by Barrett McGill
My first memory of being on a baseball field is having fun with my friends playing some tee-ball. We are all 5-6 years old and everybody got a popsicle after the game. I was out there having fun and after the game my Mom said “Would you like to come back and play again?” I was like “That would be awesome if I came and played again.” So the years went by, rec ball, travel ball and school ball. I never grew tired of playing and never lost the love of the game. I met so many of the players and families from many different places during our travels. We all had one thing in common, the game.
I was so excited for my senior year because this was suppose to be a good year for me. We finished up our basketball season and I joined the team for our first scrimmage. It felt good to be back with my baseball family. We had high hopes for the season. In our 2019 season, we made a trip to the 5th Region Tournament and had high hopes of repeating that in 2020 with making a deeper run at the title this year. Our team had worked hard in the off season and were ready to prove the saying that hard work pays off. Then March 16th we were scheduled for our second scrimmage. Coach sent a group text that said everybody report to the cages after school, collect all your gear and the cages will be locked after today until further notice. I was heartbroken when I heard the news but I stayed hopeful that it would pass and everything would be back to normal. Our “Normal” would never happen. Days turned to weeks and the light at the end of the tunnel grew dim. How do I feel about it? I would have played even if the season would have started right now. I would play no matter what the circumstances. We could have won two district champiosnhips in a row. Which would have been a milestone in Nelson County’s baseball program. People tend to be encouraged when we talk about starting a new chapter. I’m not sure how to start a new chapter when we didn’t finish the chapter before? But we have to look forward. I’m excited what my future holds and can’t wait to play the game I love again! But when people look at the record books and 2020 is blank, they will remember us.
Barrett McGill is currently playing with the Xpree Gold of the CCBL of KY Commonwealth Baseball Club and will play college ball next year, but like many did not get to finish his senior season in high school baseball.
