Gator Dugout Days December 11, 2020 Volume 20 Issue 16 President’s Corner including “Tail Gates” and the “Covered Dish”. Many more events were planned which we were unable to hold because of the pandemic.

Still, we have been able to host two Zoom Webinar Meetings with celebrities we could not have chatted with in any other venue and a third Zoom event is planned for December 17 at 7:00 with none other than Jackson Kowar and Nick de la Torre. As I hand over the reins to the able hands of Gary Carter, I want you to know what a treat being your President has been. Goooo Gators!

To Gator Dugout Club Members, Friends and Henri Logan, President Everyone who loves Gator Baseball. Gator Dugout Club Zooming Again This is my last column as the President of the Tune in again on Thursday December 17, 7:00 pm Gator Dugout Club, and I want to say thank you to see our second virtual meeting with former for a fabulous two years. I have loved almost Gator baseball player, Jackson Alexander Kowar. every minute. I have appreciated your support and the support of the excellent Board of the Gator Dugout Club. We have also had wonderful encouragement from University Athletic Association, the Gator Baseball Administrative Group and the Team and Coaches.

To say the time period has been unprecedented is to overwork an already overworked word. When my term began, I knew we would have a new baseball stadium in 2021, the Gator Baseball Team would be great, we would plan and execute the first Gator Scholarship Golf Tournament, and You will receive an invitation to join the meeting the Club would raise funds for a Legacy Gift to be soon. housed in the new stadium. I did not know we would raise nearly $100,000 toward our Legacy Jackson attended and graduated from Charlotte Gift (the display case for our 2017 National Christian School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He Championship Trophy) nor did I know that originally signed to play college baseball for COVID19 would turn all of our lives upside Clemson University as a sophomore, but was down. I am so saddened to have lost some dear granted his release following a coaching change. friends during my term both to COVID19 and the As a high school senior, he compiled a 10-1 record ravages of time. We welcomed many new and 0.20 ERA with 118 in 71 innings. members and had some memorable events He was drafted by the in the 40th 1 round of the 2015 draft, Long time Club member Phil Haisley passed in but he did not sign and instead enrolled at the November. He and his wife Anne caught COVID- University of Florida. 19. Anne recovered thanks to being in a clinical trial of antibody infusion. The selected Kowar with the 33rd overall pick in the 2018 Major League Anne has asked in memory of Phil, please pray for Baseball draft. world peace, and push to prevent and end wars.

Kowar began 2019 with the , with whom he was named a All-Star. After pitching to a 5-3 record with a 3.53 ERA in 13 starts, he was promoted to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, with whom he finished the year. Hello. My Name is Earl During Gator baseball games you can hear a section of fans holler “Earl”. A name given opponent’s pitcher by the group known as “The Your Club Board is still looking for Hecklers”. someone…anyone to step forward and volunteer to become President Elect. It started in the mid 1990’s. There was an opponent’s pitcher whose name was reportedly As of January 1, 2021 Gary Carter becomes the “Earl”. Earl was not having a good day. Couldn’t Club’s President. That leaves the position of find the strike zone and wilder than a sailor on President Elect vacant. There is no need to shore leave. campaign, no election. Just say “OKAY, I’ll help.” Here comes their Coach to change pitchers. The next pitcher wasn’t any better. So the chant “Just Contact Gary Carter at [email protected]. another Earl” was started. Originally, the chant 2021 Board was shouted when the pitcher was having trouble. President: Gary Carter Exactly when “Earl” was morphed so ALL President Elect: opponent pitchers became “EARL” is lost in Secretary: Gordon Burleson history. Treasurer: Kat Davis

Past President: Henrietta Logan Join the Hecklers this coming season when you Membership: Jeff Smith hear “E-A-R-L can’t pitch”. Publicity: Suanne Knopf Another Club Member is Lost Publicity: Tom Francella Social: Carol LeBlanc Social Media: Georgeanne Paris Program: Brian Fox Awards: Amy Brown Golf: Dorian Lucey Newsletter: Gordon Burleson Raffle: Ann Lucey Raffle: Kathy Rhea Shirts/Caps: Bob Smithers Trips: Allen DeLaney UAA Liaison: Buddy Munroe 2