July 28, 2005

sports

Hey, batter, swing, batter, swing

By Jimmy Chesire

Margaret Hackett brings her son Liam to the plate. Liam’s 2 and he’s carrying our tiniest bat — it’s wood, a genuine Louisville Slugger, but it’s about as big as a toothpick. Margaret says Liam’s been wanting to bat forever. He’s been waiting all night. He’s chafing at the bit. Hungry to get to the plate. And his grandmother’s here, too, sitting on the other side of the backstop with Liam’s other mother, Elizabeth Lutz-Hackett. Elizabeth, Ms. Lutz to her Yellow Springs High School students, wields a video camera and it’s aimed right at her son.

“OK,” I say to Liam, “go ahead. Hit the ball.”

But Liam does not hit the ball, he simply stares at it. Now, this is very active staring. You can tell a lot of thinking, feeling and processing is going on by the intent look on his face. I am kneeling in front of him. “Go ahead,” I say, “hit it.” Victoria Osborne, 3, is waiting patiently on deck with her mom, Toyoko. “Hit it. Swing the bat.”

Liam does not hit it. Liam does not swing. He simply stares, studying the ball. He turns his head to look at his mother and grandmother when Margaret reminds him they are there. Margaret’s trying to raise the stakes — anything to get the boy to swing. Liam does not swing.

But as he stands and stares at that ball, his face begins to brighten, like the surface of the ocean as the sun comes up over the horizon at daybreak. Something wonderful is happening. His eyes light up, he smiles without moving his lips. He smiles with his whole face. And he is very happy, very pleased about something, we know not what, but whatever it is, it is so wonderful, that it’s enchanting. The boy’s enchanting. I kneel before this vision of Joy-Unfolding and the whole world falls away. There is nothing but this boy, this beautiful, pint-sized 2-year-old beaming away.

It’s the Perry League, the village’s t-ball program for girls and boys ages 2–9, where every kid is welcome regardless of race, color or creed. We’re at Gaunt Park every Friday night, from 6:30–8. and you can begin playing at any time — but we’ve only got two more Friday nights left in our 2005 season (Aug. 5 is our final night, our potluck-picnic trophy night). So why don’t you come on out and share in the wondrous, joyous mystery of children at play? You won’t regret it. Ask anyone.

(Liam, by the way, did hit the ball several at-bats later, thanks to his mom, the athletic and ingenious Margaret Hackett herself.)

Major Leagues wrap-up

By Bob Morrison

The Yellow Springs Youth Baseball Major League ended its season this week with an awards ceremony. Some highlights of the season were:

1. The Yankees were undefeated the entire season and won the league championship.

2. We added a new team, the Orioles, making a total of six teams in the league.

3. Seventy-six children participated, including 16 rookies.

4. Better fields, thanks to the Village Parks and Recreation Department, resulting in no rainouts this year.

5. Six dedicated head coaches, 10 assistant coaches, three full-time umpires, three part-time umpires, and numerous parents that pitched in and helped however they could.

6. An expanded eight-week season, 43 games, and a truncated tournament.

7. An end-of-the-year trip to Cincinnati to see the Reds.

8. Hot dogs, hamburgers, Gatorade and more on sale at the ballpark.

Our major awards were: league champions, Yankees; most valuable player, Matt Finn; commissioners’ award, Austin Pence; and rookies of the year, Austin Bailey and Stephanie Lloyd. Every player got a trophy.

Special thanks to the following people for making our season memorable: Reggie Stratton, Rick Nickels, Doug Jewell, Jake Fulton, Kumar Jensen, Ted Donnell, Drew Stratton, Randy Shaw, Jeff Mohlman, Dave Turner, Ryan Berning, Christopher Lloyd, Mike Haller, Todd Sheets, Dan Dixon, Phil Bottelier, Bob Curley, Todd Sheets, Tim Sontag, Joe Lawhorn, Jim Duffee, Steve Scherr, Karen Wintrow, Lynn Finn, Harold Hamilton, Ryan Silvert, Brad Newsome, Mr. Johnson, Paul Comstock, Dave Connely, Amy Fugate, Susie Nickels, Donna Haller, Georgia Jewell, Barb Stratton, PODS, Lakefront Lines, Ron Hayes (our driver), and anyone else who helped us this season that I’ve forgotten.

Thanks to all the parents for getting your children to the practices and games on time. Most of all, thanks to the players themselves. These kids made remarkable improvements in their skills as the season wore on; they finished the season better players and better human beings as a result of their experience in baseball. We are unashamedly proud of all our kids and we can’t wait until next year!

Local students advance in area track club meets

Miami Valley Track Club athlete and Yellow Springs High School student Sam Borchers finished second in the steeplechase event at the Region 5 Junior Olympic meet in Kentucky last weekend. The steeplechase is a strenu- ous five-lap race around a track with five immobile barriers and a 10-foot water jump to be negotiated at every fifth barrier.

Establishing a new YSHS record was senior-to-be Nathan Badger, who broke the javelin record of 136' 7" previously held by Brian Cooper. Badger’s best throw of six sailed out 48.47 meters, or 159 feet. This is the first summer that Badger has picked up the javelin.

MVTC member and YSHS senior Tina Peters finished second in the Junior Women’s 5000 Meter racewalk championships in Maine on July 9, which drew 22 of the top junior walkers in the country. She was chosen as a first alternate for the Pan American Games later this month in Canada, and she will lead the USA Junior Racewalk Team into the combined North American, Central America and Caribbean Islands (NACAC) Racewalk Championships in August.

These Miami Valley Track Club athletes will compete in the USA Track & Field Junior Olympic National Championships in Indianapolis July 26–31.

Cross country team schedule

The Yellow Springs High School/McKinney School cross country team will have a meeting for athletes, grades seven through 12, and parents on Monday, Aug. 8, at the Yellow Springs High School track, at 6 p.m.

Regular season practices for the team will be Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. until school starts. Preseason conditioning will commence on Monday, Aug. 1, at 6 p.m.

Cross country focuses on conditioning both the mind and the body through running, cross training and weight lifting. For more information, contact Coach Vince Peters at 767-7424.

YSHS boys preseason soccer practice to begin

Preseason soccer practice for the Yellow Springs High School boys soccer team will begin Thursday, Aug. 4. The team will practice each day, Monday through Friday, behind the high school, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Athletes are reminded to bring running shoes, soccer cleats, shin guards, water and their own soccer ball to each practice. Call coach Jim Hardman at 767-2200 with any questions.

YSHS golf team meeting

The Yellow Springs High School golf team will meet on Monday, Aug. 1, 6 p.m., at the high school.

Current golf team members and those who wish to participate as well as their parents and guardians are requested to meet with coach Seth Bothwell to discuss equipment, practice schedules and matches.