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.