Spring Sports

THE INDIAN RANCH SPRING ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
is left-handed pitcher

Nick LeMay 

from Oxford High School

LEMAY HAS BEEN PERFECT ON THE MOUND THIS YEAR FOR THE PIRATES AS HE IS YET TO GIVE UP A RUN IN 2012. HE HAS PITCHED 35 SCORELESS INNINGS THUS FAR. HIS LAST OUTING WAS A 6-0 VICTORY OVER LEICESTER GIVING UP 3 HITS, WALKING 2, AND STRIKING OUT 10. THAT HAS BEEN A TYPICAL LEMAY OUTING ALL YEAR. MONEY IN THE BANK WHEN LEMAY STANDS ON THE BUMP FOR OXFORD. LEMAY HAS A 5-0 RECORD THIS SPRING.THE SOUTHPAW GETS MY NOMINATION FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS GATORADE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AND WE CONGRATULATE HIM ON A TERRIFIC SEASON THUS FAR.

Robert G. "Rocky" Miller passed away last week at the age of 81. Rocky was an outstanding athlete at Bartlett High School and a tremendous family man. He lived life clean and with enthusiasm. Rock was inducted into the Bartlett High School Hall of Fame in 2006 and served his country in the Korean War. He was a proud Marine. Rocky coached football at Bartlett in the 70’s and later on devoted many years to the area’s Pop Warner teams. He was also an assistant football coach at St. Peter’s and Tantasqua.He coached golf at Bartlett. Rocky loved to compete and he wasn’t afraid to tell you about the New York Yankees and their great tradition. He was the first manager for the House of Champions softball team in 1972 and went on to manage the "House" to its first five championships in Webster. He was assisted by Chet Starzec. Rocky was a personal friend of Theodore "Teddy Ballgame" Williams of Red Sox fame even though Rocky rooted for the pinstripes. Rocky really battled his way through life the last 5 years because of health complications and the people who were close to him saw and admired his courage. The "Rock" will be missed.

Carl Beane, the public address announcer for the Red Sox at Fenway Park, died in a tragic accident last week.Beane was 59 years old and most recently was the guest speaker at the Bartlett Hall of Fame in 2011. I had the opportunity to work with Beane at WESO-AM 970 in Southbridge for 10 years in the 80s and 90s. Along with Matt Morway, Beane taught Morway and me the ins and outs of radio broadcasting. Beane was a true professional behind the microphone. God gave him a voice that wouldn’t quit. Beane rose to fame over the last 9 years when he won the Red Sox job. He loved the Sox dearly, but his favorite sports team of all time was the Montreal Canadiens.

The Bartlett "Sweat and Desire" summer basketball camp will be held from June 26 to June 29 this year.The cost is $175 for ages 8-17. Veteran Bartlett Head Basketball coach Tony Paranto heads up the camp in his 13th year. The camp has been a huge success and stresses fundamentals and fun. The camp will be held at Bartlett High School with the best of facilities indoors and on the outside courts. For more information on the camp, please contact Paranto at Bartlett High School.

Finally, please email me at pcoyle@oxford insurance for all nominations for the INDIAN RANCH SPRING ATHLETE OF THE WEEK.