A Character in Baseball

Do you remember a person(s) that you loved watching him attend a game. For me it was Steve Buchanan: father of Ben Buchanan East Meck/ UNC-A.

Steve is a great guy. He supported every player on the team. In fact, he supported every player on both teams. That's the kind of guy he is....but when his son pitches, he reverts into a different personality.

Steve would arrive at any park that Ben pitched in and mark off his territory before each game. He would start at home plate and would begin to form a track that would go all the way to the outfield pole. All game long he would walk back and forth between homeplate and the pole until the track would become a trench. You could only talk to him between innings and even then he was there for just a second...just like a hummingbird at a flower garden. Steve would keep up this pace the whole game! But after the game, with the sweat rolling down off his forehead, his new sneakers worn of tread, he would be taking deep breathes over by the dugout and exclaim, "Braves, that was a great game!".

That was 3 years ago. Every now and then when I go to the East Meck, South Meck or Providence Field, I still notice the trenches that Steve marked off after one of Ben's game. True story, at South Meck, there is a section of what was once grass. I lined off the area, put up a fence and made a sign that says, "Steve Buchanan was here"

I miss that guy, but I would be willing to bet if I traveled to Asheville to attend one of the UNC-A games...there would be a trench down the home side of the field where Steve Buchanan has made his trademark "March of the Pitching Parent".

Any of you guys remember a parent or fan that stands out in the games that you have been to?

 

Me.

 

wish to share?

 

Uh-Huh !!!

Paul Buchanan, the "Uh-Huh !" guy, is a great fan. He caught on with Charlotte last year, when Charlotte was playing at Kannapolis while their new stadium was under construction.

He is VERY enthusiastic, never profane, and sure to annoy at least a few of the visitors! But it's all in great fun... He loves baseball, he loves kids, we are glad he's a 49er fan ! Uh-Huh !!!

http://media.www.nineronline.com/me...n/yell-As.Loud.As.You.Can.UhHuh-2834824.shtml

 

braves my man. you write funny stuff. true but funny. whether it be at east meck,south meck or jupiter we were a pair. what a team we were.
what great memories we made.

 

You are right about that my friend. Some of my best memories ever. But as good as that team was, the parents on that team were even better. I wish we would have a reunion (of course, you guys probably have one each year, you just conveniently forget to tell me)

Now, I wish you would come on here more often and explain to these good folks that I don't lie....and I even furnish pictures with my stories.

By the way, Morgan Tyson posts on here often....now talking about someone making up stories...sheeesh!!!!

 

Hey B-Turfie

I was reading a thread about DJ Mitchell and his grandfather the other day. DJ's grandfather is famous in his support of all the teams DJ played with. He was the type person that one will definately know was at DJ's games....and it made me think of Braves Jr's grandfather when he attended the PG games in Atlanta. Braves Jr was so embarrassed, but I think his teammates loved him...and you definately knew he was at the games.

Well, anyway, he always asks how you are doing

 

we had awesome parents. they were the cream of the crop. to bad art never would send the memo's to us so we would know in advance what the attire for the day was.

 

braves remember the day the whole family showed up at kell high school.

 

I have to go with the Maynard Clan"

I love the Maynards. You can bet whenever and wherever Pratt Maynard is playing he is going to have the entire family close by. And folks they are vocal. His mom a sweet heart of a lady Angie is going to let you know who her son is. Then there is the Grand Pop the Sheriff of Durham County Worth Hill. He will not miss a game. And of course there are the uncles and the aunts. When Pratt was being recruited by NC State Coach Hart asked if they came to all the games. Of course I said yes and they are going to get loud. He laughed and said great. He then asked Angie Pratts mom if she was going to sit in the Avents Army section at Doak Stadium. Angie said "Hell thats Angies Army"! Coach Hart fell out laughing at that one. The last time we were at ECU playing with the Dirtbags Pratt lined a double off the rcf wall. Angie stands up and says "Hell Yeah". It was hilarious. You can see them this Saturday at the futures game at High Point. They will be the folks all wearing the NC State attire. The great thing about this group is they pull for all the kids on the team not just Pratt. But one things for sure you will know they are there. They dont believe in just sitting down and chilling at a game. They are going to cheer and they are going to have some fun.