KNOCK ON WOOD : It’s title time again in Fayetteville
Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Sports/65191/
It’s no secret some of the best prep softball and baseball in the state, if not the region, is played right here in Washington County. Fayetteville High’s baseball and softball squads will seek to three-peat on Friday and Saturday, respectively, during the Weekend of Champions and Elkins High’s softball squad will play in its third softball championship game in four seasons and seeks to defend its state crown from last year. Har-Ber High makes its first baseball championship appearance in the program’s third year of existence. Hats off to players and coaches from all four teams who have represented themselves, their teammates, schools and towns proud by their play on the diamond. I would be remiss not send a congratulatory salute out to Lincoln’s baseball team, which advanced to the Class 3 A semifinals and Farmington’s baseball and softball teams, which bowed out in the opening rounds of the 4 A state tournaments, as well. No doubt the Lady Cardinals, Wolves and Cardinals would like to be suiting up this weekend, too. But it is an accomplishment to make the state tournament in and of itself. In the past, the Weekend of Champions was just the Day of Champions, but this year, the Arkansas Activities Association wisely chose to play the 10 high school baseball and softball championship games over the course of two days instead of cramming them all together on one day. I’m not sure if the impetus to make the change came from last season when Fayetteville High’s loyalties were divided by having the softball team playing at Lady’Back Yard and the baseball team playing at Baum Stadium at virtually the same time. Purple Dog fans, no doubt, would have liked to have seen every pitch of every inning of those games, but they had to pick one over the other. This year that won’t be a problem as Vance Arnold’s Bulldogs face rival Har-Ber at 2 p. m. Friday in Baum Stadium for the 7 A baseball title, and Jason Shirey’s Lady Bulldogs meet North Little Rock at 10 a. m. Saturday in Lady’Back Yard for the 7 A softball title game. But splitting the games up won’t only be good for Bulldog fans but also for all involved as there will be much less congestion. It also doesn’t hurt that the University of Arkansas had its graduation exercises last weekend. With the Baseball Razorbacks, Softball Lady’Backs and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on the road this weekend, the high school title contests are the only games in town. If you like competitive baseball and softball in its purest form, these games are for you. Go out to the ballpark and enjoy the festivities. Support the kids and the schools of your choice. No doubt, you’ll be glad you did.
Remembering Mark Seifert The world is a less optimistic and enthusiastic place after the death of Mark Seifert on Monday. Mark, 52, owned and operated a local branch of the Nationwide Insurance Company in Fayetteville, and while he was very good at his job, anyone who knew Mark realized his passions rested outside how he made his living.
Mark was passionate about people, golf, the Razorbacks and most of all, his faith. You didn’t have to know Mark long for that to settle in, but it wasn’t because he was brash or abrasive. It was the exact opposite.
Mark probably bought more people lunch around town than anyone in Fayetteville. Wherever Mark was, he always had friends around.
Mark loved life and had an infectious attitude that you just had to be around to understand. Words don’t do him justice because he was one-of-a-kind.
Mark, who caddied for and more importantly befriended many Razorback golfers over the years including John Daly, had sayings like “ goosers” for goose bumps that were all his own. His slang seemed to be derived from a 1950 s sitcom like “ Leave It to Beaver, ” but it fit Mark perfectly.
I still haven’t quite figured out what a “ pumper” is, but whatever it was, it always charged Mark up.
For whatever reason, Mark always liked sports writers. That fact always confounded me a little because as a breed, we’re generally a cynical lot. Even in friendly settings, our competitive juices seem to get the better of us more often than not.
Mark was just the opposite. He always had a good word and a good time, but never at anyone’s expense.
Most guys attempt to be too cool or stoic or reserved to live their lives with the enthusiasm and joy that Mark did. And unfortunately, we’re worse off because of it.
Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.