As Sam Sees It

Both the softball and baseball teams seem to be off to good starts with their tournament play this season.

The girls started strong and played well, but lost one game and missed out on a chance to play for the championship of the Safford Invitational Tournament.

There was also a tie game in the mix which was decided by a coin flip (won by Winslow). The boys went 4-2 in the Mohave Invitational with three blowout wins and a one-run victory. Both of the losses were to good teams and both were by a single run.

Checking the box scores on the internet the other day, I saw that Cory Sullivan (grandson of Helen Sullivan Campbell, long time Winslow resident and beloved school teacher) was six-for-six in his first couple of Spring Training games with the Colorado Rockies.

His most recent action was a two-for-two performance. The odds are that Cory will see his playing time diminish as the regular Rockies center fielder is scheduled to return to the roster.

He has been the subject of a number of my articles in The Winslow Mail over the past several years. Even if Cory makes the major leagues, that coverage may lessen as his mother no longer lives in Winslow. His father (Sean) graduated from Winslow High School and remains one of my all-time favorite students. His mother is also a Winslow native, but not really a close acquaintance of mine. His uncle Mike (now a Phoenix attorney) was an outstanding multi-sport athlete in high school here.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have restructured their roster and should definitely be able to field a more competitive product than ended the 2004 campaign. The most intriguing move for me is the return of Craig Counsell. There are very few players in the game who play it more intelligently than Counsell. He is not the best hitter on the team and probably is not really the very best at anything.

The best part of his game, though, is that he always makes the right play. He played important roles in World Series Champion teams in Florida and Arizona. My guess is that his contributions were more of the intangible sort that comes from good baseball instincts.

Speaking of baseball, lovers of the game might want to avail themselves of the opportunity to read an entertaining little book called “Waiting for Teddy Williams.”

It was given to me to read by Winslow librarian Docia Blaylock. The book is a “pre-read” and may not even become officially published. The author is Howard Frank Mosher, who has written a number of other books, some of which undoubtedly deal with baseball.

Mosher displays an impressive knowledge of the game (though he misinterpreted one rule) and I found myself agreeing with almost all of his advice and strategies. The characters are exaggerated, but for the type of story being told, they are effective. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

My suggestion to any interested baseball fans would be to visit the library and inquire about the book. I will publicly state my appreciation to the librarian for knowing the book and probably knowing me well enough to recognize it would be an enjoyable read.

It definitely was. In fact, there are several people who may hear my personal recommendation to spend a day or two with this story. Some will have their ideas reinforced, others may learn something and some may do both, as I did.