I have written about this before, but every time I read the sports section, a smile crosses my face.
One of the reasons lately is reading about the Snyder baseball and softball teams doing so well in the postseason. Both teams will be in action this week — the softball team heading to Henrietta High School to play Kennedale in the regional semifinals and the baseball team heading to Lubbock to take on Midland Greenwood.
On Monday, I visited with Ricky Hopper over breakfast and we started talking about the playoffs.
We both coached Little League teams over the years and some of the players we coached are now in the playoffs. It is good to see that the kids continue to play the sport because they love it.
Baseball and softball youth leagues are the key to a successful high school program. Snyder is proof of that today.
If you look at the sports page, you’ll find pictures of youth softball teams and travel baseball teams. In a few years, those same kids will be playing at the high school level.
I volunteered for Little League for three years even though I do not have a son. I enjoyed coaching the kids and then watching them play on the high school level.
Baseball has always been a favorite sport of mine.
I recently learned that at the end of the school year, my high school baseball coach, Tony Marino, is retiring. He coached in Beauregard Parish for several years and is one of the reasons I wanted to become a sports writer.
He taught his players the skills needed to win, and also life lessons.
During my junior year, we took a two-day road trip to Baton Rouge to play two baseball games and then watch LSU play Auburn. Bo Jackson was on Auburn’s roster.
Going into the second game of the road trip, our team knew we would be facing a future Major Leaguer — Ben McDonald. He was a great pitcher for Denham Springs High School and we did not have an answer for his fastball.
Coach Marino said he wanted to take us on the trip to prepare us for the district season. We came together, and even though we did not reach our goal of making the playoffs, we became a lot closer as a team.
Coach Marino worked with the local Dixie Youth leagues to make sure the fields were cared for and that the players knew what was going on at the high school level. On many evenings you could find him around the ballpark watching games with his son.
Many people have that kind of passion for youth sports. I hope they will continue to help the youth of today become the high school stars of tomorrow.
Ben Barkley is the managing editor of the Snyder Daily News. He has covered news and sports for more than 25 years in Louisiana and Texas. Comments about his column can be emailed to barkley@snyderdailynews.com.