Ponder the Thought

Night Baseball for High Schools

NIGHT BASEBALL AT THE

HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL- IS IT TIME?

                                                By John Leon

            Has the time come for the high schools to bring night time baseball to the fore front? It may be and I know what the argument will be and it’s about the cost, and rightly so. But the time may be right for this idea to come to fruition.

            After all, we have night games for football and basketball, so why not baseball, track, soccer and whatever else? It could easily be used as a revenue sport thereby offsetting some of the costs associated with lights and electricity. No one seems to argue about paying for football and basketball games and the cost could be the same at $3 per person, just like in the other sports.

            There are going to be at least 5 games this season played under the lights and I personally think it’s great. Just imagine what the possibilities would be if most of the schools had lights on the fields. Revenue, concessions, excitement, attendance and let’s be honest, the games would be played at a higher level in my opinion, because the athletes actually like playing at night.

            Add in the fact that local radio may be involved and revenues for the stations and schools would be greater. Middle Township and Wildwood Catholic are playing some games under the lights; while there will be Egg Harbor Township vs. Mainland and Holy Spirit vs. Atlantic City played at Bernie Robbins Stadium in Atlantic City. If you don’t think that this can work, ask any of the almost 800 fans that packed the Stadium last season to watch Mainland/Spirit. Of course, the pitching matchup was tremendous as A.J. Holland bested Charlie Law in a 3-0 gem, but the fact that so many people had interest in the game should tell you something.

            The stadium had a concession stand open that night and I know for a fact that money was made, and I would expect games played there to be at least as good.

            So we return to the initial question, is it time for night time baseball for the local high schools, or does it make more sense to just have key matchups under the lights? Would the novelty wear off or can this be a realistic proposition?

            The cost factor would have to be considered as many of the schools are being crunched by the State of New Jersey and funds are scarce, but again, I offer the scenario of the revenue possibility. Remember it was not that long ago that football games at night were just a pipe dream and look now. 95% of the schools play their games on Friday nights and it has flourished as a way for alumni to get together and for the school to gain revenue, as it is an inexpensive and fun night out for most families in this time of tight budgets.

            So what would be the difference? Most of the games are played now at 4PM so there is enough daylight to be able to finish the contests, but if you look around; there maybe are 50 people or so. Consider a nice evening with 300 or so, concessions booming (just look to any Little League field for an example) and some good baseball played.

            Ponder the thought as I bring you the argument that it would be a good idea, and it just may be time to explore the option. It’s just a matter of finding a way to make it happen.

Responsibility

TAKING RESPONSIBLITY

                                                By John Leon

            I am the proud father of two beautiful daughters, and have no qualms about saying that. Many, if not most parents, will say the same thing about their offspring. My oldest daughter drives and what I have done, and this is just me, is I have always, ALWAYS, expected communications between them and myself, whether it just to say hello or to let me know that she made it safely driving from one place to another.

I’m starting to have a problem with the increasing amount of accidents and injuries that these kids are having is this day and age. Recently, 3 players were in a car accident driving FROM a game. Why? Wasn’t there a team bus? Buses usually make for team chemistry, allowing the kids to form bonds with one another before and after the contests.

            I understand that many students are driving and want to become independent but the question in my mind is who’s taking responsibility for these students?

            Three possible suspects arise from this question and all should share in the answer.

            One is the parents. I know that when my daughter started driving, I was, and still am, scared to death that she would be in an accident. (She’s been in three and none her fault). I know it happens, but when does the responsibility start? How do the parents allow them to drive from one school to another school when there are buses, I assume, available to transport the team? If the game is played in or near your home that’s one thing, but in many cases, I’m not seeing any reason for this to happen.

            Two, where were the coaches that allowed this to occur? How is it possible to form a game plan when some of your players are not within earshot to talk about the game today? Being together on a team bus allows that to happen. Is it that important for these kids to drive to and from? How about the LIABLITY to the school if something happens, as did last week? If I’m a parent and that happened WITHOUT my knowledge, first I’m gonna rip my kids a new one, then I’m gonna talk to the coach and find out what the hell they were thinking!

            Third and most importantly, are the kids. Again, what the hell were they thinking and who gave them permission? Was there a waiver signed? These kids want the freedom but not the responsibility of being accountable for their actions. It doesn’t work that way my friends and that’s where the problem lies.

            There are no solid answers to any of the questions above except for the fact that it is a combination of mistakes. Starting with the coaches who allowed it, the parents who gave them the car in the first place and then the kids who drove, that want the independence but no responsibility.

            It’s time to step up children, and learn the lessons that your parents did. Our children have it WAY better than we did and that’s no one’s fault but ours. I have been able to afford to buy my daughter cars and that’s ok, we all want better for our children than we had it, but she learned about how to be responsible also. I drilled the mantra of calling when she left, and when she arrived. She takes FULL RESPONSIBILITY for her actions whenever she’s out. I don’t want to hear any excuses, and again, accidents happen, but when will they learn about not putting yourself in a position to have an accident?

            Consequences of her actions are dealt with if/when they happen and action is taken after all of the facts are heard. If I find that she’s been at fault I formulate a judgment and if she’s not at fault we talk about how to solve it. Communication, isn’t it a wonderful thing?

            So in the final analysis, I blame the students that feel like they have to be able to drive to and from the contests. I have a BIG problem with that and as a former coach, I would not allow it, again, unless the parents know and they live in close proximity to the location. It shouldn’t be allowed and there’s no reason for it. The coaches were at fault here, unless there’s not a policy at the school forbidding it without a waiver. Finally, the blame also falls on the parents, who have given their blessing to the independence but have not taught them about taking responsibility.

            Everyone has to get back to having some thought as to how to share the responsibility for the students. The time to start teaching and learning is now, before anything else happens.

The Passing of Time

THE WEDDING GUESTS

                                                By John Leon

            Normally I write about sports and their effect on the culture of our area, but after learning of my cousin’s passing last week, it got me to thinking about mortality. Yes, I know what you’re thinking and that’s whether there is a punch line or something in here.

            Nothing could be farther from the truth.

            What actually spurred my thoughts after Sam’s death was my wedding almost 28 years ago and how many of the 150 + guests are either no longer with us, or we’ve lost touch of. Much like the yearbook that you break out on occasion, and realize that many of your classmates have passed. It is a sobering thought to say the least.

            Witnesses one and all watched me, sweaty palms and shaking, take my vows to my bride. No way out and no where to run. The reception was a joyous one, to say the least, with the newly wedded couple the last ones to depart the hall.

            Sam was 51 years old with a malformation of the veins in his brain and after suffering the hemorrhage which would turn out to be fatal, he passed but not before invoking fond memories of our growth as friends and men. He was at my wedding, refusing to be IN the wedding for fear of jinxing it. A superstitious man if there ever was one, he actually gave his approval for me to get married. Gee, thanks Sam.

It was MANDATORY that I be in his wedding. No matter that I was in the midst of my baseball/softball season. That went over with my teammates like a lead balloon. I missed the rehearsal and dinner, but was at the weeding of his first wife and all was good.

Many others from relatives to close friends have passed through and have gone. Others have drifted away, living their own lives with just a memory of the happy occasion, sometimes catching up after 10 minuets or so. Other times we think that there will always be time to get together and catch up on each others lives. We’re not getting older, there will ALWAYS be time.

            Thinking back gives one pause to realize that we are indeed human and although many of us think of ourselves as bullet proof, we are not. Things happen for a reason, and even though my cousin and I had not spoken for many years, it does not diminish the good times that we had. Going to his funeral will be a sad occasion for many reasons.

            As with many others, he died way too young. He went quickly and that was his wish, as he said to me many years ago.

            “I don’t want to be rusting away letting my family have to watch me go,” he said.

            He was larger than life, standing 6’5” and tipping the scales at 230 or so in his hey day. Mechanically inclined, he could fix anything it seemed and always knew the proper way to get things done. Always had a devilish grin as I recall, and you just never knew what was coming out of his mouth next. You couldn’t play any kind of puzzle or word games, because he would kick your ass many times over, and this was from a man that never finished high school and had to get his GED.

            Getting back to the wedding, it seems like many of the guests are now pleasant memories from the pictures that day. We have drifted apart, but not deliberately. Life takes its toll on friendships and it seems like when we were all together, it was another lifetime ago. Indeed, the standard line from my times as an athlete is “That was another lifetime ago,” that we played as a team and enjoyed the camaraderie.

            Always with a hug and handshake, do we greet each other when we meet again, but the closeness that we felt at that time has waned. Everyone tries to keep in touch through the years but not the way we once did, and that again, is no fault of anyone.

            This is my reality check and it seems that as we grow older, the checks seem to be more and more frequent. It used to be the funerals of our parents and their friends we were going to, and now it’s our friends and relatives.

            Nobody said growing up was going to be fun or easy and his is the part that’s never easy.

            But I do admit that it would be fun to get together on a more regular basis, instead of reunions once a year or so. I guess I’m starting to realize my own mortality, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.

            I will have a reunion with my cuz at some point and then we will pick up where we drifted apart, like we never lost touch.

            Save me a seat kid, and let me know what I need to bring.