Hey Guys,
Sorry for the time lag between posts but iit has been a busy three months. First, we were wide open with Dixie Youth Baseball. It was a great season over at Collyer Park. With the untimly death of Tommy Powell earlier in the year many felt that Laurens Dixie Youth Basebakll was in trouble. Tommy had been a steady rock that the program was built on.
Thankfully, Tommy left a solid foundation that the league could build on and with the help of several individuals, the league thrived this year. First off, Albert Wilson, longtime friend and assistant to Tommy was named president of the league and he stepped up to the plate and really came through. From personal experience I know what pressure Albert felt, and he handled it all with style and grace. He worked his @$$ off to insure that the season went off without a hitch, sometimes putting in 14 t0 16 hour days at the ball park. He exceeded all anyone could ask for a person to achieve after being thrust into a difficult position to say the least. Not only did he survive the first season, he and the league thrived. The league saw an increase in the number of players for the third straight year, the fields were completely re-worked and looked great, and everyone had a great time. Couple with that the league had two highly successful district tournaments, I don't know what anyone could have asked Albert to achieve. Tommy would be proud of Albert, I can guarantee you that.
Albert's Grade...... A+
Albert didn't do all this on his own though, he had a group of folks that were behind him and did their best to help him out. First up, Eddie Broulette was there to lend his help and support to Albert whenever and wherever he was needed. Eddie and Tommy were great friends so I know this was a difficult task for him to do because he and Tommy were such great friends. Eddie came through even in the most difficult of times for the league. Thanks Eddie!!! Tommy would be proud of you!
Another person that deserves a pat on the back if Terry Grubbs. Terry stepped up, filling in for Albert when needed, helping around the office, helping out on the fields, even stepping in and umpiring some games as needed. Terry, you done good, Thanks for all your hard work,
Albert had the worlds biggest head groundskeeper in "Cuzzo" Quincy Cook. Quincy worked his butt off on those fields this season. I'd like to have a dime for every hour that Cuzzo spent working on the fields. Not only did he put a bunch of hours in working on the fields, he also found the time to be head coach of the undefeated championship team in the 9 and 10 year old age group. Good Job Cuzzo, you are a great right hand man, and a great coach.
Well folks, I didn't realize that this was going to be such a long blog, and I still have a lot I need to say so I am going to make this into a two parter.
Continued on Part Two:
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Random THoughts from a random Mind...... Part 24
Hey Guys,
Hope y'all are all great! Happy Mother's Day to all you Mother's out there. What in the world would we do without you!
Today's blog will be one of random thoughts from a random mind. Whatever comes into my head is what I am gonna write about.
The Weather. ....... It sure is nice to see the drought easing off around here and the rainfall getting back to normal. Being too dry puts a strain on man and beast as well as the plants. The only complaint I have so far is the number of tornado watches and warnings that we have had so far this year. Three days last week as I sat at the ball park and broadcasted Dixie Youth Baseball there was either a Tornado Watch or a Tornado Warning for Laurens County, and the weather at the park was just fine. Go figure!
School's Out nearly...... That's right, the school year is coming to an end and it is a bittersweet time for parents, especially for those parents who have kids that are seniors in high school. You are proud that your child is graduating, but realize that things will never be the same. Your kids are grown up and out of school. You are proud for what they have accomplished, but a little sad that they are grown up.
Gas Prices...... Yes, they are starting to ease up gradually as the summer vacation approaches. The gas folks figure that if they do it gradually we may not notice, but they are wrong. Try and save a couple of gallons of gas each week. If we all do this, the gas prices will drop like a stone again because they can't drink the stuff.
Da Braves...... How in the world does a team improve their starting pitchers like the Braves did in the off-season, and still look so bad at times? Dern if I know, but the Braves sure have sucked real bad at times so far this season.
Cruise to the Bahama's for free!!!!!! Keep listening to WLBG for details on a free Cruise to the Bahama's for two from the South Carolina Lottery and WLBG. We are gonna ask questions about the lottery and if you answer them correctly you get registered for the grand prize drawing! Who wouldn't like to cruise the Caribbean for 5 days and 4 nights on the Carnival Cruise Lines Party Ship Fascination, and all for free!!!
Harley Davidson Give-away....... Also, your friends from the South Carolina Education Lottery are going to give away a Harley Davidson prize pack worth over $450.00 to some lucky listener of WLBG to commemorate their new Harley Davidson scratch off game. The prize pack includes a leather Harley Davidson Cowboy Hat, clock, and all kinds of other H-D goodies. The give-away will be done live on Good Morning UpCountry from Squeaky's place on June 3rd. We will have the details on how you can register in the next day or so!
That's about it for now folks, hope y'all have a great week!!!!
God Bless,
The Big One
Hope y'all are all great! Happy Mother's Day to all you Mother's out there. What in the world would we do without you!
Today's blog will be one of random thoughts from a random mind. Whatever comes into my head is what I am gonna write about.
The Weather. ....... It sure is nice to see the drought easing off around here and the rainfall getting back to normal. Being too dry puts a strain on man and beast as well as the plants. The only complaint I have so far is the number of tornado watches and warnings that we have had so far this year. Three days last week as I sat at the ball park and broadcasted Dixie Youth Baseball there was either a Tornado Watch or a Tornado Warning for Laurens County, and the weather at the park was just fine. Go figure!
School's Out nearly...... That's right, the school year is coming to an end and it is a bittersweet time for parents, especially for those parents who have kids that are seniors in high school. You are proud that your child is graduating, but realize that things will never be the same. Your kids are grown up and out of school. You are proud for what they have accomplished, but a little sad that they are grown up.
Gas Prices...... Yes, they are starting to ease up gradually as the summer vacation approaches. The gas folks figure that if they do it gradually we may not notice, but they are wrong. Try and save a couple of gallons of gas each week. If we all do this, the gas prices will drop like a stone again because they can't drink the stuff.
Da Braves...... How in the world does a team improve their starting pitchers like the Braves did in the off-season, and still look so bad at times? Dern if I know, but the Braves sure have sucked real bad at times so far this season.
Cruise to the Bahama's for free!!!!!! Keep listening to WLBG for details on a free Cruise to the Bahama's for two from the South Carolina Lottery and WLBG. We are gonna ask questions about the lottery and if you answer them correctly you get registered for the grand prize drawing! Who wouldn't like to cruise the Caribbean for 5 days and 4 nights on the Carnival Cruise Lines Party Ship Fascination, and all for free!!!
Harley Davidson Give-away....... Also, your friends from the South Carolina Education Lottery are going to give away a Harley Davidson prize pack worth over $450.00 to some lucky listener of WLBG to commemorate their new Harley Davidson scratch off game. The prize pack includes a leather Harley Davidson Cowboy Hat, clock, and all kinds of other H-D goodies. The give-away will be done live on Good Morning UpCountry from Squeaky's place on June 3rd. We will have the details on how you can register in the next day or so!
That's about it for now folks, hope y'all have a great week!!!!
God Bless,
The Big One
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Ahhhhh....... Springtime!!!!!!
Hey Guys,
Don't you just love springtime. The waether is perfect for baseball at Collyer Park, a night at the race track, even cooking some burgers and spending time on the deck. This weather is wonderful.
Lets see, where to begin..... Oh, how about them Braves, pretty sad so far. When they first took all the games off of TBS I was mad because it made it hard to catch their games, but now that they are playing so bad I am kinda glad that you have to hunt them now. The Cubbies are still on WGN, I can make it watching them and the occasional game on ESPN.
The NBA is beginning the play-offs and I will start watching some of the games with the guys now that they really count. I just can't sit down and watch a whole regular season game, a few minutes here and there is about I can sit still for, but the play-offs are a different story. I am taking the Cavs, so it should be interesting to see if I am right. Who knows, the Celtics could limp through the first round against the Bulls and surprise some folks.
The high school teams are doing great and beginning to head into the play-offs or are already in them. Laurens Academy sent Jefferson Davis scurrying in their 1st round play-off series like the Confederacy was falling again, knocking them off in two games by a combined score of 32 to 1. They willbe in action for the second round of the SCISA 1-A play-offs at home Monday.
Out in Raiderland, the Raider baseball team made it three region championships in a row and start the play-offs Tomorrow (Thursday) at home against Byrnes. First pitch is set for 7:00 p. m.The Raiders will be home Saturday at 2:00 p. m. against either Gaffney or Spring Valley. We will know who they play after those two play. Both games will be on WLBG, so take those headset radios with you.
The Lady Raider softball squad has qualified for the play-offs and will be in action tomorrow (Thursday) at Hillcrest. I think this is the first time tha Ladies have made the play-offs in a couple of years. Good luck to all the teams as they start down the road to the state championships.
I have had a ball so far this season broadcasting Dixie Youth Baseball from Collyer Park. after my buddy Tommy Powell passed away, a lot of people were wondering what would happen with the program. Well, Tommy Powell left a solid program that would weather the loss, and through a lot of hard work from folks like Eddie Broulette, Terry Grubbs, Manley Patterson, new president Albert Wilson, Steve Patterson, Quincy Cook and a hundred others the program is as strong as ever. The number of players increased by about ten percent this year, and the coaches have worked hard with the players and it shows. I have seen some real good games at the park this season. The future of the raider Baseball program looks bright thanks to the players in the pipeline heading to the high school from Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball. If you get a chance take in a couple of games. It's free, and a lot of fun.
Well, that's about it for now gang, I'm the Big Un', y'all have a might fine day!!!
Don't you just love springtime. The waether is perfect for baseball at Collyer Park, a night at the race track, even cooking some burgers and spending time on the deck. This weather is wonderful.
Lets see, where to begin..... Oh, how about them Braves, pretty sad so far. When they first took all the games off of TBS I was mad because it made it hard to catch their games, but now that they are playing so bad I am kinda glad that you have to hunt them now. The Cubbies are still on WGN, I can make it watching them and the occasional game on ESPN.
The NBA is beginning the play-offs and I will start watching some of the games with the guys now that they really count. I just can't sit down and watch a whole regular season game, a few minutes here and there is about I can sit still for, but the play-offs are a different story. I am taking the Cavs, so it should be interesting to see if I am right. Who knows, the Celtics could limp through the first round against the Bulls and surprise some folks.
The high school teams are doing great and beginning to head into the play-offs or are already in them. Laurens Academy sent Jefferson Davis scurrying in their 1st round play-off series like the Confederacy was falling again, knocking them off in two games by a combined score of 32 to 1. They willbe in action for the second round of the SCISA 1-A play-offs at home Monday.
Out in Raiderland, the Raider baseball team made it three region championships in a row and start the play-offs Tomorrow (Thursday) at home against Byrnes. First pitch is set for 7:00 p. m.The Raiders will be home Saturday at 2:00 p. m. against either Gaffney or Spring Valley. We will know who they play after those two play. Both games will be on WLBG, so take those headset radios with you.
The Lady Raider softball squad has qualified for the play-offs and will be in action tomorrow (Thursday) at Hillcrest. I think this is the first time tha Ladies have made the play-offs in a couple of years. Good luck to all the teams as they start down the road to the state championships.
I have had a ball so far this season broadcasting Dixie Youth Baseball from Collyer Park. after my buddy Tommy Powell passed away, a lot of people were wondering what would happen with the program. Well, Tommy Powell left a solid program that would weather the loss, and through a lot of hard work from folks like Eddie Broulette, Terry Grubbs, Manley Patterson, new president Albert Wilson, Steve Patterson, Quincy Cook and a hundred others the program is as strong as ever. The number of players increased by about ten percent this year, and the coaches have worked hard with the players and it shows. I have seen some real good games at the park this season. The future of the raider Baseball program looks bright thanks to the players in the pipeline heading to the high school from Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball. If you get a chance take in a couple of games. It's free, and a lot of fun.
Well, that's about it for now gang, I'm the Big Un', y'all have a might fine day!!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Friday Night....... Holy Moley Weatherman!!!!!!
Hey Guys,
Hope you all had a great Easter! I know I did! Ann served up the traditional Easter Feast of Ham, Tater Salad, Macaroni Pie, Deviled Eggs and I put on the feedbag. Man, am I stuffed.
Anyway, back to the original idea behind this blog, the weather Friday Night. That was some scary stuff. We were able to get the two games at Collyer Park completed and I was on the way to the station when the storm began to hit Laurens. Nothing like seeing intense cloud to cloud and cloud to ground lightning all at the same time. Add to that rain coming down sideways and you have a recipe for a scary weather night.
By the time I got to the station my family was there waiting for me. The guys ran the board for the ballgames and were there with Joel's girlfriend Tiffany, but as a precaution Ann and my four legged daughter Missy were there also. You see, my personal weatherman, B. Randall Stevens had advised us to be on alert and plan on being at the fallout shelter (WLBG) that evening. Boy, was he ever right.
As I walked into WLBG all Hell was breaking loose! I wobbled into the studio as fast as I could and was just in time for all kinds of weather alerts to come over the Weather Radio. Severe thunderstorms were popping up all over the place, and just as I sat down at the console the Tornado Warning siren goes off. Man, was I shook up. I popped a happy pill and got on the air trying to give out warnings as best as I could. After a couple of minutes my prayers were answered as Randy and his wife came rushing in to the station and Randy came into the control room and took over. Folks, I can't tell you how relieved I was to see him. You got to give that rascal his due, he knows weather. Within a matter of a minute or so he had the radar site on the computer and was warning people of the path of the potential tornado in the Hickory Tavern / Gray Court area. As fast as I could feed them to him he was giving out warnings, and on top of it all he was as cool as a cucumber. He continued to scan the different radar sites and spotted a potential tornado and announced it over the air five minutes before the National Weather Service did. He was amazing to watch. All this he did while trying to keep me calm, deal with an excited dog, and a weather situation that could have been potentially fatal to a lot of folks if the proper warnings were issued. It was one hectic hour and a half, but he was Johnny on the spot the whole time. When it comes to weather, Randy Stevens is the man, and I salute and thank him for his efforts to keep everyone informed and safe.
I feel lucky that Randy was at the helm Friday Night. He proved again why having a viable local radio station manned during times of bad weather is so important. The TV stations might not broadcast the weather situation in the area continuously, but WLBG did, and will continue to do in the future. Why, because we are a part of this community and that is what neighbors do, they help out their neighbors during tough times.
Remember, in times of bad weather, tune WLBG in, we will be there to try our best to keep you informed and safe because that is what we do, and we do it for you.
Until next time, God Bless!
The Big "Un
Hope you all had a great Easter! I know I did! Ann served up the traditional Easter Feast of Ham, Tater Salad, Macaroni Pie, Deviled Eggs and I put on the feedbag. Man, am I stuffed.
Anyway, back to the original idea behind this blog, the weather Friday Night. That was some scary stuff. We were able to get the two games at Collyer Park completed and I was on the way to the station when the storm began to hit Laurens. Nothing like seeing intense cloud to cloud and cloud to ground lightning all at the same time. Add to that rain coming down sideways and you have a recipe for a scary weather night.
By the time I got to the station my family was there waiting for me. The guys ran the board for the ballgames and were there with Joel's girlfriend Tiffany, but as a precaution Ann and my four legged daughter Missy were there also. You see, my personal weatherman, B. Randall Stevens had advised us to be on alert and plan on being at the fallout shelter (WLBG) that evening. Boy, was he ever right.
As I walked into WLBG all Hell was breaking loose! I wobbled into the studio as fast as I could and was just in time for all kinds of weather alerts to come over the Weather Radio. Severe thunderstorms were popping up all over the place, and just as I sat down at the console the Tornado Warning siren goes off. Man, was I shook up. I popped a happy pill and got on the air trying to give out warnings as best as I could. After a couple of minutes my prayers were answered as Randy and his wife came rushing in to the station and Randy came into the control room and took over. Folks, I can't tell you how relieved I was to see him. You got to give that rascal his due, he knows weather. Within a matter of a minute or so he had the radar site on the computer and was warning people of the path of the potential tornado in the Hickory Tavern / Gray Court area. As fast as I could feed them to him he was giving out warnings, and on top of it all he was as cool as a cucumber. He continued to scan the different radar sites and spotted a potential tornado and announced it over the air five minutes before the National Weather Service did. He was amazing to watch. All this he did while trying to keep me calm, deal with an excited dog, and a weather situation that could have been potentially fatal to a lot of folks if the proper warnings were issued. It was one hectic hour and a half, but he was Johnny on the spot the whole time. When it comes to weather, Randy Stevens is the man, and I salute and thank him for his efforts to keep everyone informed and safe.
I feel lucky that Randy was at the helm Friday Night. He proved again why having a viable local radio station manned during times of bad weather is so important. The TV stations might not broadcast the weather situation in the area continuously, but WLBG did, and will continue to do in the future. Why, because we are a part of this community and that is what neighbors do, they help out their neighbors during tough times.
Remember, in times of bad weather, tune WLBG in, we will be there to try our best to keep you informed and safe because that is what we do, and we do it for you.
Until next time, God Bless!
The Big "Un
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Play Ball!!!!!!
Hey Guys,
Today is one of the best sports days of the year for me. My favorite sports days are the first Friday night of High School football, the first race night at the local dirt track, and the first day of Dixie Youth Baseball. Tonight the teams will begin play at Collyer Park, and I get to be a big kid again as I will be broadcasting the games live on your and my favorite radio stations, the Wobble Legged Billy Goat! The teams have been practicing for a couple of weeks, the uniforms have been given out, and Albert and Steve have the fields in great shape. It is gonna be another great season at the old ball park.
This past Saturday the Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball folks dedicated field two to the late Tommy Powell. I can close my eyes and see him sitting on the Gator under the pear tree watching the kids play ball. Any time he was parked there it immediately became a meeting place for many folks as they would stop by and shoot the breeze with Tommy. I don’t know of anyone who loved Dixie Youth Baseball as much as Tommy did. He lived to get the fields just right for the kids. You want to get on his bad side, say something bad about his kids like they were bad ball players or they had no reason being on the field. He didn’t put up with that crap. He’d tell you right quick that baseball was for all the kids, not just the good athletes. He felt this way because he realized something that a lot of folks don’t. He knew that sports were good for kids, that when they were active in sports programs they were less prone to get into trouble. He also realized that a lot of his kids came from single parent families and needed a good male role model in their lives. In fact, to a lot of the kids that came through the Laurens Dixie Youth program he was their role model.
Well, now he’s gone on to Heaven, and we are left here to see his work continues. Tommy left a solid program to build on. For years to come the kids around here will have a beautiful park to play in, in a program that believes that all kids should get to play ball, even those that can’t afford to, and solid men and women as league officials, coaches, umpires, and supporters to help his dream live on.
It’s baseball season in River City now, and somewhere a little Marine is looking down and smiling because his park is alive with the sounds of happy kids playing ball, just like he was still there.
Tommy may be gone, but as long as the umpire yells “Play Ball!” and Collyer Park comes alive with the crack of the bat and the noise of the crowd, his legacy lives on.
Come on out to the old ball park folks!!!
God Bless,
The Big One
Today is one of the best sports days of the year for me. My favorite sports days are the first Friday night of High School football, the first race night at the local dirt track, and the first day of Dixie Youth Baseball. Tonight the teams will begin play at Collyer Park, and I get to be a big kid again as I will be broadcasting the games live on your and my favorite radio stations, the Wobble Legged Billy Goat! The teams have been practicing for a couple of weeks, the uniforms have been given out, and Albert and Steve have the fields in great shape. It is gonna be another great season at the old ball park.
This past Saturday the Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball folks dedicated field two to the late Tommy Powell. I can close my eyes and see him sitting on the Gator under the pear tree watching the kids play ball. Any time he was parked there it immediately became a meeting place for many folks as they would stop by and shoot the breeze with Tommy. I don’t know of anyone who loved Dixie Youth Baseball as much as Tommy did. He lived to get the fields just right for the kids. You want to get on his bad side, say something bad about his kids like they were bad ball players or they had no reason being on the field. He didn’t put up with that crap. He’d tell you right quick that baseball was for all the kids, not just the good athletes. He felt this way because he realized something that a lot of folks don’t. He knew that sports were good for kids, that when they were active in sports programs they were less prone to get into trouble. He also realized that a lot of his kids came from single parent families and needed a good male role model in their lives. In fact, to a lot of the kids that came through the Laurens Dixie Youth program he was their role model.
Well, now he’s gone on to Heaven, and we are left here to see his work continues. Tommy left a solid program to build on. For years to come the kids around here will have a beautiful park to play in, in a program that believes that all kids should get to play ball, even those that can’t afford to, and solid men and women as league officials, coaches, umpires, and supporters to help his dream live on.
It’s baseball season in River City now, and somewhere a little Marine is looking down and smiling because his park is alive with the sounds of happy kids playing ball, just like he was still there.
Tommy may be gone, but as long as the umpire yells “Play Ball!” and Collyer Park comes alive with the crack of the bat and the noise of the crowd, his legacy lives on.
Come on out to the old ball park folks!!!
God Bless,
The Big One
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tommy Powell Day
Hey Guys,
In my last post I told you I would post the details on Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball's Tommy Powell Day that will take place Saturday morning beginning at 10:00 a. m., weather permitting. Here is the schedule of events.
Tommy Powell Memorial Opening Day Ceremonies for Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball.
March 28, 2009
1. Welcoming Remarks by WLBG personality and former
Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball player Randy Stevens.
2. Invocation: King Dixon, National Director, Dixie Youth
Baseball.
3. Presentation of Colors by the Laurens District 55 High
School Junior ROTC.
4. The National Anthem performed by Wyatt Mattison.
5. Remarks by: King Dixon.
6. Remarks by: Ric Polson, Dixie Youth Baseball District
Director.
7. Presentation of Plaque from the Patriot Guard to the
Powell Family by Randy Stevens, Senior Ride Captain.
8. Presentation of Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball jersey by
Eddie Brouillette, Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball Official.
9. Unveiling of Scoreboard by Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball
President Albert Wilson and the Powell Family.
10. Singing of “Take Me out to the Ball Game.” ******
11. First Pitch: Members of the Tommy Powell Family.
12. Senior Dixie Youth Baseball Umpire Euell Boland opens
the 2009 Dixie Youth Baseball season with that timeless
baseball tradition: “Play Ball!”
******Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Take Me Out to the Crowd
Buy Me Some Peanuts and CrackerJacks
I Don’t Care If I Never Get Back
So It’s Root, Root, Root For the Home Team
If They Don’t Win it’s a Shame
For It’s One, Two, Three Strikes You’re Out
At the Old Ball Game!
Hope you can be there to help us honor a guy who gave so much to the young people of Laurens County.
God Bless,
The Big One
In my last post I told you I would post the details on Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball's Tommy Powell Day that will take place Saturday morning beginning at 10:00 a. m., weather permitting. Here is the schedule of events.
Tommy Powell Memorial Opening Day Ceremonies for Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball.
March 28, 2009
1. Welcoming Remarks by WLBG personality and former
Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball player Randy Stevens.
2. Invocation: King Dixon, National Director, Dixie Youth
Baseball.
3. Presentation of Colors by the Laurens District 55 High
School Junior ROTC.
4. The National Anthem performed by Wyatt Mattison.
5. Remarks by: King Dixon.
6. Remarks by: Ric Polson, Dixie Youth Baseball District
Director.
7. Presentation of Plaque from the Patriot Guard to the
Powell Family by Randy Stevens, Senior Ride Captain.
8. Presentation of Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball jersey by
Eddie Brouillette, Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball Official.
9. Unveiling of Scoreboard by Laurens Dixie Youth Baseball
President Albert Wilson and the Powell Family.
10. Singing of “Take Me out to the Ball Game.” ******
11. First Pitch: Members of the Tommy Powell Family.
12. Senior Dixie Youth Baseball Umpire Euell Boland opens
the 2009 Dixie Youth Baseball season with that timeless
baseball tradition: “Play Ball!”
******Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Take Me Out to the Crowd
Buy Me Some Peanuts and CrackerJacks
I Don’t Care If I Never Get Back
So It’s Root, Root, Root For the Home Team
If They Don’t Win it’s a Shame
For It’s One, Two, Three Strikes You’re Out
At the Old Ball Game!
Hope you can be there to help us honor a guy who gave so much to the young people of Laurens County.
God Bless,
The Big One
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Baseball season is here......
Hey Guys,
The opening sentence of A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens is “It was the Best of Times, It was the Worst of Times.”
This sentence best describes what is going to take place at the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Dixie Youth Baseball season at Collyer Park Saturday Morning.
It will be the best of times. It is springtime in the south. It is a time of renewal. It’s time to play America’s game. It’s baseball season. The grass will be green. The fields will be in tip top shape thanks to the hard work of Albert Wilson and Steve Patterson. The kids and parents will be excited about the start of another season of baseball at the ol’ ball park. It is indeed the best of times!
It will be the worst of times also. You see, my buddy Tommy Powell will not be there, well, maybe not in body but certainly in spirit. Tommy lived for this time of year. He worked long and hard on the fields, making sure they looked as close to miniature major league fields as he could. Just look around the park and you will see what I mean. He had major league style foul poles put in place. He worked hours upon hours for nothing making sure the grass was cut; the bathrooms were clean, that no trash or paper was lying around on the ground. He wanted the kids to love coming to the park and play baseball because he knew that if a kid got involved in playing baseball then there was a pretty good chance that that kid would not be involved in too much mischief. No matter how bad it might be at home for them, he wanted it to be a special time for them when they came to the ball park where they could forget their troubles and just be kids playing baseball. You see, my buddy Tommy loved baseball, and he also loved the kids who came through the Dixie Youth program, and the kids loved him.
He had a heart of gold. On the outside he might have looked like a tough little marine, but when it came to his kids at the ball park, and if you played Dixie Youth Baseball you were one of his kids, and if you were one of his baseball kids, he was a big ol’ softy. Time and time again I have seen a kid come in the office that had lost their hat, or socks, of glove and asked Tommy to help them. He might grunt a little about them needing to be more careful, but then he would get whatever they needed and send them on their way. You see, that was what he saw as his duty, he was to serve his kids and make sure they had whatever they needed so they could play baseball.
Well, Last month God must have decided that he needed a guy up in Heaven with Tommy’s talent to serve even the least of us as Jesus called the children, and someone who showed unconditional love to his beloved kids, so he called Tommy home. I like to think that Tommy is organizing a baseball league for the kids in Heaven, where all the kids have a glove, and nice uniforms, and everybody gets to play on fields as nice as Tommy made Collyer Park. That may not exactly be the way that the Preacher says that Heaven is, but I figure that God might just like to see a good baseball game once in a while, and who best to organize one but my buddy Tommy.
Later this week I will blog you the schedule for the opening of the 2009 Dixie Youth Baseball season and the ceremonies honoring the little Marine who loved his players and baseball so much. If you are a former player, coach, parent, or fan please make plans to be there Saturday Morning. It is going to be a very special time for all.
It’s indeed will be …… The best of times, and the worst of times.
God Bless!
The Big One
The opening sentence of A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens is “It was the Best of Times, It was the Worst of Times.”
This sentence best describes what is going to take place at the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Dixie Youth Baseball season at Collyer Park Saturday Morning.
It will be the best of times. It is springtime in the south. It is a time of renewal. It’s time to play America’s game. It’s baseball season. The grass will be green. The fields will be in tip top shape thanks to the hard work of Albert Wilson and Steve Patterson. The kids and parents will be excited about the start of another season of baseball at the ol’ ball park. It is indeed the best of times!
It will be the worst of times also. You see, my buddy Tommy Powell will not be there, well, maybe not in body but certainly in spirit. Tommy lived for this time of year. He worked long and hard on the fields, making sure they looked as close to miniature major league fields as he could. Just look around the park and you will see what I mean. He had major league style foul poles put in place. He worked hours upon hours for nothing making sure the grass was cut; the bathrooms were clean, that no trash or paper was lying around on the ground. He wanted the kids to love coming to the park and play baseball because he knew that if a kid got involved in playing baseball then there was a pretty good chance that that kid would not be involved in too much mischief. No matter how bad it might be at home for them, he wanted it to be a special time for them when they came to the ball park where they could forget their troubles and just be kids playing baseball. You see, my buddy Tommy loved baseball, and he also loved the kids who came through the Dixie Youth program, and the kids loved him.
He had a heart of gold. On the outside he might have looked like a tough little marine, but when it came to his kids at the ball park, and if you played Dixie Youth Baseball you were one of his kids, and if you were one of his baseball kids, he was a big ol’ softy. Time and time again I have seen a kid come in the office that had lost their hat, or socks, of glove and asked Tommy to help them. He might grunt a little about them needing to be more careful, but then he would get whatever they needed and send them on their way. You see, that was what he saw as his duty, he was to serve his kids and make sure they had whatever they needed so they could play baseball.
Well, Last month God must have decided that he needed a guy up in Heaven with Tommy’s talent to serve even the least of us as Jesus called the children, and someone who showed unconditional love to his beloved kids, so he called Tommy home. I like to think that Tommy is organizing a baseball league for the kids in Heaven, where all the kids have a glove, and nice uniforms, and everybody gets to play on fields as nice as Tommy made Collyer Park. That may not exactly be the way that the Preacher says that Heaven is, but I figure that God might just like to see a good baseball game once in a while, and who best to organize one but my buddy Tommy.
Later this week I will blog you the schedule for the opening of the 2009 Dixie Youth Baseball season and the ceremonies honoring the little Marine who loved his players and baseball so much. If you are a former player, coach, parent, or fan please make plans to be there Saturday Morning. It is going to be a very special time for all.
It’s indeed will be …… The best of times, and the worst of times.
God Bless!
The Big One
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