Much like the majority of the spring, rainfall cut the end of the LCBCA Jim Popiel Senior All-Star game short June 5 at the Pipe Yard, where the blue team led, 9-5, going into the ninth inning.
For a time, it didn’t look like there would be a game at all with the weather rolling in. The rain came pouring down during the first inning and a half but skirted around the Pipe Yard until right around 8 p.m. The base umpire waved his arms to signal ‘no more’ and shook his head with a laugh.
Still, it was all fun and games — and at the end of the day baseball is a game. Each of these players got one final chance to play with their teammates, area rivals and enjoy the right to a loose atmosphere in the game they all grew up playing and fell in love with.
“It’s definitely about going out here and having some fun,” Midview’s Spencer Mueller said, who was ironically on the red team despite blue being the Middies’ primary color.
“Playing with some of the guys I haven’t played before and some of the guys I’ve been competitors with on the other side and playing with them, it’s definitely interesting. It’s more fun to see some new faces but not be as competitive but just try and go out and have fun.”
Columbia’s Jacob Sanders was also on the red team with Mueller and fellow Columbia Raider Kody Hall, with Columbia’s Dan Durante one of the coaches. Taking part in this All-Star game was a gratifying moment.
“To be able to wrap up my senior year and play one more game with Kody, and honestly be able to play with some of the biggest competitors — people I’ve competed against and battled with — it’s amazing to be able to play with them. It’s surreal,” Sanders said.
On the blue team side, Xavier Brown started the game on the mound in the drenching rain. Brown laughed a little when recalling how hard it was to grip the ball with the droplets hitting the newly installed infield turf.
“When I was warming up, the first pitch I threw down slipped out of my hand and went to the backstop,” Brown said as he shook his head. “But I get to come out here and play one more game with the people I’ve been playing with for the last four or five years. It’s nice to get out here with them.”
Open Door’s Tyler Reaser, like Mueller and some others at the all-star game, will be playing at the next level. The Division III-IV County player of the year, Reaser said it “means a lot” to share the field with everyone present in a loose, relaxed setting such as this senior all-star game.
“Just to come out here, have a last high school game with all the guys from the county, it’s great,” Reaser said. “We’ve got some really good competition here and great baseball players. We’re just able to come out here and end things on a high note before the next four years.”
Keystone’s Brock Miller, earning his second county player of the year award, saw guys playing out of position and having a laugh with it. Miller was going to go in as a catcher in the ninth inning before the rain came down again. Still, there was a mutual respect for everyone present.
“As you play against these guys, you grow to know them a bit and follow them on social media and wish the best for them,” Miller explained. “To be able to talk to them — like me and (Clearview’s) Ayden Cruz last inning — we were just talking the whole time, playing baseball. It feels almost like a sandlot game. It’s a good time.”
“It’s like a backyard game of wiffle ball,” Clearview’s Cruz added. “You’re just coming out here and making memories that will last forever. It’s awesome.”
Elyria Catholic’s Anthony Hutter – headed to Eastern Michigan – took up shortstop for a few innings and even went to hit left-handed in his final at-bat, drawing howls as his timing and swing were off.
“It’s been really fun. This has been a great experience. I wish we could do this more,” Hutter said. “It’s been fun. I got to face Brock (Miller) in my first at-bat, and it’s always fun to see each other. Most of these guys I’ve played with or against growing up, so I was really excited coming into today.”
“No one gets too worked up. We’re all smiling here,” Avon’s Joey Griffiths said. “We’re having a good time and playing baseball like how it should be played.”
