still relatively new to Fox. This past season marked just his third year playing in the outfield after spending most of his baseball career behind the plate as a catcher.

Fox credits Ocean Springs head coach Ryne Long for helping him discover a new position during his senior year of high school.

“I’ve caught my whole life,” Fox said. “Senior year of high school, Coach Long told me to go to the outfield for this intersquad. I made a couple plays in the outfield and ever since then he put me in the outfield for practice and told me to lay out and make some plays. It was fun, and I realized I liked it.”

That opportunity continued at Meridian Community College, where Fox split time between catcher and the outfield before making center field his primary position.

“Coach Sudduth gave me the opportunity my freshman year in right field, and I really never looked back,” Fox said. “I had coaches that believed in me and trusted my ability to play another position, and that’s really why I’m here.”

Fox says the support from his coaches has been instrumental in his success, but he ultimately credits his faith for putting him in this position.

“At the end of the day, all the awards and all the success, I want to give it all to God,” Fox said. “He’s the reason I’m here and the reason I’ve won these awards. If it wasn’t for Him, I wouldn’t be here and wouldn’t be able to play the game I love. I decided to put all of my faith and my life in His hands, and He’s definitely put me on the right path and blessed me more than I could ever imagine.”

Fox’s baseball journey will continue this fall when he joins LSU New Orleans, where he’ll suit up for the Privateers as he takes the next step in his collegiate career.