A funny game

Reflecting back on a season can be very difficult, especially if the season did not end exactly how it was planned out.
But, for head coach Delaney Fontenot and the Louisiana all-stars, their season was not a disappointment in any way, shape or form.
“We set a goal at the beginning of the all-star season of winning the World Series,” said Fontenot. “And, even though we did not achieve that goal, we are still very proud of the accomplishments that were met during the season. I am so proud of the 12 players on this team. I would not trade them for any player from any other team.”
Those accomplishments were plentiful for the young group of men that represented Ville Platte and Louisiana throughout the Dixie Youth All-Star season.
It all started in sub-district, as the team, known as Ville Platte then, took every opponent to the wood shed. In that tournament, Ville Platte outscored the opposing teams 55-6.
District competition was a repeat of sub-district for Ville Platte, as the offensive dominance continued. Ville Platte wound up with an 89-13 scoring advantage to remain undefeated in all-star play.
Regionals was a little tougher for Ville Platte, but they boys in blue continued to dominate. Ville Platte did not falter throughout the tournament and headed into the state series still without a loss.
Ville Platte took care of one goal, winning the state title, taking the first two games from Cleary Park and getting the honor of donning the purple and gold Louisiana uniform.
Unfortunately for Louisiana, the offensive powerhouse that permeated throughout the previous three levels of competition fell silent in the World Series.
“No doubt our bats faded in the World Series,” stated Fontenot. “Honestly, I think we had maybe nine or ten hits the entire tournament. We had opportunities, especially against North Carolina in the last game, but just could not get it done. We hit in the cages in the morning and before the game, but it just felt as if everything was off at the plate.”
One would wonder if losing the first game of the World Series, after not having lost throughout the season, may have had an effect on the team.
But, according to Fontenot, that never played into the rest of the tournament, as Louisiana went 1-2 in the World Series.
“Really, we never lost focus,” said Fontenot. “The guys played their hearts out the entire tournament. You know, baseball is a funny game. It really is designed for failure. Think about it. The best hitters will hit .400, but that means you only got four hits out of ten at bats. If hitting was a grade everyone would fail. Major league hitters have 162 games to fix their hitting, we have one.”
Game one for Louisiana seemed to prove that one pitcher can dominate and take care of a good offense, as Louisiana did not record a hit against the hurler from Laurel, Mississippi.
“The pitcher from Laurel was crafty,’ commented Fontenot. “He had a good breaking ball and never threw a pitch over the plate. We just did not adjust and it put us in a hole by making us have to fight through the loser’s bracket.”
Despite the shortened stay at the World Series, one positive aspect for Fontenot was the support he received all season long.
“We were so blessed to have the type of support from the community,” said a humbled Fontenot. “My only hope is that we were able to make everyone here in Ville Platte proud. I especially want to thank my assistant coaches Chris Brignac and Chris Guillory. They are truly first class guys and coaches. I also want to thank my team mom Sandy Leger for all of hard work and dedication.”
“I also want to thank Coach Brent Duplechain. Not only did he come out on his own time to help at practice, but he truly has been a mentor for me.”
One thing that Fontenot hopes for, is that no matter how the season finished, the players will carry this memory forever.
“Thirty years from now, I just want them to be able to see each other somewhere and say ‘Hey you remember when we played in the World Series when we were 12’ and be able to share that experience.”
Besides, in the end, isn’t that what sports is all about?