Took off from The Juice last week with Spring Break. We had company, including our niece and nephew and there wasn’t much alone time to concentrate on a column. It was a big week for the oldest, Caydence, who turned 11 and also caught her first bass by herself. Glad that she was able to do it with her dad.
When we’re with them I always wonder if I would’ve been a good dad. I think I would’ve been. But then I’m reminded of something I shouldn’t have done or said “around the kids.” So I guess the title of “crazy Uncle Gary” was more suited for me. And I’m glad I get to play that role in their lives.
Angie and I tried for years. Probably wouldn’t have been able to serve the community as we do if we had kids. So I guess if you believe everything happens for a reason, there’s that. And I’m good with that too. But Angie not becoming a mom, and my mom not becoming a grandmother, will always weigh on my conscience.
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Heard from Michael Berry this week. He sent me a clip of something he said about KOGT on his show. For those of you that don’t know, Michael, has a talk show in Houston on KTRH that’s also carried on KLVI in Beaumont.
Michael grew up with KOGT because his parents were faithful listeners. I remember him reaching out when he heard the station was closing. He told me he could raise some money but money wasn’t the big issue. Years ago when his show was taking off some people assumed we were rivals just because we were both from Orange and on the radio. Crazy and not true. I’m very happy for his success.
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Speaking of success I’ve got to Show Some Love to Logan Cheek. I’m watching Bridge City and West Orange-Stark play baseball and I asked who the young man was behind the plate. It was Logan, who just graduated from Orangefield in May and was a contributing member of that great Bobcat team that reached the Region Final.
I’ve never seen someone not old enough to buy beer calling balls and strikes behind the plate of a varsity baseball game. Which tells us two things…we need more umpires and congrats to Logan for being the one that was good enough to get the call up. Learning on the job against our coaches will be one hell of an education. And probably some good stories to tell.
I don’t know where Logan is scheduled to umpire Friday but it could be in a rain delay or postponement looking at the weather forecast.
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We were talking coaching clichés the other day and I think I have a new leader on my list. Have you ever heard of a kid named Sophomore? There are many in the high school coaching world. When I see a player do something well and look at the coach and say, “Who’s that?” If they’re a sophomore (or a freshman) the coach always says “Sophomore!” instead of telling me their real name. In other words, they’re telling me they’re excited to have them for two more years.
If you have any favorite or worn out coaching clichés, share them with me. I’d love to hear if there are any I haven’t heard of before.
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It won’t be long and the Bassmaster Elites will be in town (May 15-18). The Bassmaster Classic was held last week in Fort Worth and Easton Fothergill, who is an unknown to most, won the event. He is a member of the young FFS (forward facing sonar) fishermen which has turned bass fishing on its head.
If you’re not aware, using FFS is like a fishing video game. You watch a screen and try to get your bait in front of the fish. It has definitely changed the game and upset a lot of people. Some just call it cheating. The older fishermen don’t want to learn it. It’s expensive to purchase. And for guys like me that loved watching Bass Live, it’s a complete turnoff.
The good news is that FFS will not be the top feature when they come to Orange. At least it wasn’t last time they were here.
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So how’s your NCAA bracket? My final four teams are still in so I’ll consider that a win! (Duke, Florida, Tennessee, Michigan State) I probably know as little about the teams this season than ever before. Which is why I think my bracket will do well. I’ve lost interest in the NBA and it has trickled down to the NCAA. But Ann Seals includes me in her bracket challenge every year and it’s hard to say No to her.
Ann has given me some cool opportunities with the Texas Exes over the years. And speaking of that I’m hoping that in the next issue of The Juice, I’ll be able to tell you about something I’ve been asked to help with that is cool and may interest many of you.
Have a great rest of the week and don’t forget the free concert that Dow is sponsoring Thursday night at the Pavillion.
-Gary Stelly-
gstelly66@gmail.com
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Volume 1 No. 10
The Juice is a weekly column where Gary Stelly discusses things that happened the past week and mixes it with 40 years of being involved in the Orange County community. (If we think of a better way to explain it we’ll change it) You can also check out his podcast by clicking on the Behind the Mic banner on the KOGT.com front page.
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