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First published February 1975.
by Rowan Carter
Many people are often amazed at the perennial success of the baseball team at Boyertown. The Bear's dynasty is not based on luck, voodoo, transcendental meditation, or anything dealing with magic. It does, in fact, depend upon talent, and more importantly on desire and dedication.
Dedication to a game that involves a tiny white ball and a piece of wood (or metal depending on the bat) may sound a bit corny or even stupid. But it is, in fact, the dedication factor that helps produce the Ches-Mont crowns the baseball team continues to win.
Besides the players putting many hours into the game, the coaches must also give up their spare time in order to conduct the practices, which are held regardless of the weather conditions.
At these practices basic fundamentals are constantly done over and over again. Things people take for granted, like getting a lead, bunting techniques and fielding.
Now don't get me wrong and think every practice is constant seriousness. There are times when the players mock each other, such as when you're attempting a steal and you get "picked." There are even a few flakes on the team.
One of the most noticeable is tri-captain Mark Lucas, who at times has visions of himself being Bernie Parent. Mark, who himself is a dedicated athlete, has a habit of imitating Parent, while fielding ground balls.
An example of this is the following: A ground ball comes Lucas' way, and all of a sudden you see him doing a split and kicking the ball away, ala Parent, and to top it off Lucas proves his versatility by announcing the "save," by saying something like "leg save Parent" o r "Parent Kicks another one out."
At times, though, Lucas proves he is human by missing a ball or "shot on goal," (similar to Parent) and is, of course, mildly mocked by his teammates.
With this combination of dedicated athletes and coaches, and of course the flakes on the team, there should now be little doubt as to why the Bears have enjoyed success in baseball and will undoubtedly continue their winning ways in the future.
More News from Boyertown
- Winners of "Question of the Day" Three clever readers correctly answered our "Question of the Day."
- BASH Class of 1975: Looking Back The Boyertown Expression joins the Class of '75 in looking back on its high school days.
