Your Tennessee baseball team is made up of great kids

[NighthawkVol]

I think this needs its own thread. I've been able to take my daughter to two games this season: Alabama in Knoxville and Kentucky in Lexington on Saturday. (Thanks so much to @preacherman20 for the Alabama tickets). I just want you all to know that these kids (and they are kids, lest we forget) have been incredibly accommodating before and after games in signing autographs, taking photos, and chatting with fans. Even after the series finale Saturday, I'm sure they were eager to shower and get on the bus, they stuck around and cheerfully took time for every kid. Coach Vitello also came out and signed autographs and took photos, thanking everyone multiple times for coming up to support. My daughter had the best day she's had in a long time because of her experience AFTER the game Saturday as much as during it (even if Mom and Dad just wanted to leave, get out of our cold wet clothes, and take a hot shower ).

I think it's important to recognize this, especially given the "villains" label attached to this team and coach. Yes, they may feed off of that reputation between the lines, but off the field, they represent our school and state with a lot of class. Be proud of them.

 

[Volprofch05]

 

[VolPack22]

But I thought they were ruining baseball?

 

[cobbwebb0710]

I think this needs its own thread. I've been able to take my daughter to two games this season: Alabama in Knoxville and Kentucky in Lexington on Saturday. (Thanks so much to @preacherman20 for the Alabama tickets). I just want you all to know that these kids (and they are kids, lest we forget) have been incredibly accommodating before and after games in signing autographs, taking photos, and chatting with fans. Even after the series finale Saturday, I'm sure they were eager to shower and get on the bus, they stuck around and cheerfully took time for every kid. Coach Vitello also came out and signed autographs and took photos, thanking everyone multiple times for coming up to support. My daughter had the best day she's had in a long time because of her experience AFTER the game Saturday as much as during it (even if Mom and Dad just wanted to leave, get out of our cold wet clothes, and take a hot shower ).

I think it's important to recognize this, especially given the "villains" label attached to this team and coach. Yes, they may feed off of that reputation between the lines, but off the field, they represent our school and state with a lot of class. Be proud of them.

Well said!
GO BIG ORANGE!!

 

[Sam I Am]

NO! NO!

I refuse to believe this! We are made up of ex-con's, parole jumpers, 35 yr. old father of two who forges transcripts, mercenaries, two of our guys were kicked out of MS 13 for being "too mean" !

At least.....that's what I see.......ya see? Anyone? Hello?

 

[NighthawkVol]

But I thought they were ruining baseball?

Oh, and that.

 

[taylorvol]

I think this needs its own thread. I've been able to take my daughter to two games this season: Alabama in Knoxville and Kentucky in Lexington on Saturday. (Thanks so much to @preacherman20 for the Alabama tickets). I just want you all to know that these kids (and they are kids, lest we forget) have been incredibly accommodating before and after games in signing autographs, taking photos, and chatting with fans. Even after the series finale Saturday, I'm sure they were eager to shower and get on the bus, they stuck around and cheerfully took time for every kid. Coach Vitello also came out and signed autographs and took photos, thanking everyone multiple times for coming up to support. My daughter had the best day she's had in a long time because of her experience AFTER the game Saturday as much as during it (even if Mom and Dad just wanted to leave, get out of our cold wet clothes, and take a hot shower ).

I think it's important to recognize this, especially given the "villains" label attached to this team and coach. Yes, they may feed off of that reputation between the lines, but off the field, they represent our school and state with a lot of class. Be proud of them.

I’ve witnessed this numerous times and always leave impressed regarding how the team conducts themselves after the game (win or lose) by spending so much time with the kids. It’s really impressive how they engage with the kids, and they are creating Vol baseball fans for life!

 

[MAD]

Knoxville is a magical place when it comes to the people and their sports. Other fans see that and they are jealous, I think that’s why a lot of the labels get placed on this team, fair or not.

I wouldn’t want to be a fan anywhere else. I love this team and these young men.

 

[EconVol92]

This is great to read.

This is a special time and a special season in most of these athletes lives and I hope that they realize that now and make the most of it and live without any regrets.

 

[BruisedOrange]

THANK YOU for posting this, GregAmsler. I've often wondered if we were a gang of pirates, or just method actors.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

LMAO I always found it funny that people tried to paint these guys as something they’re not, just because they kick butt on the field and then proceed to tell you about it!
They’re good and they know it, big deal!
How many of us weren’t pompous twits, when we were 18-20 yrs old?
I hope they DONG, bat flip, stare down and trash talk their way, all the way to Omaha and have the time of their lives doing it!
These are OUR BaseVols and if some other fan base doesn’t like it or gets offended by them, tough! Get over it!!
GO BIG ORANGE!!
#destinationomaha

 

[preacherman20]

I think the key is to make sure that you can differentiate from on the field to off the field. I've never met a great player who was not perceived to have an attitude on the field. But I've always told mine to be humble and appreciative of the fans off the field because they are the reason you get to play the game. It amazes me the players that are willing to share with kids and adults after the game, good or bad.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

I think the key is to make sure that you can differentiate from on the field to off the field. I've never met a great player who was not perceived to have an attitude on the field. But I've always told mine to be humble and appreciative of the fans off the field because they are the reason you get to play the game. It amazes me the players that are willing to share with kids and adults after the game, good or bad.

Well @preacherman20 you and yours just got a nice compliment/shoutout from CTV, on Knoxville, sports radio!

GBO!!

 

[txbo]

From watching other games this weekend, it sure looks like celebrations are prominent all over the country. I saw some that make our boys look tame.

I also saw the best bat flip of the year after a Arkansas player and watched Dave Van Horn raising hell with an ump.

None of this made any headlines though.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

From watching other games this weekend, it sure looks like celebrations are prominent all over the country. I saw some that make our boys look tame.

I also saw the best bat flip of the year after a Arkansas player and watched Dave Van Horn raising hell with an ump.

None of this made any headlines though.

Yeah that Arkansas bat flip was something.
GBO!!

 

[chuckiepoo]

From watching other games this weekend, it sure looks like celebrations are prominent all over the country. I saw some that make our boys look tame.

I also saw the best bat flip of the year after a Arkansas player and watched Dave Van Horn raising hell with an ump.

None of this made any headlines though.

The bat flip made Rally Cap on SECN. Dellucci was cringing for sure. He def a keeper of the old school. Maddie had a good snicker.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

The bat flip made Rally Cap on SECN. Dellucci was cringing for sure. He def a keeper of the old school. Maddie had a good snicker.

Speaking of, Madison Shipman is a star in the making!
GBO!!

 

[AthensVol2007]

I took my son to our opening game in Hoover last year and about the 7th inning we were standing on the berm down RF line. The bench players and pitchers ran to the fence in between innings to stay loose. On their way back to the dugout Chad Dallas went down the wall giving high 5’s to the kids. When he got to us I stopped him and told him how once my son started wearing glasses (a few months into the season) he dumped Beck as his favorite player, despite knowing him outside of baseball, and he was now his favorite player due to having glasses in common. He took a few minutes to talk to him right there and told me to come find him after the game. Upon us losing the game, I was a little hesitant to seek him out but we went out and waited by the bus anyway. In a crowd of 50-100 people seeking autographs and pictures, Chad found us, unsolicited. He talked to him about his glasses and how much “cooler” his were than Chad’s and asked my son if he would take a picture with him. It’s a moment I hope my son will always remember and I know I will. It quickly turned my frustration of losing to Bama around and put things in perspective; this kid and his teammates just lost a game that means more to them than it ever will to me yet they can come out here and put on a genuine face and treat 4 yr olds like this, what do I have to be grumpy about?

 

[chuckiepoo]

I took my son to our opening game in Hoover last year and about the 7th inning we were standing on the berm down RF line. The bench players and pitchers ran to the fence in between innings to stay loose. On their way back to the dugout Chad Dallas went down the wall giving high 5’s to the kids. When he got to us I stopped him and told him how once my son started wearing glasses (a few months into the season) he dumped Beck as his favorite player, despite knowing him outside of baseball, and he was now his favorite player due to having glasses in common. He took a few minutes to talk to him right there and told me to come find him after the game. Upon us losing the game, I was a little hesitant to seek him out but we went out and waited by the bus anyway. In a crowd of 50-100 people seeking autographs and pictures, Chad found us, unsolicited. He talked to him about his glasses and how much “cooler” his were than Chad’s and asked my son if he would take a picture with him. It’s a moment I hope my son will always remember and I know I will. It quickly turned my frustration of losing to Bama around and out things in perspective; this kid and his teammates just lost a game that means more to them than it ever will to me yet they can come out here and put on a genuine face and treat 4 yr olds like this, what do I have to be grumpy about?

Excellent….!

 

[taylorvol]

I think the key is to make sure that you can differentiate from on the field to off the field. I've never met a great player who was not perceived to have an attitude on the field. But I've always told mine to be humble and appreciative of the fans off the field because they are the reason you get to play the game. It amazes me the players that are willing to share with kids and adults after the game, good or bad.

Totally agree—the fiercest competitors seem to be able to flip the switch once on the field. This team has swag in spades during the game, but are total gentlemen when interacting with the fans afterward. Heck, I didn’t even recognize Drew once in public as his demeanor and look couldn’t have been more different.

 

[taylorvol]

Speaking of, Madison Shipman is a star in the making!
GBO!!

I love to hear her call games. She’s terrific.

 

[taylorvol]

I took my son to our opening game in Hoover last year and about the 7th inning we were standing on the berm down RF line. The bench players and pitchers ran to the fence in between innings to stay loose. On their way back to the dugout Chad Dallas went down the wall giving high 5’s to the kids. When he got to us I stopped him and told him how once my son started wearing glasses (a few months into the season) he dumped Beck as his favorite player, despite knowing him outside of baseball, and he was now his favorite player due to having glasses in common. He took a few minutes to talk to him right there and told me to come find him after the game. Upon us losing the game, I was a little hesitant to seek him out but we went out and waited by the bus anyway. In a crowd of 50-100 people seeking autographs and pictures, Chad found us, unsolicited. He talked to him about his glasses and how much “cooler” his were than Chad’s and asked my son if he would take a picture with him. It’s a moment I hope my son will always remember and I know I will. It quickly turned my frustration of losing to Bama around and out things in perspective; this kid and his teammates just lost a game that means more to them than it ever will to me yet they can come out here and put on a genuine face and treat 4 yr olds like this, what do I have to be grumpy about?

Awesome story! Great moment for your son (and you). Speaks to Chad’s character as well.

 

[Volsbaseballfan]

This is what it's all about!!!! Good reads!!!

 

[VolPack22]

 

[NighthawkVol]

I took my son to our opening game in Hoover last year and about the 7th inning we were standing on the berm down RF line. The bench players and pitchers ran to the fence in between innings to stay loose. On their way back to the dugout Chad Dallas went down the wall giving high 5’s to the kids. When he got to us I stopped him and told him how once my son started wearing glasses (a few months into the season) he dumped Beck as his favorite player, despite knowing him outside of baseball, and he was now his favorite player due to having glasses in common. He took a few minutes to talk to him right there and told me to come find him after the game. Upon us losing the game, I was a little hesitant to seek him out but we went out and waited by the bus anyway. In a crowd of 50-100 people seeking autographs and pictures, Chad found us, unsolicited. He talked to him about his glasses and how much “cooler” his were than Chad’s and asked my son if he would take a picture with him. It’s a moment I hope my son will always remember and I know I will. It quickly turned my frustration of losing to Bama around and put things in perspective; this kid and his teammates just lost a game that means more to them than it ever will to me yet they can come out here and put on a genuine face and treat 4 yr olds like this, what do I have to be grumpy about?

Wow. I couldn’t love this story any more.

Cute kid too!