By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Michael Rodriguez
It was 3:18 a.m. Wednesday when I heard the press run the mid-week issue’s B section – one part of our special edition dedicated to the San Benito Lady ’Hounds’ trailblazing, history-making, awe-inspiring bid for a state championship.
Exhausted after editing, naming and laying out nearly 1,000 senior photos from five area high schools to complete our annual Graduation Magazine, not to mention the Business Roll of Honor, it would have taken a miracle Tuesday to revive an already weary crew at the San Benito News long enough to crank out our flagship publication. But this is exactly what the Lady ’Hounds represent to all of us: a miracle.
Consider that for one week, the state of Texas knew the city of San Benito not for its controversies or politics, not for its scandals involving the community’s highest-ranking officials, not for its crime and definitely not for its poverty. For one week, San Benito was the home of the Lady ’Hounds – proud state tournament qualifiers who shook 5A softball to its core by knocking out perennially powerful San Antonio schools and even overcoming legal attempts to prevent them from advancing further into the playoffs. Nothing could stop this team. Nothing did stop this team, because regardless of the state semifinal outcome on Friday the Lady ’Hounds had long secured a victory for San Benito and the Rio Grande Valley as the area’s first team to reach such heights.
Nobody “up north” can look down on us anymore without first remembering the little team in purple and gold that won the sporting world’s respect. A championship will come later.
Still, I don’t think I truly grasped the significance of what the girls accomplished until I explained the situation to an outsider.
Wednesday afternoon, operating on just a few hours sleep, I made a phone call to a colleague in Louisiana to apologize for not being available earlier in the week. You see, the two of us were working on a project together that required constant communication, and it had been several days since I last contacted her.
“There was Memorial Day,” I began to explain, “and then we decided to run a Special Lady ’Hounds Edition…”
Intrigued, she stopped me mid-sentence and inquired, “Who are these Lady ’Hounds and why are they so special?”
“Well,” I said with a sigh, “the Lady ’Hounds are San Benito’s High School softball team, and they’re special because they recently defeated the defending 4A state champs to advance to the 5A state tournament. It’s the first time any team from our area has ever made it this far.”
“Oh, so it’s an underdog story,” she gathered. “I love underdog stories.”
“Not exactly,” I responded. “This team represents something much more profound than some David vs. Goliath storyline. They represent hope – hope that with the swing of a bat, with a single pitch or a sacrifice bunt, a city’s sins can be washed away. Even if it’s just for one week, it would mean that we’re more than the mistakes we’ve made in the past, and that’s something everyone can get behind.”
“And it’s not just San Benito,” I continued. “Other neighboring communities have also been inspired by the Lady ’Hounds’ refusal to be intimidated when playing those bigger, badder and supposedly more talented teams. In fact, that will most likely be this team’s legacy. Simply put, the Lady ’Hounds have – in a way – changed how we view ourselves. They’ve solidified our worth.”
Silence on the other end of the line turned into a slight whimper as my colleague admitted that I had moved her to tears.
It’s good to know that people can still be moved by this small town and its citizens.
2 comments
If the ignorant ump makes the call, even 3 yr olds know because in tball, sometimes it is the only way to get an out, when the bases are loaded and the ball is hit to the pitcher and he or she runs to the plate ahead of the runner, not tagging. makes the right call, it is one out, next batter flys to get a run in, it is 2 all, then the next batter flys out, would be 3 away but because of the bad call, only 2 out and another run comes in and next batter hits another run in would not have even happened because it would have been 3 away. Not that it would have guaranteed a win for the Ladies, but would have gone extra innings. UIL did not have the best umps and that is sad. Lady Hounds are the champs in most of our hearts.
To the Lady Greyhounds, thank you for all your dedication, hard work, and for representing the valley with class. We are all very proud of you. It was a forced out at home! And to the coaching staff, thank you for your positive influence on these girls. She was out, dude! And to the teams up north, we will be back! What a ridiculous call! See ya next year!
Stupid call …