Spring always brings a new ball season
By Don Gearhart
The fresh smell of green grass, hot dogs and burgers sizzling on the grill, the echoing sounds of hardballs smacking into leather gloves, the crack of the bat when connected to the pitch, cheers from the dugout when a run is scored — those, and more, are expected as spring forwards us into high school baseball and softball.
In Darlington County, there is a rich tradition in these sports. There have been state championships won, tearful second-place finishes, a myriad of student athletes playing at the collegiate level, and a select few who have pursued their dreams of playing at the professional level.
Each new season brings renewed hope that a successful season will result in the accolades achieved by bringing home the trophy. It is said that baseball (softball) is a game of “inches and if’s” and the ultimate success will come when these teams stretch that extra inch and eliminate all if’s.
As an avid enthusiast of this game as a participant, coach, umpire and an eventual spectator, there have been a lot of memories and quotes that stick out:
— “Thou shalt not strand a runner on third with less than two outs.”
— “Take the first pitch, make the pitcher work.”
— “Be ready for the first pitch, it might be the best one you’ll see.”
— “Don’t step on the foul line running on and off the field.”
— “Run everything out; you never know when a bee will sting the fielder just before the ball is caught.”
— “The game is never over until the last out is recorded.”
The last quote is the most appropriate for these Darlington County teams as they get ready for that familiar call to “Play ball!”