South Caldwell vs Providence- The Game

Part 1

I knew something special was going to happen when I arrived to The Rock at 4:30 and the parking lot was full. The Spartan fans were tailgating…that’s right..they were tailgating. Dbacks, Braves jr and I were informed that Grandma Bumgarner had something special for us. We jumped on the tram and skirted over to the team’s locker room to check out what the surprise was: It was spaghetti…my spaghetti… but my mouth dropped in horror when I saw the SC boys had finished it and the little bit that was left was being scoffed up by the human “pointer” himself, Kevin Bumgarner. Shoot, but I knew that there was something special waiting for us later.

Jumping back on the tram, we transferred over to the field to check out some of the early birds and to just soak in the atmosphere. I saw Providence’s, Artie Sommerville, and sure enough he was leading the charge for their supporters. Art is a unique person and if you ever have the opportunity to meet him, you will walk away feeling better. But in this case, Art said, “ Braves… look”…I blinked my eyes a few times to make sure I was seeing right. Most of the Providence ladies that were there early were dancing to the tunes of Waylon Jennings and Rickey Shelton (and they knew the words)….but what really caught my attention is when they turned in unison and saw dbacks. They said, “Hey db…” and clearly they were dippin’. I shook my head and said, “Alriiiight…the game is on”

For those that have never been to The Rock, there is a special seating area high above the field that is reserved for the Right Field Bleacher Bums. Nobody and I mean nobody is allowed to go near there. It’s a group of special supporters that do not accept new members and they are the baseball royalty of Caldwell County…needless to say that I was honored when Richard Myers bestowed to me an “Honorary” membership to this special group. But I was too excited to sit anywhere for this game. I had to keep moving.

Someone mentioned that there were over 8,000 people at this game. That’s like saying there were over 1,000 people at a Carolina Panther’s game. The Whole town was there…and they brought their fan “tools” to help remind you that they were there. When one looked around the park, it was a sea of colors (mostly maroon and white), but nowhere could you find a blade of grass. There was not an empty space anywhere….it was standing room only! And sprinkled throughout the crowd were scouts (of every stripe and color). I quit trying to find what ML organization or college they represented because there were too many….and they were taking the best seats at The Rock.

It was 7:00, The Panther fans were yellin’ and dancin’ and the Spartan fans were singin’ and beatin’ their tools to the music. The game was on and they were ready.

 

Part 2

The players were, too. You could feel the intensity each team had. They pretended they were relaxed, but you could tell each team was focused, intensed and ready to play. David Mailman set the tone of the game when he plunked (unintentionally) Madison Bumgarner with his 1st pitch in the first inning. This was not going to be just another game, this was going to be war. Madison let the Providence players know he was ready, too, by whipping his 96 FB past them and escorting them back to the dugout with his eyes. The kid is the ultimate warrior and he was not going to back down. This was a game that every pitch mattered and every runner savored because there were not going to be many of them. The turning point of the game occurred in the later innings. It was 2-1 SC, but Providence was challenging with a runner on 2nd and Kevin Shackelford to the plate. I told jcuncc1 that this is a scary situation and that Kevin may go yard. He loves FB’s…88 or 96…it doesn’t matter. And bam…as soon as I said that Kevin hit a bomb. The LF turned his back and ran for the fence. He made an incredible over the shoulder catch right at the fence and saved the tying run and potentially the go ahead run.

David Mailman was pitching like a bulldog. He pitched that way the entire game until the 6th. He began to tire a little bit and allowed a couple of runners. Coach Hignight sensed The Mailman was tiring and made a pitching change….it did not help. SC loaded the bases and between walks and hits they extended the lead to 7-1…Game, set, match. Kevin Bumgarner finally got to breathe, Braves finally got his Pork Chop sandwiches and everything was well in Sawmillville.

This was a game that was hyped and the game lived up to it. I think the attendance was closer to 8,000 and nobody left cheated. The Providence Panthers showed their heart and left with their heads held high knowing that they competed with the best team in the state.

I believe SC proved something, too. They proved they are winners. They proved that winners find ways to win….and they did. This was two classy teams and two sets of classy fans enjoying a game in an awesome environment. Baseball can not get any better than this… Well,maybe…………………………………………………at Butler.

The last thing that I have to say is this: Grandma Bumgarner may have the best pc sammiches, but I know that she has the best brownies, too. Thanks everybody for a wonderful time. One I will not soon forget.

 

Great post, you mean Kevin actually took a breath? I've talked to him on the phone before and sometimes I don't think he takes a breath! I'll bet with that many people there that the fans wish it would've been played at MS Deal.... How is Crest going to seat that many people on Friday? They don't have half the seating that SC has....

I was at the NW Guilford/N. Meck game and i have to say the NW Guilford fans were out numbered at least 3 to 1, but they were definetly the loudest group. They screamed when their team was at bat, they screamed when their team was in the field, they screamed when there was a pitching change... it was crazy. The loudest group of fans ever per capita....

 

Why would the game be played at Crest???

 

conference seeding placement

 

I think.......

Crest better "watch" out......

 

and that represents the fans

 

Crest cannot compete with South. Plus playing at Crest on a smaller field give South an even greater advantage.

 

Jinx

 

Not even I could jinx this!!!!