This team reminded us to have fun
Every now and then, we are reminded just how fun sports can be. Those who watched the Linton Miner baseball team this season just saw a group of kids having fun.
Just how much fun was the Linton baseball team? Assistant Coach Craig House grew a mullet because he lost a bet with his son in senior Japheth House. Manager Bubba Chancy would hand out an award after a win as upperclassman would make jokingly make their case as to why they should be the player of the game. The chants from the dugout were… interesting.
Players who were hurt, like Japheth House the first month of the season, would record videos of the team to stay included while he recovered.
The Miners kept finding people to dedicate their season too. At first it, was Bart Berns while he was being treated for cancer. Later, it became Jeremiah Vernelson of Sullivan after he passed away. It may sound cliché but doing those dedications kept the focus on the bigger picture instead of the individual squabbles high school team’s encounter.
Back in April, junior Nathan Frady, told me after a game that I will want to watch this team more. He was right. Every Miner baseball game was interesting. For me, baseball is not one of my favorite sports to cover but I enjoyed covering this team.
In the six schools I cover, a good number of teams are just trying to make it through the season. Get to a time with more talent and experience than what they have now. That was not case with Linton baseball. That’s a credit to coach Jacob Harden and his staff.
Linton baseball was already on the map prior to this season. Heck, two graduates played for Indiana University this year. The baseball team regularly produces more college athletes than the football team. In part, that’s because the number of college football teams in the area are few but you get the point. Miner baseball is having success.
Until this season, however, I am not sure if that success was being recognized. Those who attended games saw a fun team with talent. Seniors Bracey Breneman, Jaydan Miller and Gabe Eslinger combined for almost 30 home runs this season. All three were among the leaders in the state in that category. Juniors Luke McDonald and Nathan Frady will both end up playing in college two years from now.
Saturday, the magic finally ended in Mooresville with a 6-5 defeat to Centerville. Linton had finally lost a close game in the postseason. The Miners won two games in the postseason by a run each to reach the semistate. It’s hard to win three close games in a single-elimination tournament.
I do not know where the Linton baseball team will go from here. Losing four talented seniors to graduation will make it doubtful for them to get out of sectionals in 2023. I am sure Harden and the staff will use that for motivation next year.
If you did not see Linton baseball play in 2022 you have to see them next year. I just hope teams and coaches can learn from the Miners to keep having fun. When you have fun, good things tend to happen. You might even end up with your first regional title in school history.
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