Watauga vs West Wilkes- The Drew Newell Game

It’s startling when you think about this. Today, in Boone, it’s snowing, breezy and the schools are closed. But Monday night, for a February, it was almost balmy; a perfect night to play baseball at Watauga.

For those that have never visited the baseball field, there are two things that will quickly catch your attention. First, you have to park 5 miles away. I don’t know what it is about the schools in Caldwell and Watauga County, but the building designers must love cross-country because you have to park 5 miles away from the field. Fortunately, they had a special tram brought in for this game because it was packed. The second thing you notice is the splendor of the field. I don’t know how Coach Hardee does it, but the grass looked emerald in color and was cut like the Masters' greens. To me it’s one of the prettiest high school fields in the state.

Before the game I had a chance to speak to my buddies, Will Dicus and Emo. You could tell from their voices the enthusiasm they had for this game. It appeared they had circled this date and had worked hard all summer and fall waiting for the season to start. But, you could also feel their pain in losing one of their brother’s, Drew Newell.

In a fitting tribute to Drew, the Pioneers honored him with his retired jersey and placed a memoriam on the fence in left field (Drew’s position). It was a very emotional moment when the Newell’s were introduced to the packed crowd and former players returned to the field to honor and remember their friend. After Mrs. Newell spoke to the crowd, there was not a dry eye in the house. You could feel her emotions as she spoke and you could see how each word was enveloping the fans like an umbrella. One of the things I learned that night was in Watauga, you may have graduated and started your next life, but you never really leave: Once a Pioneer, you’re always a Pioneer.

I was interested to see how the Watauga team’s emotion would affect their start---there were no worries. John Sharpe was as good as his last name. He was throwing strikes and leading his team with composure and confidence. When the Pioneers got to their first at bat of their season, they left no doubt that they were ready for this game. They pounded the ball. Led by Cal Hardee, who had two hits in the 1st inning, they jumped out to a huge lead. Before the end of the 3rd inning, Cal had 4 hits and Trey Dunnigan did something Ruth-like. Short of pointing to the memoriam in left field, he lifted a shot that cleared the sign and the ball appeared to never come down. It was like Drew was saying, “Thanks Trey, that one is mine”.

By the 3rd inning it was 15-0 and I decided that I would get an early start on my long trip home. What a stupid decision; I wish I had known what was going to happen. Mr. Pioneer, #6, Will Dicus was selected to close the game. What a fitting ending to a memorable night and I felt terrible not to be there to see it. But I will see them Saturday against Ardrey Kell, so I hope he has another opportunity then.

What a special treat it was for me to have witnessed this memorable game. It’s not one I will soon forget.

 

Tribute Day

So nice to hear of the LOVE shared by the players for one another. I hope that team goes undefeated this year.

 

What a nice recap Braves...I felt like I was there. Thanks for sharing the experience with us.

As I read your line about 'once a pioneer, always a pioneer', I was reminded how thankful I am that our family is part of a baseball family where the same thing holds true. The pride, the belonging, the baseball family, the friendships, the loyalty, etc. that goes with high school baseball has to be one of the greatest things that one can experience.
Although I enjoy my son playing for other teams and will enjoy his college days, to me there is nothing that can come close to the atmosphere that we have experienced over the last 4 years!

 

Drew Newell Game

Here are some pictures from Monday night. It was a great memorial for the wonderful Drew Newell.

 

What a special night.

Thanks Braves!

 

i went to watauga from 1981-85,and you are right once a pioneer always a pioneer.what a great night ,not only the baseball team but all of wataugas family was great. when his mother spoke of her son makes me so thankfull that i have my kids to tell how much i love them.we all should be real thankfull for that.and made me go and tell my kids how i feel about them.