Twice is nice under the lights

The Sportsmanship Brigade took in its first night game on Wednesday and the 7th grade baseball teams from St. Rose and St. Sabina did not disappoint. No lead was safe as both teams traded stellar defensive plays and timely hitting. Parents were standing the entire game. Passers-by even stopped walking their dogs to see these kids. Both head coaches could be seen whispering strategy to pitchers and catchers between innings. This was youth baseball at its best. However, the Brigade couldn't help but notice an assistant coach for St. Rose. Courtney Terry wasn't concerned with the score. When asked about it by one of his players he said, "It doesn't matter what the score is. They're playing hard and we're playing hard. We need to score some runs when its our turn and play good defense in the field."

Coach Terry taught as much as he cheered. Before a St. Rose hitter went to the plate, he told each young man to "find his strike zone." Meaning, he wanted them to swing in areas where they would be most successful. Coach Terry also had words of encouragement for the St. Sabina kids as well. There was a play where a St. Sabina player hit a ground ball to third. It seemed to be an easy out, but the player hustled hard and slid into first base, beating the throw. Coach Terry used the play to teach his own team as well as congratulate the other team's player. He yelled, "Good hustle, No.3! That's how you run on EVERY play!" Courtney Terry is an excellent coach and his selection by the Brigade was an easy one.

St. Rose also had a leader on the field. He's a tremendous player and an even better teammate. From the catcher position, Blake Terry is the unquestioned leader of the St. Rose team on defense. He signaled the defensive shifts for right-handed and left-handed batters. Blake made trips to the mound to settle his pitcher - even before his coach asked him too. Between innings, Blake kept his catching gear on when he wasn't due up. Instead of sitting down and resting his legs, he was up clapping for his teammates as they went up to bat. The guy who grounded out to second got the same pat on the back as the one who scored on a double.

If the name Blake Terry sounds familiar, it should. The Brigade recognized him earlier this season in a game against St. Norbert. Check out that post here. Blake made history on Wednesday as the Brigade's first two-time winner. We figured if you catch a kid doing the same thing twice, he must be the real deal. Then, we made a startling yet obvious discovery. When Brigade members approached Coach Terry about his recognition, they asked about Blake. He said, "Well. Blake's my son." Sure, he is. A coach and father who puts team first has a player and son who puts team first. It's certainly an idea whose time has come.

Courtney and Blake Terry

The Sportsmanship Brigade is a group of Sports Commission volunteers who attend youth sporting events looking for acts of good sportsmanship. Athletes, coaches, parents, fans and officials who exhibit good sportsmanship are rewarded with a certificate of recognition and a gift card to a local business. For more on the Brigade, including scheduling and volunteering information, please visit sportsmanship.org or call 314-345-5130. Until next time...


Be a Good Sport!

-Sol