"Keep that Front Shoulder Down....."

Yesterday our community and "family" lost a true friend, in what appears to be a senseless, random act.  Our family, as I noticed many of yours was and is at a total loss.  May we all come together to  remember the kind soul of David Gross, beloved friend, teacher and supporter of all.  I tried to find a picture of David that really caputured his love of life, but this comes from the website of Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, of which he was a board member.

Donovan had this on his phone!  Ag. Baseball!!! That's how we need to remember him!

Our son spoke with him yesterday while he was in the cages batting --- David was his usual fun self.  "Gotta pick up some pigs.  Why don't you come along with me?"  When told, sounds like fun, but got baseball.  Words of wisdom and support poured from David's mouth  - "Keep that front shoulder down and swing all the way through."  Words that will forever echo in our son's head, along with the "Why?"  I have tried hard to work through the why and I know it is not mine to understand.  What my job is now, to carry on what this fine gentlemen has begun with taking children and helping them develop into upstanding young men and women.  I think that if we do that, we will be making David proud.  He loved the kids.  You would find him at athletic events and always helping our children become better people.  May we pay him the respect he deserves by continuing his example, supporting all youth, and being kind to ALL people. 

To his family, our hearts go out to you.  We will support you as we can.  Heaven's grandstand now has one more angel supporting us all! 

Rest in Peace David Gross - we will miss you terribly.  But I bet that our players will hear your voice saying, "Keep that front shoulder down and swing all the way through."

Let's Play Ball! But with Character!!!

Spring Break is here!  Of course the weather is not cooperating!  We will all have to sit and wait to see what games are going to be played.  Used to Spring Break was the family trip snow skiing or to the lake, something, but now it is at the ballpark somewhere!

• Varsity is to play Monday, at Elysian Fields 1:00 PM
• Junior Varsity will play a doubleheader against Harleton here on Thursday, March 15 beginning at 10:00 AM
• Both will play Harmony at Harmony on Friday, March 16 beginning at 4:30 PM

In the January 26 Coaches Poll here are the top teams of 2A in the State-

2A:
1. HUGHES SPRINGS
2. SUNNYVALLE
3. WEIMAR
4. SCHULENBURG
5. FRANKLIN
6. BISHOP
7. BROCK
8. PALMER
9. FORSAN
10. ELKHART

That does help Monday's loss go down a bit easier.  I do have to comment on how proud I am of our fans and players.  Sportsmanship and respect for others is so important.  Our guys never quit and are continuing to come together as a team and learn more about the skills needed for the game. 

I do have to say I was disappointed to watch the opposing players stand on home plate and kick dirt all over the plate and mess up all of the batter's box.  I don't get the purpose really other than to try to make a statement - that could have been done by just playing good ball - as they did.

The next disappointment was the comments from their fans.  Of course, as a mom of one of the players who got hit, I may have taken it a bit more personal.  But really?, adults saying things such as on "He should get an Oscar for that acting job." or  "What drama!"  No surprise to many of you that our son asked the primary vocal opposing fan how his acting was as he extended out his swollen hand after the game.  I do have to admit, it was pretty priceless to see the heckler's shocked face.    

I hope that we, as spectators, never respond that way when a player is hit or hurt.  I know that in basketball, I often made that statement when a foul was called.  It was very often our own players I made the comment about. (we do have some athletes that can act.)  That is part of that game, but never when an athlete was down or appearing to be hurt. 

Here is a reminder from the UIL (University Interscholastic League)

University Interscholastic League

An Open Letter to Fans

Dear Fan,

You walk up to the stadium or field ready to see a clash between your high school team and your most hated rival. You pull out your hard earned cash for that ticket, that golden ticket that allows you to a seat where you plan to "help" your team with constant berating of the opposing team and officials. You feel it is your duty as a fan to do everything you can for your team, and your role is to call it like you see it from 50 feet away in the stands.

What you don't understand is that your verbal abuse does nothing more than tear at the fabric of high school sports. The players on the athletic field, court or diamond are not being paid to play; they are not professional athletes that have to deal with fans like you on a daily basis. It is a privilege, not a right, for these athletes to compete as much as it is a privilege for you to sit in the stands and watch.

But what about your golden ticket that you paid good money for, doesn't that entitle you to something? Yes, you get the opportunity to watch two schools show off their skills and what they have learned in the athletic classroom. Other than that, your ticket gives you little more than a first-come-first-serve spot on a crowded row of bleachers. Contests could not exist without rules, and just as the players have to abide by rules on the field, you too have to follow the rules in the stands.

It's not all your fault; you probably had someone much like yourself at your high school games.

Hopefully it's not the case, but you may never have seen proper spectator decorum. The UIL has a few basic tips that can help steer you in the right direction.

1. The field of play is the athletic classroom for student-athletes. Instead of math and science they learn teamwork and group responsibility in addition to dealing with success and overcoming adversity. You wouldn't dare interrupt a teacher giving a test to his or her students, yet you do it to coaches and student-athletes routinely in their classroom.
2. Your ticket does not entitle you to disrespect or degrade others in any way. Everyone who is a part of high school athletics gives their best effort and that commitment to educational athletics should be celebrated.
3. Understand that the student-athletes you are watching will make mistakes, and no participant should be ridiculed at anytime because of their efforts. Many of them are still learning the games they play and can easily be disheartened by a rogue fan attacking their performance.
4. High school coaches are actually full-time teachers first and coaches second. Anyone who tries to reverse this order is taking the first step to destroying a program. No one wants a program to fail, but the merciless pressure you put on him or her as someone who had nothing to do with the building of the program can bring it down.
5. Officials are present to promote the game and the student-athletes involved. They make judgment calls in good faith based on their knowledge and extensive training. A lot of time and effort has gone into making sure that they know the rules better than you. Respect their decisions.
6. Finally, you are a guest of the school and should act like one. Winning is an admirable goal of competition, but it is nothing if it comes at the expense of morals, ethics, and common sense.

Thank you UIL for helping us remember the purpose of High School Athletics! 

D---

"I want them in bed by midnight."  That was the words Tony heard from Coach Er when he found out the players were coming over to the house for a sleep over.   So, 3 packages of hot dogs, a case of Mt. Dew,  a large bag of marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate bars, and a bonfire at the pond -- brought together individuals to begin coming together as a team.  About 12:30 am or so the tv was still on, no noise, but lights.  In my best mom attitude for that time of night, I was going to tell the guys to call it a night.  Into the living room I go, only to find this.  A "fort" they called it when they got up for breakfast.  I crawled over moved furniture and sleeping "little boys" to turn off the tv and surround sound since remotes were nowhere to be found.  Snores from every room and every direction.  Yes, this I will miss upon graduation. 

As each game goes by, I see this group of young men becoming a team.  A team that stands up for each other, supports each other, gets mad at one another, and then apologizes to one another.  This is one of the important skills of being on a team.  Learning that the world is bigger than one player or one person's desires.   Building up the whole group.  Through the last tournament, I saw a lot of this going on.  Yes, they also played better.  I agree with Cynthia - The team that "plays" together off the field, plays better on the field.  I have seen it over and over. 

We have a talented group of individual players, now it is time for them to come together as one.  Yes, some have strengths that others don't, but that is what makes a great team.  Finding out that special skill every player has and adding that to the recipe of the successful team.  Coaches will figure out their "special recipe" with all the special ingredients and it will work.  Just like "mom's chili" it takes some trial and error.  It's gon'na get there.  Just be patient and hang on for the ride!  It is going to be great watching this team become great!

As supporters we need to encourage all the young men, not just our own.  Congratulate them on the sliding catches, the double plays, the almost plays.  They are out there trying and working.  It is our job to support them ALL. 

To steal a phrase " Come loud and proud!"  See ya at the game!