Down in the Weevils’ bullpen, Piedmont catcher Jeremy Salazar was warming up the starting pitcher as he always does, but in between tosses, Salazar’s right arm was clearly and emphatically performing an animated ‘‘tomahawk chop.’’

Salazar, a Florida State graduate, had a right to be excited, because Kannapolis mayor Ray Moss had declared May 19, 1999 as ‘‘Nick Maddox Day.’’ And the A.L. Brown legend who will officially join the Seminoles’ football program when he reports for duty on June 20 was in the Boll Weevils’ house.

Salazar must have slapped Maddox on the back 20 times and pumped his right hand a dozen more when he happily presented the Wonder speedster with an autographed Boll Weevil bat as part of the pre-game ceremonies.

Maddox was honored not only by chops and chants, but by a succession of pregame dignitaries/speakers, including Mayor Moss, his high school coach, Bruce Hardin, his mother, Pat, and his principal, Janice Carty.

It wasn’t really a roast, because in Kannapolis, folks don’t say bad things about Maddox even in jest. He has an identification index that politicians would kill for. Everyone knows him by sight, sound and jersey number.

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