The first person that we asked to please share his story after we took this Photo 📷 of the Alumni in attendance last Sunday afternoon.
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Baseball is an America icon. It is the Statue of Liberty, In God we trust, hot
dogs, apple pie and ice cream. Baseball is America as is Cavalier Baseball. I
really can’t explain why I loved this game so much but I did. I was small and
left-handed and the coaches thought that I should be a pitcher.
Well, I tried and hit about everything including the batter instead of the catcher’s mitt.
We lost a lot of games due to that but they never wavered and kept encouraging me to do it again no matter how bad I was.
Why? I had no idea. I must not forget
Mike and Shay Bolen. They pushed me further than anyone at that time and gave me
the encouragement to pursue higher dreams.
Our generation as generations before us, we couldn’t wait to get to high school so we could get our driver’s license which meant closer to graduation, but for me it meant much more.
That dream ofplaying baseball on that field and wearing that gray and blue uniform was it. But much more was in store for me that I was totally unaware of.
In stepped Coach Bill Worrell. A person that not only believed in me but everyone on any
team he ever coached. You see he had established not only a winning tradition a CCHS but what hard work, pride, respect, dedication, and dignity was about
It wasn’t about any one person; it was about being a part of a team of MEN that respected each other and believed in each other with a common goal and he was there pushing you to your limits. He expected our uniforms would be clean, shoes polished and we would take infield before games, home or away with our heads
held high, be swift and look sharp even if we were the worst team because first mpressions send a message. You see, he was instilling in us how important just
the simplest of actions yield major results.
He taught thru repetition of doing
the little things correctly would pay dividends for personal satisfaction for a job well done and contributing factor for winning.
If you executed those basic
and fundamental plays to your best, 99 percent of the time it worked and was perfect.
If it didn’t pay off, then he had no issues because you did it
correctly and to your best and lost to a better opponent. On the other hand, if
you were not giving him your best or made mental mistakes, he would get our attention by running (A lot).
That was instituted by the phrase: When the feet work harder the brain works smarter. As for me I never really thought much about
records.
You see they are just personal achievements that sets marks or goals for other players to try to achieve or break if they so desire.
CCHS BASEBALL
has a long tradition and history of yielding great teams, players and
championships.
To be a part of and wear that uniform was an Honor, Pride and a Commitment to carry on that tradition.
I will never forget when Mike Montgomery and Ricky Berrier told me when they played that Couch Worrell would say, well
Rod Bryant did it this way and Rod Bryant did it that way.
I will refrain from what Mike and Ricky said but I absolutely ADMIRED and RESPECTED their response
by lighting a burning fire within them to better themselves and their team.
History and goals in life are just as important in sports.
Maybe more so that we
have a History of Marks and Achievements in which the value can be used to excel for perfection and not fail the past. This Legacy of CCHS BASEBALL has been
placed upon not new but familiar individuals who will be led by Casey Burcham.
I have known Casey and his family for several years and what I think and hope I see in this former player and current coach is the same passion and unique couching that reaches those same areas deep inside a kid to instill that same belief in yourself and pride and commitment to maintain the level of excellence that CCHS BASEBALL HAS ACHIEVED AND BEYOND.
This has been his dream and hopes
for a long time and now it’s time to shine and carry the torch to another level with hopes that everyone in Carroll County will embrace and support Casey Burcham and his coaches and yes Dehaven, you too, to carry on our Legacy.
Former players and coaches have said there’s something magical about that field and that gray and blue uniform.
Is it magic or just the winds of history and winning culture blowing a familiar sense to carry on our legacy?
“Chairmen” of the Board?
Not really, I was just a kid with a baseball that someone believed in and enjoyed making extraordinary things happen.
Thank you, Casey, and all involved
in the alumni game, festivities, and making everyone feel a part of what the future holds for CCHS BASEBALL.
Casey, do you remember how many baseballs can be placed on home plate?
I hope you can remember and if you can’t maybe Dehaven can jog your memory.
Just couldn’t let you forget that one.
Rod Bryant –
. Thank You Sir !
A.S.P.N on The Hill 