Welcome Back to the End of the Bench

Well, this seat on the end of the bench is dusty.

It's been nearly 10 years since my last post on this blog (and to show you how long it's been, when I typed the word "blog", my computer autocorrected it to "big") and I'm not really sure what drove me back here, other than the fact that an outlet for writing was needed.

My last post was just before I took a job as the Athletic Director for the Arkadelphia Public School District in the late summer of 2011. The first few months (well, maybe years) I didn't really have much time to spend posting my thoughts or stories on a blog.

After things slowed down there were probably thoughts inside my head that I didn't NEED to post on a blog. Then after I got past a few years later and got into somewhat of a rhythm in the role I didn't want to post information on a blog because I knew that no matter how much of a people-pleaser that I wanted to be, there would be people who would disagree with anything I put on a blog.

But here we are, nearly 10 years later. My wife and I now have three children and because of the situation that the world finds itself in regarding COVID-19, we've been together....a lot. And it looks like we'll continue to be together....a lot more.

I don't know how frequent I'll post and I don't really know if anybody will see this, because as of right now, I don't plan on posting it on social media. If you see it linked in a share from one of my pages, then I guess I changed my mind. Either that or my mom still thinks that anything I write is really good and she made me do it. Just kidding. About the making me post part. She has social media now and she might share it if she finds it.

So here we are. COVID-19. I don't know how much longer we'll be strongly encouraged to stay in our homes, but if it's a long time, then I'll probably post a little more frequently.

The name of this blog was titled "The End of the Bench" because it was a column I used to write for our local newspaper. The name came from my career as a high school basketball player -- it's where I spent most of my time.

I used to get frustrated when I was in high school because I didn't get to play as much as I wanted to. I didn't like being on the end of the bench.

As I write this on March 22, 2020, there are virtually no live sports being played due to the entire country (well, most of it - that's another column for another blog) shutting down and trying to keep as many people from contracting COVID-19 as possible.

There are no games being played.

I think of my senior year of high school in 1995 and how I really didn't want to be sitting on the end of the bench on my team.

Nobody is sitting at the end of any bench right now. I think of the class of 2020 and how all across the country there are seniors who should be playing their first conference baseball or softball games tomorrow night.

It's been almost 10 years since my last post and the seat was dusty when I came back. I know it won't be 10 years before games will start back up, but it may be too late for seniors if COVID-19 keeps us out of our normal routines for much longer.

How they would love to get to wipe off a seat that's gotten dusty over the last couple of weeks and have a chance to get back in the game.

They'd even love to just have a chance to sit on the end of the bench.

"Hey Dad, Are we gonna get a foul ball?"

“Hey Dad, do you think we’re going to get a foul ball?”

“I don’t know bud, we’ll see if we can.”

That’s a two-line conversation that my son and I have had either when we’re on our way to a game or entering the gates. We’ve been to college games, minor league games, and a few Major League Baseball games and to see the look on his face at the games when we actually got our hands on one of those balls was priceless.

Of Rory, Albert, Derek and Asdrubal...Yes, Asdrubal

Rory McIlroy just had one of the most dominant performances in a U.S. Open in a long time. The young lad from Northern Ireland has been a popular pick to be one of golf’s next big stars among insiders since he busted onto the scene a few years ago.

As McIlroy was well on his way to his first championship in one of golf’s four majors this past weekend, the absurd questions began creeping onto broadcasts, highlight shows and various social media outlets.

What were the absurd questions?

"The Character Will Come As We Play."

One of my favorite sporting events of the year to follow is the NCAA Division I College Baseball tournament which culminates with the College World Series. I grew up watching the CWS in the summers on TV with my dad and we were fortunate enough to be able to attend the first four days of the CWS in 2004.

The College World Series has been held in Omaha, Nebraska, for over 50 years and until this year the legendary home of the CWS was Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium. The event moved into the new TD Ameritrade Park just over 3 miles away in Omaha for the 2011 season and played the first two games in the new home today.

Having Perspective as a "Fan"

I've really become hooked on monitoring social media sites while watching sporting events, particularly when the favorite team of many of my facebook friends or twitter list is playing a game. Having a sense of perspective during those sporting events appears to be the last thing on the minds of many.

Outstanding Saturday with Outstanding Play

Ok, so today was a productive day. Taking the kids to get donuts, cleaning out toys that we didn't need, getting a little practice in with the new pitching machine and cleaning up around the house provided for a full day.

But there was always a little room for some sports on the tube...and the radio...and the computer.

Speaking for the Little Man and the Playoff Fan: "Roll Tide" and "Bear Down Arizona"

As I watch today's "Iron Bowl" football game between Auburn and Alabama, I have no dog in the fight. I don't call anybody a "Bammer" or a "Barner" and I don't walk around randomly screaming out "Roll Tide" or "War Eagle." I enjoy the Iron Bowl and understand the history and tradition of the whole event.

This time as I watch, though, I do have a team that I hope wins. It doesn't have anything to do with not liking Nick Saban or thinking that Cam Newton is playing for Auburn after being illegally recruited. It doesn't have anything to do with thinking that an Auburn win will help my team make a better bowl or hoping that Alabama gets beat again after winning it all last year.