July 9, 2009

sports

Saying a little prayer for Coach Jimmy

By Jimmy Chesire

So what touched you this week, you ask? How did the love of the universe pour down on you this week? Well, what Maria Slattery — she’s recovering from a fall at home that wrenched her back (“Advil is working,” she says, to ease the agony of a pinched nerve) — told me as she brought her 3-year-old Jorgie (pronounced Geor-gee) into the on-deck circle was quite remarkable.

Jorgie is a beautiful boy — have you ever seen a close up of George Clooney? Or of Clark Gable? Or Antonio Banderas? When the camera zooms in on them and their faces fill the screen? So their good looks, magnified by that joie de vivre twinkle in their eyes, cannot be denied? Little Jorgie Slattery’s beauty, his good looks, are like that, like those two matinee idols. And what Maria told me, and Jorgie’s radiant-faced reaction to her telling it, magnified that boy’s great beauty, his shining, movie-star handsomeness.

“He prays for you every night,” Maria said as I offered her son a choice of three bats. I was the on-deck coach on the bigger of the two Gaunt Park diamonds. I was on my knees, offering children a bat, asking them to take a practice swing, offering tips (sometimes) on how to swing better, how to hold the bat better.

I was stunned by Maria’s comment. I pray. I believe in the power of prayer — or to be more accurate, I experience the power of prayer on a regular basis — and to have a child praying for you is, in my opinion, like having a direct pipeline to the Throne of Heaven.

“He what?” I asked, wanting to make sure I understood — and if I had, having found it quite wonderful, I wanted to hear it again.

“He prays for you every night,” Maria said a second time.

“Why, thank you, Jorgie, thank you, thank you,” I said. “How wonderful.”

Jorgie was but 12 inches away, his gorgeous naturally shiny, long black hair accentuating his good looks, his deep, dark eyes glowing. He was beaming with pride and pleasure. He knew what his mom was saying. He saw and appreciated my reaction.

“I ask him at bedtime what he wants to pray for that night,” Maria said, and his answer is “Jimmy.”

“Jimmy?” Marie said she asked. “Why Jimmy?”

“Because he has the bats,” Maria said Jorgie answered.

Jorgie’s head bobbed, yes, yes, his eyes widening.

“How wonderful,” I said to Jorgie, “God bless you, and thank you, thank you.”

Jorgie beamed. I beamed, the two of us like a couple of goofy guys too happy to be allowed out on their own.

Back on the little diamond Erika Lindeman worked the first hour at home plate, helping 20–25 kids take five–six turns at bat each, a 125–150 at bats in an hour! And Melissa Hester (Wonder Woman, remember?) stepped in and helped 10–15 kids take 10 turns each in the final 30 minutes of the evening’s play — another 100–150 at bats!

Layla Nelson, the super-animated and terrifically athletic 4-year-old Russell Besson’s mom, is standing in the middle of the smaller diamond, just in front of second base, ensuring that it is love and kindness, sweetness and light by and from all the children at all times — which you know, of course, is impossible. No normal child is always love and kindness, sweetness and light. They are sometimes selfish and out of bounds, sometimes irritated, angry and short-tempered, sometimes willful and models of perfect narcissism, and not infrequently quite difficult to handle.

But the Perry League is full of sweetness and light because of the watchful, attentive eyes and ears of parents like Layla — and parents like the kind and willing-to-try-to-get-all-their-names-right (which is so hard to do) Christiana Badger, the loving, attentive and playful Jason Newsome, the enthusiastic, energetic and bountiful Naomi Penrod, the joyful, organized and right-as-rain Gary Anderson, the warm and fastidious Jeff Jones.

And that’s our Perry League, Yellow Springs’ t-ball program for girls and boys 2–9 years of age. We welcome all our community’s children regardless of race, color or creed. Your child can begin at any time (it’s free) and there’s no requirement to play every week. We’ll be out there at Gaunt Park for five more Friday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. It’s usually a wonderful, loving and frolicking good time for most of us, kids, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, and those loving folks who just come out to watch — So why don’t you come on out? We’d love to have you.

YS top dog for summer basketball

On Saturday, June 20, the Yellow Springs High School boys basketball team traveled to Wilmington College as the top seed in the high school shoot-out tournament and met with roving success. The Bulldogs started the day with a 49–19 thumping of Williamsburg, followed by a 60–30 win over Bradford.

Yellow Springs’ next opponent was Div. III Blanchester, their toughest test of the day. While the game was tied 20–20 at the half, the Bulldogs turned up the heat, and it was too much for the Wildcats. Yellow Springs outscored Blanchester 43–15 for an ultimate 63–35 victory.

In the Wilmington title game, Yellow Springs topped Franklin-Monroe 48–21.

Yellow Springs also finished 8–2 to lead the Kenton Ridge Summer League, topping Indian Lake 78–32 and coming from behind to knock off Southeastern 56–51 in the final week of play.

Visit bulldogbasketball.net for summer tournament results and player profiles.

Volleyball to start

The seventh- and eighth-grade Yellow Springs girls volleyball teams will continue July practice sessions on Monday through Wednesday the week of July 13–15. Practices run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and take place at the Yellow Springs High School/McKinney School gym. Athletes are asked to wear light weight clothing and knee pads. Regular practices for the fall season for these teams will begin Aug. 10. For more information, call Coach Parker at 767-1975.

Seadogs need donations for fundraiser yard sale

The Yellow Springs Seadogs swim team will hold a yard sale fundraiser on Saturday, July 18 (rain date Sunday, July 19) 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at the Union Schoolhouse on Dayton Street. Organizers are in need of donations to make the fundraiser a success. Pick up, or drop off at 309 North Winter Street (by appointment only), may be arranged by contacting Deb at 545-5172. Donated items are needed by July 17. If possible, mark on the box or bag the category of the majority of the contents (i.e., kitchen items, books, children’s toys, etc.).

Summer open gym for girls basketball players

The McKinney School and Yellow Springs High School girls basketball program is offering open gym sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4 to 6 p.m. The sessions began Tuesday, June 23, and are open to any middle and high school girls interested in playing basketball. Players or parents with questions can contact Coach Duncan Thomas at 937-580-0152.

Girls soccer to meet

The Yellow Springs High School girls soccer team will hold a parent and player meeting on Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m., at Yellow Springs High School.

Soccer Coach Angelo encourages athletes who intend to play on the soccer team in the fall to continue to run and do conditioning workouts every day, in anticipation of team workouts that are tentatively scheduled to start Monday, July 20.

Girls open gym volleyball

An open gym volleyball for high school girls will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, in the Yellow Springs High School gym, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Ryan Berning at 937-269-2808.

Boys basketball practices

Boys basketball open gym sessions will continue Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Bryan Center outdoor courts. Practice will be cancelled for inclement weather. Contact Coach Newsome at coachbnewsome@yahoo.com for more information.