This is an opinion article.
Sometimes, even in a key region between intense rivals, baseball must take a rear seat.
Sports must take a rear seat.
Hewitt-Trussville coach Jeff Mauldin and coach Hoover Adam Moseley made sure that it happened last week for senior Grayson Pope of the Huskies.
“You feel the presence of God in times like that,” said Moseley.
There are two summers, Pope – then one of the best baseball players in the state and a commitment from Tennessee – underwent a traumatic brain lesion when a tree fell into the golf cart in which it was during a thunderstorm.
He spent 42 days in a coma.
Since then, Grayson has learned to walk and speak again, has returned to school and has graduated with his class this spring. Although he continues to work on his speech and his balance, Pope could not return to the playing action for class 7a Huskies n ° 1.
However, there remains an essential element of the team because it begins the playoffs later in the day against Sparkman.
“He is limited to certain things he can do,” said Mauldin. “When we do exercises in the field, he does it with us. Many days, it comes here for a little while and then goes to different therapy sessions. It still does a lot to try to improve.
“He did not miss one match this year that I can remember, and it was because he was at the Bryant-Jordan stock banquet. Even then, his parents told me that he was on Gamechanger all the time.
On April 17, Senior Night, Pope was finally able to enter the hitting box for the first time since 2023. Hewitt led Hoover 4-1 at the end of the third round with two withdrawals and nobody on the basis. Mauldin sent the pope as a pinch of Colby Durden.
“It was something that didn’t happen before this morning and, even then, we didn’t really have details,” said Mauldin. “His parents did not know. It had to be the perfect situation. With two withdrawals and no one, I sort of looked at Adam in the other canoe, and we were able to get there.”
The Pope crossed his normal shot routine and entered the box. Hoover gave the panel to wander it intentionally. He trotted to the first base while the players of the canoes and fans on both sides applauded.
It was more than baseball.
It was a story of faith, determination and heart.
“It was surreal,” said Mauldin. “From where he was two years ago so far?” Prayers are definitely answered. God has plans for him. Gray fights every day. Works every day. He took the ground for the national anthem. Then see him walk to the shot box and prepare to hit … It’s a bit difficult to describe.
“I just spoke to the sports director of Hoover (Harley Lamey) just to give a stroke for them to be willing to give him the opportunity to be on the field. It was special for Grayson. It was special for his teammates because they love him. There was a lot of love on the hoover field to our children. ”
Mauldin returned Durden to Pinch-Run for Pope, who returned to Hewitt’s canoe to celebrate with his teammates.
“He returned his helmet and had this celebration,” said Mauldin. “It was good to see. We wanted to have this moment for Grayson and all the people involved, but as soon as it was over, it must have been a baseball match. ”
The next Hewitt striker has stolen on the first throw to end the Channel.
The result of the game was not affected, but everyone in Trussville that night had a moment that they will not forget any soon.
“It was incredible,” said Moseley. “This moment is always how many years.
Hewitt won the 8-2 match, but few will probably remember the score.
Most will remember April 17 as another stage of the trip of an incredibly resilient young man, Grayson Pope.
On his credit, Tennessee coach Tony Vitello honors the Pope’s scholarship. Grayson will continue to work in the hope of returning to the field full time one day.
At this point, who could doubt him?
Thought for the week
“This is the confidence we have before him: if we ask for something, he hears us.” – 1 John 5:14.
Ben Thomas is the director of high school director at Al.com. He was appointed one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow it on Twitter at @benthomaspreps or send it an email to bthomas@al.com.