Cape campus teeming with athletes for spring sports

Thundering herd immunity - Legends Stadium was teeming with sports action March 9, with the boys’ lacrosse team working out on the new green turf while boys’ and girls’ track athletes and the unified team shared the all-weather red track for workouts. New black netting at each end of the field curling up to the 10-yard line protected all athletes from 100 mph lacrosse balls. Girls’ soccer worked out on the Bermuda fields while girls’ lacrosse practiced inside Champions Stadium, and there were also softball, baseball and tennis practices. The JV boys’ lacrosse players used the far grass fields. The campus was alive with youthful exuberance. Inside the Big House gym, a boys’ volleyball team practiced for its inaugural season. There are at least 30 coaches working with kids after school every day.  

Numbered rosters - Spring teams have been practicing for two weeks. The coaches know the 411, so the next mission is to let the rest of the sports public in on the secret. Cape boys’ lacrosse has 53 players, girls’ lacrosse 43, girls’ soccer 50 and girls’ tennis 17. Boys’ track has 53 athletes on the 2021 roster. Smyrna softball won the last contested state championship under coach Nicki Shirley in 2019, and their program lists 14 total players for 2021, while the Eagles have 19 athletes on the girls’ lacrosse roster. 

Cool Hand Luke - Luke Johnson is on the pitching staff for the UMBC Retrievers, who opened the season with three emphatic wins over visiting Delaware State. Luke threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in an 18-2 Retrievers victory. Zach Dale is on the pitching staff at Delaware State. 

I know you’re busy - I don’t know about you, but I’m mostly lazy, which I define as when I’m not busy. Now, motivation is another matter entirely. I may not be motivated to do whatever it is you think my busy self can’t find time to do. My personal code is that I’m never too busy to help a kid, which I define as anyone currently in school or who once sat in my classroom and may now be a grandparent. 

Don’t fret and don’t sweat - I had just moved to Lewes in 1975, and when I turned 30, someone put my name on the sign in front of Loflands gas station. All the milestones along the way I’ve embraced like a beehive hairdo on an Italian girl from South Philly. When I turned 60 on March 14 a few years back, I shared a beer with Darren Purcell, who has the same birthday, but is 20 years younger. I remember Darren saying, “Don’t write about this; I don’t want anyone knowing I turned 40.” The 2021 milestone has gotten my attention because I don't think you turn 75, but rather popup slide into third base and pull both hamstrings and one gastrocnemius before dusting yourself off with the arm you didn’t sprain. Seriously, I can still bring my A game, but just like in high school, I have to cheat. 

Barber backlash - I read Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid of the Sixers missed the NBA All-Star Game because their barber tested positive for the coronavirus. Joel needs to get his money back.

Snippets - Cape assistant track coach Peter Klotz was the official who ran the pole vault at the state championship track meet. After Asher Timmons won the boys’ competition with a height of 11-feet-3-inches, he went over to Klotz, thanked him for officiating and asked if he could help in any way. “I was flabbergasted,” Klotz said. “I have asked vaulters to help after an event has finished, but never has anyone I don’t know come up to me at the meet and offered to help. That was good sportsmanship if there ever was any.” I am fully vaccinated, but athletes have been breathing dead in my face for the last year. I admire what everyone has been able to accomplish, and I have opinions, but no responsibilities, so I just defer to the people in charge. But when the state of Maryland goes full-boat Hogan’s Heroes announcing a complete reopening with mask mandate still in place, it brings the heat down on John Carney of Delaware, who may not be charismatic, but he’s smarter than Larry Hogan. Hogan, 64, has a bachelor of arts degree from Florida State in political science. Carney, also 64, has a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth and a master’s in public administration from the University of Delaware. On another note, 3-year-old Major Biden used up his one free bite (an actual law) on a Secret Service agent at the White House. I'm guessing the guy blew in Major’s ear, but I have no proof. Go on now, git!