Although we canít bring you up-to-date coverage of D 49 athletic events and programs, we can bring you in-depth and personal information about players and coaches and their game-day achievements. NFH sports columnist Steve Wood is a special education teacher and head baseball coach at Calhan High School.One of the most ìvaluable playersî on this yearís Falcon High School baseball team is not a player. Mark Sullivan, who wears No. 18, is the new bat boy for the Falcons this season, but he is not a rookie to the game of baseball.Sullivan is actually an 11-year ìveteranî of the game who, before moving to Falcon this past June, was the bat boy at Houston High in Germantown, Tenn. While he was there, Houston High won a state championship in 2005. In 2002, the ace of the Houston Mustangsí staff was none other than Matt Cain: THAT Matt Cain ñ star pitcher for the world champion San Francisco Giants.So, when Don Thompson, Falcon head coach, first met Mark Sullivan, he was impressed when Sullivan boldly told him that he would help him win a state championship. From that moment, Thompson wanted Sullivan to be part of his team.ìMark always has a great attitude. He is always positive. The boys love him,î Thompson said. ìWhen Mark told me he could help us win a state championship, he was very convincing and very confident. He is great to have around our team.îSullivan is 27 years old and has never let his own physical disabilities and mental challenges slow him down. His courage and love for the game of baseball is contagious. Randy Hinson, athletic director for FHS, called Sullivan ìan inspiration to the baseball team.îAfter a tough loss at Discovery Canyon April 20, it only took the mention of Sullivanís name to pick up the players.ìMark always comes to every game, even the cold ones, and he always has a smile on his face,î said Ronnie Folks, senior and outfielder. Other teammates agree. John Solberg, senior pitcher and shortstop, said, ìMark (or Markie as he likes to be called) is always there with something positive to say to the team. He is just great. He deserves an article written about him.î Senior outfielder Eddie Williams was in complete agreement. ìMark never has a bad word to say,î said Eddie Williams, senior outfielder. ìHe always encourages everybody. He is a great guy.îSullivan knows his responsibilities. ìI grab the bats and try to help out. I tell them (the pitchers) they have to get the ball down,î he said. Thompson said Sullivan enjoys coaching, too. ìI like the way we came back in the St. Maryís Tournament,î Sullivan said, referring to two impressive comeback wins by the Falcons. On March 22, the Falcons trailed Mesa Ridge going into the bottom of the seventh inning, but scored three runs to win 6-5, thanks to a walk-off base hit by senior Sam Loving. The next day, the Falcons did it again. Trailing The Classical Academy in the fifth inning, the Falcons scored four runs to tie the game, and then one more in the bottom of the seventh for a 9-8 comeback victory. ìThey didnít give up,î Sullivan said.Sullivan is also an inspiration to the younger players. Trevor Thompson, the coachís son, was part of last yearís 11-year-old state championship team, and his genuine friendship with Sullivan is obvious.At Houston High School, Sullivan was awarded a lifetime contract. Itís easy to see why when you watch him on the field. He hustles and works hard constantly throughout the ball game. He is focused on the field and intently watches every play. After the game, he runs sprints with the team.Mark recently tried out for a bat boy position with the Sky Sox, but he hasnít heard back from them yet. He remains hopeful. The Cincinnati Reds recently had a 29-year old bat boy with Down Syndrome named Ted Kremer, who became famous April 18, when he called the sixth inning home run shot by Todd Frazier. In the video of the game, Frazier gave Kremer a huge bear hug in the dugout after the homer.Mark Sullivan loves baseball in the same way, and similarly inspires his Falcon teammates.
