Spring Fever: Beau's Season Opener

B-PC/A vs. Ridgewood (3/23/10)

With temperatures hovering in the mid-60s and the sun shining, I headed over to Bushnell to take in the Ridgewood Spartans against the B-PC/A Spartans. A nice crowd was on hand for the game, and the field was in great shape, especially since snow had blanketed the ground just days prior.

B-PC athletic director Stan Prentice played gate keeper, shooing away the dogs, that were accompanied to the ball park by their owners out for a gander at some baseball on the spring day. My count, three dogs were escorted from the grounds!

Coming off a season of few wins, I was pleasantly surprised by the B-PC/A Spartans in their season opener. It's hard to gauge these early year games, but the team was putting the bat on the ball, and more importantly, playing good defense, with limited errors.

Brandon Coates had a mean stick for the hosts, going (4-4). Devon Raleigh smacked a long RBI triple, and the pitching duo of Cedric Huffman and Matt Bartlett put over a dozen K's on the board. Bartlett won the game in relief, and struck out 8 visiting Spartans in the process. The Spartans (B-PC/A) beat the Spartans (Ridgewood), 7-6.

At the diamond, didn't see too many other members of the media. Dave Norton from the McDonough Democrat was snapping several pictures. Also got the chance to speak with Spartans assistant coach (and head football coach), John McCormick. Our main topic of discussion was the all-new B-PC/A hats, a retro feel, in the theme of the Montreal Expos caps from the 80's. Being a retro man, I love the new hats. Coach Mac did mention the cleats didn't leave much room to breathe, commenting the warmer days could be a foot burner. Also talked with first-year B-PC/A volunteer assistant coach Gerald Kirby.

A great day at the ballpark, and as much as I hated to see basketball go away, I welcome the warm spring days taking in a game with open arms. As per usual in these March/April days, once that sun went down, that slight breeze whipped right through, creating quite a chill in the air.