Baseball is back: Pitchers and catchers reporting for duty

Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers report for spring training on Monday, Feb. 13, and I could not be happier. Baseball is back. The great American pastime (No, it’s not football. It’s still and always will be baseball!) is back in Houston County as well. The Westfield Hornets were working out on Tuesday night when I arrived to cover a GISA basketball game on campus. By either necessity or because of my clear bias toward baseball, I made my way over to the diamond and started to take pictures. The Hornets were playing a simulated game, a spring training staple, and I could not take my eyes off of it. If you think that’s bad, just imagine me during an actual regulation game. The Hornets are bringing back a veteran squad — they only lost two seniors from last year’s team — and head coach Rob Fitzgerald is looking forward to seeing what happens next, just like I am.

“I’m excited about this year’s team. I feel good about the team that’s coming back,” says Fitzgerald. “We’re returning a bunch of starters and I expect to see some pretty good arms on the mound this year.” Me too coach, me too. The Hornets will start their season at home against the Trinity Christian School on March 2. It will be my version of “March Madness.”

The reigning state champion Houston County High School Bears are getting set to open the 2017 season the same way they closed the 2016 season — at the top.

“I’m ready to see what we have for sure,” says Bears head coach Jason Brett. “We have six guys seeing their first varsity mound experience, so it will be good for them to get their feet wet.”

The Bears will kick things off with a scrimmage against Howard High School on Friday and will open the regular season at home against Perry High School on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Happy Valentine’s Day, indeed. It’s the perfect gift for a baseball junkie like me. I’ll leave flowers and candy for my wife before I head over to HoCo for the game. After all, my love for the game of baseball came long before my marriage. Sorry honey, I’ve got a date already.

“It’s always good when you’ve been practicing for so long and finally get to face another team,” says Brett. “We are ready to give it our best shot at winning the title again.” Like I told coach Brett before we got off the phone, “I can’t wait to see you try.” And I can’t. More baseball, please.

The baseball field at Perry High School looked so green, so perfect, it took all of my power not to run out there from the visitors dugout where I was taking notes and pictures of the Panthers practice and slide into home plate. The Panthers were working out in anticipation of their season opener this past Thursday at Tift County High School. The Panthers also have a upper-class-heavy team.

“I have a great group of talented young men that love the game of baseball and love to compete,” says Perry head baseball coach Lorne Tucker. “We have 10 seniors this season and they are up to the task of leading and they know that senior leadership in team sports is paramount.”

Despite their current wealth of depth, the Panthers lost a number of seniors from last year’s team. “We have to tighten up our cleat straps and move forward,” says Tucker. “We’re bringing back a core group that was able to get quality time last year that will help lead this team.” The Panthers host Veterans High School, another club with high hopes this season, on Monday.

The baseball season is here and I’m looking forward to every pitch, hit, put out and terrible umpire call at home plate (no offense). Baseball is back.

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