Fantasizing about having the game-winning hit, game-winning catch or striking out the last batter to win the World Series, is commonplace in the little leaguer’s mind.
Spencer Gleason
-Sports Editor-
When a young ball player picks up a baseball and a mitt, the daydreams begin. Fantasizing about having the game-winning hit, game-winning catch or striking out the last batter to win the World Series, is commonplace in the little leaguer’s mind.
As the athlete ages, only a limited number in the world ever achieve playing a game of baseball on baseball’s sacred ground. For the few that do, however, stepping foot on a major league baseball field makes them appreciate the feeling of a big leaguer.
On Sunday, Sept. 4, just moments after the field was cleared after the St. Louis Cardinals lost in extra innings to the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2, the memories began for the STLCC Archers and the Lewis and Clark Trailblazers, as they took the field and stood in the same spots as household names such as Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, and Yadier Molina had stood just moments before. This time Busch Stadium was home to the Archers and Trailblazers.
The Archers’ 7-2 victory came within the two-hour and thirty-minute time limit that the schools had to play a college-style baseball game on a major league field.
The pitchers warmed up on the outfield warning track. The offense played small-ball, stealing bases and manufacturing runs. The Archers sent 18 different pitchers to the mound and rotated three defensive groups; allowing all 47 players to make the most of their time under the lights at Busch.
Although there was not a game-winning hit, a game winning catch or a strike-out to clinch the game, the moment of playing on a major leagues baseball diamond superseded the victory on the scoreboard.
Old daydreams were given a taste of reality and shared amongst the friends and family in attendance.
Archer head coach Tony Dattoli shared his day with his family-and 47 more ‘sons.’
“It’s probably the most memorable moment of it all,” Dattoli said. “My sons from home, in addition to the boys that put on the uniform, [they] are my sons, as well. For them to have the experience and be able to be out here with them when they’re going through an experience such as this, it means a lot. It always touches my heart to have the opportunity to have them involved.”
