College baseball fans,
I know I have been away for a while but I am back! First and foremost, what a NCAA tournament and College World Series it has been thus far! It’s hard to argue that baseball is the most exciting and suspenseful sport there is. When thinking about crazy baseball plays, games, or moments, there is one saying that I have heard many times that sums up the best way to look at it: “Gotta love it!” How could you not love it? I must admit my biased ways though being that I have played this sport my entire life. Even those who haven’t always played and who are just spectators watching this sport like every other must feel some sort of rush of brilliance while watching. Now that my rant about the perfectness of baseball is over, I’d like to give you all a look into how things have been going in Buies Creek and Holly Springs, NC.
The Fighting Camels and I finished out the season by getting knocked out of the Big South Tournament by Winthrop University. We lost the first game to them and then won big against Charleston Southern. This advanced us to play Winthrop again and we just couldn’t put it together. That’s baseball though (“Gotta love it”). It is always very hard to see the faces of Seniors who have just possibly played their last baseball games of their lives. Some will go on to play for professional organizations, but some will have played on the diamond for the last time ever. It was very important to us to go out with our heads held high though. We played good ball this year and accept the always motivational idea that there is room to improve. If any team in any sport ever thought that there was no room to improve then they have the wrong mindset. Our coaching staff instills in us that total satisfaction is not accepted and that we can always work to be better and to keep pushing the extra mile. I am already missing all of my teammates and cannot wait to get back and meet a group of new Camels that will surely become friends for life.
Recently, since school ball ended, I have been playing summer baseball in the Coastal Plains league for the Holly Springs Salamanders. This is the same league that the Fayetteville Swampdogs are in which is the team I finished the last two weeks of the summer with last year. I know what you are all thinking and yes I know that I have played for some weird sounding team names. The Camels, the Swampdogs, and the Salamanders are all interesting names and not too intimidating to say the least. Nonetheless, it has been a great summer so far with this team and it’s always fun to meet a bunch of other guys who have many of the same goals as you. This is the Salamanders’ first year of summer ball since they are a brand new team. With our new all-turf field and wonderful seating, it is safe to say that the coming about of this new team has been the talk of the town for some while now. Holly Springs residents have been loving the games and getting to see the biggest salamander in the world in our mascot, Sal. It has been great getting to play against such good competition from many other schools from around the country. I knew it would be a great experience but it is exceeding my already high expectations. So, if you are reading this and live in the Triangle area of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill or even not, come on over and watch the Salamanders play ball!
Keep enjoying all of the baseball surrounding every one of your lives. It is the greatest game to ever be played and I am beyond blessed that I am able to take part in it. Lastly, stay cool except when going to any ballpark because no matter how hot it gets, it’s baseball weather. Gotta love it too! Roll Humps and Go ‘Manders!
Drew Butler
