Dancing Through the Carolinas

Day 5

Game Day against the Long Ball RBI Program in Durham, NC.

Richmond’s stadium environment was just a memory as the complex at Southern High School was much more like one of the Monarchs’ home fields at FDR Park in Philly….wide open. Umbrellas and canopy tents surrounded the field as a large crowd came out for a Long Ball fundraiser.

The Monarchs played excellent, fundamental defense, picking off a runner at second, executing a perfect rundown, and making all the easy plays cleanly. Monarch pitchers kept the Long Ball hitters in check, with Sammy Wylie chewing up the middle innings.

The DJ kept the kids moving (this team loves to dance) between innings and after the game. The Monarch kids move easily between having fun and being serious about the game. I have yet to hear a non-baseball discussion in the dugout during a game.

After the game Long Ball hosted a Barbeque Picnic for the Monarch players and staff. Coaches quizzed the chefs about sauce ingredients, but those ingredients were clearly remaining a secret!

The kids eyes lit up at the spread, and in Zion Spearman’s case, started watering, as he was challenged to a hot sauce contest by one of the opposing players. Sitting next to Mo’ne, Zion was clearly in distress as the effects of the sauce kicked in. Mo’ne tried to hold him from giving in by moving his plate away, but Zion doused the fire with a long swig from his can of iced tea.

With an afternoon visit to one of the local colleges scrapped for some extra time in Spartanburg (laundry day!), there was no need to rush and the kids from both teams got to relax under the long tent.

The Monarch players are a competitive and inquisitive group, playing word and math games on the bus, and always asking questions. Mo’ne had tour film maker Pat Florescio give her a primer on his camera while Terrence Rainey, who was on vacation and rejoined the team Sunday) was grilling Tom the bus mechanic as he worked on the engine last night before dinner.

Tomorrow the Monarchs are back on the Field at Wofford College after a tour of the school, and then it’s off to the deep south…Atlanta, Alabama and Mississppi.