Bond of baseball

By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III
Managing Editor

Alex D. Chapman Jr. and Dr. Hosea “Joey” Soileau Jr. are bonded by blood.
The respected attorney and doctor, both based in Ville Platte, are first cousins. The two 60-year-old residents have remained close over the years and the two’s bond is strong, except for when it comes to which college baseball team each one roots for.
“When you see Louisiana spelled out across the chest on the uniform that doesn’t sit well with me,” laughed Chapman.
Chapman proudly wears the purple of gold of LSU while Soileau routinely dons the red associated with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. The two cousins will be loudly rooting against one another this weekend when LSU hosts UL-L in an NCAA Super Regional at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge. The best of-three series begins on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The winner of the series earns a spot in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
“I am proud of the Cajuns for advancing to the Super Regionals after losing nine starters last year to the pros, all who would have been seniors, and losing 80 percent of the pitching staff,” Soileau said. “They were only one of three teams in the country this year with freshmen as their three starting pitchers.”
But the UL-L graduate couldn’t resist taking a subtle jab at his cousin and his Tigers, who were widely considered to have played in one of the weakest regionals.
“But I am also proud of LSU who beat some real powerhouse teams in the Regional to reach the Super Regional,” Solieau said with a grin. “It’s been awhile since they made it to that stage.”
Chapman responds with a grinning quip of his own.
“The goal is to get to Omaha and make some noise,” Chapman said. “They are just a obstacle to overcome for us. LSU wins it in two games.”
For Chapman, a 1976 alum of LSU, his favorite memory of Tiger baseball is when the team finally broke through in Omaha. Chapman was there in attendance when LSU won its first national championship in baseball.
LSU had previously advanced to the College World Series in 1986, 1987, 1989 and 1990 but failed to bring home a title. That all changed in 1991 as the team defeated Fresno State and Florida twice to advance to the title game.
“That ‘91 team seemed like they were the team that could finally break through,” Chapman said.
Chapman and his son Korey boarded a plane from Baton Rouge to Kansas City the Friday before the championship and then rented a convertible and drove two hours to Omaha. The next day the die-hard Tiger fans bought tickets and were in the stands as LSU defeated Wichita State 6-3 to win the national title.
That championship season holds a place in Chapman’s heart as he kept a scrapbook with dozens of newspaper clippings and post-it notes by his son from that season. There is also a thank you card from legendary LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman as well as an old business card of Chapman.
Why a card?
The story behind is that Chapman signed his business card and attached to some balloons at a LSU party after the College World Series. The balloons, and card, ended up floating over to a farm in Minnesota. The farmer mailed back the card to Chapman.
For the Chapman, the experience was made even more special as he was able to share it with his son.
“It was great,” Chapman said. “It was such a hands-on experience for both of us.”
Solieau’s has several favorite memories when it comes to his Cajuns. The 2000 team that reached the College World Series for the first time, as well as the 1991 team that won the American South title before losing to LSU in the NCAA tournament.
His favorite moment though comes from a road trip by LSU to Lafayette.
“Back in the mid-1990’s LSU came to Teague Moore Field in March and the fire mashal apparently turned his head away and about 6,000 fans fit into a 3,5000 capacity stadium,” Solieau said. “I brought my 8th grade daughter Meredith and two LSU cousins along and Robert Launey. LSU had won the national championship the year before and they had a bunch of new fans the next year. Anyway, UL-L beat LSU 11-9. That moment was priceless.”
Back in 1991, LSU defeated UL-L (then known as USL) to advance to the College World Series on way to its first national title. Just like that season, LSU is once again favored to win. Chapman of course is confident that will happen but knows just how bad it would be for him if something goes wrong for the Tigers against the Cajuns.
“It would be hard on me if we don’t get there and they do,” Chapman said.