If incoming South Atlantic League president Eric Krupa ever had any doubts about the big shoes he has to fill in succeeding John Henry Moss, they were erased when the two sat together at a league playoff game in West Virginia last summer.

"The number of people coming up and asking him for autographs was just amazing," said Krupa, who served as Minor League Baseball’s director of business and finance since 1997. "I assume it is similar in other cities . . . It’s incredibly humbling. You have a legend, and a couple of times people have introduced me as ‘the guy who is replacing John.’ I would say, ‘hold on. No way I’m replacing John. I’m following John."

The league honored Moss’ 50 years of service at the Winter Meetings but decided that it would only be fitting to allow fans a chance to say goodbye as well. This season, each of the Sally League’s 16 clubs will hold a farewell ceremony for Moss, in which they will retire the number 50 and unveil a cast bronze plaque in his honor to be displayed at their ballpark.

The league is also changing the color of its logo to gold in honor of Moss’ 50 years as president.

"You find yourself in awe of the things he has accomplished," Krupa said. "The conversations he had with (former MLB commissioner) Happy Chandler about forming the league and getting the assistance of (former Brooklyn Dodgers president) Branch Rickey . . . This man gave his life to the league. He and his wife Elaine didn’t have any kids, so the league was their kids. They nurtured it and helped it grow."

Dates for the Moss Farewell Tour:

April 18-19: Rome;

May 10: Kannapolis;

May 17: Columbus

May 23: Eastlake

May 30: Hagerstown

June 7: Asheville

June 13: Charleston

June 17: Greensboro

June 20: Lexington

June 27: Hickory

July 8: Lakewood

July 10: Salisbury

July 17: Greenville

July 19: Augusta

July 26: Savannah

Aug. 2: Charleston