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CYC Softball and Baseball playoffs started Saturday, July 21st and will continue through Monday, July 30th.  We expect hot weather in the St. Louis in July, but this has really been a scortcher!  Neither the heat nor the playoff atmosphere could keep the RAS (Random Acts of Sportsmanship) from happening.  Below are some of the RAS that were spotted:

* Even before the first round Crusader baseball game between Green Park Lutheran and Christ, Light of Nations a paperwork snafu led to some confusion.  A player was on a roster, not on a roster.  Was it a forfeit or "subject to forfeit"?  The game was played and CLN came out on top 15-13.  However because of the snafu, it was decided that the game should be replayed.  Then Green Park Lutheran coach Jeff Cook stepped up and said "no", CLN won the game, they should advance.  Great Sportsmanship.

* Two umpires were singled out for their great rapport with the players under such stifling conditions.  Both Dave Myers and Don Bowe could be seen smiling, talking to the players and congradulating them when they made good plays.  We want to tip our baseball and softball caps to all the CYC officials who work the playoffs.  We are sure they are all deserving of recognition, even though they haven't all been brought to our attention.  "Thank you Mr. Umpire, you are a big reason the playoffs run so smoothly."

* We also want to thank the many volunteers at each of the playoff sites that make these games so special for all our kids.  They are right there sweating through each inning.  Without them we could not put on such a wide spread event.  We especially want to recognize Cindy Dierkes at Immaculate Conception in Arnold.  On Tuesday evening, before the first game started, she was hit on the ankle with an errant baseball.  So she kept score for two games with ice on her swollen ankle, never deserting her post!

* We want to acknowledge the sportsmanship of the whole Incarnate Word 8th grade girls softball team, and especially their coach, Tom Opich.  They were playing Queen of All Saints in a semifinal game, and QAS only had 8 players.  On the first play of the game the lead off hitter for QAS turned her knee at first base.  She was limping, but willing to continue to play.  Had she not been able to play, her team would have forfeited with only 7 players.  However the IW group allowed QAS to us a runner for her any time she got on base.  They didn't have to do that.  Just another display of Outstanding Sportsmanship.

* After a lopsided Intermediate Girls Open semifinal game, the St. Sabina team, which ended up on the losing side of the score, invited the St. Elizabeth/St. Robert team to come out on the field to join them in a post game prayer.  Congratulations to both teams for understanding the importance of ministry in sports.

 * Solomon Alexander and his St. Louis Sportsmanship Brigade dropped in a couple of playoff games and found these young men as worthy of their Sportsmanship Award:  At the Midget Boys Open baseball championhsip game St. Margaret Mary Alacoque took on Immaculate Conception -Dardenne (ICD). These two teams played an excellent game with St. Margaret Mary pulling away late to take the title. However, one player from St. Margaret Mary stood out in skill and character.

Devin is a soft spoken young boy, but has the build and attitude of man many years his senior. St. Margaret Mary put him on the mound in the 5th inning and the young man was not shaken by the ICD bats nor the pressure of the situation. He had two strikes on three different hitters in the last inning and a couple of close calls didn't go his way. St. Margaret Mary fans let out collective "Ooohs!" while the coach voiced his displeasure from the bench. To borrow from a popular sportscaster, Devin was as cool as the other side of the pillow. He didn't yell or talk to himself. He didn't slam the ball into his glove or throw some type of fit on the mound. Devin did what his team needed him to do. He went back to work and got the third out. Devin's display of maturity and class made him an easy choice for the Brigade.  Way to go Devin

    
The 8th grade CYC Softball Closed Division Championship between St. Martin De Porres and St. Angela. St. Martin has a tremendous lineup and overwhelmed St. Angela. The game was called early via the Mercy Rule. Shortened games sometime make decisions difficult for the Brigade, but a young St. Angela fan proved that sportsmanship is not scoreboard-dependent. Several other St. Angela fans were complaining aloud about the balls and strikes and the umpires overall. Our new friend, Tony said, "The umpires have a tough job. We should be happy they're here." A collective hush fell over the crowd. Although the fans around Tony were old enough to be his parents, he was the one acting like a grown-up. Recognizing Tony was an act of satisfaction and validation for the Brigade.  Tony, nice job of standing up for sportsmanship!
 

*  It was one of those "you hate to see either team lose" kind of games.  It was the Crusader Open Championship game at St. Mark's field (The field crew did a great job of getting it ready to play after a long Sunday morning rain.)  St. Simon had a 2-0 lead early.  St. Catherine Laboure shaved it to 2-1.  Then in the bottom of the 6th SCL scored 2 runs, aided by a key hit from Andrew Bavisik.  SCL held on for a 3-2 win and the Archdocesan Championship.  The team awarded Andrew a game ball, to take to his dad Dr. Michael Bavisik, who could not attend the game.  Dr. Bavisik is at Barnes Hospital recovering from serious back surgery.  He was hurt while driving a van full of SCL Troop 646 scouts back from summer camp in Minnesota.  The van rolled over 3 1/2 times to avoid a vehicle and boat.  All the scouts and a mom survived with only bumps and bruises.  Another van of scouts was behind them, and when they saw the accident, they were sure all in the van had been killed.  So we all understand why many of the parents watching teared up when Andrew was presented the game ball.

If you are at a playoff game, or any CYC game, and you see a Random Act of Sportsmanship don't let it go without being recognized.  Please contact Buzz at buzzswanston@archstl.org and let us know.