For teams that did not qualify for post season tournament play, the end of the season was on the horizon and anticipated for a while, even for those teams that knew they had to win their last game to qualify or be done. Some thought, both conscious & sub-conscious, is given to this and serves to “cushion the fall”.
For teams that qualify, a loss in the CIAC State Baseball Tournament brings the high school baseball season to an instantaneous, screeching halt. “WOW, it’s over…”, “What are we going to do now…”, “Can you believe it…”
For the Seniors, air is sucked out of them feeling like an unexpected punch in the stomach, it’s hard to breathe for an instant – for their parents too. High school baseball has come to an end far earlier than they anticipated and wanted. For several moments, the world has stopped; for several moments, it’s far more than just a game; initial confusion results from realizing something they care about has been “taken away from them”. Folks that have played high school sports understand this feeling oh so well.
There were eleven such Tomahawks this year. Josh Barrett. Nick Barter. Spencer Haymond. David Johnston. Anthony Longo. Bryan Mester. Pat Morton. Nick Neild. Kevin O’Connell. Ben Sellew. Joe Spero. They will realize the successes of their senior year – some sooner than others but they all will.
Fifteen wins, CCC North Champions, a win against every team on their regular season schedule, best overall record in the CCC North; best overall GHS record since 2006; ranked as high as 3rd in the Hartford Courant Area Top 10 & 9th in the Hartford Courant State Top 10; several crazy, exciting wins, several exhilarating efforts. Then you get to the camaraderie, pasta parties, bus rides, hanging at the high school lot & how many other hi-jinks that only they know about….
A chapter of their lives has ended. All eleven are about to begin writing the next chapter; all will be significantly different; roads may go different directions, roads may come together; mapping the direction may look more like trying to read the old Rand-McNally Road Atlas prior to the days of punching destination addresses into the GPS….
Here’s to wishing them luck & hoping that their new chapters can be as successful as that just completed!!!
Thanks for the memories, boys; looking forward to those you are about to create….
For teams that qualify, a loss in the CIAC State Baseball Tournament brings the high school baseball season to an instantaneous, screeching halt. “WOW, it’s over…”, “What are we going to do now…”, “Can you believe it…”
For the Seniors, air is sucked out of them feeling like an unexpected punch in the stomach, it’s hard to breathe for an instant – for their parents too. High school baseball has come to an end far earlier than they anticipated and wanted. For several moments, the world has stopped; for several moments, it’s far more than just a game; initial confusion results from realizing something they care about has been “taken away from them”. Folks that have played high school sports understand this feeling oh so well.
There were eleven such Tomahawks this year. Josh Barrett. Nick Barter. Spencer Haymond. David Johnston. Anthony Longo. Bryan Mester. Pat Morton. Nick Neild. Kevin O’Connell. Ben Sellew. Joe Spero. They will realize the successes of their senior year – some sooner than others but they all will.
Fifteen wins, CCC North Champions, a win against every team on their regular season schedule, best overall record in the CCC North; best overall GHS record since 2006; ranked as high as 3rd in the Hartford Courant Area Top 10 & 9th in the Hartford Courant State Top 10; several crazy, exciting wins, several exhilarating efforts. Then you get to the camaraderie, pasta parties, bus rides, hanging at the high school lot & how many other hi-jinks that only they know about….
A chapter of their lives has ended. All eleven are about to begin writing the next chapter; all will be significantly different; roads may go different directions, roads may come together; mapping the direction may look more like trying to read the old Rand-McNally Road Atlas prior to the days of punching destination addresses into the GPS….
Here’s to wishing them luck & hoping that their new chapters can be as successful as that just completed!!!
Thanks for the memories, boys; looking forward to those you are about to create….
coach j truely touching words of wisdom. thanks for all your support, and work with the blog. everyone knows you were our biggest fan this year. cant wait for legion to start. im glad my last season at a game i love with a passion will be coached by you.
ReplyDeleteyour the man
Drysdale