02/18/2022 Spring is in the Air
If you have not noticed the weather changing and the trees turning green, it also brings to life the field of dreams. This time of year is usually filled with spring training across Major League Baseball and scrimmages across the United States, as hundreds of high schools and thousands of athletes get ready for the regular season. Now let us toss in little leagues and middle schools and the number of baseball players skyrockets. Even this reporter had his time on the field and sand lots. Usually, one feeds off the other. When I say that I mean, that every young ball player usually picks a favorite player the day he decides what his favorite team will be. When that decision is made, it is likely to be a lifelong love unless something ridiculous happens with your team or favorite player. That was the case with me when I decided to jump ships from the New York Yankees and the New York Metroplitans, A.K.A. The Mets. My story is just a sidebar to this story, but I wanted to share a piece of me.
My favorite player was Thurman Munson, a catcher for the Yankees, a player that played with energy and a love of the game that came through the television. Unfortunately, Thurman died in a tragic plane crash and was replaced by a player named Rick Cerone. This guy also came with a fancy pair of denim jeans named “10” jeans, after his uniform number. Cerone was the opposite of what I had grown to love about Munson. I tried to continue to be a fan, but it was too much for me and I decided to become a fan of the blue and orange. I have been a fan ever since and I do not regret my decision, although I do question some of the moves that the club has made.
So, blue and orange have been my colors for decades. I am excited to be part of Wolfpack Nation. It seems like I was meant to be here in Whiteville, Baseball Town USA, and wear the colors of the locals, you already know it is blue and orange. Last night was the first time I sported the Wolfpack logo and colors; it was just something waiting to happen. It was a scrimmage game on the road in North Brunswick and the Wolfpack Nation and I made the trip. It was an excellent afternoon for baseball, it was sunny and near 75 degrees. Both sides of the bleachers were filled, and everyone was ready to kick off the 2022 baseball season. The first pitch was called a strike and the field of dreams was now open for business.
Whiteville Head Coach Turner Brown and his staff had over 20 athletes to evaluate. This game was going to go on till every player on both teams had a chance to show the coaches what they had, in hopes of making the final roster. The Wolfpack looked very impressive in the early inning as the regulars had a chance to stretch their legs. Ty Lawson stood on the mound to start the game and he was very impressive, striking out 5 of 6 batters to start the game. Whiteville also had some good defensive plays, shutting down runners on base situations. In more than one inning the Wolfpack had to pitch and scratch their way out of some long innings. It was in the bottom of the sixth when North Brunswick finally took the lead 8-7. The teams went on to play nine innings, into a breezy light rain, until the coaches had a chance to see all the players.
The story will be the same across every ballfield across America. For some it will be the first time they step onto a field this season, and for others it will be their last, as they move on into another chapter of their lives. No matter what chapter they are entering, it is not the last. For those stepping off the diamond, they step into a teacher and usually mentor someone. It will more than likely be teaching your own children about baseball and how it is our Country’s National Pastime. It is a game that teaches us how to get along with others and a game that can also humble us by teaching us some valuable life lessons. The game comes with some great highs and tear-jerking lows.
I hope to capture all this emotion and excitement as I cover the entire Whiteville Wolfpack season. I will provide home game play by play coverage and away game updates on your Hometown Station, WTXY Kool 103.9FM / AM1540. The Whiteville Wolfpack has a scrimmage game this Friday, at 4pm, at home. Every pitch will be covered live on your hometown station Kool 103.9FM and streaming at www.Kool1039Radio.com, click on listen live. Bookmark the website while you are there, so the next time you are just a point and click away. You can also download the TuneIn or Streema radio apps for free in the app store on your smartphone or tablet, just search WTXY KOOL 103.9 and save as a favorite and you will be ready for every pitch!
– Vinny Pagano is the Sports Editor for Columbus County News and Sports Director for WTXY Kool 103.9FM & AM1540. Local Sports stories, as well as questions and comments can be submitted to Vinny at sports@kool1039radio.com
