Published: June 04, 2008 11:17 pm            

Amey Takes Aim: Think baseball is boring to watch? Class A sectional proves that wrong

TERRE HAUTE — People who believe that baseball is a boring sport were probably not in Jasonville on Friday to see Shakamak’s come-from-behind win over North Central for a Class A sectional championship.

Coach Matt Fougerousse of the Lakers probably wouldn’t agree it was a classic game because of a few miscues on the part of his defense. But that uncertainty made every pitch in the game meaningful and showcased the ability of several Shakamak pitchers to be tough with runners on base.

Because every play had the potential to alter the outcome of the game, there were a lot of unsung heroes — particularly defensively.

The Thunderbirds — who didn’t have a senior on their roster, in case you’re looking for contending teams for the 2009 season — got a couple of outstanding plays from third baseman Brett Lewis, a catch by Dylan Walker (on a fly ball another outfielder may have lost in the lights) that preserved the North Central lead at the time, and a throw from Trevor Watson that kept a potentially important runner off third base.

Even though the Lakers weren’t happy about their defense, they got a catch from Timothy Betts in foul territory that wiped out a North Central threat, a nice stop from Billy Newton and some nifty footwork at first base from Justin Cox. My favorite unsung Laker of the night, however, was long reliever Tyler Richardson, who was outstanding with runners on base thanks to near-perfect pitch selection and command and a calm, unflappable demeanor.

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A few other notes:

• New Sycamores — Tom James sent me a list of Indiana State’s football newcomers that includes a few names I hadn’t heard before. In addition to Koby Kraemer and Brock Lough from Terre Haute South, Brandon Dorsett from Terre Haute North and Kye Butler (Cumberland), Travis Johnson (Marshall) and Ryan Roberts (Palestine-Hutsonville) from the surrounding area of Illinois, there’s also Aaron Edwards of North, Joey Moore of South and Ethan Brewer of Linton as preferred walk-ons. I also didn’t remember that Jared Blue of Vincennes had appeared on other lists of recruits.

• Hoops honors — This is a late announcement, but North sophomore Justin Gant made the 15U AAU basketball all-tournament team at the Hoop Group Jam Fest at Pittsburgh back in April.

• Track honors — Also belated congratulations to Class A Illinois track finalists Maggie Chenault of Robinson (fifth in pole vault), David Ulrich of Robinson (eighth in 3,200), Laurie Crippes of Paris (10th in pole vault) and TeNeal Pinkston of Robinson (12th in 3,200).

• Baseball honor — Alex Meyer of Greensburg, a 6-foot-7 right-handed pitcher, is Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year for Indiana. He’s a University of Kentucky signee, but also a good bet to go in today’s major league draft.

• Umpiring honor — Steve Morris will be working the Class 4A semifinals Friday and the Class 3A state finals in softball on Saturday.

• Entertainment recommendation — A week ago today was Darcy’s graduation from West Vigo Elementary, a place she’s enjoyed since preschool when she was 3 years old. She’s especially going to miss Kari Beattie, her teacher the past three years.

Kari’s classes put on an anti-smoking presentation every year for the rest of the school — Darcy got to play a diseased lung last year — and they’ve outdone themselves this time with a video. I don’t know how many copies are available, but “CSI: West T” is absolutely great. Darcy’s class does all the acting and even the camera work, according to the credits, although someone with a talent for satire was involved in the writing process. Hilarious, but you can’t have my copy.



Andy Amey can be reached after 4 p.m. for comments or news items at (812) 231-4277 or at 1-800-783-8742; by e-mail at andy.amey@tribstar.com; by mail at P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN, 47808; or by fax at (812) 231-4321.

        

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