Previously, Part 7: To the Victor Go the Spoils (even in high school baseball)… Coach glanced up at me when I walked in but waited for me to speak before he said anything.
I could tell he didn’t want to or wasn’t ready to talk baseball.
Then the room became strangely silent, so I said,“See you after school, Coach.
Another big game this afternoon…“And then I left… On Page 2, on theHigh Schoolspage, under the headingBaseball, we finally got the headline.
“Southeastern ends drought with win over Diman Voke”…
Under the headline, the first paragraph led with my pitch to the guy who took my call.
“Not exactly what I said, but close enough.
Coach had already seen it, and he wasn’t overly excited.
“Okay, put away the newspaper, and let’s get ready to play.
The season didn’t end at Diman Voke.
We had so much momentum going into this game.
What a fucking killjoy!
I was starting to understand Coach’s motivation.
Coaching baseball and football wasn’t about the kids.
It was about him.
He was anything but a team player…
As a coach, I always gave the kids the glory.
These aretheir memories, and I was happy to do my part and help them achievetheir goals.
With the win against Diman, this team proved it could compete with anyone.
That afternoon, we got our asses kicked, 9-3.
Alejandro got rocked for 13 hits, and the six errors we made behind him didn’t help.
We only got four hits and struck out 11 times.What a difference a day makes…
The next game against Tri-County was a real nail-biter.
John pitched a gem and added two big hits to help his cause.
Potatah led off the sixth with a double, and John knocked him in with a solid base hit.
John was hands down the best athlete on this team, IMO.
With one out in the sixth, Newk got a base hit and stole second.
Heading into the final inning, we were up 4-3.
With two on and only one out, John struck out the #3 hitter.
Then Varga fielded a ground ball and threw to Stags for the final out.Johnny Dstruck out 11!
The following day, we had another game againstHolbrook.
Even though Holbrook was the home team, it was being played on our field.
John retired the side in the 8th, catching the #6 hitter looking for the third out.
Newk was moving at the crack of the bat, and he easily trotted home with the winning run.
But this game was different.
Coach had a change in demeanor after the Diman win.
It seemed like he hated his team and he especially hated me.
I was starting to think he thought I intentionally showed him up with the big win against Diman.
I wish it was that easy.
Gada retired the side in order in the top of the first.
After Stags drew a walk, Newk banged a double, scoring John.
Newk was thrown out when he overran second base to end the inning.
We went down in order in the second.
Holbrook added two more in the third on two hits, a walk, and an error.
Heading into the fourth, we were down 4-1.
With John on second, Newk took a big lead off first.
I reeled him in and told him, “We’re down 11-1.
Your run means nothing.
The pitcher made a good move to first and picked him off.
“he yelled across the field at me.
By then, he was out of the dugout area and standing close to the third baseline.
It was a real kick in the teeth.
Tell him to fuck off and leave.
I’ve seen this guy in action before.
He’s a real dick!”
By the time Varga struck out to end the inning, I was fucking hot.
There’s no problem.
By the time I got in the locker room, Coach was flippin' out.
It was an angry tirade that scared the shit out of the kids.
I looked at him hard and said,“Oh yeah, Coach.
Really… See ya, pal.”
Then I realized my efforts weren’t being appreciated by Coach; instead, I was being disrespected.
I knew once I got home, I’d have a lot to think about…
To be continued…
I can’t stand to flyI’m not that naiveI’m just out to findThe better part of me…
