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Posts Tagged ‘baseball’

The kid’s alright!!

Posted in Happy birthday, tagged , , , , , on October 14, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Jacob Zettle (John Fisken photo)

Jacob Zettle (John Fisken photo)

The kid might have the biggest smile in Wolf Nation.

Even after taking a baseball to the face and getting all busted up last season, Jacob Zettle had the grin back on his face by the next time he returned to visit his teammates in the CHS dugout.

Mr. Zettle, who turns 16 today, plays football and baseball for Coupeville High School (previously he was a swimmer), but his impact goes far beyond those two fields.

He comes across as one of those guys who it’s always easy to root for, because he brings a mix of friendliness and joy to everything he does.

Whether he’s playing, or up in the press box running things during a game, he dives head-first into everything he does.

Which might be why he got whacked in the face by that pitch…

I kid. I kid. Next time, duck.

Jacob just seems like a quality guy, one who is deeply committed to his faith (through Coupeville’s Living Hope Foursquare Church), his family, his friends and his teammates.

He meets and greets everyone with a huge smile and an open spirit, and we just want to return the favor on his cake day.

Happy birthday, Jacob.

May your day shine as brightly as you do.

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Safeco snapshots to spice up your Monday!!

Posted in Baseball, tagged , , , , , , on September 14, 2015| Leave a Comment »

(John Fisken photos)

   This? This is a look the Mariners have had most of the season. (John Fisken photos)

Robinson Cano

Robinson Cano nimbly evades the tag.

"I call this the high, hard cheese and it tastes like a strikeout, baby!!"

“I call this the high, hard cheese and it tastes like a strikeout, baby!!”

Steven Baron

   Steven Baron, one of the promising young players getting a chance to shine at the end of a forgettable M’s season.

The legacy of arguably the greatest Mariner of all time stands proud at Safeco.

   The legacy of arguably the greatest Mariner of all time shines proudly at Safeco.

play at 3rd

Ketel Marte gets doubled off first to end any comeback hopes.

21,840 folks showed up Safeco Field Sunday to watch the Mariners stumble to another loss in a fairly forgettable season.

As a guy who somehow ended up being a life-long Pittsburgh Pirates fan (despite living all 44 years of my life in Washington state), I, however, was busy riding the buzz of an 11th inning come-from-behind win.

After watching the Pirates set a North American sports record by racking up 20 consecutive losing seasons, the last three years of success have been a non-stop joy ride.

So, to long-suffering M’s fans, better days are ahead.

Maybe not for two decades, but some day…

Until then, you can bask in these hot ‘n toasty pics fresh from the camera of travelin’ photo god John Fisken.

Having escaped the Whidbey prep sports beat he (and his free parking pass) were up in the big leagues Sunday.

Well, if you can call the Mariners a big league team…

I kid. I kid. Enjoy the photos and dream of better days ahead.

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Cake? He wants The Bucket for his birthday!!

Posted in Football, Happy birthday, tagged , , , , , , on September 4, 2015| Leave a Comment »

James Vidoni

James Vidoni (John Fisken and Monica Vidoni photos)

James Vidoni’s big day is a big day for all of Wolf Nation.

As the Coupeville High School sophomore celebrates his birthday today, he and his teammates will kick-off a new football season tonight.

And, of course, it’s no mere game, as the Wolves invade Langley to clash with their Island arch-rivals, South Whidbey (7 PM).

At stake? The Bucket (which CHS has held for the last year), another year of bragging rights and the chance to make the Southenders weep salty tears of despair.

Before he hops on the bus, possibly riding a sugar high from cake, we want to take a moment to pay tribute to Mr. Vidoni.

A three-sport athlete for Coupeville (football, basketball, baseball) and younger brother of former Wolf Monica Vidoni, James is a quiet, let’s-go-hit-someone kind of guy.

So, exactly the sort of dude most coaches like.

As he continues to grow and come into his own as an athlete, the future is bright for Vidoni and we wish him all the best, on the field and off.

Happy birthday, James!

Now, go make some Falcons cry.

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Hunt(er)ing for a star? Got one for ya!!

Posted in Baseball, Basketball, Football, Happy birthday, tagged , , , , , on September 3, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Hunter Smith: One cool cat. (John Fisken photos)

Hunter Smith: One cool cat. (John Fisken and Charlotte Smith photos)

When Charlotte Smith gives birth, the kids hit the floor running, already with skills.

At least it seems that way, as all three of her progeny — CJ, Hunter and Scout — stand tall among the best athletes in Coupeville at present, and they’ve all been shining since they were barely out of diapers.

And while CJ is the oldest and Scout is going to be the biggest star (I’m calling it now), it’s Hunter who celebrates a birthday today, so we’re focusing on the middle child.

And why not? He’s on the cusp of busting out and becoming a superstar as a sophomore.

Last year, he was the only freshman in the 1A Olympic League to be named to the All-League football team, then followed that up with often-explosive work on the basketball court.

Topping his year?

He was a breakout hit on the baseball diamond from day one, teaming with his brother in the infield and on the mound to give outgoing CHS coach Willie Smith the most consistent reason to smile all season.

New school year, skills even more fine-tuned? Hunter is ready to blow up.

But, if he does, will the Zen Master crack a smile on the field? That’s the bigger question.

Like CJ before him, Hunter is a cool cat.

Not emotionless (I’ve seen him grin in photos, just not in the heat of athletic battle), but composed, the kind of guy who doesn’t crack easily under pressure and doesn’t waste a whole lot of time worrying about photo ops.

Kid is a throwback to the olden days, a three-sport athlete who is willing to let his talent speak for itself.

Now, maybe he’s Mr. Chatty away from the field, off the court, but all I have to go on is what I see in person.

And what I see is impressive.

Remarkably composed for a young athlete, a hard worker, a guy who doesn’t coast but busts his rear on every play, a leader, and, like his siblings and parents (Charlotte and Chris) a true blessing to have here in Coupeville.

Happy birthday, Hunter. Much respect, man.

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He’s kinda legendary, you know?!?!

Posted in A freakin' American hero, Baseball, Football, Happy birthday, tagged , , , , on August 28, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Cole Payne? he's kind of a big deal. (John Fisken and Shelli Trumbull photos)

Cole Payne? He’s kind of a big deal. (John Fisken and Shelli Trumbull photos)

He is more myth than man, more legend than reality.

Wherever he goes, whatever he does, the screams of his fans threaten to rip the roof off the building.

He is legend. He is Cole Payne.

As the Coupeville High School senior celebrates a birthday today, you need to stop and realize — we only get one more year of the awesomeness here in Cow Town before he’s off to spread the gospel of Cole world-wide.

Appreciate the talent. Bow to the coolness factor. Respect the game.

Baseball. Football. Basketball. And now, according to the buzz, tennis.

Payne can do it all and he can do it all well.

It’s not his fault. He was just born talented.

As he prepares for his final year at CHS, we just want to say a quick thank you to Mr. Payne, for the on-field thrills he’s delivered so far, and the highlight reel still to come this year.

Happy birthday, Cole. Stay legendary.

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