Back in the day, when Bill Wolcott was covering high school athletics, the phone would ring and Bill would answer: “Niagara Gazette sports desk, who subdued whom?” That was the first thing Gazette alum Pat Murray recalled last week after learning that Bill had scored another scoop by announcing his own retirement in a simple, self-effacing column on the editorial … [Read more...] about Base Paths ruminates Bill Wolcott’s retirement
Base Paths
Base Paths on 9 in 9
On a cool (he insists) August night in 2012, Justin Toole picked up a glove and trotted out to play right field for the Class A Carolina Mudcats of the Carolina League in Zebulon, NC. He would not return to that position. By 9:10 p.m. he had played a defensive inning at all nine positions. Did right well, too. Fielded a ground ball at each of the “throwing” infield … [Read more...] about Base Paths on 9 in 9
Base Paths and Masters Field
Courtesy of the Niagara Gazette Dear Mainland Fans – Fifty years of history lines our gridiron here today. Players, cheerleaders, coaches, anyone who’s ever had anything to do with Grand Island High School football will assemble, as many as they can, to say hail and farewell to Masters Field. For fifty years Viking athletes (no problem with THAT nickname) have left their … [Read more...] about Base Paths and Masters Field
Base Paths ponders fast pitch of day’s past
In a time not so long ago, fast-pitch ruled men’s rec, making household words of names such as Eddie Feigner, “Shifty” Gears and Grand Islander Jon Roth. Lesser leagues accommodated those for whom “fast pitch” was relative. Base Paths never got above Class C and remembers a tardy team mate later reporting: “I knew Doug was pitching when the other team’s leadoff batter hit his … [Read more...] about Base Paths ponders fast pitch of day’s past
Sub Base Paths leading off with a take on UB Bulls football
With this admission, Base Paths probably loses face among his faithful, but with the rain coming down and baseball hours away, he settled down at noon Saturday and watched some football. Thing is, he’s still not sure what he saw. First, you have to know that Base Paths’ communications resources are as outdated as his choice of games. His TV is so old he has to pour kerosene … [Read more...] about Sub Base Paths leading off with a take on UB Bulls football