May 12, 2008                        Check Out previous Blogs

More baseball team previews as possible STATE contenders, an MVP that never gets on the field, some exciting games from around the STATE...

Last week, we wrote about some of the favorites to reach Springfield, Missouri and the STATE's final four in baseball.  Here are a few more to consider...

The New Haven Shamrocks (13-2) are wearing around the Four Rivers Baseball Crown after their two big wins recently.  The Shamrocks, clearly the smallest team in this competitive conference, knocked off previously unbeaten and ranked Sullivan Eagles (14-1)  9-6 after falling behind 3-0. Days later, the St. Clair Bulldogs fell to the Shamrocks 5-3. Watch OUT for this talented. team in the post-season.

Another small school with big-time tradition are the Oran Eagles(18-4). Always carrying big lumber to the plate, these Eagles are up to their old tricks with a big offensive team. Caleb Seyer continues to family tradition of bringing real talent to the field for the Eagles. Coming out of the Southeast part of the STATE, Oran will have several tough hurdles to jump to reach the finals and...it well could be done.

The Ft Zumwalt West Jaguars (20-4) bring in many lofty batting averages. 9...that's right nine, players have averages over .333 ! Despite this bombardment from the plate, the Jaguars are 6^th in the extremely tough Gateway Athletic South conference. Further, class 4 District 9 includes West (20-4), Holt(17-7-have won 10 of last 11 and went to STATE last year) , Zumwalt South(14-4-ranked #6 in area) and Zumwalt North (16-4-1^st place in Gateway North). What a loaded district !!  67 wins for the 4 teams and only 19 losses. The Jaguars, despite being seeded #1, are really not the favorite. Most expect Holt to return to state...be careful !

 The Rolla Bulldogs are having a "break out" year in mid-Missouri. Now 18-3, after capturing the Fulton Tournament Championship, Rolla has that big ace to throw out there-Dalton Friend. Friend struck out 16 batters in the 10-2 win over the host school, Fulton in the championship tilt. Friend is 5-1 for the season. Any rain days during the district tournament provides Rolla with the chance to two-time Friend -early and late in the tournament

Striving to return to Springfield, the Stoutland Tigers of Coach Scott White own a 17-2 record after blasting St James 14-1. The record alone states the case for the Tigers growling back at Meador Field in Springfield. This team always well drilled in fundamentals, can play small ball or pound it over the fence-pick your poison!

Some special games recently...

ON his birthday, David Kellough hurled a once in a lifetime game. Kellough tossed a complete game, 2 hit shutout as he led the Washington Bluejays to a 1-0 win over the St. Clair Bulldogs. Kellough walked none and struck out 6 in the masterpiece.

 The Helias Crusadors had to go 10 innings before dropping the Smith-Cotton Tigers 3-2. The Crusadors used the bunt game to tie it in the bottom of the 7^th,  then threw out the prospective wining run at the plate in the 8^th before the  wining hit from Sophomore Taylor Heislen up the middle ended this thrilling game for Helias.

As I'm writing these brief notes the day after a busy Mother's Day that was filled to the brim with food, socializing with siblings and their families, more food and more socializing, and of course the time spent with Mom, many thoughts occur. Some are about the roles that Mom's play in the development of their children in the sports world.

Now, if Dad was a very successful athlete (college or pro), he probably assumes the leadership in guiding through the many select teams, practices, extra camps, etc that benefit his child. This type of DAD feels that his most fun and enjoyment were his days on the field or court and he wants his child to experience the same sensations.

 However, most of us are NOT former college or pro players. The scenarios may play out something like this...Mom gets child signed up on registration date to open the doors to his athletic career. IF all Dad's were like me, we'd NEVER remember those sign up days until it was too late. Through the early years, Mom juggles meal times, schedules, drives players to & fro (hence, soccer Mom mantra), keep uniforms clean, gloves clearly in sight for our quick departures, water bottles full, etc. She handles all the logistics. As player matures, she becomes more discrete in these duties since Johnny no longer wants others to know of his dependence on Mom. She dutifully carries on without any recognition or usually any form of gratitude from players or spouse.

 ON the emotional side, Mom's seem to have a better understanding for the balance of sports in life. For some of us men, it IS life or death. Mom's want "what is best for their child-it may be sports, it may not." It really doesn't matter to her. Mom's seem to have the knack for saying just the right thing after a strikeout or an error or a loss or some other catastrophic moment in our life. They urge us onward and upward with careful words, smiles and usually something good to eat or drink. Mom's view of the big picture may prevent us from signing up for our umpteenth tournament of the year, or once in a great while, do something else with our life for an afternoon. 

 The balance, time, LOVE that Mom's bring to our children through sports can never be overlooked or minimized. Thanks to all Moms !

MISSOURI ATHLETIC CLUB

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