She took my hand, and we walked back together. I’d just made my first friend at baseball camp.
◊◊◊
Chapter 13 – Redneck Crazy Monday June 20
We were all told to meet at the Embassy Suites in shorts and t-shirts. I’d put my game uniform and gear into a duffle bag. Most of the guys had done the same, but a few still had their uniforms in the clear plastic bag they’d been given them in yesterday. We were ushered into a large ballroom where we were met by all the coaches and staff. We were then assigned teams. I was put on the team called Pride, along with twelve other boys.
Once the teams were announced, our coach pulled us all together.
“Gentlemen, welcome to Pride.
“Before we get started, I want to introduce myself. I’m Clark Kingwood. I’ve been the head coach at Mainland Community College for the past eighteen years. We’ve averaged 37 wins a season since I’ve been there. I’ve participated in USA Baseball for the past six years, but this is my first year coaching at the Under-18 level.
“Last week, my fellow coaches and I had a draft to select our teams. I think we may have the best team here. Over the next several days, you’ll participate in the Tournament of Stars, and we’ll be in the Gold Medal Game.
“I picked each one of you because I felt you would mesh as a squad. Right now, you don’t know each other, but I want you to get acquainted quickly. I also want you to have fun this week. I can’t think of much I would rather be doing than playing baseball. Over the next week, you’ll get the opportunity to test your skills against the best players in the country.
“Everyone here is good. I want you all to realize that right now. The quicker you figure out that your attitude and effort are the biggest factors that will set you apart, the better off you’ll be. When you walk onto the field, attitude and effort don’t take talent. In fact, it’s the reverse: they are the elements that will let your talent show itself,” he said, and then took a deep breath.
“I’m not going to lie to you. While I want to win the tournament, this is all about finding the right guys to move on to the next level. Scouts and coaches are going to be watching everything you do, and that includes me. 108 men will need to be whittled down to 40 by the end of the week. While you’re bonding together and working to win games, you’re in competition with each other for those roster spots.
“I want to make clear that we’re looking for good teammates and for how you’ll fit into a team. The best way to do that is to just win, baby,” he said with a big smile that had us agreeing.
If we were going to do this, I wanted to win, because that was just the way I was.
“Okay, settle down,” he said with a smile. “Now I want the coaches to introduce themselves.”
The first up was someone who wasn’t much older than we were.
“I’m Dick Mallei, your pitching coach. I’ve been where you are, and I made the team five years ago. Unfortunately, I tore a couple of ligaments in my elbow in the minors. I love the game, so I had to find another way to participate. If you have any questions about how all this works, feel free to ask me.”
Next to stand was a small man in his early thirties.
“Duncan Nautilus,” he introduced himself, with a deep voice that didn’t fit his body. “I’ll be your infield coach this week. I hold the same position with the single-A club for the Phillies.”
A large, older man stood.
“I’m Lewis Short. I’ll be rotating between the teams, working on your batting.”
Finally, another young man, who was about my height, stepped forward.
“Art Way, I’ll be working with the outfielders,” he said and sat back down.
“Now I want you to introduce yourselves,” Coach Kingwood said as he pointed at M.E.’s brother.
“My name is Dave Gordon, and I’ll be your first baseman. I’ve been selected to try out each of the last four years, and I made the final team each time. I take this seriously, so I don’t want to see anyone slacking off, or I’ll call you on it. My goal is to make the Under-18 team so I can be the first to make all the teams, starting with the Under-14 squad.
“I’m sure I’ll make the cut, and I can already tell several of you won’t. To be frank, I’ll be surprised if our celebrity part-timer makes it. I’ll give you all one piece of advice: baseball has to be your primary focus,” he said, looking at me.
I looked around and could tell Dave hadn’t made many friends. It set the tone for the other guys when they introduced themselves. I zoned out. If I wanted to hear about how good each of them was, I’d date them, and I didn’t swing that way. I was picked last to introduce myself.
“Does anyone
I knew they did, and when I smiled, they smiled back.
