By Greg Parrott
As I got off the plane in Denver with my friends Larry and Patsy Swinney, I knew we were in for an extraordinary week at the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Col. Larry and Patsy has a son who plays baseball for Gordon College. I was there to support my son as a coach for Gordon and take photos for the team. We made the four-hour journey from Denver to Grand Junction and admired the beautiful Rocky Mountains that were capped with snow.
Assistant coach of the Gordon College baseball team Blake Parrott with his father Greg Parrott at the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Grand week at Grand Junction
The Gordon College Highlanders baseball team was one of 10 teams that had advanced to the JUCO World Series. They were the number 10 seed coming into the series. Some people said they didn’t belong at the series. The Highlanders had something to say about that.
My first day at Supilzio Field was spent surveying the field and touring the new $8.7 million press box tower. It was an impressive and state of the art media center. I took the elevator to the third floor where I was greeted by a young man by the name of Michael Chamberlain. Michael wore a big smile as he greeted me and some other people as we exited the elevator. Michael wore leg braces and spoke with a bit of a speech impediment.
“Welcome to the 2012 JUCO World Series. This is our new press box tower and if you should need anything at all, I’m your man to get you what you need,” he said.
I headed down the 100 foot hallway and admired a press box that was eye-opening to all who walked this hallway. I spoke with several local media folks and introduced myself. They knew instantly I was from Georgia; it must have been something to do with the words I spoke. They directed me to a room with a buffet of food that was to die for. I fixed myself a plate and went and sat down next to Michael who had greeted us as we got off the elevator.
“So Michael, are you as excited as myself to be here this week?” I asked.
“I look forward to this week every year. It’s my time to make new friends and show our new press box tower to everyone.”
“So you are the PR man for the press tower?”
“Yes, I am. I’m also a media runner for anyone who needs anything at all. Drinks, food, stats, paper or pens. I’m the man for all your needs.”
I could tell Michael was excited to be doing what he does. We chit-chatted for a while until it was game time. I made my way back down to the field to take photos of the Highlanders game.
The Highlanders won the first three games decisively. The final two games were tough to swallow as they scored only one run in both games.
It was almost as if the Highlanders were a hometown favorite. The players signed autographs before and after each game. I am talking about hundreds of kids waiting on the players to get any kind of souvenir they could take home. The Highlander players did not leave a game until all were satisfied. Shirts and hats were thrown into the stands for the fans. They talked with all who wanted to talk and obliged any child with what they wanted. The South was winning the war in the stands as well as on the field.
About 40 years ago there was movie by the name of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Kids bought many candy bars in hope of winning a golden ticket to the Chocolate Factory. When all the tickets were collected by about 10 kids they met Willy at the front of the Factory. Willy Wonka gathered all the kids in a group and spoke to the kids.
“Most of you kids think you deserve to be here. But you, Charlie, you are just happy to be here.”
Charlie Bucket was a kid that came from a family that was deprived of the big toys the rich kids had with the other golden tickets.
The Gordon Highlanders and Michael Chamberlain were two of the Charlie Buckets I encountered in Grand Junction last week. They were just happy to be there.
A third place finish in the JUCO World Series is an awesome feat by the players of Gordon. Were they disappointed with their finish ? Sure they were but the fans in Grand Junction took hold of the Highlanders and made them feel like champions.
On the last day I saw Michael, I gave him my Gordon shirt and told him to wear it proudly until we get back there in 2013.
“I will wear it proudly,” he said. “You Gordon people are my new favorite team.”
I must say, I was just glad to be there as well.
If you are fortunate enough to have your mother alive, call her and tell her you love her. I’ve got to go for now, I have a phone call to make.
My first day at Supilzio Field was spent surveying the field and touring the new $8.7 million press box tower. It was an impressive and state of the art media center. I took the elevator to the third floor where I was greeted by a young man by the name of Michael Chamberlain. Michael wore a big smile as he greeted me and some other people as we exited the elevator. Michael wore leg braces and spoke with a bit of a speech impediment.
“Welcome to the 2012 JUCO World Series. This is our new press box tower and if you should need anything at all, I’m your man to get you what you need,” he said.
I headed down the 100 foot hallway and admired a press box that was eye-opening to all who walked this hallway. I spoke with several local media folks and introduced myself. They knew instantly I was from Georgia; it must have been something to do with the words I spoke. They directed me to a room with a buffet of food that was to die for. I fixed myself a plate and went and sat down next to Michael who had greeted us as we got off the elevator.
“So Michael, are you as excited as myself to be here this week?” I asked.
“I look forward to this week every year. It’s my time to make new friends and show our new press box tower to everyone.”
“So you are the PR man for the press tower?”
“Yes, I am. I’m also a media runner for anyone who needs anything at all. Drinks, food, stats, paper or pens. I’m the man for all your needs.”
I could tell Michael was excited to be doing what he does. We chit-chatted for a while until it was game time. I made my way back down to the field to take photos of the Highlanders game.
The Highlanders won the first three games decisively. The final two games were tough to swallow as they scored only one run in both games.
It was almost as if the Highlanders were a hometown favorite. The players signed autographs before and after each game. I am talking about hundreds of kids waiting on the players to get any kind of souvenir they could take home. The Highlander players did not leave a game until all were satisfied. Shirts and hats were thrown into the stands for the fans. They talked with all who wanted to talk and obliged any child with what they wanted. The South was winning the war in the stands as well as on the field.
About 40 years ago there was movie by the name of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Kids bought many candy bars in hope of winning a golden ticket to the Chocolate Factory. When all the tickets were collected by about 10 kids they met Willy at the front of the Factory. Willy Wonka gathered all the kids in a group and spoke to the kids.
“Most of you kids think you deserve to be here. But you, Charlie, you are just happy to be here.”
Charlie Bucket was a kid that came from a family that was deprived of the big toys the rich kids had with the other golden tickets.
The Gordon Highlanders and Michael Chamberlain were two of the Charlie Buckets I encountered in Grand Junction last week. They were just happy to be there.
A third place finish in the JUCO World Series is an awesome feat by the players of Gordon. Were they disappointed with their finish ? Sure they were but the fans in Grand Junction took hold of the Highlanders and made them feel like champions.
On the last day I saw Michael, I gave him my Gordon shirt and told him to wear it proudly until we get back there in 2013.
“I will wear it proudly,” he said. “You Gordon people are my new favorite team.”
I must say, I was just glad to be there as well.
If you are fortunate enough to have your mother alive, call her and tell her you love her. I’ve got to go for now, I have a phone call to make.
The two girls are : Heather Maddox and Kaydee Boyt. These girls have played together since rec-ball years. They have also played on travel ball teams and now they are part of the Gordon Highlanders Softball team. Let's all let these girls know how proud we are of them Pike co was well represented this year in both Baseball and Softball. Way to go girls.
Meet me @ Spanky's, I'll buy.