Day Two: Conyers, Georgia

We left early Thursday morning to make the trip to Atlanta. When we arrived in Atlanta we went to Dialogue in the Dark (click to read more about Dialogue in the Dark). Our guys were taken through a series of tasks in total darkness to give them a feel for what it would be like to be blind or visually impaired. We went through tasks such as walking through a park, crossing a street, riding in a boat, grocery shopping, and ordering at a cafe. You are led through these tasks by a guide who is visually impaired.

Following Dialogue in the Dark, we went to the Varsity to eat lunch and then headed to our hotel in Covington, Georgia. We hope that Day Two is the worst day of our trip because once we left the Varsity it was pretty much all downhill. One of the vans had a bad tire on it so it took us a while to get to our hotel from the Varsity. Duane Ashcraft changed the tire for us so the first problem was solved. We left to play the doubleheader against Conyers and the game was delayed because one of the umpires was stuck in traffic. I wish he had stayed there. You'll just have to take my word for it when I say that he was the worst out-safe umpire I have ever seen. He would make some of the guys in Tuscaloosa look like Major League Umpires. Here is an example of how bad he was - on a routine force out at second, he called one of our players safe saying that the fielder came off the bag (I thought we were out by the way). The opposing coach argued the call and talked him into asking for help from the other umpire. Keep in mind on this play, the field umpire is between the mound and second base. The umpire behind the plate overruled the call. I argued, to no avail, that he had no business overruling the call. I eventually let it go.

After several missed calls during the game, I was afraid what this umpire was going to be like behind the plate. He was actually pretty good calling balls and strikes. However, every single out/safe call that he had in the first two innings, he missed - both involved Zach Doherty. In the top of the first, bases were loaded with Zach on third. Zach ran home on a ground ball and did exactly what I teach our players to do and that is get way inside so that the third baseman has to throw in, over, or around them. The throw was low and to the first base side of the plate. The catcher dropped the ball but the umpire called Zach out. I asked for him to appeal the play to the field umpire thinking that since he had already overruled a play from 80 feet away then he would do it this time as well. He told me that he wasn't watching that play and couldn't overrule it. Believe it or not, I still did not get thrown out.

In the top of the second, Zach was coming home on the back end of a double steal. The umpire called him out originally and then went on to call him safe saying that the catcher had dropped the ball. We had scored a run but Zach was not moving. Eventually he got up but his pinkie finger and shoulder had gotten the worst end of the collision. After checking on him and sending him off the field to be carried to the hospital, the umpire declared that Zach was out. Let's just say that I watched the rest of the game from the parking lot but not before recommending that the umpire apply for a job at Dialogue in the Dark.

We lost both games which you will see below. Following the game Blake Beck and I went to the hospital to find Zach who was driven to the hospital by Donna Williamon (Trey's mom). They had gotten to the hospital at 9:30 PM. We left at approximately 3:00 AM. The good news was that Zach's finger and shoulder were not broken. His shoulder has continued to bother him and we are not sure if he will be able to play the rest of the trip.

Pretty miserable day but we are learning from some of our mistakes and learning to fight through adversity. I am proud of the way the guys are handling themselves on and off the field.

Game One:
Conyers (GA) Post 77 - 9
Tuscaloosa (AL) Post 34 - 7

Post 34 got out to a quick start building a 4-0 lead going into the second inning. Chase Fields and Trey Williamon hit home runs in the top of the first and Zach Doherty scored Jacob Bush on a sac fly in the second. In the bottom of the second, Post 34 starter Alex Aultman walked two of the first three batters. after a single and a wild pitch, Post 77 had cut the lead to 4-3.

Post 77 would add runs in the third, fourth, and sixth innings. Hitters for Post 34 included: Chase Fields (2-4 with a solo HR and single); Trey Williamon (2-3 with a 2 run HR & single); Wood Collins (1-2 with a double); Jacob Bush (2-3 with two singles). On the mound, Aultman pitched 6 innings. He allowed 12 hits and 4 walks. He also had four strikeouts.


Game Two:
Conyers (GA) Post 77 - 6
Tuscaloosa (AL) Post 34 - 4

Despite the missed calls mentioned above, Post 34 jumped out to a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second inning. Post 77 scored two runs in the bottom of the second, third and fifth innings to jump out to a 6-2 lead. Post 34 tried to mount a comeback in the top of the 7th but after scoring two runs, the bases were left loaded when Post 77 was able to get the final out.

Hitters for Post 34 included: Zach Doherty (1-1 with a double) & Chase Fields (2-3 with two singles). Sam Kelley pitched 6 innings and allowed 8 hits & 3 walks. He had 7 strikeouts.