My Dad is a man among men. You wouldn’t know it now by looking at him. He had a stroke a few years back and is now on kidney dialysis. At 74 he’s a shell of the man he used to be. He wasn’t much of a sports guy. He called baseball “the national wastetime” and used to ask, “Babe who?”
He was a leader of men in world where the most hardened of men toiled. He gained respect and admiration among his peers because of the way he used his power. It’s something he taught me through his words and by his example.
So when an issue that’s been a distraction continued unabated, I used it as opportunity to pass on to him what my father passed on to me.
“When men use their power to acquire more power they do it at the expense of the institutions and the people they serve. It’s a selfish endeavor that benefits only the person in power and it eventually degrades the institution. With that, the person loses the support of the people who gave him the power in the first place.”
“There are two ways to get respect: You can earn it, or you can buy it. When you earn it, you get the respect of good and decent people who you admire. When you buy it, you get the respect of sycophants and fools who will suck up to you as long as you keep paying.”
I’m writing this down because I forgot a lot of the things my father told me. I don’t want my son to forget. These things are important.
I have received some puzzling responses to the previous post. The "distraction that contiunes unabated" has nothing to do with the STA team. What's curious is why anyone would think it does. The situation involves a personal matter that I do not wish to elaborate on publicly. I'll do my best to keep the personal stuff out so there should be no such confusion in the future.
Anyway, Arch Bishop McCarthy dueled with # 1 ranked Nova, losing 1-0 in the bottom of the eighth. Robert Lara (LSU), the catcher that everyone hopes will "just stay behind the plate" picked up his first win of the season.
Arch Bishop McCarthy continues to impress, despite losing to Pace, STA, and Nova in the course of a week. They are right on the fringe and will give some teams a tough go of it in the playoffs.
Anyway, Arch Bishop McCarthy dueled with # 1 ranked Nova, losing 1-0 in the bottom of the eighth. Robert Lara (LSU), the catcher that everyone hopes will "just stay behind the plate" picked up his first win of the season.
Arch Bishop McCarthy continues to impress, despite losing to Pace, STA, and Nova in the course of a week. They are right on the fringe and will give some teams a tough go of it in the playoffs.
Yesterday's double header against Dillard started at 3:45, always a tough task for working parents who scurry through their day with the sole purpose of making it to the field by game time. My main objective was finding a meal that had some nutritional benefit. Wendy Hamburgers, although tasty, will kill you if consumed on a regular basis. At 45, I am now starting to think about how to get a few extra years out of this rapidly deteriorating body. So, with a rare display of willpower, I passed the Wendy's that is located just a block from STA, promising myself that I would find a good meal before the vultures started circling overhead. But what options are there? A concession stand hot dog or burger? A premature death for sure. While sitting watching STA crush Dillard, I heard a whisper that contained the words, "chicken and rice." It was the case that the team meal, which had been ordered but not consumed due to scheduling conflicts, was now on sale at the concession stand. So, for $5 I received four hearty pieces of chicken, and a hefty portion of black beans and rice. Oh yes, drink included. There are angels at STA.
I slowed down as I passed a baseball field where kids no taller than four feet wore baggy jerseys, pants, and and hats with bills that appeared to large for such tiny heads. In their positions the tiny baseball players were motionles and upright, their arms hanging limp at their sides. I wanted to stop the truck, get out, and tell the Dads how lucky they were. I wanted to tell them to just enjoy it--to just have fun. I could feel a wave of emotion flooding over me as I thought back to how it used to be. And then it hit me--it's still that way and I'm missing it just like I missed it back then. Why is it that we look back and realize how great it all was but we can't enjoy while it's happening? The reason is obvious. We're always worrying about how what is happening now will effect what will happen in the future, so you miss the moment. You know what--it's all going to be alright. It's time to have some fun.
Northeast's Cory Walker may have gone to the well one time too many. Walker, whose slider had STA hitters lunging all night, watched helplessly as Ryan Ditthardt drove a deep liner into the rightcenter gap with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. The long drive broke a 1-1 tie in a game marred by ejections and blown calls. If a couple of calls against Northeast go the "right way" the Hurricances would have been in a postion to knock off the Raiders.
Northeast is getting closer, which could be a good thing. There is no taking this team for granted. They have just enough to end somebody's season. Tonight they take on Nova with Robbie Conver on the mound and one wonders if the dissappointment of having glory snatched by the boys in blue will have a detrimental effect on this tough and s****** team.
Ryan Ditthardt is getting comfortable in the 3 hole as is Daly in the 5 hole. Since being flipped in the order the pair are both hitting the ball good. Ditthardt was scortched three balls in going 2-4 while Daly is now 4 for his last 8. Dennis Raben was tough in limiting Northeast to a single run. He pitched a complete game for his 6th win.
Northeast is getting closer, which could be a good thing. There is no taking this team for granted. They have just enough to end somebody's season. Tonight they take on Nova with Robbie Conver on the mound and one wonders if the dissappointment of having glory snatched by the boys in blue will have a detrimental effect on this tough and s****** team.
Ryan Ditthardt is getting comfortable in the 3 hole as is Daly in the 5 hole. Since being flipped in the order the pair are both hitting the ball good. Ditthardt was scortched three balls in going 2-4 while Daly is now 4 for his last 8. Dennis Raben was tough in limiting Northeast to a single run. He pitched a complete game for his 6th win.
As a baseball Dad, there comes a time when you realize that you have produced other offspring besides the one who wears a glove and cleats. The person most aware of this reality will often remind me, “You have two other kids!”
There is an annual ritual at STA dubbed Callini. It is a series of contests between the girls of STA, pitting the four classes against each other. The event culminates with one fabulous night at at the Office Depot Center. Last night was one of the reason that there is no other school like STA.
My freshman girl, Angela, who will assure my continuity at STA for another 3 years, has just enough of everything. She’s beautiful, athletic, intelligent, and personable. Her events were powder puff football (quarterback and wide receiver), aerobics, and relay race. Last week, in front of a huge crowd at Brian Piccollo Field, with less than 3 minutes left in the game, she snagged a 17 yard reception on 4th and 14, giving her team a first down and nailing down a 7-0 win over the seniors. Last night she helped her relay team to a second place finish. All this while Kelly, who is in second grade, watched wide eyed, dreaming about the day she would be out there on the floor representing her class at Callini.
It was all about being a girl last night. Probably 1000 of them packed the floor of the Office Depot center, dancing wildly and joyfully to blaring music while an arena full of parents and male classmates cheered them on. The night belonged to them. The freshman finished in a 3rd place tie with the sophomores in overall points. The juniors finished 2 points ahead of the seniors in a stunning upset. But it was a night when you forgot about the score in a hurry. As the event concluded 1000 or so girls were on the floor singing, “I’m proud to be an American.” Words cannot describe the feeling.
John will go off to college soon and I will be at the mercy of the 3 women in my life. Something tells me it’s only going to get better.
There is an annual ritual at STA dubbed Callini. It is a series of contests between the girls of STA, pitting the four classes against each other. The event culminates with one fabulous night at at the Office Depot Center. Last night was one of the reason that there is no other school like STA.
My freshman girl, Angela, who will assure my continuity at STA for another 3 years, has just enough of everything. She’s beautiful, athletic, intelligent, and personable. Her events were powder puff football (quarterback and wide receiver), aerobics, and relay race. Last week, in front of a huge crowd at Brian Piccollo Field, with less than 3 minutes left in the game, she snagged a 17 yard reception on 4th and 14, giving her team a first down and nailing down a 7-0 win over the seniors. Last night she helped her relay team to a second place finish. All this while Kelly, who is in second grade, watched wide eyed, dreaming about the day she would be out there on the floor representing her class at Callini.
It was all about being a girl last night. Probably 1000 of them packed the floor of the Office Depot center, dancing wildly and joyfully to blaring music while an arena full of parents and male classmates cheered them on. The night belonged to them. The freshman finished in a 3rd place tie with the sophomores in overall points. The juniors finished 2 points ahead of the seniors in a stunning upset. But it was a night when you forgot about the score in a hurry. As the event concluded 1000 or so girls were on the floor singing, “I’m proud to be an American.” Words cannot describe the feeling.
John will go off to college soon and I will be at the mercy of the 3 women in my life. Something tells me it’s only going to get better.
Deleted by FLADAD.
Rapture. Sometimes it takes but a single word to describe what you’ve seen on a baseball field. Take your pick: incredible, unbelievable, awesome, remarkable. That was the feeling when Steve Cardullo’s prodigious blast in the bottom of the seventh landed somewhere near 12th Street on the south side of STA. It was only the second hit of the game off Cypress Bay’s Mitch Houck, but it was enough to give STA a 1-0 walk off win.
Corey Weech turned in another solid performance in shutting down a potent Cypress Bay offense. Aided by several stellar defensive plays, the junior pitcher shutdown another high caliber team. Weech turned in a fine performance in besting Arch Bishop last week. Catcher P.J Fandetti made two game altering plays. In the first inning with a runner on third, a Weech wild pitch traveled to the backstop. Fandetti pounced on the ball and fired to Weech covering to nail the runner at home. Later in the game, The Lightning put runners on first and second with no outs and attempted a sac bunt. The batter missed the pitch and Fandetti fired to second, picking the runner off to record the first out of the inning. Fandetti also picked up the only other STA hit, a sharp liner through the right side.
Sophomore Bobby Scott relieved when Weech tired in the sixth, and worked out of a 2 on, nobody out jam. The sophomore pitcher, in only his second career appearance picked up the win. Mitch Houck was masterful through 6 innings and started the seventh with a K of John Daly. Cardullo then hit the first pitch, a fastball, deep beyond the leftfield fence. His team mobbed him at home and the applause lasted until the team moved towards the dugout. What a day.
In response to the previous post about Robby. Robby has had some good days and some bad days. He has pitched well against us and we have beaten just about every good team we’ve played. As far as Nova is concerned, there are probably college pitchers who couldn’t shut that team down. It is one of the most potent offenses in the history of Broward baseball. I believe the team is now ranked # 1 nationally. Getting your *** whipped by Nova is pretty much common place. We play them next Thursday.
Corey Weech turned in another solid performance in shutting down a potent Cypress Bay offense. Aided by several stellar defensive plays, the junior pitcher shutdown another high caliber team. Weech turned in a fine performance in besting Arch Bishop last week. Catcher P.J Fandetti made two game altering plays. In the first inning with a runner on third, a Weech wild pitch traveled to the backstop. Fandetti pounced on the ball and fired to Weech covering to nail the runner at home. Later in the game, The Lightning put runners on first and second with no outs and attempted a sac bunt. The batter missed the pitch and Fandetti fired to second, picking the runner off to record the first out of the inning. Fandetti also picked up the only other STA hit, a sharp liner through the right side.
Sophomore Bobby Scott relieved when Weech tired in the sixth, and worked out of a 2 on, nobody out jam. The sophomore pitcher, in only his second career appearance picked up the win. Mitch Houck was masterful through 6 innings and started the seventh with a K of John Daly. Cardullo then hit the first pitch, a fastball, deep beyond the leftfield fence. His team mobbed him at home and the applause lasted until the team moved towards the dugout. What a day.
In response to the previous post about Robby. Robby has had some good days and some bad days. He has pitched well against us and we have beaten just about every good team we’ve played. As far as Nova is concerned, there are probably college pitchers who couldn’t shut that team down. It is one of the most potent offenses in the history of Broward baseball. I believe the team is now ranked # 1 nationally. Getting your *** whipped by Nova is pretty much common place. We play them next Thursday.
Baseballstud- going to give you a little leeway as I see you are a new poster.
You may be unaware of the rules of etiquette that we try to abide by here. Remember, these are kids we are talking about and we simply don't say negative things about kids.
welcome to the board, but you might want to consider deleting your post and starting over.
You may be unaware of the rules of etiquette that we try to abide by here. Remember, these are kids we are talking about and we simply don't say negative things about kids.
welcome to the board, but you might want to consider deleting your post and starting over.
I don't know how this week will shake out. It is the toughest stretch of the season and a 2-2 record for the week would be an accomplishment. Here's what it looks like: Stranahan on Tuesday, Barron Collier on Wednesday, Nova on Thursday, and Miami Columbus on Saturday--the day after the senior prom. You don't get much chance to savor victory at STA.
We all knew that Coach Lawson had a heart. We won't be going to Miami Columbus on Saturday night; the game has been canceled and will not be rescheduled. Playing a powerhouse the night after the senior prom was not such a good idea.
The schedule is playing havoc with senior stuff. The regional championship game is scheduled the same night as graduation. I have mixed emotions; I would love to see John graduate on stage, but I would also love seeing him play in Sarasota. Losing is not an option. That would be a double-downer.
It appears Corey Weech will get the start at Nova on Thursday night. Dennis Raben will pitch tommorrow at Baron Collier.
It came as somewhat of a surprise to see STA ranked 46th in the country by Baseball America. We are 1 of 7 teams from Florida. Conspicuously absent were Cypress Bay, Douglas, and Baron Collier. If Mitch Houck continues to pitch the way he did against us, Cypress Bay goes all the way. That stuff was nasty. The word is that Raben will get his last start of the season against Douglas next week. We've had a problem with Douglas this year, losing once in the pre-season and then again in a season opening tourney. It's one we want.
The schedule is playing havoc with senior stuff. The regional championship game is scheduled the same night as graduation. I have mixed emotions; I would love to see John graduate on stage, but I would also love seeing him play in Sarasota. Losing is not an option. That would be a double-downer.
It appears Corey Weech will get the start at Nova on Thursday night. Dennis Raben will pitch tommorrow at Baron Collier.
It came as somewhat of a surprise to see STA ranked 46th in the country by Baseball America. We are 1 of 7 teams from Florida. Conspicuously absent were Cypress Bay, Douglas, and Baron Collier. If Mitch Houck continues to pitch the way he did against us, Cypress Bay goes all the way. That stuff was nasty. The word is that Raben will get his last start of the season against Douglas next week. We've had a problem with Douglas this year, losing once in the pre-season and then again in a season opening tourney. It's one we want.
As I write this post, STA is leading Baron Collier 2-1 in the 5th. I'm getting cell updates and the word is the STA looks a little sloppy. Must be thinking about Nova. Last night we crushed Stranahan 16-0 in 5 innings. Everyone got some swings in. The Broward baseball world will have their collective eyes on the STA vs. Nova bash. The game should attract a large crowd and a contingent of local media. This is what it's all about.
STA knocked off Barron Collier at their place 4-2. It's becoming clearer that it's us and Nova. Barron Collier is certainly capable of taking down Nova in a regional semi-final, but it will take a gargantuan effort.
It's rare that John's legs could ever be the difference in a game, but yesterday was the rare exception. With the game tied 1-1 in the sixth, John grounded to second with the bases loaded and 1 out. Diving into first, he beat the relay, allowing the go-ahead run to score. Matt Milner followed with a 2 RBI single to right. Dennis Raben nailed down his 7th win of the season.
See you at STA tonight against Nova.
It's rare that John's legs could ever be the difference in a game, but yesterday was the rare exception. With the game tied 1-1 in the sixth, John grounded to second with the bases loaded and 1 out. Diving into first, he beat the relay, allowing the go-ahead run to score. Matt Milner followed with a 2 RBI single to right. Dennis Raben nailed down his 7th win of the season.
See you at STA tonight against Nova.
bigjd,
Congrats on the nice win. I think you are misinformed on the playoff scenario. STA will have to play Baron Collier in the semi's to get to Nova in the finals of regionals.
Congrats on the nice win. I think you are misinformed on the playoff scenario. STA will have to play Baron Collier in the semi's to get to Nova in the finals of regionals.
Nova is now 20-1. STA walloped a season high 5 homeruns, 2 by Mike Marseco, to post an 8-6 win over the nation's # 1 ranked team. Nova ace Pablo Lopez, suffering his first loss this year, seemed befuddled as he watched ball after ball leave the yard. The estimated crowd of over 1500 cheered wildly as STA took a 8-2 lead over the vaunted Nova squad. Corey Weech pitched masterfully in setting down Nova's high-powered offense. He remained in the game until two outs in the 7th. After Nova smacked back-to-back homers to close the gap to 8-6, sophomore phenom Robby Scott relieved and K'd Robert Lara to end the game. It's been just about a year since Nova eliminated STA from the state title hunt; this felt really good. But what unerved me was a blantantly freshman chant of "overated, overated, overated." We will see Nova again. I'm not sure what the Titans left on the bus this time, but they certainly will bring it out the next time. This season has more drama ahead, and the road won't be easy. But I will say this: STA has a great baseball team. We have beaten everyone that counts. Baseball America got a whiff of us; now we are pretty well jammed up their nostrils. There were at least 25 MLB scouts on hand to watch this contest and coach Jim Morris from UM was on hand with an assistant. In a word--electric.
Mike Marseco was paid the ultimate compliment by Coach Lawson with a quote in the Sun Sentinel: "He's the best I've ever coached." I sat with an unusually talkative MLB scout who said, "he's the best shortstop in Florida." There is no argument anymore. He's simply the best.
All the talk continues to swirl around Mike Marseco. Scouts and colleges continue to call on the Marsecos only to find out that he will be at Samford in Alabama for the next four years. Marseco has been at just about every college camp run in the state of Florida, including UM for 4 years. Right under their noses. Right in front of their eyes. Yes, the most gifted shortstop in the state of Florida and they're just realizing it now--a week from graduation. As one scout said,"I just don't have the balls to write him up. For Christ's sake, he's not even 5-8, and he can't way 160 soaking wet." The scout watched Marseco drive two balls deep beyond the outfield fences. On the second drive he pumped his fist in the air and then started writing in his notebook. They will all be at Samford where Marseco will play everyday of his college career. He won't get missed. To those who have sent e-mails about other shortstops--sorry. When you compare Mike to other high school shortstops it's an insult. Think Ozzie Smith and work your way down. Ozzie once put an add in a local paper advertising his shortstop services when it looked like his career may go south. The diminutive hall of fame shortstop was eventually traded by San Diego for Gary Templeton and became the human highlight film in St. Louis. Will Mike get drafted above all those other guys? Absolutely not. Size, size, size. Which brings me to another idea. There really should be an All Small Team competing at a high level. That would be interesting.
Last night was senior prom. Practice is at 2PM Saturday. Good luck Coach Lawson.
the team showed up with enthusiasum, which really suprised Coach Lawson and Coach Hill - we even hit and one of the players was late due to a family commitment and stayed after and did his work because he wanted to be on the same page as the rest of us. We actually enjoed it! How many other teams would have shown up the day after prom...100% showed up!!! PRIDE ON A PRIDE ON A STA PRIDE>
WATERS, Hackett, and Hill were there when I was! Lawson graduated a few years before, they coached him too!!! They are all on the same page. Do you think jd they will be around for another 10 years when my son will be entering sta? I hope so. What a great crew, consistency. That is true at every sport at sta.