grizzlies' gentlemanly k-man

I think I just may have a touch of fever for the Gastonia Grizzlies.
This team had been Jesse and Emily Cole's first foray into collegiate baseball, making them a sibling of the Savannah Bananas until a year or so ago.
They had returned to Grayson Stadium for the third time this season and tonight was my only chance to see them.
What nice boys of summer they are!

I found myself enamored with their shortstop, Jeff Cyr.
He was selected as the Rise K-man, which meant he had everyone chanting "Donut!", hoping he would strike out for the Rise coupon.
Thankfully, he acquiesced during his first at-bat.
As he left the field, he doffed his cap and waved graciously to the crowd in the stands.
What a gentleman that Colorado man is!

For his next at-bat, he even stole second base in a genteel manner.
But he really hit his stride in the ninth inning - literally!
Smacking a triple into center field not only gave him a solid hit and time to run, but also brought in Luke Leisenring.
That gave the Nova Southeastern student his first triple of the summer and his 33rd RBI!
But his night was not yet done.

The next Gastonian, Austin Kaplan, also got a hit!
As Kaplan was running to first, Jeff Cyr crossed home plate!
Run four for the Grizzlies!
Hooray for him!
I had hoped he would score on the field as he had on my heart!
So, was I betraying my Bananas?
Oh, no, they had six runs and the win in the bag, so to speak.
But the visitors had played well and I was glad to see them give the home team a close game.

Neither team had needed the win, as both have Divisional Semi-Finals on Sunday.
That meant some new players had a chance to hit the diamond and show what they could do in front of a roaring crowd of more than 4000 fans.
That's what we've had every game here at Grayson Stadium these past three years.
Utterly amazing.
The Divisional Semi-Final being played in Savannah - for the Southern Division, pitting the Savannah Bananas against the Macon Bacon - is already sold out.
Tickets for the Regional Semi-Final, for Region II, on Tuesday are already being sold.
Of course, that game will only be played here if the Bananas win that Sunday game.
If they do, then they will face off against the winner of the Western Divisional Semi-Final, which may well be the Gastonia Grizzlies.
That would mean that Jeff Cyr will be on Georgia soil again.
Nice!
Go, Bananas!
(smile)