The Past Meets the Present, Alumni Game '08

October 5

Past and present met on Prentiss Field yesterday. And the future looks bright.

We played Vassar baseball alumni Saturday in the traditional alumni game. From the Vassar graduates who played last year to the alumni who started the baseball program, everyone marveled at the field as they walked into the dugout. You could tell they were proud of the direction the program was taking.

It’s important to look back and see all the generations of Vassar baseball. It’s important to see where the program started and where it is now. And it’s important to keep looking toward the future and where this program could be very soon.

As I stood on first base after singling, one of the alumni said, “You guys look good. You have a really strong offense.” It’s a good feeling knowing that when we put on the Vassar uniform, we are not just representing ourselves and the school, but we are representing all those who played baseball at Vassar before us, the ones who started the program, helped build the field, and got us to where we are today.

But I’m not going to lie: it felt good to beat the alumni. Although most of them hadn’t played competitive baseball in years, it was nice to come out on top, put some crooked numbers on the scoreboard and show them that this program is getting better and better each year.

Saturday was also the last day of the fall season. It was important to end the fall on a high note personally and as a team. Going 4-5 at the plate and winning by a substantial margin will be nice to take into the winter. But although the practices with the coaches have ended, baseball doesn’t stop. We are still going to be lifting, throwing, and hitting on a regular basis all offseason.

Seeing all the ex-baseball players on the field Saturday was inspiring but nostalgic. Most, if not all, of us will stop playing competitive baseball after we graduate. Playing baseball has always been a part of my life and it’s hard to put into words what it will mean when I have to give it up. Perhaps the words won’t come until it’s time. So for now I am inspired to work hard in the offseason so that when I do have to give up playing ball, I can do so without regrets; without asking myself “what if I did this or what if I did that?”

But for the most part, the alumni game was exciting and fun. And hopefully looking into the Vassar baseball past propels us into the future.