Bottom of the 3rd: From Worst to First

Part of the caption from this picture says: "The Lebanon Optimist took time Monday night to express appreciation for the improvements to the baseball diamond at Lebanon High School provided by the memorial funds of the late Jim Campbell, Harold Beaver and Lloyd Johnson......Above from the left are: Faye Beaver, Dorothy Johnson and Rita Campbell."
I had mentioned this memorial in the last blog post. Mom was also active in Lebanon Little League. One year she ran the concession stand at Maplecrest Park, where the Major League teams had their games. That was a year I played in the Babe Ruth League, I think Dad was still coaching Scott in the Midget League and Gregg was playing in the Major League. Some nights our family would be at three different parks.
In the second year of Dad coaching the Midget League White Sox he had many of the same boys from the previous year, who were now a year older. I remember Dad talking to the boys/team at one practice asking them about winning vs. everyone playing. He was committed to giving everyone a chance to play but wanted them to help make this decision. Some close games would come when getting everyone in the game would be difficult. You have to remember, in this era and this league there were no limitations about not keeping score, everyone bat in the inning regardless of outs,etc. The only special rule I remember was that a boy could not pitch more than six innings in a week. Don't get me wrong these are good in controlling coaches who want to win at all costs. Dad let the boys help make the decision and they all understood it. I remember one game where a boy did not get in the game. His parents were upset and told Dad so after the game. He explained the team decision, calmed the mother down and she eventually became one of the best fans of the team.
Now, back to the games.... This second year went a lot better than the first. The team was winning games. In one game the White Sox were behind and a parent told Dad that he hadn't worn his "lucky" shirt. Dad hadn't realized he had worn it to all the games so far, so Mom made a trip home to get it for Dad. With his "lucky" shirt the team won the game. At another game he ripped the sleeve of the shirt on the fence. The White Sox got behind and several mothers were ready with needle and thread to sew up the tear. Again, the White Sox won the game. In the previous blog I think Dad is wearing that lucky shirt; brown with vertical tan & white stripes. The team wore orange hats. Two of the other hot teams in the league were the Senators, coached by Mr. Hilme and I think the Pirates, coached by Mr. Clark. Both of them had a son on their team. The games with the Senators and Pirates were always close, hard fought and exciting games. When the season was over Dad and the Midget League White Sox finished in first place with a record of 14 - 0. I thought it interesting that the next year Gregg played on the Major League Cubs. Two of his team mates were the sons of Hilme and Clark. -30-