Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Going Yard

"Cocoa vs. Eau Gallie Steven Walker, No. 1, for Cocoa High is congratulated at home plate by teammates after hitting a home run during Monday night's game."

The above was the caption in today's "Florida Today Sports Section."

Man, you guys are “good.” The other day I asked for prayers on behalf of my son Steven who is a junior on our Varsity Baseball Team. He “had” been stuck in a slump and had dropped from the lead-off batter all the way down to the #9 batter and then he was being platoon and “D.H.” (Designated Hitter) for as of late.

This past Friday he played second base and batted going 0 for 2 with a pair of strike outs. He did make a couple of “sick” plays at second base in the field. His Uncle Greg (stoogelover) had to ask him if “sick plays” were good or bad. Steven responded by saying “sick plays” mean awesome plays.

Then there was our game last night with Eau Gallie. Steven started again at second base and in the 2nd inning he came up for his first at-bat. He worked the count to 3 balls and 2 strikes and then he did something he had never done, not even in Little League. Are we ready? O.K., can we say “yard,” “long ball,” “Barry Bonds on steroids,” yes, that’s right – the boy his a home run over the left-field fence! It was a line drive that got out of the park in a hurry. The smile on his face was priceless as well as the adoration his teammates and coaches gave him. I was keeping the scorebook so I was using it to give folks that were coming up to Barb and me giving us high fives.

He ended up going 2 for 3 with a home run and a single in the 7th inning. We came back from 5 to 1 in the 7th to almost pull it out losing 5 to 4. Steven being the team player told us that he would have been happier if we had won the game. Nevertheless, it was a good night and one I’m sure we’ll not forget.

BTW – my in-laws didn’t make the trip but they told Steven on our cell phone that the going price for hitting homeruns is $50! Makes me want to get back in the game.


Comments:
Wow! $50? Good thing he isn't still losing baby teeth, they'd tell him the tooth fairy is up to $100!
Congratulations to Stephen on a great end to a batting slump. In the immortal words of Chevy Chase - "be the ball."
 
Back, back, back . . . . Congratulations to the Stephenmeister!

And hope other "events" your way are going well.

Peace.
 
B - A - B - Y! Congrats! If I send Frank some video of me hitting home runs at a local ball field, is the "$50 per" good out here??
 
Nice knock, Steven! 82 degrees here and baseball is definitely in the air. Thanks for sharing it from coast to coast.
 
Tell Frank if the home run is mentioned in the paper WITH a picture, it's worth at least $100. He has no better place to put his money than his grandchild.
 
50 a homer? Do you think he would consider waering a girls softball uniform? We could use anyone who can hit one home run...just one foul ball would be a definate improvment for our girls team!

Bobby
 
John - Thanks and to quote Chevy back to you, "Na,na,na,na,na,na."

Puck - Thanks and they are. I'll call you today with a longer conversation.

Judy - Thanks for always believing in Steven even though you've never met him. I'll be happy if someone offers the boy a college scholarship.

Greg - Thanks and I'll pay to see that video.

Steve - Thanks and here in Central Florida we're surrounded by baseball of both the High School and MLB Spring Training (home of the Nationals) variety.

Bob in the east coast version of "S.C." - Thanks and that is one thing about that boy, he is determined.

Bobby - The boy does love the game and if you mixed in contact with girls he might be swayed.
 
What a smile!! I know that had to be sweet. Brandon is still looking for his first homer in a game. I know you are proud. Congratulations to Steven.
 
Keith - Thanks and tell Brandon to be patient and to be himself. Remember, fat part of the bat on the fat part of the ball.

Randy - The unhappy boy had just been taken out of the game. I've seen that look on Steven's face a time or two. Oh, I've seen that look in elders meetings.
 
Hey, Barry was good without the juice too let's not forget.

Great moment for your son. Congrats.

When you get a second, email me, I can't seem to find your email.

Thanks.
 
Loved the picture. What a fun moment.
 
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