Tiger seniors leave legacy of character

Shortly after arriving in Demopolis, a very wise individual told me that, in his estimation, the key to being successful at community journalism was to show up and get the names right.

Of course, there is a little bit more to it than that, but those two basic principles are at the forefront of The Watchman’s mission.

Sometimes showing up is less than convenient, but we make every effort to be there. But showing up is key for us small-town media types if we are to appropriately weave ourselves in to the tapestry that is a community.

Over the last two months, I have been blessed enough to have the opportunity to show up week in and week out at the Demopolis High School baseball field.

It is has been a blessing not just because the team had an impressive 23-8 season, but more because the group of young men that make up the 2013 Tigers has been nothing short of impressive.

Each individual in that dugout brings tremendous character and value as a human being. And each has been a joy to be around.

Specifically, the eight seniors on this year’s squad have been a tremendous group to cover. There is talent there. But it is not the on-field talent that makes them remarkable.

It is their heart, their resiliency, their drive and their strength of character that has made them a successful team. And that tone was set all season long by the eight young men in the Class of 2013.

Their personalities are as diverse as any community, but their chemistry together has been special.

And these are all things to which I was blessed enough to be privy just by showing up. I was blessed to witness their character in both victory and defeat.

Being witness to the highs and the lows are all part of telling their story. And their story has been a fun one to tell this season.

So, please, take it from the perspective of the guy who has been in the dugout for the good and the bad this season. Walker Davis, Will Tucker, Mason Rogers, Devin Stroud, Brock Montgomery, Josh Mangum, Wesley Anderson and Tyler Charleston represented their families, their school and their city with exceptional poise to the very last out of the season. And, odds are, they will continue to do that very same thing in their respective next chapters.