sport: June 2012 by Sport Community Publishing

sportLANSING.com

O’K… His Way Grand Ledge Baseball Coaching Legend Pat O’Keefe Still, Winning, Shaping Youth After 45 Seasons

dewitt

williamston

MIRACLE LEAGUE

KATIE BOLLMAN

Field Of Dreams Ties Community To Kids

Lets Student-Athletes See Life’s A Marathon

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contents

FEATURES 08 BOLLING THEM OVER

Williamston’s Katie Bollman A Champion In Life

BY DAVID HARNS

12 IT’S HOW HE ROLLS

David Smithern Gets Hole-in-one, 300 Game

BY MARK MEYER

16 SAVING GRACE

Wildlife And A Wild Life For Tony Wieber

BY CHIP MUNDY

24 MY SPORTS TRIP

20+ Years Of Sports Trips

BY BJ RYCUS

26 A DIFFERENT WAY

Upward Sports About More Than Scores

BY DAVID HARNS

30 FIELD OF DREAMS

Like A Rock

Miracle League Project A Home Run

BY DAVID HARNS

Comets’ Pat O’Keefe Stands Test Of Time BY RYAN ARMBRUSTMACHER

DEPARTMENTS eb-servation

05 Miracles Happen

Our Community Pitches In BY JACK EBLING

your shot

06 Championship Focus Lansing Catholic Boys Race To Division 3 Title BY ALAN HOLBEN

spartans will

34 Lawn Care Extraordinaire Tigers’ Heather Nabozny Goes From MSU To MLB BY ANDREA NELSON

finish line

36 National Pastime

Lifetime Love Of Baseball At All Levels Will Never Die BY DAVID “THE MAD DOG” DEMARCO

Volume #4 • Issue #4 JUNE 2012

JUNE 2012

assists

EDITOR Jack Ebling Jack has covered sports and more as a writer and broadcaster in Mid-Michigan since 1978. A three-time Michigan Sportswriter of the Year, he was a 2006 inductee into the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame. He is the author of two new books, Tales from the Detroit Tigers Dugout and Heart of a Spartan, and is the columnist for a popular website (michiganstate.247sports.com). The former English teacher and coach spent nearly a quarter-century as a beat writer and columnist for the Lansing State Journal and won 21 major writing awards. A two-time graduate of MSU, he has lived in Greater Lansing for 38 years. With his wife, Robin, he has helped raise two remarkable young adults, Zach and Ali.

CONTRIBUTORS Mike Major Born and raised in the Lansing area, Mike was always a huge sports fan, participating in baseball, football, basketball and golf in his youth. He served as the head boys basketball coach at Lansing Sexton from 1989-2005. Since leaving the coaching ranks, sports photography has filled that void. Mike can often be seen photographing area youth sports, watching Major League Baseball or playing a round of golf.

David Harns David married his high school sweetheart six weeks after they both turned twenty. Fifteen years later, David doesn’t feel old enough to have four boys – but he does. And Elijah (10), Jacob (7), Samuel (5) and Micah (2) cheerfully take up all his free time. A 1995 graduate of St. Matthew Lutheran High School in Holt, David has a Marketing degree from Michigan State University and is working on his masters from Central Michigan University.

Publisher Camron Gnass Sport Community Publishing Editor Jack Ebling Assistant EditorS Andy Flanagan Andrea Nelson WRITING Ryan Armbrustmacher Jack Ebling David Harns David DeMarco Mark Meyer Chip Mundy Andrea Nelson BJ Rycus COVER Photo Mike Major PhotographY David Harns David DeMarco Detroit Tigers Alan Holben Mike Major Matthew Mitchell MSU Athletic Communications BJ Rycus Terri Shaver MAGAZINE Design & LAYOUT Traction www.projecttraction.com Editorial Office 617 East Michigan Avenue Lansing, Michigan 48912 (517) 455-7810 www.SportLansing.com

Greater Lansing Sport Magazine is published monthly by Sport Community Publishing with offices at 617 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48912. Postage is paid under USPS Permit #689. Subscriptions: One copy of the Greater Lansing Sport Magazine, is mailed complimentary to qualified business addresses in the Greater Lansing metropolitan area. Residential, promotional, out-of-area and additional subscriptions are available for $36 per year (a saving of 40% off the $5 cover price per issue) by mailing a check to Sport Community Publishing or paying online at www.SportLansing.com. When available, back issues can be purchased online for $10 each. Postmaster: Address changes should be sent to: Sport Community Publishing, 617 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48912. 4 JUNE 2012

eb-servation

Miracles Happen Especially When A Community Pitches In BY JACK EBLING

Even heroes need help. And Greater Lansing needs all the Vicki Caines it can get. Of all the feel-good stories in the first 35 issues of this magazine, few can match the warm fuzzies of Caine’s tireless commitment to Miracle League baseball and a community effort that led to the completion of the CASE Cares Miracle Field in DeWitt Township. Caine has cared for more than two decades. She and the late Tony Noyola began helping youngsters with disabilities – and amazing abilities – play able-bodied, 5- and 6-year old tee-ball teams through the Lansing Parks and Recreation in 1990. From the Foster Rollers to a movement that’s clearly on a roll, someone won’t take the credit she deserves. “The Miracle League itself is not my concept,” said Caine, a huge-hearted coach and retired pediatric-rehab therapist. “Bringing it to Lansing wasn’t my concept, either. The credit goes to CASE Cares. But none of this would’ve happened without so many great volunteers.” “This” is a beautiful, barrier-free ballpark that finally allows special-needs children to experience the joys of baseball in a safe, fun environment. And if you saw the dedication ceremony and first swings on May 14, it was perfectly OK to cry. It was “The Inning of Winning” for so many with so much love to share. The dream would still be just that if not for CASE Credit Union and people like Kathy Devine, another key player in a construction effort that began in 2007. “It’s a credit union philosophy of people helping people,” Devine said. “About five years ago the board decided it was time we give back to our community in a major way. So they decided to establish the 501c3 non-profit – all volunteers, no employees.” Close to 500 people played an important part in a project that has cost close to $700,000, with much more work in store. But before some 60 volunteers could show up on an April Saturday to landscape the grounds with tender loving care, a Michigan DNR grant was essential. So was a show of the spirit that makes Greater Lansing great.

The evening it all came to fruition, Caine had help from some of the best coaches anywhere, a busload of Michigan State baseball players. Though there is still a need for volunteers who can help on a one-to-one basis, that visit was one of the best experiences of 2012 for everyone involved. Sophomore catcher Joel Fisher, who has family ties to Miracle League play, called it a highlight in a memorable season. His head coach was an easy sell, too. From his first few weeks with the Spartans, Jake Boss Jr. was on board with the project. And why wouldn’t he be? His sense of family was instilled at an early age. “This is incredible, just unbelievable,” said his dad, an emotional Jake Boss Sr., who has seen a lot of victories but none any sweeter. “I mean, this is really something.…Look at that little girl!…Now, watch her put that ball under her chin.…Isn’t that awesome!… My goodness!” She – 4 1/2-year old Zoe Bosanic, an adoptee from China – was having more fun than the crowd, which was hard to do. Born without arms, she put the bat between her chin and her shoulder and did her best Miguel Cabrera impression. Then, after making tough guys smile and sniffle simultaneously, she looked at a small nick on my finger and said, “You have a boo-boo.” Do yourself a favor if you only have five minutes and read David Harns’ story on MidMichigan’s “Field of Dreams.” And if you were one of the volunteers, you should sleep a little better tonight than you otherwise would. Congratulations – and thank you. For our June cover story, we visit the real rock of Grand Ledge, 45-year head baseball

coach Pat O’Keefe. By waiting a few extra days to publish, we were able to take in his 21st Diamond Classic championship and 1,100th victory with the Comets. As writer Ryan Ambrustmacher put it so well, it’s hard to find anyone more deserving for the Mt. Rushmore of high school coaching. One of O’Keefe’s best players in a long line of Grand Ledge greats, pitcher-outfielder Tony Wieber, has done a lot of impressive things in three seasons at MSU. Chip Mundy’s profile of the Spartans’ all-time saves leader gives us a little more insight about who Wieber is – and clarifies exactly who he isn’t. Harns was as busy as any freelance writer or photographer has been for sport, handling double duty for three pieces in this issue. He tells the story of Williamston distance runner Katie Bollman, whose bloodlines might have predicted that passion, and introduces us to Upward Sports, a new way to play. Bollman is one of the state’s top scholarathletes, as recognized by the MHSAA. And Upward Sports stresses values over victories as its mission. Both offer a sense of perspective and a reminder that games can enrich our lives without becoming life-or-death. Few athletes have shown greater versatility or had more spectacular moments in one month than Mason High bowler and golfer David Smithern. As writer Mark Meyer explains, what are the odds of anyone leading a team to a state championship, firing a hole-in-one and bowling a 300 game in a matter of weeks? Finally, our Spartans Will salute looks at the trailblazing, turf-caressing career of Heather Nabozny, an MSU alum whose green thumb has kept Comerica Park beautiful, as Andrea Nelson tells us. And David “The Mad Dog” DeMarco, restaurateur/raconteur/radio veteran on WVFN, contributes our Finish Line backpage column. A Lansing lifer, except for a few years in Mount Pleasant, he knows what makes this area special and shares his love of baseball. Actually, he’d make a great volunteer for Vicki Caine. H JUNE 2012

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your shot

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALAN HOLBEN

Lansing Catholic won the 2012 Michigan Division 3 Track and Field Championship on Saturday, June 3rd. Their season-long focus is shown here, as Matt Macksood takes a handoff from Zach Zingsheim in the 800-meter relay against Williamston on May 15.

Championship Focus

Williamston’s Katie Bollman A Champion In Life BY DAVID HARNS

“If you look at her body of work outside of the classroom in terms of community involvement, it’s pretty amazing for a high school kid,” said Paula Maurer-Westbrook, Williamston High’s cross country coach. “She’s so strong in that area. She’s a very well-spoken person. She’s smart. She’s going to be very successful in life. “She’s not a kid who won a lot of individual awards. But if you look at her body of work, it’s

Going The Distance Williamston High’s Katie Bollman has distance running in her distant genetics, perhaps explaining marathon dreams.

8 JUNE 2012

pretty impressive. I would have a hard time keeping up with her. I don’t know when she sleeps.” Bollman admits that she isn’t the top athlete on the team. She refers to herself as the team mom. And as one of the team captains her senior year, she was OK with that. “Yeah, I’m not the one winning the races or setting the records or anything like that,” Bollman said. “But I have been on varsity for four years and there is a lot of responsibility in getting everyone from point A to point B. After the races, I’m consoling them or congratulating them, focusing on team bonding. There are a lot of things that you don’t think about. But

Photography DAVID HARNS

Katie Bollman definitely puts the scholar into the phrase “scholar-athlete.” As one of four Mid-Michigan winners of the 2011-2012 MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award, she has excelled as a leader in cross country while putting her stamp all over the Williamston community.

when you are in that captain’s position, you have to lead by example.” With a full-ride scholarship to Truman State University in tow, Bollman will slip on business shoes in place of the running shoes that have taught her valuable life lessons over the last six years. She will take her 4.0 GPA to Kirksville, Mo., where she plans to study math, economics or political science with the goal of becoming a professor some day. When asked which is more important to

be a little bit more flexible with it. I’m not always going to be coming through and hitting my marks on every mile. If it’s windy, you’ve got to go with the wind and do the best that you can.” What keeps her going mile after mile? “Katie is a self-motivated kid,” her dad said. “It was never a question of telling her she should study or work hard because she always did. We always tried to direct her to keep her opportunities open and make the best use of her talent – and to give back and take on a

“It all comes down to hard work and finding things that you enjoy,”

her – athletics or schooling or community involvement – Bollman said all three combine to make her a complete person. “It all contributes to me as a person as a whole,” she said. “I can’t really imagine myself not running. It’s just a part of who I am. It has taught me a lot of things about hard work and perseverance. I just try to work hard at the things that I have talent at or that I’m interested in and just get better at them all.” For the first time since middle school, Bollman is not running track so that she can focus on accomplishing a personal goal. That starts in May by finishing the Cleveland Marathon and ends when she has trimmed enough time off to qualify for and finish the Boston Marathon. Why is running Boston so important to Bollman? The answer to that question can be traced through her middle name, MacDermid, through her mom, Karen, and that side of the family, all the way back four generations to a man named John J. McDermott. “JJ” was the winner of the very first Boston Marathon back in 1897. Her grandfather, John MacDermid, ran the Boston Marathon. And though it seems to skip every other generation in the family, Katie was bitten by the Boston bug. “That was always one of Katie’s goals when she started running a long time ago,” said her dad, John Bollman. “She was going to go back to Boston some day and run the marathon.” Looking forward to continuing the family tradition, Bollman can regularly be found on rural Williamston streets, running mile after countless mile. She doesn’t listen to music while she runs, preferring to spend the time alone with her thoughts. Her friend, Lauren VanStreain, rides her bike nearby, ready to give Bollman an encouraging word or a drink of water as needed. “I’ve been told I’m really analytical with running,” Bollman said. “I always keep a watch on me. What I’ve learned with marathon training is to

KATIE BOLLMAN

leadership role in what she was interested in.” She wasn’t just a leader on the cross country course. Bollman could be found coaching the freshmen and sophomores on the math team. Or serving as president of the National Honor Society. Or running the peer-assist organization at the high school, designed to promote the emotional well-being of students. Or running the safe room at the school after a student died last year. You might find her involved in peer mediation. Or in one-on-one discussions with students when needed. “Katie is a very thoughtful young lady who likes to be challenged in academics and athletics,” said Mike Freeman, Williamston’s athletic director. “She works very hard to unite students and athletes for the greater good. She will be an even bigger success after Williamston. I will miss her here at Williamston High School.” Bollman is seeing that success already as president of the Williamston chapter of the Business Professionals of America. She just finished competing in both the prepared speech individual category and the economic research team category. She researched, wrote a paper and presented on this year’s topic: “Given that there has been a decrease in tax revenues, how would you make spending cuts to meet that?” Another scholastic achievement that Bollman is proud of is her participation in the Model United Nations. She has been named Best Delegate multiple times and was downright giddy describing her favorite performance at these simulated UN meetings, where each participant represents a different country and their policy and beliefs.

“It’s really cool when you get a country like Nigeria, where I had to totally argue against everything I actually believe,” Bollman said. “I had to basically find ways to make it so that human rights violations would be OK under United Nations resolutions.” When she’s not at the BPA or the simulated UN in her business shoes or pounding out the miles in her running shoes, Bollman could be found at one of her two youth groups. In addition to being a part of Young Life, Bollman is in the youth group at Meridian Christian Church in Okemos. She went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic and is planning on another one to Mexico this summer. “(The youth groups) are really important to me,” she said. “I try to make my faith the central aspect of my life. The other things are just ways I can use that core part of me to impact other people and impact the world around me.” Asked what advice she gives to teammates and classmates coming up behind her on how to be successful in high school, Bollman pauses to develop her thesis. “It all comes down to hard work and finding things that you enjoy,” Bollman said. “I think it’s kind of disrespectful, actually, when people have a skill in an area that they decide they want to pursue, but they don’t work hard to make the most of that ability. I’ve been very blessed with a lot of abilities in different areas. So I just work my hardest to try and hone those abilities and expand them.” As a scholar-athlete award winner, Bollman has proven that you can be successful in many aspects of life – in whatever pair of shoes you might be wearing. H

First Place Priorities Bollman has balanced academics, athletics, faith and family about as well any Class of 2012 graduate could.

JUNE 2012

Do You Get That Sick Feeling When Your Annual/Monthly Statements Arrive In The Mail?

bolling them over

Mid-Michigan’s Other Top Scholar-Athletes From MHSAA press releases: www.mhsaa.com/Schools/Students/ScholarAthleteAward.aspx

Christopher Robert Hagan EAST LANSING Expects to graduate with 10 varsity letters, including four in hockey and three each for football and baseball. Earned all-area honors in all three sports and set his school’s career tackles record of 401. Served as captain of the football and hockey teams and has received academic all-league awards for all three sports. Received Distinguished Scholar Awards the last three years for students with a grade-point average of 3.7-or-above and recognition from five academic departments at his school. Participates in a number of school and community volunteer efforts, including the Special Olympics. Will attend the University of Dayton, where he will play football and study mathematics. E S S AY Q U O T E

“Sportsmanship in athletics is a lot like life. We want to do our best in any endeavor, but be humble and accomplish it with class. I am truly happy for all emotions that I have experienced from my high school athletic career because it has helped me to become a better person, and I have experienced the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.”

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DEWITT Will finish his three-sport career on the baseball team this spring after joining the soccer, basketball and baseball varsities during his sophomore year of high school. Named to the Division 2 all-state first team in soccer as a goalkeeper this fall, after making second team as a junior, and is among MHSAA all-time leaders with 18 shutouts for one season. Also earned all-league honors for basketball and served as a captain for both of those teams. Earned all-academic honors for all three sports. Is a member of his school’s National Honor Society and student government and qualified for the national conference for Business

Professionals of America. Volunteers as an official, coach and scoreboard operator among other school, church and community efforts. Undecided where he will attend college, but will study pre-med. E S S AY Q U O T E

“The reality is that you cannot always win every game, but there is one constant. You can have great sportsmanship in every game…I used to get down through my early years after losses. But in time, I have put it all in perspective. You are going to lose games, but how you deal with it is most important.”

Kelsey Butcher MORRICE Played volleyball and basketball, ran cross country and participated in track and field over her high school career. Anticipates graduating with nine varsity letters. Seven-time all-stater in track and holder of five school records in that sport. Co-captain of that team and the Orioles’ volleyball team. All-league first-team selection for volleyball in the fall and academic allstate selection for volleyball and track. Named 2011 Shiawassee County Outstanding Female Champion of Champions. Four-year member of student council and secretary of executive student council. Vice President of National Honor Society. Volunteered for various church, charity and community efforts. Anticipates graduating with perfect attendance through high school. Named Homecoming Queen during the fall. Will attend Saginaw Valley State University and study occupational therapy. E S S AY Q U O T E

“I purposely did not look up the word ‘sportsmanship’ in the dictionary, as to not deviate from my own thoughts and meaning of that important word. Sportsmanship to me is broken down into two words: “manship” and “sports.” It’s about uniting who you are as a person or your good character to the sport(s) you play.”

12 JUNE 2012

Photography MIke major

David Smithern Gets Hole-in-one, 300 Game BY MARK MEYER

Mild-mannered, easygoing David Smithern experienced a twoweek stretch of sporting success this spring so spectacular that few athletes of the highest caliber could ever imagine matching – or even coming close to – in a lifetime. Consider this: u On March 2, Smithern helped lead his unranked Mason High School bowling team to the Division 2 state title over Bay City John Glenn at Century Lanes in Waterford. He bowled a 189 in the championship match, well below his season average of 207 but best among the two teams in the finals that day. u

Less than two weeks later, on March 14, he aced the 185-yard second hole on the Blue course at Eldorado during preseason practice with the golf team. “A very difficult par-3,” said his coach Kirk Petee, “uphill all the way.”

u Three

days after that, on March 17, Smithern bowled a 300 game in the Lansing City Tournament at Royal Scot. “By the time the 10th frame rolled around,” Smithern said, “there was a pretty good crowd gathered around me.”

A state championship, followed by a hole-inone, then a perfect 300 game. What next? On April 25 he was presented with a Capital Area Activities Conference Senior ScholarAthlete Award for high academic achievement by a multi-sport athlete. “I’m not surprised he did it, even though when you think about it…it’s pretty amazing,” Petee said. “But David has always been level-headed

on the golf course, and I’m sure it’s the same way with bowling. He doesn’t get too excited about the great shots, and more importantly he doesn’t let the bad ones ruin his round.” Smithern was the only returning starter this season for the Bulldogs bowling team, which in previous years had racked up some gaudy wonloss numbers but had not advanced past the state semifinals. His coach, Jim Valentine, knew it would be a rebuilding year but only to a certain point. “We had a number of bowlers coming up from the jayvee squad who carried a 200-plus average, but they couldn’t break into the varsity lineup because there were several good bowlers ahead of them,” said Valentine, whose varsity teams had gone undefeated during the regular season three times in the past four years. “We split our first four matches, then won seven of our last eight going into the regionals and got hot at the right time.” Valentine remembers the first time he saw Smithern bowl during a practice session at City Limits at Mason. “He took six or seven steps before releasing the ball, he was very mechanical, and his form needed work,” Valentine said. “But I worked with him one time, got him down to four steps, and he picked it up very fast. In one day he became much smoother, his timing was better. He went from averaging in the 160s in his youth league play to his freshman year with me in 2009 when he averaged 204.” Smithern averaged 214 as a sophomore, 222

as a junior and rolled a high school career high game of 280 as a freshman. He credits Valentine’s emphasis on spare shooting as one of the primary reasons why this year’s team was able to achieve what previous teams had not. “Stay clean when you can and make a mark in every frame,” he would tell us. “Missing a spare was like telling the other team, ‘Here’s 11 pins; go ahead and take them from us.’” Smithern, 17, doesn’t like to give away shots on the golf course either. He’s learned, as previously noted by Petee, that the best way to make up for a bad shot is with a great one. He’s saved some of his best rounds for the CAAC Open: he shot 79 his sophomore year and 78 this season. His nine-hole scoring average for three years on varsity has hovered right around 42. “His game is such that he’s always in it,” Petee said. “He has a knack for making very good shots in challenging situations. The hole-in-one is a good example. There are a lot of other par-3s on the course where I could see it happening, but not on that one. It’s a very tough hole and it was very early in the season when we had that unusually warm spell. Go figure.” Smithern’s father, Dave, was probably thinking the same thing on the morning of the City Tournament when, before leaving for his Saturday work shift, wished his son good luck that day and told him “to go out and bowl a 300.” “Call me if he gets close,” he told his wife Barb, who deserves some credit for having introduced her son to the sport years ago at the annual North Aurelius grammar school mother/son bowling outing. The first call from Royal Scot came after the JUNE 2012

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fifth frame, “and there was definitely a buzz in the background,” said Dave, a quality assurance supervisor at Parker Hannifin in Mason. “When I answered the next call, I knew he had done it. Incredible. And pretty amazing that it all happened so quickly.” “It seemed like the whole alley was watching that last frame,” David said. For an encore, David plans to attend Lansing Community College for two years on an honors scholarship, and then it’s off to Grand Valley to study business. A much more sedate path than the high road he’s been riding since March. “It’s been a couple of pretty crazy weeks,” he said. Meanwhile, he’ll stay busy with his guitar, playing Ultimate Frisbee and tending to the family’s burgeoning collection of pets, now in the majority around the Smithern household. He’ll take aim at a state tournament berth with his Bulldog golfers, probably bowl a few frames at City Limits. But rarely, if ever again, will he duplicate athletically those magical March feats of 2012. Once in a lifetime–David Byrne of Talking Heads wrote–you may ask yourself, how did I get here? With an ace in the hole and a 300 game in his pocket. The rest, including a state title, is history. H

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Barb, holds the flag from the second hole at Eldorado Golf Course, where her son shot a holein-one between bowling triumphs.

My 6 iron because it has always been very comfortable to hit and it got me an ace. Who is your favorite guitar player? Jack Johnson (Acoustic guitar player/ singer-songwriter) The best part of being a studentathlete at Mason High School…

The best golf/bowling tip I ever received was…

Play it one shot at a time and put 100% of your focus and effort into each shot. This is the best advice I have received in both sports.

Who is your favorite bowler, and why?

Unflagging Support David Smithern’s mom,

Which golf club is your favorite, and why?

The camaraderie with my amazing teammates.

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Tiger Woods, because he is undeniably the best golfer who has ever lived.

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Who is your favorite golfer, and why?

Walter Ray Williams Jr., because he is an all-time great and he doesn’t get too worked up like a lot of the other guys in the PBA. Favorite high school sporting moment? The moment I realized we clinched the state bowling title by 3 pins.

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SAVING GRACE 11

Wildlife And A Wild Life For Tony Wieber

Michigan State junior Tony Wieber can’t have a one-track mind and fill more than one role for the baseball team. He doesn’t have a one-track mind when it comes to his personal life, either.

Photography MATTHEW MITCHELL/MSU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Wieber broke the school record for career saves this spring and did it while playing in the outfield for the Spartans. But when he’s able to get away from the game, his mind goes to places far, far away. No. 11 is fascinated with other cultures and watches the National Geographic channel. As he surfs the Internet, he will pass photos of various animals on to his mother, Mary Jo Wieber. “He’s always watching ‘Nat Geo WILD’ and sending e-mails of animals,” she said. “He doesn’t send photos of one particular animal, just whatever ones that catch his eye. “We’ve taken vacations, and Tony always reads up on where we’re going. He enjoys history, and he has always liked finding out about different cultures.” Tony Wieber might have been born with a curious mind, but he was born with something else – something that might have been a hint at his future athletic talents before his mother even knew his gender. “I could hear the baby crying, and the doctor said, ‘You have a healthy baby…and those are some big hands,’” Mary Jo said. “So I said, ‘What kind of kid is it?’ I didn’t even know if it was a boy or a girl.” Wieber’s father, Steve, was in the Air Force and active in Desert Storm. He didn’t see his son until three months after the birth and had the same reaction as the doctor. “He had these giant hands for a baby,” Steve said. “Then, there was a time when, as a baby, he picked up a ball and threw it across the room.” His dad was impressed, partly because a strong throwing arm wasn’t one of his assets decades ago at Lansing Eastern High. Today, his son’s throwing arm has helped him break the career record for saves at MSU. Tony Wieber entered this season just five saves shy of the school record, and he broke it April 1 against Ohio State at McLane Stadium.

He also had the game-winning hit in the seventh inning and closed out the game for his 15th of 18 career saves. “It means a lot to me,” said one of the newest members of the San Diego Padres organization. “It’s the oldestsport at MSU. A lot of great players have come before me, and a lot of people have done a lot of great things and set records.” MSU has produced Major League Baseball relief pitchers like Dick Radatz, Ron Perranoski and Tim Crabtree. But Radatz and Perranoski were starters as Spartans. Crabtree pitched only one season and was a closer for the first part of that year before being put into the rotation. Wieber does more than pitch for the Spartans. He also plays the outfield and is solid defensively with a decent bat. He can win games more than one way. But he didn’t hesitate when asked if he’d rather win a game with a base hit or a strikeout for a save. “We’ll punch him out,” he said with a smile. “I don’t know if there is anything better than striking out a guy in a close, big game. Maybe a walkoff home run. There’s not much that can beat that.” Wieber should know. He has helped teams win in every way since he was named to the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Dream Team and was the Lansing State Journal Player of the Year as a senior at Grand Ledge. He was a center fielder until his senior year, when he moved to shortstop and pitched as a starter and reliever, posting a 4-1 record with three saves as a senior. He said what he learned at Grand Ledge has helped him become a triple-threat. While most

BY CHIP MUNDY

players can focus on one of two aspects of their game, Wieber has to be concerned about hitting, defense and pitching. “A lot of guys have done it in high school like I did, so you draw on that experience,” he said. “I think back to coaches that I’ve had since I was young. Coach (Pat) O’Keefe is one of the best in the state, if not the best.” When Spartans head coach Jake Boss Jr. recruited Wieber, it was mostly as a pitcher. But not exclusively, and Boss was excited about Wieber’s ability to fill more than one role. “At our level with limited scholarships, you need to have guys that play more than one position,” Boss said. “Those guys are pretty valuable. It’s like getting two guys for the price of one, so that’s why we try to recruit guys like that.” It certainly is a luxury to have a closer who also can play the outfield. But it doesn’t come without something to think about. “We have to be careful with his arm. That’s the biggest thing,” Boss said. “We have to be careful that we don’t overuse his arm and make sure he is ready to go for us on the mound. That’s where he is most valuable for us…We’ll take what we get out of him offensively and defensively.” Wieber throws a fastball that has reached 94 mph but normally is in the 88-91 range. This season, his slider has shown dramatic improvement. He also can mix in a changeup on occasion. “Last year, I would have said my fastball was my out pitch, but this year I can go either way,” Wieber said. “I think that’s my biggest improvement from last year to this year – my secondary pitches. If I want to strike a guy out with my slider I can. Or I can go to a fastball or changeup. “Last year, I was blowing away guys with my fastball. But you can only get away with that for so long.” Wieber said he is more confident in throwing his secondary pitches at any point in the count. As a closer he doesn’t need a wide array of pitches in his repertoire. “As a closer, you can get away with having two pitches and maybe a changeup for show,” Boss said. “If you can locate, you can be pretty successful.” JUNE 2012

saving grace

Mr. Versatility Tony Wieber has helped the Spartans as a part-time outfielder throughout his MSU career, though he has made his mark primarily as a closer.

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As a freshman, Wieber pitched in 12 games and had three starts. He had a 5.08 ERA but was 4-0 with one save and didn’t start a game in the field. As a sophomore, Wieber had a 3.64 ERA with a 5-0 record and eight saves. He also batted .288 in 104 at-bats. “Last year, we had a freshman in the outfield who struggled a bit both offensively and defensively,” Boss said. “We put Tony out there primarily because of his defense. And he got really hot at the right time. “This year, we use him a little more when left-handers throw. He gives us a better chance from the right side. And that’s primarily when we’ve gone to him. At the same time, when he was hot, we tried to ride it out as long as we could.” It was a memorable season for Wieber and the Spartans, who shared the Big Ten title. One of the highlights came on a Friday night at Ohio State. With the Spartans leading 5-4 in the bottom of the 10th, he entered the game with runners on first and third with nobody out and struck out the last two batters. Wieber spent last summer in the Coastal Plains League and had a 1.31 ERA with seven saves. He recorded a save in the CPL All-Star Game, setting the stage for his third year at MSU. When the Spartans reached the 30-win

mark by early May, it was the first time they hit that milestone in three straight times. They finished 37-23 and ended a 33-year NCAA Tournament drought. Wieber was 2-2 and had with a 2.22 ERA and nine saves. He also hit .282 in 71 at-bats. Besides leading the program in career saves, he might be among the leaders in major misconceptions, too. It is widely believed that Wieber is related to gymnastics sensation Jordyn Wieber of DeWitt. But if he is, it’s news to him. “We’re not related as far as I know. And if we are, it’s way down the line,” he said. “I’ve never met her.” As a junior, Wieber was eligible to be chosen in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft this summer. And the Padres did just that, selecting him in the 33rd round. Wieber will be strictly a pitcher in the San Diego system. The Padres like his toughness and competitive spirit. And in the National League, where there is no designated hitter and pitchers have to bat, who knows when Wieber will get that opportunity. If things get a little wild, that’s OK, too. Wieber knows baseball’s law of the jungle: Only the strong – and the versatile – survive. He’s living proof. H

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Like A R Comets’ Pat O’Keefe Stands Test Of Time BY RYAN ARMBRUSTMACHER

Imagine a Mt. Rushmore of Mid-Michigan prep coaching icons, if you will. Where could such a structure be carved? And how would you pare the list of candidates? Look no further than Grand Ledge for some answers.

20 JUNE 2012

Two rock-solid foundations have been in place for years, making it only natural to consider Comet Country first. The Ledges offer a great backdrop. And Pat O’Keefe is an ideal centerpiece. Sure, the sandstone and quartz of The Ledges may not have the staying power of the granite of Mt. Rushmore. It wouldn’t be safe to bet against anything involving O’Keefe and longevity, though. After all, no tangible signs of erosion are evident in the Grand Ledge baseball program O’Keefe has guided to 1,100 wins in 45 years. The Comets have won two state baseball titles and 21 Diamond Classics under O’Keefe, the second-winningest coach in school history. He also has a 2000 Division 1 state football crown to his credit. Comet baseball squads competing for titles? Predictable. The life events that landed O’Keefe in Grand Ledge? Serendipity. He was finishing up schooling at Central Michigan University in the late 1960s. O’Keefe was also playing baseball for the Chippewas and eyeing a possible Major League career. Thoughts of replacing a legend? Not so much. After all, he was in his early 20s.

Then, Charlie Gorman died. The passing of the iconic Grand Ledge baseball coach gave birth to another legend. Hugh Smyth, O’Keefe’s high school basketball coach at Standish-Sterling, was coaching in Grand Ledge at the time. Smythe viewed O’Keefe as an ideal replacement for Gorman. Eventually, he was hired. And with that, the O’Keefe era began in Grand Ledge in 1968. It remains intact today. “I feel like this path was chosen for me,” O’Keefe said. “The good Lord gave me a calling, and it was on the high school level. “Grand Ledge is a small town and a big school, and I’ve loved every minute of it.” O’Keefe has been more than just a baseball coach to this tight-knit community. He’s been a teacher. He’s been a mentor. He’s been a community leader. He’s been a father figure of sorts. O’Keefe’s immediate family includes his wife, Melody, plus four children and nine grandchildren who look up to him. Countless others outside the family feel the same way. Those that have had the privilege to play for him or sit in his classroom feel his fatherly impact. Count Kevin Moore in that group. The Owosso

Photography MIke major

ock

JUNE 2012

like a rock baseball coach played baseball and football for O’Keefe at Grand Ledge in the mid-90s and was a student in his government class. He was a part of the 1995 Class A state championship baseball team. “What I loved about Coach was that he was demanding but fair,” said Moore, now in his third year as a head coach. “He motivated us to play baseball with the same intensity as football.” In each season since Moore has been at Owosso, his Trojan teams have squared off against Grand Ledge. The most memorable matchup was the 2010 Diamond Classic title game. “That was pretty special,” said Moore, who has yet to beat O’Keefe’s Comets. “It’s funny because most of what I teach is similar to what I learned in Grand Ledge. My kids knew I played there and knew the success we had, and it gave me respectability.” O’Keefe certainly sounds like a proud papa as he sits back and reflects on all the lives of young people he’s had the opportunity to mold. In O’Keefe’s mind he is the fortunate one to have had the opportunity. In many eyes it’s the other way around. In fact, the humble O’Keefe would much rather have a monument created for those who have aided his success. Not one of him. “I haven’t had all of this success on my own,” he said. “I’ve had the great fortune of being

surrounded by superb people on so many levels.” It doesn’t matter if you are part of the Grand Ledge community or not. O’Keefe is always willing to lend support. “My first spring at the Lansing State Journal, I covered Grand Ledge in their baseball districts vs. Everett,” said former prep editor Geoff Kimmerly. “I went over to interview Pat, and he said some comforting words. For him to say that really gave me a lot of confidence.” Much of the credit for O’Keefe’s drive to succeed goes to his late father, Dennis. The former Notre Dame baseball player pushed sports, sports and more sports to Pat and his brothers as they grew up. They took that advice to the extreme. “I don’t think mom ever had a broom in the house,” O’Keefe said. “We would take the sticks from the brooms and hit rocks with them. That was how we learned how to play baseball.” That creativity paid off when it came time to use real equipment. Pat emerged as an all-state performer in football, basketball and baseball at Standish-Sterling. So why did baseball stick with him the most? “I saw all of the injuries and guys getting broken and busted in football,” O’Keefe said. “And at 5-foot-11 the other guys looked like giants to me in basketball.” Landing the Grand Ledge coaching job didn’t

Celebrating Again O’Keefe’s Comets are accustomed to victory, as they should be under the secondwinningest coach in MHSAA baseball history and a 20-time Diamond Classic champion.

slow down O’Keefe’s Major League Baseball dreams initially. He spent four school years teaching and coaching and the summers playing minor league baseball. The Major League dreams eventually faded. The kids won out. But that same motivation drives O’Keefe today. “The idea of being able to teach young people keeps me young at heart,” said O’Keefe, who taught at Grand Ledge for 40 years. “I’m an adrenaline junkie, and there’s nothing better than high school sports for that.” At one point O’Keefe was coaching basketball, baseball and football at Grand Ledge. He really seemed to have it all. He played college baseball. He landed a prime coaching and teaching gig right out of college. And he had on opportunity to pursue his pro baseball dream. Just one thing was missing – a spouse. A huge key for happy matrimony for O’Keefe would be to find somebody who considered his hectic sports life tolerable. Enter Melody Morton. Fittingly, O’Keefe met her at a football clinic in Grand Rapids. They married in 1972. “She stayed at home for several years with the kids and allowed me to concentrate on coaching,” Pat said. “There weren’t many trips to the lake. Not many other hobbies. Not many vacations. I have been fortunate to have her in my life to tolerate the demands of coaching.” Melody’s patience with Pat’s non-stop sports slate paid off in 1997. It took 25 years, but she and Pat were finally able to celebrate their anniversary with a vacation for the first time. Of course, sports stopped that trip to Las Vegas short. Their son, Colin, suffered an injury during a baseball game, so they came home to tend to that. The couple will celebrate 40 years of marriage on July 29 and have a trip to Ireland planned. “I followed all of the teams vigorously for years and was very involved,” Melody said. “I consider myself semi-retired right now. My rule is it must be 65 and sunny for me to go to a game.” It’s hard telling if Pat O’Keefe will ever be ready to retire. Even recent hip replacement surgery hasn’t slowed him down. “As long as the kids still listen and respond, I’m still hungry,” he said. The Comet players remain all ears to O’Keefe’s advice. But they’re not alone in hearing what O’Keefe has to say. “When he lets it loose, all you hear is his voice on the field,” Kimmerly said. “One reason they win is that they’re so fundamentally sound. They make plays and throw strikes.

Ruling The Grounds O’Keefe goes over the ground rules for the umpteenth time in 45 seasons in a meeting before a home game with East Lansing.

Even if they are not the most talented team, it’s no surprise to see them in the hunt year in and year out.” Whenever you have success like O’Keefe has had at Grand Ledge, there are always bigger and better opportunites. Well, bigger maybe. Not necessarily better. “Danny Litwiller at Michigan State really wanted me to join his coaching staff in the 70s,” O’Keefe said. “I gave it some consideration, but not too serious. I have always felt Grand Ledge was the place for me. It has been a great ride, and I have no regrets.” O’Keefe admits he runs a lot of the same drills in practice in 2012 that he did in 1968. He has done anything but stand pat, however. “He has changed with the times, and that has helped him remain successful,” Melody said. “He’s maybe not quite as vocal as he used to be. It’s harder to do that with grandchildren.” OK, they may never carve out O’Keefe’s image in The Ledges. One sight of O’Keefe will remain in Kimmerly’s mind, though. “Seeing him in that 3rd base box with dark shades on, giving his signals, sticks out with me,” he said. “Also, he’s always really humble and talks immediately about the other team.” Some advice from Dennis O’Keefe sticks with Pat today. “My father told me to plant roots and plant them deep,” O’Keefe said. No, it’s not true that Pat O’Keefe was one of the settlers who discovered The Ledges. He hasn’t been at Grand Ledge that long. Consider his roots planted deeply, though. Consider an impeccable legacy safely etched in stone. H

51 Diamond Classic Titlists 23 – Grand Ledge: ’63, ’65, ’74, ’80-81, ’84, ’87, ’90, ’92-98, ’01-03, ’06, ’09-12 7 – Everett: ’62, ’66-67, ’70, ’77, ’83, ’88 4 – Waverly: ’75-76, ’82, ’85 3 – Eastern: ’68-69, ’71, 3 – East Lansing: ’72-73, ’99 2 – Lansing Hill: ’78-79 2 – Holt: ’00, ’05 2 – Howell: ’64, ’89 1 – Lansing Catholic: ’86 1 – Sexton: ’91 1 – Charlotte: ’04 1 – Okemos: ’07 1 – DeWitt: ’08

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Photography DAVID HARNS

Upward Sports About More Than Scores BY DAVID HARNS

The pages of this magazine are filled with images and stories of athletes who have put a great deal of time, energy, sweat and passion into their chosen sport and have ringing accolades, framed awards and shiny trophies to show for it. They have poured everything they have into a sport that they love. This story is not about them. “There are a lot of kids who go into sports, and they quit right away because they don’t get to play,” says Carolyn Hyde, director of Upward Sports basketball for boys and girls at the First Church of the Nazarene in Mason. “They just aren’t that good.” Upward Sports, also known as Upwards, is trying to change that, one kid at a time. This league is unique in that its main goal is not just to help kids develop skills in the sports they choose – basketball, flag football, soccer and cheerleading at Upwards – but also to build values and self-confidence. When many leagues have kids at the gym or on the field for many hours per week, Upwards purposefully limits its practice time to one hour per week and its games to a single one-hour game each Saturday. This allows families to have their children participate in sports without having to schedule their life around practices, games and travel. That, in and of itself, might seem foreign to families who spend every evening involved in one sport or another, traveling to drop kids here and pick up kids there. But Upwards has other aspects that make it different from your typical sports league. There are no tryouts in the Upward Sports leagues. But there are evaluations of the players’ skills. This is done so teams with similar skills levels can be formed. Not only is man-to-man defense played in all basketball games, but players only guard an opponent who closely

matches his or her height and skill level. This creates an equal opportunity for every player on the team. Jane Reutter and her husband, Bob, have attended the First Church of the Nazarene for 19 years and had 2 of their children participate in Upwards. One of the children with special needs fit right in with Upward Sports. “There was finally an activity in our community where she could feel at ease with the competitive issue,” Jane said. “She was treated equal. There was room for everyone.” Bob has been actively involved in Upwards the last 5 years, first as a coach and now as a referee. “It’s good for the kids to get some exercise, get off the couch, and put down the video games,” he said. The league differs in other ways, too. Flag football penalties are assessed for physical contact. No blocking, tackling or stiff-arming is allowed. The differences extend to the cheering on the sidelines, too. Typically, cheerleaders support a specific football or basketball team. Not in Upward Sports. Upwards wants cheers to encourage all players, so squads cheer for different teams every week as they rotate throughout the season. Cheerleaders do not incorporate stunts and tumbles in hopes of preventing any injuries to the participants. Once the basketball, football or soccer schedule begins, there are other distinctions. Upwards uses a unique substitution system so

that, over the course of the season, every player has a chance to start and is on the court or the field for the same amount of time. No child will get splinters on the bench, regardless of skill, and will play at least half of every game. Upwards believes that the negative experience families associate with competitive leagues is because of the actions and words of coaches. Thus, a concerted effort is made to help the kids have fun and learn in a positive environment. The learning goes beyond the athletic arena as Upwards offers access to its website, TeamUpward.com, for games and skill/drill videos. While there is a cost associated with the program, Upward Sports has a tradition of offering scholarships to children who have a parent actively deployed overseas with the United States Armed Forces. For those families that can’t afford the program, most Upward Sports League churches try to provide various levels of scholarship. The Upward Sports Program was founded nationally as a Christian organization and expects local church partners to agree to their Statement of Faith. While this set of beliefs is incorporated in the program – there is a small Biblical devotion during each practice and prayer before each game – the churches do not require participants to share their beliefs in order to participate. Russ Van Dine is the Children’s Pastor at First Church of the Nazarene and believes he is called, by God, to minister to the children of the community. “That calling isn’t just for the kids that walk through my door,” Van Dine said. “In fact, I feel like I’m responsible for the kids in all the community, not just the ones that have walked in our building.” To that end, his church has put its money where its mouth is. In April, hundreds of JUNE 2012

a different way

members of the Mason community – including several Michigan State University football players and women’s basketball players – gathered with members and volunteers to celebrate the grand opening of their new $1.7 million Recreation Outreach Center. The 16,000 square-foot building is affectionately referred to as “The ROC” by those who have raised the money and done the planning to make this dream a reality. The new building and land will accommodate the nearly 475 basketball, football and cheerleader athletes who participated last year. Van Dine noted that less than two dozen of those participants are members of their church. The cost of the construction was funded entirely by the church and its 350 active members and began as a dream about a dozen years ago when the members of First Church of the Nazarene purchased 45 acres on the eastern outskirts of Mason. The ROC includes a computer lab which the church wants the community to use like a library. In addition to the large gymnasium, there is a stylish, allpurpose room that the youth group will meet

in and the community can rent out for open houses or weddings. The church hosts open volleyball, movie nights and family fun nights in the gym as well. “We knew we wanted to build something for the community,” Hyde said. Loren Shattuck, a lifetime church member since he was born in the 1930s, supports the investment in a community building like The ROC. He has grandchildren coaching greatgrandchildren in Upward Sports and was in attendance at the grand opening in April. “Sports activities reach out to the youth and young families,” Shattuck said. MSU football player Fou Fonoti took a break from an intense game of basketball with local youngsters to discuss the importance of a community building like the ROC. Growing up in California, he didn’t have the benefit of a facility like the one whose opening he was there to help celebrate. “It’s great to keep kids active and give them a place to fellowship together,” Fonoti said. Valentina Anderson lives in nearby Dansville and led the interior design team for The ROC.

No Goal Too High 7-year-old Kadin Hakkila takes aim at a hoop in the Recreation Outreach Center that will look a little closer each day.

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Anderson has one son that has participated in Upward Sports and another one that will soon. “It’s all about fun and being together as a family,” Anderson said. “It helps get the kids up off the sofa.” Hyde said the church has dreams beyond the football fields and the ROC for the rest of the 45 acres, including future baseball fields, softball fields and soccer fields – all considered neighborhood resources that the community will be invited to come and use. Hyde has been involved with Upwards for five years, the last two as director of basketball operations. When Hyde saw what the program was and how it worked, she was hooked. “It allowed every kid equal playing time, which is very rare in any basketball league. It taught kids how much Jesus loves them – you can’t find a basketball league that does that. And it taught kids that it’s important to work as a team and be respectful.” The church’s overarching goal is to be a resource to the local community. And, on the outskirts of Mason, a church with a new recreation building and an entirely different kind of sports league is doing just that – one child at a time. H

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Field Of Drea Miracle League Project A Home Run BY DAVID HARNS

30 JUNE 2012

The line of kids stretches from home plate to the outfield, along both foul lines. Standing at attention, singing the national anthem, the teams are ready to take the field. Dozens of kids in purple and dozens of kids in white are chomping at the bit, ready to throw the first pitch, get the first hit, score the first run on this, their new baseball diamond. But this isn’t just any baseball diamond. And these aren’t just any kids. Zoe Bosanic was born nearly five years ago in China, with no arms. Yet, here she stands, warming up near the first base dugout. She puts the bat between her shoulder and her head and takes a couple of practice swings. Then, she is handed a baseball and “throws” it by drop-kicking it with precision. Zoe is among the youngest waiting to take the field. One of the oldest kids on the field, Travis Parmalee, is being pushed around in a wheelchair near the right-field foul pole, patiently waiting for the speeches and the ribbon-cutting ceremony to finish so he can

“The passion that those who are involved in this project have for these kids is something that is contagious.” JAKE BOSS JR.

Photography DAVID HARNS

playing surface presenting potential safety hazards for players in wheelchairs or walkers. This new baseball diamond is going to fix that. “(Our wheelchairs) would get stuck in the sand in a normal field,” 15-year old Katie Frayer said. “It’s pretty exciting to go out there and roll across the smooth surface and just be able to focus on having fun with my friends.” In the fall of 2007, as the Miracle League was making its unheralded national beginning in Georgia, the CASE Credit Union Board of Directors established CASE Cares, a separate non-profit organization. Five years later, this local “field

realize a dream he has had since he was born with cerebral palsy 17 years ago – to be part of a team, in an organized league. Travis has watched his siblings play team sports his whole life. But due to his confinement, he was unable to follow in their footsteps. Until tonight. The bright sun is casting atypical baseball shadows onto the smooth diamond – shadows of wheelchairs and walkers, of pediatric canes and leg braces. Hundreds of community members and volunteers, as well as nearly 40 players from Michigan State’s baseball team, have joined honorary chair and MSU coach Jake Boss Jr. for the grand-opening celebration of this first-of-its-kind field in Mid-Michigan. “The passion that those who are involved in this project have for these kids is something that is contagious,” Boss says. “To use our game to be able to affect kids’ lives is a thrill.” Children with disabilities have been allowed to play in the Lansing Parks and Recreation League but the main concern was always the

of dreams” has become a reality as the CASE Cares Miracle Field in DeWitt Township joins 250 other Miracle Fields in 46 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia. The dozens of kids who have signed up for the inaugural season are joining the 200,000 children and young adults already participating in this special brand of baseball around the world. The entire ballpark is barrier-free – including bathrooms and a concession stand – and features a specially-designed, rubber playing surface which allows the area’s special-needs children to play tee ball in a safe and fun environment, without having to worry about getting stuck or tripping on the bases. CASE Cares Miracle Field was a cooperative effort of the CASE Cares Board of Directors and the DeWitt Charter Township Board, which donated the land for the field in its Valley Farms Park. “DeWitt Township was very excited to be a partner,” says Township Manager Rod Taylor. “(We) saw a benefit to our community and JUNE 2012

field of dreams

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the Greater Lansing region and stepped up to provide space at one of our parks.” When the generous donations from the Greater Lansing community were combined with a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, the dream started to become a reality with an August 2011 groundbreaking. Laux Construction of Dansville wanted to give back to the community and did so by keeping the project under the $677,000 budget. Even when some of the prices came in higher than anticipated, Laux did what they could to keep the project moving forward. “(This project) was a special one. When it came out to bid, we pursued it very heavily,” said Brandon Garred, Laux Construction’s Miracle Field project manager. “You don’t see these things every day.” The grand-opening ceremony and the first exhibition game occurred on May 14, 2012, with the inaugural season scheduled for eight games during June and July. Players are divided into two age groups – ages 5-11 and 12-20 – and each receive a uniform, hat and award for their $40 registration fee. The concept of the Miracle League of MidMichigan is simple in its execution, but its effects on the minds and hearts of the players, coaches and fans are quite powerful. Every player bats once each inning, and all players are safe on the bases every time. Every player scores a run before the inning is over, with the last batter always getting a home run. Each team and each player “wins” every game. Depending on the severity of the disability, not every player can complete every portion of

the game without help. That’s where the buddy system comes in. Community volunteers over the age of 12 serve as “buddies” to assist the players when needed – to help them hit the ball, run around the bases or field the ball as necessary. For the grand opening, the MSU baseball players are the buddies. And they are getting just as much out of the game as the kids they are helping. “Everyone deserves a chance to play,” MSU right fielder Jimmy Pickens said. “(My buddy) couldn’t stop smiling. I couldn’t stop smiling.” On its very first night, it is evident that the Miracle League of Mid-Michigan is about more than just baseball. It’s about parents watching their athletes’ dreams come true. It’s about the buddies, volunteers and community sponsors working towards a common goal of inspiring, encouraging and supporting the athletes and each other. While the kids are the unquestioned stars of the show, it is the coaches, the parents, the fans and the buddies who realize the overwhelming magnitude of what is happening here. A grandmother stands with pride, watching her granddaughter, who survived surgery for a brain tumor as an infant, pose with her new pink ball glove, smiling ear to ear. Tears stream down the face of a mom who never thought her daughter would stand at first base, crutches and all. A dad in the stands chokes back the lump in his throat as his son crosses home plate in his wheelchair, arms stretched to the sky in celebration. On a perfect night in a place called DeWitt, Michigan, a community’s dream for a ballpark for disabled children became a reality. A miracle, some would say. H

Never Too Big To Help MSU’s baseball team lends some strong-but-gentle hands to the real stars at the Miracle Field dedication.

spartans will

Lawn Care Extraordinaire Tigers’ Heather Nabozny Goes From MSU To MLB BY ANDREA NELSON

The cheers of thousands of fans resonate in Comerica Park when the state’s beloved baseball team takes the field. Heather Nabozny loves the excitement of game days – the music, the cheers, the victories, the Tigers.

34 JUNE 2012

their players are. When Nabozny’s general manager said the Tigers were looking for a head groundskeeper, she replied that she didn’t know of anyone fit for the job. She was in pure shock when she was told the Tigers were inquiring about her. Growing up a Tigers fan, being the team’s head groundskeeper was a dream that Nabozny wasn’t sure would ever come true. “I didn’t think it was going to happen,” Nabozny said. “I mean there’s only 30-31 jobs. So maybe it was a dream of mine, but I wasn’t holding my breath. There’s a lot of people that want them.” Nabozny became the first female head groundskeeper in Major League Baseball when she accepted the Tigers’ offer. But that’s an accomplishment she doesn’t allow herself to dwell on. “I can’t really think about that,” Nabozny explained. “I don’t know what it’s like to be a male groundskeeper, so it really didn’t factor into it. I had to do my job. The field knows no gender, and that’s what I had to take care of. I just had to keep that in mind.” She takes care of the field well. Nabozny even goes the extra mile to introduce herself to the players, make sure the field is up to their standards and offer her services if changes need to be made. “I just leave it up to them,” Nabozny said. “It’s kind of like no news is good news. “I introduced myself to Prince Fielder the other day said and said, ‘Hey, I’m Heather Nabozny, the head groundskeeper. If you need anything, let me know.’ (Catcher) Alex Avila came up to me the other day and wanted a little more water in his area around home plate, so we’ll do whatever we can to help the guys out.” It’s this dedication that earned her a spot in the Whitecaps’ Hall of Fame in 2011. It was

The Grass Is Always Greener Spartan alumna Heather Nabozny keeps Comerica Park in championship shape as the Tigers’ groundskeeper. another first, as she became the first female to be inducted into the prestigious class. “That was pretty special,” Nabozny said. “I really think highly of those folks, and for them to do that for me…it has always been players, and for a groundskeeper to be inducted, I thought that was pretty special.” Nabozny has earned every honor and job opportunity given to her. The dedication and hard work she has taken with her from her father’s business to the Tigers is in her blood. And it bleeds as green as Comerica’s field. H

Photography DETROIT TIGERS

But she also enjoys the quiet days, when it’s just her and her field. The Detroit Tigers head groundskeeper cares for the field as if it were her own backyard. It’s fitting, because that’s where it all began. Growing up, Nabozny worked for her father’s lawn care business in Milford. She originally attended Northern Michigan University but changed schools and careers after learning about Michigan State’s terrific turf management program, home to the likes of Trey Rogers, also known as “The Sultan of Sod.” “I didn’t really think about managing a professional field as a career,” Nabozny said. “When I was at Northern Michigan, that didn’t even cross my mind. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. But I love working outside, so one thing led to another, and I enrolled in Michigan State.” At MSU, Nabozny learned the fundamentals of turf management. Her first job was with the Toronto Blue Jays, but she returned to the mitten a few months later to work for the Class A Tigers’ affiliate West Michigan Whitecaps. The experience she gained in the minor leagues was essential to her jump to the majors. “In the minor leagues you don’t have too many people working for you,” Nabozny explained. “You have to work really hard to get where you want to be – physically and mentally. The days are so long they run together. It’s seven days a week virtually every week of the season. I always worked kind of hard, but you need to have a certain stamina to be able to continue year after year to have this type of job.” Nabozny enjoys that aspect of her career, but also looks forward to the winter months. “I enjoy the offseason, too,” Nabozny said with a laugh. She worked for the Whitecaps for almost six years but was called up just as many of

finish line

National Pastime – And Mine Lifetime Love Of Baseball At All Levels Will Never Die WVFN – The Game 730 AM

Long before my first radio broadcast, I learned one thing – that baseball is the greatest game ever invented. I first became interested in baseball at age 4. My family owned a winter home in Hallandale, Fla., where my late father, Ed DeMarco, would take me to spring training games. The one that sticks out the most is when I was 8 years old and got the chance to yell at Mickey Mantle as he was shagging ground balls at first base with Joe Pepitone. I screamed, “Hey Mickey!” and he turned and waved at me. All I could think is “WOW! Mickey Mantle just waved at me!” That was just one of the many fabulous memories I have with my father and those spring games. I have been lucky enough to interview and meet many legendary players throughout the years, doing what I feel is my dream job. I started playing baseball when I was 6 or 7 at Sycamore Park. I was fortunate to have my cousin, Joe DeMarco, show me the ropes. That same year I attended my first Detroit Tigers game, a doubleheader vs. the Kansas City Athletics. That day guaranteed this was the sport for me to play and worship. I have followed it passionately ever since. At 52 nothing has changed. I attended the last game of the ’84 World Series when Kirk Gibson crushed that homer off Goose Gossage. Since then, as a sports air personality, I have interviewed at least 10 players who participated in that game. Whether it’s the Black Sox 1919 scandal to the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and the steroid era, I believe baseball is an addiction. The story about Mickey Mantle is why I love the New York Yankees, along with the Detroit Tigers. And Charlie Finley got me hooked on the “Swinging A’s” in the early ’70s, where a man by the name of Reggie Jackson was king and ultimately turned into “Mr. October.” Whether it be “Murderers Row” or one of the classiest ballplayers ever, No. 6 Al Kaline, baseball has made me a fanatic. Men like “Stan the Man,” Johnny Bench, “Joe D.,” Cal Ripken Jr. or Kalamazoo’s own Derek Jeter, these men all have something in common…Greatness. In 1976 my high school team, the Lansing Catholic Central Cougars, was one of the best in 36 JUNE 2012

the state. We ended up fourth overall and lost the Diamond Classic Championship to the Waverly Warriors of Len Lapka. There were only three juniors on the Varsity team that year. We played a lot. And I got my nickname, “Ray Brillo.” It was the second game of the year at DeWitt. I’m at bat with the bases loaded, and my teammates are cheering me on, led by

Dog And Lug Longtime area radio personality David “The Mad Dog” DeMarco and Big Lug share a laugh and a love of baseball. Wally Ruedisale, my close friend to this day and one of the best center fielders in the state of Michigan that year. Believe it or not, I fouled off 27 pitches in a row with a two-strike count. There was a Detroit Tiger on the 1968 World Series team named Ray Oyler, a light- hitting shortstop known for his glove. He was the all-time foul-ball hitter with two strikes in the history of the Tigers.

That is where Wally likes to stop the story. Since I’m the one telling it now, you get the rest of it. After the 27th pitch I delivered a bases-loaded triple. So that is how I received my nickname, “Ray Brillo,” for the foul balls and my long, curly hair. As the years have passed, it has been shortened to just “Ray”. My junior year was a learning experience, filled with many fabulous memories and friendships I still treasure today. My one regret is that I did not get to play college ball. But high school baseball in this country is absolutely outstanding. When you’re looking for one of the game’s top coaches, you don’t have to look any further than Grand Ledge, where Pat O’Keefe is in his 44th year with the Comets. I have been lucky enough to get to know this gentleman and his coaching staff. He is one great baseball coach and shares his love and knowledge for the game with the youths of Grand Ledge. He has formed youth programs that get kids excited about baseball, and that carries over to their high school years. If you have ever played for Pat, you are one lucky player. I was fortunate enough to play for some very solid coaches throughout the years. The one that stands out in my mind the most is a man named Carl Wagner. He coached an all-star lineup in 1973, sponsored by the Firefighters. We lost in the city championship finals. Carl and I forged a great friendship. Carl coached a very good friend of mine, Perry Costello, a renowned umpire who had the good fortune to work at in the Seoul Olympics. As we waited for practice to begin one day at St. Gerard School, Coach Wagner told us that one of his players would play in the Major League World Series. He was right, and that player was John Smoltz. John was a few years behind us and turned out to be an outstanding pitcher in the Majors. These are just a few of many great memories that I will always have and why I still believe baseball is king. If you have a chance to take your son or daughter to a high school, college, minor league or Major League game, please do. Let the memories begin. H

Photography DAVID DEMARCO

BY DAVID “THE MAD DOG” DeMARCO

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