Somewhere in time, I can’t remember exactly when, I saw a picture that has stayed with me for a long time.
The photo was of a Little League Baseball team in a barber shop, and every player was shaved bald.
The story behind the photo was that one of the boys in the picture was undergoing chemotherapy and had lost his hair, so in order to make the youngster feel less awkward and alone, his teammates had the town barber shave their heads right to the wood.
I’m reminded of that picture today in light of the Wiarton Mites Championship performance at the Grey Bruce Year End Fastball Championships.
One of the Wiarton players, 9 year old Austin Holley, passed away suddenly last month from a brain aneurysm.
Shortly thereafter, the Wiarton Mites dedicated the remainder of their season to Austin, and after finishing third in the regular season, they hit their peak and won the 2010 Grey Bruce title at Holland Center.
While Austin couldn’t be at Holland Center physically, he certainly was there in spirit.
Austin’s dad, Steve, is one of the Wiarton coaches, and he confirmed that every inning there was a chant or a moment that fortified the purpose of the Wiarton Mites to do their best for their teammate.
When the last out was made, and Wiarton had captured the Grey Bruce Mite Championship, Steve Holley, his wife Lori, and their daughter Taylor were there to accept Austin’s trophy and the game ball.
I’m Fred Wallace