The Friday afternoon air was crisp and refreshing. The sky was clear and the sunlight hit the changing leaves behind the McBane field in a way that embodied the memory and spirit of the game of baseball.
The alumni baseball game, which took place on Friday, Oct. 24 was more of a reunion than an actual game. Former baseball players from the 1950’s to the 1990’s, congregated on the field for just one more game.
“I just hope we have a good time and hope that no one gets hurt. It’s a fellowship event, more in the name of fun than competition” said Guilford alum Harlie Miller, ’83.
Some alumni like Miller make a tradition of coming back to play this game every year, while for others this game was the first time they had been back to Guilford College since they graduated.
For Coach Gene Baker, who has coached the Quakers the past seven seasons, it was a heart-warming event. “These events are wonderful; I wish we could have more of them. Realistically, our alumni are at least as busy as we are, and the logistics of getting everybody together more frequently would be difficult.” Baker said
Baker is the sixteenth baseball coach at Guilford and has led his teams to three ODAC final appearances. What Baker said he enjoyed most about coaching was “My role as a coach is to help 17-year-old kids develop into mature young adults so they can apply the tools necessary to be successful after graduation.”
The wives and children were in the stands, cheering their husbands. “He’s still got it!” Miller’s wife said when her husband hit a home run in the second inning to give his team the lead
Present Guilford College baseball players were also in attendance.
When asked what Baker enjoyed most about coaching he said, “helping these young men and helping them to be successful after they graduate.
Jeff Kirtz, ’78, who played third base, said “It was disappointing not to see more of the guys I played with. The field is in great shape. Looking out on this field again was like Field of Dreams, just so many memories. It was a beautiful day out here, perfect for baseball.”
The final score of 8 -3 was deceiving because everyone was having such a good time.