Mason's first HS season is in the books after taking a whoopin last night in the first round of tournament play.
They played Logan Elm, the fine school I graduated from in 1990. I was excited to see them play as the man that is coaching LE is a long-lost friend of mine. Actually, he was a fairly young teacher when I attended and his dad was my varsity coach. Scott did not want to coach baseball back in the day due to interfering with mushroom hunting. LOL He waited until late in life to have a family and now his son is playing varsity baseball so he decided to step in to help the program. His dad was the varsity coach at LE for over 30 years, his brother did the same at Westfall, and now Scott is at the helm at LE... fitting, if late.
I was excited as heck when I saw Vic, my coach, walk up to watch the game. He must be in his mid-80's now and is still in surprisingly good health. What a freaking joy to catch up with him! I left the conversation without making my way over to the dugout to speak with Scott. I didn't want to bug him before the game but his dad told him I was there and the next thing I know he is yelling for me from the dugout. I enjoyed chatting with him while standing in the enemy bunker. LOL. Needless to say, I returned to the Greenfield side of the field to be called a traitor, etc.
So we run two pitchers out through most of 5 innings. LE enjoys the batting practice while our bats are a little sluggish. 12-3, bases loaded, two outs. They make the call to run Mason out to the mound. Two pitches, kid pops up and we are out of the inning.
Bats remain silent on our side of the 5th. Top of the sixth, three pitches, K. Next batter, 0-2 count, pops out to second. Last batter, three pitches, K and out of the inning.
Bats again remain dead for Greenfield.
Top of the 7th, first two outs consist of another K and a groundout, I think. Third batter has a solid gapper to the right side, advances to third on a throwing error. Mason is called for a balk that was NOT a balk, (verified with my former coach), runner advances to home. Third out is acquired by K.
Bats again remain silent, we lose deservedly.
My former coach approached me after the game, his wife offering some of her famous cookies. He was impressed with young Mason's approach to pitching, and the fact that he had just issued so many K's to a team that had only had one prior to his entering the game. He was sharp last night, on point if you will, and if your team is gonna take a humiliating butt whooping, you might as well look great in front of your Dad's old HS coach and friends from his old stomping grounds. In fact, my old coach inquired if we'd ever thought about moving back home so Mason could play with LE.
Jesse; to the point we discussed this weekend, Scott said it drives him nuts, too, that today's kids could care less if they win or lose as long as they get to participate a little. It aint just in Greenfield and Washington County! Most of them just don't have the competitive desire!
