It's All About The Fellowship

Cole once played ball with a kid who's mom knew little about the game.  She confused the dugout with the bullpen, called runs points, and never understood the difference between a called stike and a ball.  She always said "I'm just here for the fellowship".  When I first met her I didn't think we would get along because there is hardly anything that irritates me more than someone chatting about what they are going to make for dinner when bases are loaded and there is a 3-2 count.  I came to like her, A Lot, and she made me much more appreciative of the 'baseball fellowship'.  Since we shared the bleachers many years ago I have learned that really it is even more than fellowship.  It is a baseball family. 

When Ted had cancer and I was sitting in the waiting room after he went into surgery I had no idea how long and lonely that wait was going to be but Rob and Cara Fowler did and they showed up just as they wheeled Ted off, to sit with me.  I would have never known them without baseball.  When Cole's dad died this summer his baseball buddies stopped what they were doing and came home to rally around and hold him up during his overwhelming sadness.  He would have suffered alone if not for baseball.  When R.D. broke his leg last week and was hospitlized, without his family, thirty guys showed up at his room that night.  So it really is about the fellowship and the baseball family, it is so much more than a game.

We got off to a rough start this weekend against UNC Asheville and suffice it to say I will not recap the Friday night game.  It was cold and ugly-nuff said.  Saturday was better but still cold.  Finally we started hitting the ball.  Hutson Dodds had a great game and hit a beautiful home run to give us the win.  Christian Powell had a stunning performance on the mound Sunday and pitched a solid seven innings.  Owen Brittle came in and finished the job for the save.  I love that both Brittle boys are playing on this team.  I can only imagine how blessed their parents must feel.  My player of the weekend award is going to Matt Leeds.  There may be someone in the books with more impressive stats but this kid has heart and showed it this weekend.  He had a slow start out the gate the first few games but he defintely turned the corner this weekend.  He looked great at third and was knocking the cover off the ball. 

Friday 18-8 UNC Asheville
Saturday 12-11 CofC
Sunday 3-1 CofC






My quote of the game is going to Chris Campbell when he asked me if I'd like to join him in the outfield spectator area for "a cold beverage and some fresh turkey".  I actually did venture out after the fifth inning (and the first keg was finished) and want to say that they have 'baseball fellowship' down to a fine art.  They have a grill, all kinds of great beverages, and some rocking tunes.  They bring a new meaning to heckling and I hope they ALL show up next weekend for the Alabama series. 

Please join us for some 'pre-game fellowship" in the tent behind the trainer's room at 11:30 next Saturday.  We need to get up for the game and you know what they say "whatever you do to get up for the game-stay up for the game!"

See you at the field.

Road Trips and Numb Butts

I still remember the day Cole told us that he had  decided to play ball for the College of Charleston, we thought we were the luckiest parents on earth because we were going to get to see him play a few more innings of baseball.  I know how hard it is for your kid to play ball far away because we lived ten hours away from our oldest daughter's "home college games" and had two little kids at home so it was hard to get to a game.  Every time she played a part of me ached for not being there.  Now that we are only encumbered by a sixty pound dog we won't hesitate to jump in the car for an away game. But I want you parents that can't be there to know this, I will cheer for your son his every at bat.  It will be my goal to make him feel like someone is there to watch him.  I'll do everything I can to make him feel special when you can't be there and I will never take for granted that I can ride my bike to the field but will always feel blessed for it.

So, today was our first road trip of the season to Jacksonville, a solid four hour trip then truly the longest regular inning game I have ever watched, three hours and forty five minutes-really.  I don't know why some games just seem like an eternity because I love every inning but this one was tough.  I'm not sure what the final count was on the number of Jacksonville pitchers but it felt like they threw everyone but the water boy.  We played a total of 16 position players and pitched five pitchers so that tells you something.  Coach Lee just kept running them out there which was great to see.  I was very impressed with Jake Zokan's start on the mound.  The young man  shows lots of confidence in my opinion, I mean he is just a freshman.  I really wanted to pick another player of the night but how can I not pick Jose Rodriguez again.  The guy is a beast at the plate he was 3 for 5 with 5 RBI's and 2 HR.  I hope someone from his family is getting to see his show.  I'm certainly enjoying it.  Final score 15-7  CofC

Because I am typing this in the car I have time to add a few other random thoughts tonight:

   why are they always working on the interstate in Georgia?

   It always freaks me out when I see deer on the side of the road because I am afraid the bus driver

   is going to swerve and try to miss them, tonight I saw four.

   I hope R.D. is feeling ok, I know he wanted to be there tonight.

   I hope the Cougars win the basketball game tomorrow night.

  If you read this blog you are invited to our house after Saturday's game for Frogmore Stew byob.

Quote of the day from Ken Epley, "weather is great wish you were here".

See you at the field on Friday.