Kearney varsity baseball鈥檚 path to a district championship
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On May 5, the Kearney baseball varsity team beat Park Hill High School 5-4 in their last head-to-head game before districts. This intense game had crowd members and proud parents on the edges of their seats. As Kearney players watched the stitches of the leather ball fly over their heads, the scoreboard bounced back and forth to victory. Meanwhile young, aspiring athletes watched their role models on the diamond as they practiced with small mitts of their own – some getting lucky enough to catch that one foul ball that fell right in their glove.
The players’ traditions were another aspect of the play during the Park Hill game. For example, some of the athletes exited the dugout, their eyes black, not only serving its purpose of deflecting the sun but also representing crosses underneath their eyes. This is a sign of hope and good fortune for the players. Another sweet tradition shared among some of the players is at home plate. Before they go up to bat, athletes will draw initials in the dirt that represent something special for that individual before they hit — a symbol of good luck for the athletes.
Apart from the intricate language of baseball, the dirt flew as players slid into the win, extending Kearney’s winning streak from three games to four. The preceding three victorious games included Winnetonka: 19-0, Smithville: 2-1, and Raytown South: 6-0. The Park Hill game struck home with many fans, as it was the next step toward districts.
The winning streak did not end there. Kearney had absolute faith in its team to continue their winning streak at the district tournament. This faith was not misplaced. At the District Championships, Kearney beat East Kansas City 17-0, Lincoln College Prep 16-0, and Smithville 5-2, ending with the Kearney baseball team unloading their bus with a district championship trophy in hand.
Ultimately, the team walked away from this season with new memories to carry with the seniors and traditions to continue with the new and returning athletes of the Kearney baseball team of next year.
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