GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Whether it’s typing from the bird's-eye view of the press box, burning your behind on the bleachers while enjoying a sno-cone, or spitting seeds in the outfield, the JUCO World Series excludes none.
For me, an intern, I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to have the best view for every single nine-inning scorefest. My desk was right over top of the first base bag, I had air conditioning, plenty of refreshments, and I was surrounded by some of the greatest JUCO minds around.
Yes, that is all wonderful and great, but what’s even better was the opportunity to understand the experience and feel the emotions of all the players and coaches who take time out of their day to speak to the media.
I mean, man, these guys are passionate about their game, and they’d do pretty much anything to be at the JUCO World Series. But what a spectator doesn’t typically get to see, these fellas love the heck out of each other.
That is personally my favorite part of covering the Alpine Bank Junior College World Series. Some of the most enjoyable things in life come from those who truly care about something, as every person on these 10 teams does, from coaches and players, all the way to athletic trainers and managers.
“To be honest with you, I’ve enjoyed every step of the way with this group,” said Lake Land head coach Julio Godinez. “And yes, it’s a sophomore-heavy group, and we’re going to have to rebuild a little bit next year, but I don’t care about that. I care about the ride, I care about being in the dugout with these guys, I care about the bus rides, I care about the adversity, I care about the successes. This is a special group.”
Fans who come to Suplizio Field after work to relax and spend time with family and friends get to see great baseball. But those who come to the tournament for work get to see that most of these guys would rather go 0-2 in the tournament with their life-long brothers than win it all with just any ol’ teammates. Stepping back onto the field, there are many things that the teams love about the World Series besides the brotherhood aspect.
First and foremost, they are suiting up for the chance at the history books, a national title. Not many athletes can put that on their resume. But even if they don’t win, Grand Junction is a great place to play some ball, partly due to the elevation.
The air is much thinner up here in the high desert, so baseballs will clear the fences much easier than players are used to, and the scores speak to that.
Of the 19 games, there were only two contests in which the winner put up fewer than 10 runs. One of those was the title game, won 9-6 by Salt Lake Community College.
As all those runs tally up, the cheers get louder and louder, and for every team, crowds are much larger than they’re used to playing in front of back home.
“There’s nothing like playing out here,” said Shelton State head coach Bobby Sprowl. “I’ve been involved in Major League (Baseball) playoff games, and it’s not like being out here, because the whole town is involved in it ... here everyone knows who you are, and it’s a great place.”
Take, for example, the championship game with Salt Lake and Walters State battling it out — 12,305 fans were in attendance.
The Bruins’ home park in Salt Lake holds just over 2,000, Bruins coach David “DG” Nelson said.
“Honestly, I’ve never had an experience like this,” said Jake Mortensen, a sophomore second baseman for Salt Lake. “To see people come out and be in this environment, it’s exciting. It lets you know what baseball has to offer.”
The JUCO World Series brings the community together, and in return, the players want to be involved in the community. No matter whether it's a win or a loss, their John Hancock is everywhere, on hats, shirts, baseballs, and gloves.
Even before the first pitch was thrown, the players still wanted to show love to Grand Junction’s residents, so they participated in the MLB Play Ball clinic for kids on the tournament field, and were buddies for Challenger Baseball, a branch of Little League Baseball for kids with special needs.
“This is awesome,” Johnson County freshman pitcher Hudson Byrd said about the event. “This is actually what it’s all about. This is super humbling for all guys just to be down to earth with all these kids, it’s an amazing time.”
Next year’s JUCO World Series will most likely have a different field of teams, but for every junior college baseball team out there, the goal will always stay the same: Get to Grand Junction.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity at 31 years old,” said Eastern Oklahoma State coach Dru Sebastian. “It might take me another 30 years to get back here, if ever. I haven’t let myself take it all in yet, I had to give all to my team first. So on my way out, I’ll look at these mountains and reflect on what a great season we had.”