Proud parents

By Nick Duke | Troy Messenger

Published Wednesday, July 29, 2009

With the Junior Dixie Boys World Series just a few days away, players and coaches on the state champion Troy team have been steadfastly preparing.

However, it isn’t just players and coaches who are ready for the World Series to begin. The parents of the players on the team are also anxiously awaiting Saturday’s opening day of play.

Kim Shaver, mother of Morgan Shaver, has watched her son win a World Series before and is ready for the nerves that she said will accompany this year’s World Series.

Morgan Shaver was a member of the 2005 Troy team that won the Dixie Minor World Series.

“The nerves are much higher,” Shaver said. “There’s no explaining it. I’ve been telling the parents who haven’t had an opportunity to go that there’s no comparison. Once you get there, it’s just an awesome feeling to be there. It’s just wonderful. With each level, the nerves just increase.”

Another parent, Jamie Scarbrough, mother of Blake Craft, said while she has not been able to watch her son play in a World Series before, the importance of the moment is not lost on her.

“This is what you play for. This is why you come to practice.”

“None of our husbands ever played in a World Series,” Scarbrough said. “Nobody in my family ever played in a World Series. This is something these boys will never, ever forget. There are so few boys who get to play in a World Series.”

Shaver said watching her son win a World Series is an unforgettable experience she hopes to have once again.

“It’s just such a joy to be able to share that with them,” Shaver said. “Although maybe at nine years old they don’t really realize how special it is, it’s a joy to know that one day they’ll realize how special it truly is. For him to have the World Series ring is just awesome. I want him to do well and go win a second World Series. I’m very excited.”

While the parents are excited and anxious over the impending World Series, their sons seem to be calm and collected.

“Morgan is a real laid back kid, so it takes a lot to excite him,” Shaver said.

“Anybody who knows Blake, knows that he does not stress over anything,” Scarbrough said. “He’s just doesn’t let anything get to him.”

Craft pitched in the state championship game in Dothan and, according to Scarbrough, did not let his nerves affect him the way they affected her.

“When he pitched in that state championship game, I kept asking him all day if he was nervous,” Scarbrough said. “He wasn’t nervous at all. I was, but he wasn’t. It just doesn’t seem to bother them like it bothers us. I know we get more nervous than they do.”

Scarbrough also said the nerves can be rather extreme at times.

“Blake was the one who was up to bat in the Dothan game with two outs when we were behind with a runner on third,” Scarbrough said. “I was about to throw up. Even when he did hit the ball, I still felt like I could throw up. I was just so sick and nervous for all of them.”

That nervousness has set in even earlier for the World Series.

“I’ve still been nauseated all week,” Scarbrough said. “I’m just ready for it to get here.”

While the parents are excited about the World Series, there is a bit of sadness over the season coming to an end.

“We e-mail every day,” Scarbrough said. “We’re in contact every single day. One of the good things is that all of our boys get along, but we all get along as well. The saddest part will be when all this is over next week, we won’t get to see everybody every night.”

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