So let's talk about Tattnall Square baseball for a few minutes because basically, as usual, it is the only team from Macon that is still playing. Those guys won a State Championship last year and so many before that it's just crazy.
Now let me tell you a little bit about the baseball team this year.
In truth, it is not one of the "can't miss" teams that Joey Hiller has had in the past.
They are good, not great.
They infuriate Hiller with poor base running, poor fielding, mental lapses while fielding, mental lapses while running the bases, mental lapses while trying to lay down a bunt,so many many things.
Did I mention some of them twice?
If I did, that means they really really struggle at times.
Let me explain that Tattnall cruised through the regular season and lost only one game but something still was not perfect. They were relying on great pitching and not scoring huge amounts of runs.
But they were winning easily.
The Playoffs have been a different story.
Tattnall has had to win games on guts and gore and just plain refusing to lose.
Tattnall culture prevails? No doubt about it.
Joey Hiller is a Barney Hester disciple. He learned from the best and turned Tattnall into a baseball/softball dynasty. That is why they are still alive in the Playoffs and have a chance to win a State Championship today.
You see, it is not always about who is the most talented team. Sometimes, just sometimes, the team who wants it more wins.
I have been to almost all of Tattnall's games and I am fairly sure I know why they win and it starts with Hiller. The man has won almost 1000 games and that is just high school games. He has embraced the Tattnall Culture line and the Tattnall Way line and he just doesn't talk the talk he walks the walk.
So what is the Tattnall Way?
After a year I believe this is what the Tattnall Way is:
1) Outwork- Tattnall baseball teams work hard every single day. They come to practice and with the help of a great coaching staff, they get it done in a timely way. I have seen practices, fielding, hitting, pitching all going on at the same time. Pitchers that never pitch getting work in even though they barely throw in games, live scrimmages more than most teams. Practice makes perfect right?
2) Believe- By the time a Tattnall kid makes the varsity team, they believe that they are part of the best high school baseball team in the state. They act like it , they dress like it and they certainly play like it. They are not cocky but they truly believe they will win every game. They have seen what all the other Tattnall baseball teams have done through the years and they know what is expected of them and simply refuse to fail.
3) Leadership- Tattnall has leaders on the team. I was at a practice a few weeks ago, and a senior saw another player come out to warm up and he didn't have a baseball cap on. The senior asked where it was and the player said that he left it in the car. Two minutes later the player came back with a Tattnall baseball cap on. The senior didn't beg, he just let it be known that he wasn't going to practice if he was not properly attired. Anyone who sees Tattnall play knows that the leadership on this team is off the chain.
4) Guidance- Tattnall has the best coaching staff in the state. They have loud coaches, quiet coaches, mean coaches, nice coaches, and funny coaches. They have a special mixture. Almost all of them were very good baseball players at one time or another and they know the game backwards and forwards. They have forgotten more baseball than most people ever have known. The players know they will get yelled at sooner or later, but the players respect the coaches and allow them to coach. Meanwhile Joey Hiller allows his coaches to coach, which may be the most important part of this entire story.
5)Jody Burnett- Simply the best trainer around here. You want an example. Dawson Brown breaks foot fot the second time in six months on spring break in a baseball game. Out for the year right ? Nope, no surgery , constant rehab and the guy is pitching 6 weeks later. I am not sure why someone hasn't tried to get this guy. He is freaking brilliant and the Tattnall coaches and players know it
6) Respect- As in respect the game as in respect teammates, as in respect the opponent, as in respect the program they are in. I have never ever had a bad interview with a Tattnall player because hey they are coached on that skill too. I just want to help my team win is the common line but when these kids say it they mean it. It's team first no doubt about it. I interviewed a kid one day and saw him at the store two weeks later and every time that kid walks up to me and shakes my hand. That my friend is what makes Tattnall baseball special.
Will Tattnall be the most talented team on the field on Tuesday when they take on Savannah Christian? I would have to say probably not. But I will take the Trojans to win the series because that is just what they do.
If you wonder where this Tatnall Way is in Macon, GA, ride down Wesleyan Drive until you get to the Tattnall Square sign. The baseball field is on the left.
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