Kevin Batiste
Sports Reporter
Baton Rouge, La.
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/raycom/664034d9-40e6-4441-83d2-b6afdc3c4158.png)
Kevin Batiste Jr. was born in Baton Rouge and raised in Rosedale. An Iberville MSA West graduate, his sports obsession began at a young age when his mom would scold him for watching classic football games instead of being productive.
Kevin began at WAFB as an intern. He would get hired on as a sports producer before later being promoted to sports reporter. As much as he enjoys being a fan of the games, what Kevin enjoys the most is showcasing our local athletes so they and their families can have memories to cherish. (Or so the kids can show off to their friends.)
Contact Kevin via email at kevin.batiste@wafb.com and if you see him around, give him a shout!
Education
Updated: Sep. 20, 2023 at 10:43 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
This time last year, Emile Picarella was playing high school football in Mississippi. The quarterback transferred to U-High this past off-season and competed for the starting job.
Updated: Sep. 13, 2023 at 10:48 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
The junior scored two touchdowns in the final period, finishing the night with 205 yards rushing and three scores.
Updated: Sep. 8, 2023 at 2:52 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
The Sportsline Player of the Week goes to the winning signal caller. Parkview quarterback Abram Johnston
Updated: Aug. 9, 2023 at 7:17 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
We’ve heard this week about LSU’s crowded running back room, but what about the Southern Jags? It’s a combination of the new kids and the old vets on the Bluff.
Updated: Aug. 2, 2023 at 10:47 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Fall camp, which obviously feels nothing like fall, is underway at Southern University.
Updated: Jul. 31, 2023 at 6:39 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Football is now in full swing and the New Orleans Saints are in full pads on Monday, July 31 for the first time during camp.
Updated: Jul. 27, 2023 at 8:30 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Last year, the Saints defense finished ninth in points allowed per game and fifth in total yards. That was good but to reach another status, they have to get the football.
Updated: Jul. 25, 2023 at 6:34 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Eric Dooley and his Southern Jags are picked to make another SWAC title game this fall as the top vote-getter in the Western division.
Updated: Jul. 13, 2023 at 6:41 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Stop. No, 23 for Sportsline Summer Camp brings us to St. James.
Updated: Jul. 11, 2023 at 6:27 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Stop No. 21 for Sportsline Summer Camp takes us to St. Francisville.
Updated: Jul. 4, 2023 at 6:14 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Sportsline Summer Cap takes us back to Ascension Parish as we check in with the St. Amant Gators.
Updated: Jul. 3, 2023 at 6:22 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Week four of Sportsline Summer Camp starts on the west side.
Updated: Jun. 30, 2023 at 6:27 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Sportsline Summer Camp continues with the Denham Springs Yellow Jackets, who continue to make progress with head coach Brett Beard.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2023 at 6:21 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
We stay in Division III Select for Sportsline Summer Camp.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2023 at 5:50 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Sportsline Summer Camp stops right next door to Alex Box Stadium on Wednesday, June 28, for the U-High Cubs, who play their games in the shadow of Skip Bertman Field.
Updated: Jun. 23, 2023 at 6:17 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
The past few teams featured on Sportsline Summer Camp have been programs trying to achieve a winning season, but at Madison Prep, winning is expected.
Updated: Jun. 22, 2023 at 5:31 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
The crew was able to stay in the city limits of Baton Rouge for stop No. 9 of Sportsline Summer Camp on Thursday, June 22, with a visit to Broadmoor.
Updated: Jun. 21, 2023 at 5:54 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Stop No. 8 for Sportsline Summer Camp took the crew to Glen Oaks, which ended the season on a six-game losing streak.
Updated: Jun. 13, 2023 at 7:01 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
With Taysom Hill back in the fold for the first day of mandatory minicamp, the Saints are starting to fit the pieces of their offensive puzzle back together.
Updated: Jun. 12, 2023 at 6:22 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
June 12 marked the kickoff of the 24th season of Sportsline Summer Camp. The first stop was on Winbourne Avenue in Baton Rouge with the Istrouma Indians.
Updated: May. 30, 2023 at 6:48 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
The New Orleans Saints wrapped up their fourth day of OTAs for the off-season and head coach Dennis Allen said his guys looked exactly like a team that has been off for four days.
Updated: May. 23, 2023 at 6:39 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Derek Carr is entering his 10th season in the NFL, but it will be his first with a team not named the Raiders. Many got their first look at the Saints QB1 in action.
Updated: Apr. 12, 2023 at 6:43 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
The No. 6 LSU gymnastics team is making its final preparations before the semifinals of the NCAA Championships are held on Thursday, April 13.
Updated: Mar. 22, 2023 at 5:51 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Southern got some spring weather to go along with its spring practice on Wednesday, March 22, as temperatures warmed nicely following a cold snap.
Updated: Mar. 11, 2023 at 8:24 PM CST
|By Kevin Batiste
Catholic rallied late to defeat Scotlandville in Lake Charles for the Div. I Select State Title on Saturday, March 11.
Updated: Mar. 11, 2023 at 7:52 PM CST
|By Kevin Batiste
Port Allen won its fourth-straight state championship by defeating Winnfield in Lake Charles on Saturday, March 11.
Updated: Mar. 11, 2023 at 3:55 PM CST
|By Kevin Batiste
George Washington Carver edged Madison Prep in the DII Select State Championship in Lake Charles on Saturday, March 11.
Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 7:09 PM CST
|By Kevin Batiste
Our fourth finalist for this year’s Warrick Dunn Award for Sportsline Player of the Year is Ascension Catholic wide receiver Calvin Delone.
Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 3:04 PM CST
|By Kevin Batiste
Lutcher had outstanding players on both sides of the ball to help the Bulldogs claim the Div. II state championship in the Superdome.
Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 2:36 PM CST
|By Kevin Batiste
Dunham quarterback Jackson House and Lutcher quarterback D’Wanye’ Winfield were both instrumental in leading their teams to state title games.
Updated: Nov. 30, 2022 at 10:40 PM CST
|By Kevin Batiste
We have our first two-time winner for Sportsline Player of the Week for the 2022 season in Dunham quarterback Jackson House.
Updated: Nov. 9, 2022 at 11:27 PM CST
|By Kevin Batiste
On Friday, Nov. 4 West Feliciana capped off a 10-0 regular season.
Updated: Oct. 11, 2022 at 7:36 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Two Southern football players earned SWAC weekly honors thanks to their efforts in the win at Prairie View on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Updated: Oct. 4, 2022 at 6:37 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
New Southern head coach Eric Dooley will be returning to the program where his college head coaching career started, Prairie View A&M, on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Updated: Oct. 4, 2022 at 6:26 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Southern defensive tackle Jason Dumas was named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Week thanks to his performance against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Updated: Sep. 21, 2022 at 2:50 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
The Southern Jaguars have a bye this week and it seems like it came at a great time. The Jags are coming off a 24-0 loss to Texas Southern.
Updated: Sep. 15, 2022 at 11:09 AM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Our Week 2 Sportsline Player of the Week is East Ascension running back Walter Samuel.
Updated: Sep. 13, 2022 at 6:53 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
The Southern Jaguars are moving on to the start of conference play with a road trip to play Texas Southern in Arlington, Texas.
Updated: Sep. 8, 2022 at 1:00 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Lutcher quarterback D’Wanye Winfield is the Sportsline Player of the Week for Week 1.
Updated: Sep. 7, 2022 at 1:02 PM CDT
|By Jacques Doucet and Kevin Batiste
It’s the game most experts and even former players from both schools never thought they’d see. LSU and Southern will square off in Death Valley.
Updated: Aug. 30, 2022 at 6:40 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
After months of hearing the words “fast-paced” and “tempo,” fans will finally get to see Southern’s new offense on full display.
Updated: Aug. 28, 2022 at 9:21 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Southern fans have lots to be excited about this week. The Jags open the season at home with a new head coach and new offense.
Updated: Aug. 28, 2022 at 8:59 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
Wide receivers Kayshon Boutte and Jack Bech, defensive linemen Maason Smith and BJ Ojulari, and running back John Emery picked up a shift at the Raising Cane’s on Lee Drive.
Updated: Aug. 28, 2022 at 8:28 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
LSU running back John Emery is not expected to make the trip to New Orleans for the season opener against Florida State.
Updated: Aug. 25, 2022 at 8:13 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
With nine days to go until the season opener arrives, the Southern quarterback battle is headed down the home stretch on “The Bluff,” if it hasn’t already been called.
Updated: Aug. 23, 2022 at 10:09 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
As the final days of Southern’s fall camp draw near, the kicking game for the Jags looks to build off last year’s success.
Updated: Aug. 20, 2022 at 9:28 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
The Southern Jaguars staged a scrimmage at A.W. Mumford Stadium at 9 a.m. the was open to the public.
Updated: Aug. 12, 2022 at 8:13 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
While Southern’s secondary remains a question mark, there isn’t much doubt in the front seven for the Jags.
Updated: Aug. 10, 2022 at 9:55 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
After de-committing from Purdue, Woodlawn four-star quarterback Rickie Collins has decided to stay at home and play for LSU.
Updated: Aug. 9, 2022 at 8:26 PM CDT
|By Kevin Batiste
New SU head coach Eric Dooley is counting on a tempo from his offense that will leave opposing defenses struggling to keep up, while Jag receivers will try to leave those defenders in the dust.