baseball

By: Cooper Scott

Baseball has been one of my favorite sports ever since I was a little kid. I started playing baseball when I was 4 years old t-ball of course. Whenever I got to coach pitch something I will never forget is we were in the playoffs and I hit a walkoff homerun against Bynum Insurance, and they were like the best team. My first year of kids pitch, my dad was the head coach, and our team was called Colonial Urgent Care. I was left handed so there is only an unlimited number of positions I can play. Ever since 9 and 10 youth baseball I have pitched and played first base, but my strongest ability in baseball has always been hitting. I always played baseball during the fall growing up as well. The next year I broke my leg and was unable to play b-team in the 6th grade, and I was very bummed out about that. 7th grade year was my first year of baseball at Wilson hall. We were very talented that year but our season came up short because of covid. My first year as J.V Coach Neil Moerson was our head coach, and I got best offensive player at the banquet at the end of the year. The next year I think I can safely say is the most fun I have ever had playing baseball. Luke Pederson, Jones Deschamps, Tyler Jordan, Slade Custer, and Peyton Price and I were all on the same team. We would have to run at practice every other day for the stupidest stuff, and we were also very good, probably the best J.V team I was on. My 10th grade year I went out for varsity, and unfortunately I got cut, but it was okay. I went back down to J.V. for the third year in a row, but I wouldn’t trade those three years for anything. I had a very successful season my 10th grade year, and decided to play for the Junior p-15s. I played for 2 summers in a row and the second summer we won the state championship, and I met a lot of new friends from different schools. My junior year I played varsity, and I did not get to play very much. Now we are on to this year, and I am looking forward to playing for the senior p-15s one last time this summer.

MLB Preview

By: Carson Wilsey

For baseball fans worldwide, the 2025 MLB season is looking to be an exciting year. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the new roster additions, trades, and intriguing prospects making their big league debuts as teams prepare for the upcoming season. In order to improve their offensive, add depth to their defensive groups, and boost their pitching rotations, teams made a number of high-profile offseason additions. The return of several of the league’s most dynamic players from injury, including great pitchers and power hitters, is one of the most exciting parts of the 2025 season. These players will be hoping to recover and reclaim their position as important contributors to their teams’ success.

The postseason race will likely be intense as usual. Teams with established stars and deep rosters, such as the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves, continue to be the league favorites. Nonetheless, a number of up-and-coming teams, such as the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles, are hoping to advance and make a strong playoff run. Because more clubs will be able to compete for a position in October due to enlarged playoffs, the regular season is even more important. The division races will be fierce, particularly since some divisions appear to be as close as ever and a few significant victories could mean the difference between a wild card and a division title.

Beyond the team conflicts, the season’s plots will also heavily rely on individual players. There is always fierce competition for the MVP and Cy Young awards, and 2025 looks to be no exception. While seasoned veterans like Mike Trout and Mookie Betts are always a threat to regain the spotlight, young talents like Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Julio Rodríguez will continue to dominate headlines. As the MLB continues to enact rule changes intended to quicken play and produce a more thrilling brand of baseball, the game’s evolution will also be important this season. With anything from new hitting approaches to altering laws, fans can expect lots of shocks during the season.

Baseball

By: Cooper Scott

Why baseball is the hardest sport to go pro in

By: Benson Elmore

When you think of the hardest sport to go pro in, you might think of football, basketball, soccer, etc. In reality, the hardest sport to go pro in and be successful in is baseball. Baseball has many levels where you have to be very good to even make it to the next one. First you have to go through the Rookie leagues, which is where most rookies start out. Next you are sent through A, AA, and AAA, with each one being tougher than the last.These leagues also have MLB veterans that are recovering from injuries dominating, making your climb up the leagues even harder. It’s hard to move up because the competition is tough, and only a few players make it to the MLB. Many players spend years working their way up, dealing with injuries and pressure, and even then, it’s not guaranteed they’ll get called up. Making it to the big leagues is a long and tough road. There are many MLB prospects that do not live up to the hype, and eventually get forgotten about. Also, many people give up playing baseball professionally, because the pay that minor league players get is not liveable. There have been many times where players are working other jobs along with playing baseball. Also, there have been some players that have spoken on their experience in the minor leagues, where they speak about living in their car, due to the underwhelming pay. In other sports, like football, you are drafted, then sent to the league. I am not saying that it is not tough to get sent up from the practice squad, but it for sure is not half as hard as working up the farm system in the MLB. I feel the same way about basketball. These guys have to work their way up from the G-League or overseas, but the routes are pretty straight forward. In the MLB, you have to work so hard, just to get sent up and down and back and forth. There are so many draft picks that are super hyped up in the draft, and are lost in the minor leagues and never heard from again. Usually in the NFL, those huge draft busts are usually at least seen in games with the actual team, unlike many draft picks in the MLB. That is one of the reasons there are so many draft picks in the MLB compared to other sports. Also, the roster size is so much smaller than a football team for example. That is why I think that baseball is the harder sport to go pro in in today’s world.

My Favorite Things: Springtime

By: McKenzie Gray Mills

This week I’ll be talking about springtime at Wilson Hall. This is definitely my favorite time of the year. It is warm outside and there are so many fun things going on. Track season is at its peak. We have practice everyday and meets once a week. At the end of a hard practice on Friday we get popsicles. It’s such a rewarding treat.

Then spring break. Everyone from Wilson Hall goes to Litchfield. It is such a bonding experience. We go to the beach all day and play spike ball, tan, and swim in the ocean. My favorite activity is to play volleyball on the beach. We all make a huge circle and see how long we can keep it from hitting the ground.

The week after spring break is prom. This is the most stressful but fun night. You go to school for the day then rush to get ready. You take pictures for what feels like hours. Then go to dinner. The seniors have a sit down dinner. Next is the actual prom. The juniors decorate it to a certain theme and surprise the seniors. After prom you have about 30 minutes to change into more casual clothes and then go to breakfast. This is a fun tradition. Prom will always be a night to remember.

It’s also just fun to attend the baseball and soccer games. After a long day at school and track, then go home for a little then go to a game with all your friends. Getting food from the concessions and cheering on your friends. The stands are full of laughter.

Those are just a few of the reasons I love springtime. I’ll miss pretty much everything about Wilson hall. The things in the spring time I’ll cherish the most. From being in the sun all day with friends to ending the day with friends. In the spring the flowers bloom and it starts to warm up. This is just the preview of how summer will be.

The Magic of a Subway Series in the World Series

By: Benson Elmore

Imagine the excitement: two New York teams, the Yankees and the Mets, battling it out in the World Series. A Subway Series, where the stakes are as high as the Empire State Building and the rivalry is unmatched, would not only captivate the city but the entire baseball world.

The Rivalry

The history between the Yankees and the Mets is great. With the Yankees boasting a record 27 World Series championships and the Mets holding their own with two titles, the two teams are amazing groups that used to be very common common competitors in the playoffs. A World Series matchup would reignite this rivalry, drawing fans from both sides crazy, making New York become an amazing and competitive location for many years to come. The stakes would be higher than ever, as bragging rights for New York supremacy would be in the winners hand.

The Atmosphere

Picture the atmosphere in the city: fans wearing their team colors, gathering at bars and apartments, united in their love for baseball, yet split by their favorite hometown team. The subway cars would be filled with fans, as chants and cheers echo through the tunnels. Game days would transform the city into a vibrant sea of pinstripes and orange-and-blue, turning every street corner into a great representation of the sport.

The Impact on Baseball

A Subway Series wouldn’t just be a local spectacle; it would have a significant impact on the sport as a whole. The ratings would soar, drawing in casual viewers and lighting the flame of interest back into baseball. The exposure would highlight the talent in both organizations, shining a light on the players and strategies that define the game today.

Conclusion

A Subway Series in the World Series would be a dream come true for baseball fans and a thrilling chapter in New York’s sports history. It would combine intense competition, juicy history, and an electrifying atmosphere, making it one of the most memorable moments in the game. As we dream of the day this rivalry takes center stage, one thing is clear: the magic of a Subway Series would be unmatched.

Why the Royals Can and will Surprise Everyone and Win the World Series

By: Benson Elmore

As the baseball season heats up, fans are buzzing about who’s going to win the pennant this year. The Kansas City Royals might not be the first name that comes to mind, but there’s a case to be made for why this underrated team could surprise haters and doubters and make a deep playoff run and win it all. Here’s why the Royals will come out as the champs in the 2024 World Series.

Young Talent

The Royals have been building a solid roster of young prospects who are starting to hit their stride. With a mix of promising prospects and emerging youngsters, this team has grown exponentially as the season progressed. Players like Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez are not just future stars; they are the stars as of right now, providing a glimpse of the power the Royals can unleash in the postseason.

Versatile Pitching Staff

Success in the playoffs often relies a lot on pitching, and the Royals have been quietly assembling a staff that can compete with the best. With a combination of reliable starters and a bullpen that can keep them winning, Kansas City has the pitching depth necessary to navigate any playoff series. If their pitchers can harness their potential and deliver under pressure, they could be the backbone of a championship run.

Chemistry

One of the biggest factors of championship teams is their ability to not crumble under pressure. The Royals have a strong clubhouse culture built on what I like to call the power of friendship. Having weathered challenges throughout the season, this team knows how to fight back when the odds are stacked against them. Such a mentality can be crucial in the environment of the postseason.

Previous Success in the Playoffs

While the Royals have had their ups and downs in recent years, they are no strangers to playoff success. With two World Series appearances in the last decade, and a championship win in 2015, the Royals know what it takes to compete at the highest level. Also, there are plenty of veterans on the team, helping the youngsters of the team thrive and succeed in the mental aspects.

While the Kansas City Royals may not be the favorites to win the World Series, their combination of young talent, a strong pitching staff, chemistry, and recent playoff success makes them my personal favorite in this year’s pennant race. As the postseason continues, keep an eye on this team. They might just pull off the craziest run in recent MLB history and bring home another championship to Fountain City.

The Fall Off of Tim Anderson

By: Benson Elmore

Tim Anderson, the Chicago White Sox shortstop, could have had a historic career for the Chicago White Sox, and he had very high hopes for the future. Here’s a breakdown of how severely one of the most electric players in recent years has fallen off since his amazing season in 2021:

2021: In 2021, Tim Anderson made hitting in the majors look easy. He hit .309, showcasing his strong hitting ability and consistency. He was known for his excellent contact skills and agility on the base path. Anderson made the All-Star team this year, underscoring his status as one of the best all-around shortstops in the league. His defensive and offensive production were key for the White Sox, who were very competitive in the American League Central division that year.

2024: By the year 2024, Tim Anderson was just another “could have been” kind of guy for baseball fans. His batting average had settled around .218, reflecting a decent dip from his peak performance causing productivity concern. Injuries and changes in the White Sox roster in 2024 caused Anderson to be sent to Miami Beach to play for the marlins where he is now not half the player he was imagined to be. Ever since the infamous fight with Jose Ramirez, his career has never been the same, even seeming to affect his attributes, such as having no home runs this whole major league season. Since becoming a marlin though, Tim seems to be a simple name brought up only when someone needs something nostalgic to ponder on.

When the name Tim Anderson appears in your mind, you probably think of the talented all-star shortstop for the White Sox, but that Tim Anderson seems to not exist anymore. The downfall of not only Tim Anderson, but the whole White Sox organization should be studied. Though Tim is no longer the electric middle infielder we all know, he will always be remembered for how significant his role was on the White Sox throughout his short-lived major league career.

Is Baseball or Golf a more enjoyable sport?

By: Clark Kinney

Baseball and golf are two of my favorite sports to play, practice, and even watch. Both sports run in my family so I have been around them my entire life. Whether it be Tiger Woods sinking a putt to clinch a victory on the last hole or Bryce Harper sending a baseball into orbit for the walk off win, I just find both sports so enjoyable. While there are pros and cons to each, I believe one sports edges out the other in its overall enjoyableness (definitely not a real word but you get the point).

Baseball is America’s pastime. People love going to the ballpark, grabbing a hot dog and a soda, and watching some good, old fashioned baseball. Baseball can sometimes be a little slow to watch, but most of the time it is very entertaining in my opinion. Now from a playing standpoint, baseball is a little different from other sports. In order to enjoy playing baseball, people have to learn how to enjoy failing. I know it sounds crazy but it is true. Hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in all of sports, so if you play baseball, you will fail. You will be in the Baseball Hall of Fame if you fail seventy percent of the time you step in the batter’s box. While you cannot play baseball forever, you will remember the memories you made while playing and the lessons you learned for a lifetime.

Golf is flat out addicting. There is a usual snowball effect when getting into golf. First, someone plays golf and they find out that golf is harder than they thought it was and they are not as good as they thought they were, so they proceed to go out and practice. Next, they understand how good the professionals are and appreciate how good they are so they start watching more golf tournaments on TV. After practicing some more, they get better, their scores start to drop, and that just makes them want to practice and play even more. They then find a group they enjoy playing with, start playing with them at the local course, and they have little matches and so on and so on. People never stop playing golf until they physically cannot swing a golf club anymore.

This may surprise some people, but I think golf is a more enjoyable sport for a lifetime. Baseball is better now but in 30 years I do not think I will agree. Golf will be fun forever.

Which Sport is more fun to play: Football or Baseball?

By: Clark Kinney

For me, this is a really tough question to answer because I have played both sports and loved both sports. There’s so many different aspects of them whether it be watching them, playing them, or practicing them which makes my decision even more difficult. Let’s walk through these different aspects and I will share with you my final decision.

Watching football is awesome and is practiced by millions of Americans each year. It is fast-paced, fairly easy to understand, and overall very entertaining. Even if you have never played a down of football, you most likely find it fun to watch and have an idea of what is going on. On the other hand, baseball less fast-paced, a little harder to understand, and can be less entertaining if you have not played it and/or do not find it interesting. For me, I understand the ins and outs of baseball and find it very fun to watch. I do understand that baseball can be slow, but I love watching the different hitters with their different strategies face all the pitchers trying to fool them. It’s just so fun to watch and very interesting in my opinion.

There’s nothing quite like a Friday night football game. There’s something about playing with your guys and coming together as one that is in a way that is unlike any other sport which is so fun to me. Football games are very emotional and you can act on your emotion. Baseball games can be extremely fun to play but also can be extremely boring. A big game against a big rival is hard to beat especially if you are playing well. Baseball games can get very emotional like football but if you act on your emotion in baseball it probably will not end well.

Football practice is not fun to say the least. Early season football practice in the South Carolina heat and humidity makes you question your love for the sport. However, there is something to be said about overcoming those practices and playing on Friday nights. Baseball practices are fun to me because I love hitting and taking ground balls, so I look forward to going to baseball practice most days unlike football.

This is a very, very close call but I think overall baseball is more fun to me because I have played it so much and find it so interesting. I do think the average person would find football more fun though.