Below story

vannzee · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 03:16 PM

I doubt if anyone will care about this story to much, but I am having a boring saturday and decided to share this.

I have long felt a connection to Duane Below. I went to a high school near his (Im from Blissfield and he went to Britton). I was a bat boy, as middle schooler, when he pitched against Blissfield in a district game. I wound up leaving Blissfield for Deerfield, who shares sports with Britton and begining next year will share schools too.

I graduated last spring, and this year I have been working at the Tech Center school as a program assistant for Public Safety. Its a program that I passed in the 2007-2008 school year. We were going thru past class rosters to list what professions past students have gone on to take part in when I saw Below's name. He took the class in 2002 and 2003. I told the instructor that one of his past students is in minor league baseball and doing well. He acted like he remembered him but from my time with my boss, I know that he does not remember him any lol.

I just thought that it was cool that Below was in the same program as me and that I now help teach that same program. Just a little personal story that I dont know if anyone will care about, but felt like I would share.

hueytaxi · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 09:20 PM

This is a game that binds memories with relationships. Duane and his family are great people.

Swingnamiss · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 09:19 AM

I found your post regarding Below very interesting. It added a human element to these young men out there trying to pursue their dreams. Sometimes they are viewed upon only as stats and most recent performance and we need to be reminded that they are more than that. It has got to be a difficult decision to final say "I'm done" when alot of times they had no control of the situation. The pressures and sacrifices of the young minor league players who are not making the big dollars (or received the big bonuses) and are doing it out of of pure love of the game is something few of us can understand. Then to find yourself setback by injury, "the numbers game", and a variety of other circumstances, all which are out of your control must be frustrating. And once they are gone, they are soon forgotten as others fill their space. For some reason Ricky Steiks name pops into my head. Hopefully they will remember that they were a part of an elite few who were able to go out and "live the dream", if even for a short time, that most boys (and men) can only dream of. My hat is off to you Below. I am sure the game of baseball has taught you some lessons that will help you as you continue on your life's journey.

PuNk42AE · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 10:42 AM

I found out when I got back from Florida that the same time I was down there a second cousin of mine was also in Florida, and her and her friend were going to the games. Come to find out her friend is dating Below so they were able to see alot of stuff and go out to dinner with some of the players.