Homewood-Flossmoor's Jhames Holley Embraces Unique Name and Lefty Swing

Senior first baseman's unorthodox approach helps Vikings win fourth straight game

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:35am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball player in motion, with their body and the ball broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange, conveying the dynamic energy and unique perspective of the game.Holley's unique approach and left-handed swing have made him a standout player for the Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings.Chicago Today

Jhames Holley III, a senior first baseman for the Homewood-Flossmoor High School baseball team, is making a name for himself with his unique first name and left-handed swing. Holley, one of the few left-handed hitters on the 27-player roster, has embraced his differences and is using them to his advantage, helping the Vikings win their fourth straight game.

Why it matters

Holley's story highlights how embracing one's individuality and using it as a strength can lead to success, both on and off the field. His parents' decision to give him a unique name and encourage him to pursue baseball, a sport not typically associated with young Black athletes, has shaped Holley's perspective and approach to the game.

The details

In a 10-3 win over Rich Township, Holley went 4-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs, three runs scored, and two stolen bases. His left-handed swing and ability to hit the ball the other way have made him a valuable asset to the Vikings' lineup. Holley, who is a Joliet Junior College recruit, has taken over at first base after an injury to sophomore Brock Hamilton.

  • On Tuesday, Holley helped lead Homewood-Flossmoor to a 10-3 win over Rich Township at Illinois-Chicago's Curtis Granderson Stadium.
  • Holley has started the last five games at first base for the Vikings (10-3) after sophomore Brock Hamilton suffered a broken thumb in practice.

The players

Jhames Holley III

A senior first baseman for the Homewood-Flossmoor High School baseball team, known for his unique first name and left-handed swing.

Kamari Dawkins

A senior catcher for Homewood-Flossmoor High School, who praised Holley as his first friend at the school and described him as having a strong bat with power from the left side.

Marcus Rodgers

The head coach of the Homewood-Flossmoor High School baseball team, who called Holley's versatility a key to optimizing the Vikings' attack.

Brock Hamilton

A sophomore who suffered a broken thumb in practice, allowing Holley to take over at first base for the Vikings.

Javoris Bohannon

A senior shortstop for the Rich Township Raptors, who had two hits and two RBIs in the game against Homewood-Flossmoor.

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What they’re saying

“He's my guy, the first friend I met here on day one. He has a strong bat, with power from the left side, who gets his hands on every ball that comes to him at first base.”

— Kamari Dawkins, senior catcher

“He's been great for us the whole year, first as a designated hitter. He hasn't skipped a beat since taking over at first. He's been hitting the ball the other way lately. He's dangerous when he does that. I think it makes him one of the best left-handed hitters in the state.”

— Marcus Rodgers, Homewood-Flossmoor head coach

“My thought process going into every at-bat is just do a job. I'm always looking to help the team out. I got a pitch and an opportunity to score some guys and made it happen.”

— Jhames Holley III

“They wanted to put me in a sport where typically you don't see a lot of young Black guys playing. The default sport would be football, basketball or track, but they wanted me to be unique. It's the same thing with the spelling of my first name. They always wanted me to be my own person.”

— Jhames Holley III

“This is my third year playing on varsity and it has taken a long time to develop this mindset of really going up to the plate just having fun. That relieves all of the pressure off of you when you remember baseball is a child's game. You're supposed to go out there and have fun.”

— Jhames Holley III

What’s next

Holley and the Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings will look to continue their winning streak when they face off against conference rival Bloom Township on Friday.

The takeaway

Jhames Holley's story is a testament to the power of embracing one's individuality and using it as a strength. His unique name and left-handed swing have made him a standout player, and his ability to have fun and stay focused on helping the team has been key to the Vikings' success this season.