Caldwell County Post 29 - The Ride

I think we made a season out of coming together. I would love for everyone to remember the whole rollercoaster ride not just the end. How about getting in the playoffs. There was a time the coaches and myself would get emails with standings and scores and I would nightly trying to figure out how we could get in and then get out of whatever seed we had and get a better draw. Then low-and-behold we came back out of nowhere we came together and beat Henderson and Shelby in the last week and finish in a tie for fourth.

So we goto Union County, who was pretty dern good. We came together to pull off that series win and wow theirs Post 82 Shelby. Theres no way we can beat them. But we came together and beat them 3-1. But then, theres the nearly undefeated Gaston Braves to earn a spot in the state tournament. Again we came together and beat them 3-1 and we are rolling... until we saw Pineville. Pineville beat us like a drum for 2 games and 6 innings. But then "Take me out to the Ballgame" was sung and it flipped the switch again... came together and wow we are the 3-Peat champions of Area IV.

That team kept coming together. During the bad times too. I remember in Rowan County when a bat took flght and nailed Josh Shehan just above the temple.. Shane Clawson spent alot of the night in the ER with him both having exams the next day.

So its time to come together again. There is no moral high ground here. We won as a team and lost as a team and next time we are going to do more winning than losing as a team... if Madi is drafted early and he signs, we'll go watch the phenom... if not, that door is ALWAYS open for him to toe the rubber in a 29ers uniform again. Lonnie Chisenhall did it. Drew Poulk did it. Blane Howell did it.

Also while I am thinking about it... theres some HEROES that kept putting that team on their back this year that I want to recognize. Jimmy Messer is a rising Jr at South Caldwell and pitched some of the biggest games a kid can pitch. He put the team on his back to beat Garner in the tournament. Nothing shook him. What about Brian Chandler's pitching? He kept us in that second game with Morehead city and how many times did he come in bases juiced and get outs this year. How about Brad Chavis? We played 45 innings in HOT HOT weather in Hi-Toms and he caught every single inning. And NOONE can ever say Casey Justice didn't give his all, every single AB. He was a beast.

So to make a king story short here... lets celebrate our victories a little louder here and ease up on the losses. Unless there are some rules different than I know of, theres only one team in the US that ends their season with a win. I wished it had been us, but I like our chances a year from now.

 

Brian Chandler is "Mr Caldwell". Aka "John Smoltz" could do it all....and his experience in college taught him how to pace himself..the self described "harnessing". I just love this kid because sometimes the chemistry in the dugout is as important as the chemistry on the field...and Brian's charisma played a huge role in maintaining that chemistry. An added bonus is that he would perform out on the field as well.

Were there players with more talent than Brian...sure (unless you ask him)..but not many were more important.

 

I want to tell you about some other guys... first is Brad Hardee. Brad is another story that has to been told. Amazing football player and is trying to walk on for the D-II National Champion App State. He got up at the crack of dawn every morning and drove to Boone and worked out and I think took a Summer class up there too... then met the bus on away days or met the team at the park and played that night. I think his play suffered some during the dog days of summer, but the kid HAD to be exhausted. Hats off to him too.

Then theres Dustin Busha and Zach Merrikan. These two did it all at the start of the season then became role players when the South guys came on. But they did whatever was asked. I would look down at the bullpen and see them catching possible relief pitchers and then would catch eachother. I am sure they both wanted to do more, but they never complained about lack of PT atleast not to me and I look forward to both of them returning next year.

 

Post 29 Area IV Champions and 2nd in North Carolina

well, it was a great season and even though I would have liked to be in Florida next week I'll just stay in North Carolina and work instead..

My hat is off to the 29er on a great season and I mean GREAT SEASON. It was pleasure to watch you guys grow as a team and mature as a team. I have heard a lot of comments that a lot of people gave up on you early in the season, but I can honestly say I never did. I've been around Legion ball for a long time as a fan, and really close to it the last few years (having a son play for the 29ers and watched most of these guys play since they were baby's) I've seen up-close how hard the coaches and staff work to bring the three high schools together to form one team, that's not a small task especially with the Hibriten, West Caldwell, and South Caldwell rivalry. These guys are raised from childhood to beat each other and then all of a sudden you ask them to come together as one unit, one team to chase their dream of the hard to reach State Title. I'm really proud of the baseball tradition of all three high schools and the 29ers from Caldwell County. In my travels I love to brag on Caldwell County Baseball, because its ours and its good. There's almost nothing like a good baseball game on a hot summers night, a good hot dog and a cold drink to unwind and relax a little bit. Personally I've proud of the back to back to back area IV championships...with a little luck and a different bounce of the ball we were very close to back to back to back State Titles. Congratulations to the 29er players, coaches, staff, on a great 2006 season...its definitely one for the books...to the 29er player who are moving on ....good luck to you...to the ones who are returning, we will see you next year...this time i promise i will not predict a state championship, I have the last three years and its not working....play as a team, believe in each other and win or lose as a team, it will happen.... keep God close to you heart

Carolina Man

 

Great post Carolina Man !!!!

 

huh, huh, you member at time bobby bucha run down da feld dare an is pants feldown? huh, huh, huh

 

Great run for Post 29....enjoyed playing against you guys this year. Look forward to next year.