Hit and Run Book Three in the Eric Lewis Sports Series

The heartbreak of the state final loss in basketball would linger far too long, but the life lessons learned in sport would far outweigh the heartbreak. At least that’s what my parents kept telling me. But for once I’d like to be on the other side of that learning curve.

I have played on two excellent teams in my sophomore year and am looking forward on enjoying another season of success. Baseball is my third best sport, but our baseball program under Coach Mack has been dominant in the CVL for years. We have our two dominant pitchers returning and a host of veterans, so the season has great promise.

I play center field and would probably be our third starting pitcher. I was a switch hitter and right handed had some power which hadn’t shown itself yet from the left side.

Baseball had a different feel than both football and basketball. It was somehow more relaxing and seemed at times to be almost a slow-motion game. But when the pitcher throws the ball, the tension can ramp up in a hurry.

We are the defending league champs and will have a bull’s-eye on our back as we head into the season. But this team has it all: power at the plate, excellent starting pitching, and the best coach in Iowa. I like the combination.

-- Thomas Smythe