An ad caught my eye a few weeks ago in the Edmond Sun newspaper. Edmond All Sports Inc. (EASI) was looking for Umpires for the upcoming youth baseball season. What is this all about I thought to myself? Must be getting ready for the start of baseball? Youth baseball, oh do I remember it well. What fun it was raising two sons who I thought might be able to make it to the big leagues someday. I was sure these kids had what it takes. I remember, driving them not only around the cities of Boulder and Denver, but to other hot spots like Steamboat Springs and Vail just to play games. Many times playing teams from other states. If memory serve me well I think one year they played about thirty games during the Spring and Summer Months.
Jim, my oldest by a little more than a year, was smooth playing the infield. I even saw him turn a double play once. Granted, he was playing second base when he caught a pop up by the bag and his momentum carried him on to the base as the runner from second ran for third. I think that kid is still running.
Jim wasn’t much at the plate, but I knew he would get better with age. He was, however, a very capable bunter. In one very important game he bunted three times and made it to first base safely, all three times. I think the next time he got up he was hit by the pitcher, what a great ride home. Unfortunately, in the next game he struck out four straight times. Wasn’t sure why the coach didn’t have him bunt.
I remember one time Jim was standing at the plate, cleaning his cleats and looking at the coach on third base giving him the signals. Our team was losing 18-17. There were two outs and bases loaded. I remember the count being three balls and two strikes. (Jim tried to bunt twice but they both bounced foul.) I was a wreck, nervously I yelled encouragement.
“Come on Jim you can do it. It only takes one. Keep your eye on the ball . A walk is as good as a hit.”
Damn I was mad, I didn’t know any other baseball lingo to yell at my son while he was in such a crucial athletic situation. I even thought about some football jargon. “Hit him again, hit him again, harder, harder,” but it just didn’t seem to fit.
The opposing pitcher winds up and I yell, “BALK, BALK.” I wasn’t sure what caused a balk but I was sure that pitcher must have did it. As the ball sailed out of the pitchers hand, I could see it was going real high and inside. My son alertly recognized the ball was coming towards his head, threw up his arms and hit the dust. I was relieved to say the least. However, in dropping to the ground the bat went up (didn’t leave his hands) and the ball actually hit the bat and rolled towards that sneaky pitcher. He fielded the ball, tossed it over to first base and recorded the final out of the inning.
We lost that game 18-17. On the way home Jim had tears in his eyes and told me he didn’t intend to hit the ball. He said he knew it was out of the strike zone he was just trying to get out of the way. He didn’t think it was fair that a bad pitch accidentally hitting a bat, should be counted as an out. Naturally, I agreed as we pulled into Dairy Queen. After a banana split with all the trimmings, Jim and his brother Jeff were planning to shoot the basketball when they got home. I was still a wreck from the game.
Post script: Neither Jim or Jeff ever played high school baseball.
Thought for the week: “Live so that your son, when people tell him that he reminds them of you, will stick out his chest, not his tongue” — Unknown
Sports Opinion
March 3, 2009
CORTESE: Young pro baseball prospects
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My 2010 moment
First off, I’d like to thank the Edmond sporting community for accepting me into their fold, or at least accepting me as much as possible for a journalist. It has been a great five-and a half months and I’ve had the opportunity to witness some prime time moments while at The Sun.
- SPRUIL: Woods scandal not that shocking Charles Barkley warned us about it in 1993. Professional athletes should not be role models.
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SPRUILL: Woods scandal not so shocking
Charles Barkley warned us about it in 1993. Professional athletes should not be role models.
Sir Charles gave us this gem back then stating, “A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail, should they be role models?”
Just can’t do it. I remember vividly the day I learned this valuable lesson, it was when I got my copy of Sports Illustrated with Sooner quarterback Charles Thompson being ushered to jail in his infamous orange jumpsuit. - HARRISON : It’s time for some hoops With Bedlam in the rearview mirror and talk of freezing temperatures and possible snow this week it can only mean one thing. The winter sports season is upon us.
- SPRUIL: 'Dogs have nothing to lose Bulldogs have a chance to break another streak, which is to attempt to end the east sides dominance — Jenks and Union have combined to win 13 straight Class 6A state titles.
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SPRUILL: UCO loaded for another run
No. 18-ranked Central Oklahoma appears to be loaded for another deep run in the NCAA Division II tournament.
It’s only November and the Bronchos have only played one game, but what they showed against Emporia State in a 116-114 double-overtime win was incredible. -
SPRUIL: Playoff picture still cloudy
With most of the district’s already decided — a few key matchups still remain — it’s time to start looking at the playoff picture.
We know Edmond Memorial, Edmond North and Oklahoma Christian are in the playoffs. Deer Creek is on life support, while Oklahoma Christian Academy and Edmond Santa Fe are done for the year following Friday night. -
SPRUILL: OU's Bradford still livin' the dream
There’s still no guarantee that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford will play this season. But Sooner fan or not, you have to love the Heisman Trophy winner’s attitude.
His first start could come this week against Baylor, or it could be against Texas. You will not hear any crying from Bradford, though, that is for certain.
The media has questioned his decision about coming back. He could have been the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, instead he gets injured in the opener and now his future is in question.
But what seems so shocking to some across the country, really isn’t that shocking at all. Bradford is living his dream. The dream of any former high school star in the state of Oklahoma that wants to play in either Stillwater or Norman. - HARRISON: Local teams draw favorable regional assignments With the end of the regular season fast approaching, local softball teams are turning their attention towards next week’s regional tournaments. While Edmond Santa Fe is the only squad that will be at home next week, all four teams have a legitimate shot at state.
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SPRUILL: Edmond recovering from split
Things are shaping up for another great football season for local teams.
As it stands, Edmond still has two undefeated teams in Edmond North and Oklahoma Christian School. And there are signs the big three have reached a near full recovery from the spit. - More Sports Opinion Headlines
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My 2010 moment
