The internet is a wonderful thing. Not only does it pass countless hours for most of us during our otherwise monotonous work days, but it also allows people like me to do something like this. It allowed me to find out that Chris was creating this site. It allowed me to keep tabs on a couple dozen programs from the comfort of my living room. But most importantly it set the stage for me to remember why I enjoy baseball so much.
For those of you expecting a blow by blow of the season that was…be patient. That will come later. For now let me talk a little about this first year of BSB and what makes DIII baseball special to me.
I still remember the last pitch I ever threw. I toed the rubber on Fishbaugh Field at Otterbein, threw a curve ball and rung up the kid. When I walked off the field I had mixed feelings. I knew I should have been sad, but our season was such a disaster that I was almost happy it was over. That feeling isn’t what you want your lasting memory to be of college baseball. That’s why this season was so great for me personally.
Beginning with my trip to Bexley to watch Capital practice indoors just before heading to Florida I was reminded of all the little things that I was forgetting. Saying it was the sound of guys hitting in the cages would be cliche. That was part of it, but it was the stuff like seeing the guys busting each other’s chops for every little thing that made me smile. There are very few places in the world that you can get away with saying the stuff you say in the dugout and that’s the fun part. There were bad parts too, like the smell of a rubberized floor. The thought of which still makes me cringe. But it’s also where I forged some of the best friendships of my life so I guess it’s a wash.
Once the games started I was reminded of how DIII baseball is truly a family affair. The support for our programs is impressive to say the least. It reminded me of when my family would go to Florida to watch me and how pictures from those trips still hang on the fridge 10 years later.
I had the chance to meet, speak with and get to know numerous coaches and SIDs. Both groups of people put in long hours because they love what they do. In the case of the SIDs they do so behind the scenes with little fanfare or gratitude. If it did nothing else this season taught me to appreciate the SIDs.
Seeing the energy of the players (and coaches) and just being around the game again reminded why I decided to play college baseball in the first place. It’s a great game and I wasn’t ready to give it up after high school. After college I thought I was, but being around it again in 2010 told me that I probably will never be ready to totally give it up.
Hopefully the first year of BSB was as fun for you as it was for us. We plan to make 2011 even better so stick around.
Filed under: Division III
Chad, Your love for the game shows in your attention to detail in your articles, in your attending games for a first hand look at the players that you write about, and in pouring over stats for those players and teams to add as background for your stories.
May 2011 be even more successful than 2010.
PLAY BALL!!!!
Let the games began.