The town of West Point is still trying to pick up the pieces two days after a violent storm tore through the area killing one resident, knocking down tree limbs, power lines and other objects in its wake.

West Point High’s baseball and softball fields were among the facilities damaged by Tuesday night’s downpour. The tin top of the visitors’ baseball dugout was blown off and is currently laying in the infield of the softball diamond. About half of the softball program’s relatively new black metal wall in center field was also displaced.

All affected areas remained untouched as of Thursday afternoon for insurance purposes. West Point coach Kevin Sullins said the plan is to make repairs as soon as possible once it’s determined whether either will be covered by insurance.

The wall in center field, more commonly known as a batter’s eye, helps hitters see the ball more clearly without the usual visual distractions. It’s also utilized by the Warriors, who have one on both fields, for advertising.

“The girls like it,” Sullins said. “It really dresses up the field, kind of like the wall in Boston. Ours is the Black Monster, though, not the Green Monster.”

Tuesday’s thunderstorm claimed one casualty, Randy Blackwood, a member of the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame’s 2009 class. Blackwood died after being struck by a falling tree branch while trying to park his lawnmower. He was 59.

Blackwood was the director of West Point Parks and Recreation from 1988-95, overseeing the start of Dizzy Dean youth league baseball and slow-pitch softball leagues for girls in Cullman County.

Years before his work as director, Blackwood was a multi-sport standout for the Warriors, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track.

Blackwood played football for legendary coach Dafford Smith on West Point’s 1973 squad that went 9-1 and allowed just 44 points. He was named the team’s Most Valuable Player that season and the Most Valuable Defensive Player the following fall.

Blackwood was also a three-year starter in basketball and baseball. On the court, he was voted Most Valuable Player for the 1973-74 season.

After graduating from West Point in 1974, Blackwood accepted an invitation to walk on as a fullback at Auburn.

According to Blackwood’s obituary: “To know Randy was to love him. He was a kind man who had a distinctive and infectious laugh. To say that he will be missed by all who knew him would be an understatement, but we will not grieve as those who have no hope. Randy is home.”

Blackwood’s funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Bethlehem West Baptist Church.