There is something missing in this sequence.

   Through the multiple team sports classes I have taken, I have grown increasingly frustrated by the amount of students who lack what it takes to be, in what I think should be a competitive class. 

    Now that is not to say that I think that we should exclude students from taking the class.  That is not at all what I am saying. 

  I just think that there should be an aspiration to play in the class. 

  The performance of one person affects the team as a whole, such as a misplaced part can throw a well oiled machine out of whack.

   The aspect of team is what makes this class valuable, as you can learn how to cope and play with a variety of talent levels.  I think that it makes the class fun.  I just believe that there should be effort. 

  It is clearly visible if someone does not want to be in the class, and it makes it less enjoyable for others. 

   Isn’t the point of anything to improve?  I like being in the class, not only because it is really fun, and a great way to release some energy throughout the day, but also because it is beneficial.  It is a great way to stay in shape, and to build up strength, confidence, and skills.  It is also helpful mentally in a long day where all you want to do is get some energy out.

   If they have no interest in what is going on, and are disengaged in the game going on, then it is hard to create an environment where healthy competition is encouraged; not on a crazy level, but it is sports. 

Any athlete has a competitive mentality that comes out, even in gym when the game is on the line, and for those who do not try, it really hinders the momentum of a game.

   I have seen and been a part of these classes, and know that people want to compete.  Everyone knows that the setting while playing in gym and they play accordingly, but that does not mean you should do nothing and sit around.

  Even after a game is finished, the majority of students want to begin another game and that is what is cool about the class.

 Groups of people play who may not always hang out elsewhere.

   In a school that offers a plethora of classes, I do not think that this should be a class  students should get dumped into.  There are many other gym classes where students can earn their credits, and find a class where it is enjoyable.

  While students in core-classes and typical classroom-environment classes can learn at their own pace, team sports relies on the effort of those around you.

   Individual sports, or basic Physical Education is a class where you can fulfill your sports classes, while monitoring your pace at which you work.  It is a much better environment to be in if you do not want to go hard. 

   I think that even if there was a requirement of playing at least one Junior Varsity or Varsity sport before taking the class, it would increase the health of the class.  I remember when I was a freshman and I do not think  the class would have been very fun with towering seniors knocking me around. 

   Again, it is not the level of students in the class athletically that makes it fun/not fun, but more the work ethic put into the class.  If everyone is trying, then there is no other class that I would look forward to more. 

   So after the ball is bumped and set, there is a time when the ball is wafting in the air, asking to get spiked on the other side.  Someone goes up, and completely miss-hits the ball into the net.  I will fall victim to the same scenario as well, many times in all sports that we play.  But if everyone is putting in the effort, the class is enjoyable for everyone.

  “There has been a number of things taken from the locker rooms,”  says Physical Education Teacher Joe Alfano.  “This has not just become an issue recently.  This type of thing happens every year and it seems to come and go in waves.  We will go a length of time without theft and then this will happen again.”

  Alfano states that since the early spring a rash of locker room break-ins has caused student athletes to take precautionary measures to keep their equipment from being stolen.

  “Last year we came back [to the locker room] and noticed our stuff was all over the floor,” explains Sophomore Farah Fadel who was victimized by the series of break-ins that occurred last year.

  “We also noticed all our stuff was gone including money for food or gas.  If you have never lost $20, you don’t know what it’s like but I can tell you I was very frustrated.”

  According to Physical Education Teacher Nancy Locklear, incidents like this occur every year prompting the physical education department to take preventative measures.  These measures include PA announcements, which according to Locklear, have helped in resolving the issue.

  Alfano says the instances of theft have already been reported to the Andover Administration. 

 Fadel’s case was promptly reported to the Andover High School Administration by her and a group of her classmates.

  “[The administration] looked at security videos but said ‘There is nothing really we can do,’ ”  states Fadel.

  “They told us that they were unable to help and said to use our locks.”

  According to Locklear, the element of uncertainty and helplessness causes many of the teachers and students to report feelings of irritability.

  “I am frustrated that [students] do not lock their belongings up and I am frustrated that people sneak in while someone is exiting the locker room. I am upset that there are thieves among us,”  says Locklear. 

  “Mr. Alfano, Mr. DeWald, and I take things seriously down here and we really try to run a quality program [that is] safe for everyone.  It frustrates [the physical education department] to know that this sort of thing is going on in our locker rooms.”

  Locklear and the other physical education teachers say these incidents can be prevented and  urge students to keep their belongings and equipment in a locked locker or their belongings may suddenly disappear.

  If you have any information on these breakins, please contact Joe Alfano.

   “We raised about $2000 last year and we’re going to try to make a bit more this year,” says Varsity Coach Mike Boyd.  “Our fundraising goal every year is to make around $5000, [and] this is probably our biggest fundraiser of the year so we’re hoping to get three to four thousand dollars out of it.    

  According to Boyd, the teams’ Second Annual Home Run Derby will be on Sunday, May 6 at 1:00 p.m.. 

    “We’re going to sell baseballs, but we’re not going to give them to the buyer,” says Varsity Captain Senior Winston Urwiller as he explains how the Home Run Derby is going to work.  “Instead, they are going to be pitched to [the freshmen, JV and Varsity players] and we’ll try to hit them over the fence.  If we succeed, the person who purchased the baseball wins a prize.”

  Urwiller explains this idea first came from Assistant Baseball Coach Frank Divito after Divito learned of Clarkston’sDerbyidea.  The Boosters liked the idea and ran with it starting last year.

  “We are promoting it more this year,”explains Boyd.  “I know the Eccentric is doing a piece on it and the Oakland Press and a few other papers are too so we are hoping to get more of the community out there.  There are a lot of expenses and every little bit helps and we’re trying to help offset some of the costs for the district.”

  Athletic Director RJ Guizzetti adds that, “A lot of times the teams want to have things that the district doesn’t provide, things that are considered extra.  We always feel bad when we can’t buy all of the things [they want].  I think that [the derby] will be very beneficial to them and the fact that they are doing that, going out and working for this, I think is better than those fundraisers where you just go out and people are basically just giving you money.  I think it is a really valuable thing and I hope they are really successful.”

  According to Boyd, the money will go toward baseballs, cages, and arm strengthening supplies.

 The team also hopes to purchase special jerseys for the game against Lahser atComericaPark.

  “[The derby is] exciting,” says Urwiller.  “It was really fun to do this last year because we got time to do something less formal than practices with coach yelling at us.  It’s a great chance for us to be together as a team and have a great time.”      

  “They love it,” adds Boyd.  “It’s an opportunity to kind of show off what we’ve been doing.  They are a little nervous [because] they’ll be using the new bat style [required by the new regulations] that they have in high school baseball, [but] we’ve hit some home runs already and I’m fully anticipating that they will put on a good show.  We rarely let them hit the ball in the air and this is an opportunity to try and hit the ball over the fence and show off some of the power they have.”

  Boyd hopes each member of the team will hit at least one home run since there were about twenty home runs hit last year, and also believes that some of the heavy hitters may hit as many as five home runs.

  Urwiller agrees saying, “I would love to hit ten home runs.   [However], realistically I’ll probably hit three to five [like I did last year].”

  According to Boyd, there are also plans for improvements this year and moving into the future.

  “We’re going to get a dunk tank and get some more carnival games around and try to make it more involved with the youth baseball program.  Andy Wolfe, [father of Senior player Zach Wolfe] wants to get Lahser involved, to come and compete.  I think that we are going to do that next year as the schools are going to be combining.  I hope that it’s really going to take off.” 

  Guizzetti concurs saying that “the team has a pretty good following and they are hardworking.  I’m sure they are going to be doing everything they can to raise the money.  It’s a good choice.”

  “It’s a good team building fundraiser,” concludes Boyd.  “It’s not hard, it’s fun and it gets everybody involved.”

  And when I wasn’t dragged to a game, I was watching it on TV because my brother, being bigger and stronger, had a vice-like grip on the clicker.

  After watching more baseball in fifteen years than Babe Ruth did in his life, I learned something interesting.  Not about strike outs, foul balls or pop flies, but about the mystery that is baseball.

 From our own Baron Baseball Pitcher Gabe Berman to Detroit Tiger Ace Justin Verlander, all baseball players have  idiosyncrasies that make no sense to anyone outside the game.  Whether tying their cleats twice, spitting three times before swinging, or adjusting their… bats.

  These superstitions are as integral to the sport as the seventh inning stretch.

  Seeing these first hand, I know that  from  couch coach to professional commentaries, any discussion of a no-hitter or perfect game is forbidden. Whenever mentioned, that game has been cursed. 

  Don’t believe me? My own brother had a no-hitter almost completed until a certain member of theAndoverteam mentioned it to all the players on the field. Lo and behold, on the next pitch, the ball was cracked directly over the head of the kid who mentioned the no-hitter.

  The moral of the story:  never mess with the baseball gods.

  It’s not just a high school phenomenon. Even in the major leagues major messes occur.

  Just take it from the pros. Tim Kurkjan, an ESPN columnist, recently uncovered major league fielders eccentricities regarding their gloves. Some players, carry up to 13 gloves with them at all times. Chicago Cubs utility player, Jeff Baker, carries different gloves for different positions. He is also more protective of some gloves, such as his third baseman and shortstop gloves. One time a pitcher accidentally wore a player’s glove, and it caused the glove to stretch a bit, leading to a loss of confidence for the player.

  Without these idiosyncrasies, the flavor of the game is gone. The sport is magical because all of the players are unique, not only because of their incredible athletic ability, but also because of the quirks that define them.

 “We really pushedAndoverstudent athletes to apply to the [Michigan High School Athletics Association (MHSAA)] student advisory council this year,” says Guizzetti.  “The students picked get a leadership role and get a chance to impact the activities that they are involved in.  I think it is a wonderful opportunity forAndoverstudents and [I’m glad] we [could] get someone on that committee for the first time.”

  On April 27, the student advisory council named sophomore Kristen Law as one of the sixteen student athletes chosen to act as the voices ofMichiganhigh school athletics throughout their junior and senior years.  ThoughAndoverstudents have applied in the past, Law is the first to ever be chosen to sit on the council and complete a MHSAA project with fellow council members. 

  According to Law, a two-season athlete, applying to the MHSAA student advisory council was a natural decision.

 “I’ve been playing sports ever since I was little so it was just something I thought I would be interested in doing,” shares Law.  “As a high school athlete, being a representative is something that could be a good opportunity for me.  I think it will be a great experience that I can use later in life. ” 

 “I’m not necessarily looking for the state champion athlete; [the committee] needs student athletes who show a history of leadership who are willing to put forth their ideas and suggestions with the rest of the athletes,” explains Andy Frushour, MHSAA student leadership administrator who presides over the committee.  “The only way these juniors and seniors can have their voices heard is if they are willing to be leaders.” 

  According to Law, her leadership experience comes from leading by example for teammates.

  “We had about 70 applicants this year, and some of them truly stood out,“ says Frushour.  “Kristen is an elite tennis player with excellent grades, she is a girl on the robotics team, and we haven’t had much representation from the [Oakland Athletics Association] in the past.  Her qualities made her seem like a good decision for our committee.”

  Guizzetti concludes, “[Getting Law] involved gives us as a school and a part of a conference a chance to take some really good ideas and suggestions and improve our athletic program.  In the end, if the MHSAA is discussing the concerns of high school athletes, there is none better to discuss with than the experts—the kids playing in the games.”

  “I felt awful, especially because he’s one of my best friends on the team,” explains Junior Harry Singer who threw the ball that sent Third Basemen Preston Smith to the hospital.  “The ball was already out of my hand when I saw him cross in its path so I knew it was going to hit him, I just had no idea where or how bad it would be.”  

Once he started spitting blood I knew it was serious.” 

 During practice shortly before spring break, Third Basemen Zach Wolfe overthrew a ball while playing catch with Smith.   When Smith bent down to retrieve the ball, Singer’s throw hit him in the jaw, fracturing it in three different places and sending him straight toBeaumontHospitalwhere he underwent a surgery putting titanium plates in his jaw in order for it to correctly heal.

  “I just remember bending down to pick up the ball when I felt one of the worst pains in my life.  I didn’t know what to think but I knew right away it was going to be bad,” explains Smith. 

“I had to get a titanium plate put in my jaw in order for it to heal.  I just can’t wait to get back out on the field.”

  “The sound of it made me cringe, but the kid just didn’t go down.  He didn’t want to go home, he didn’t want to stop practicing, but I knew we had to get him off to get it checked out,” explains Varsity Coach Mike Boyd. 

“It’s a freak accident, we’re always very cautious but you’ve got to know things like that can happen all the time.  You’ve got kids running all over the place and you really just have to keep your head up.” 

  According to Smith, he will be returning to the field in either late April or early May, when he is expected to be cleared to play. 

Although he is doing much better, the doctor is requiring that Smith stay away from the game for a little while in order to prevent another, even worse injury.

  “Prestonis a really solid fielder and it has been pretty tough without him in the lineup,” explains Senior Captain Winston Urwiller.  “He really gives us a solid glove at third base and we also miss his bat.  He put a lot of work in, in the off season and he really deserves to be out there playing.  I can’t wait for him to return and get back to the sport he loves.”

 “He’s a starting infielder for us, and to lose a starter, someone who’s worked so hard in the off season, it’s tough,”  adds Boyd.

“He’s missed a lot, he’s got a lot to catch up on.   His return is going to push the guys who are in his spot, who have taken his spot, and really drive them to improve.  Were working him in slowly but surely to ease him back in, but he’s missed a lot and it’s gonna take a little while.”  

  Smith concludes, “I’ve put so much time into baseball over the past year, and obviously an injury like this is unavoidable.  It’s just so unfortunate, but accidents happen and I just have to deal with the consequences of them.”

 But what makes this team so different?  The fact we know we can win.  Feeling the pressures of everyone around us expecting us to win is the biggest difference.  The media, the school, and opposing teams all expect us to be the baseball team that makes the trip toBattle Creekfor the state championship. 

  The difference started when we got on the radar of scouts and coaches around the state by making it to the regional finals at the end of the 2010-2011 season and losing to the eventual state champions, St. Clair.  But in the minds of our naysayers, our unthinkable playoff run was a fluke.

 In our minds, no one around the state thought we would get so far into the state tournament except the players and coaches who were on the bench.  We thought, in the back of people around the state’s minds, there was no way we would win.  We are justAndover.

 But now, there is a different feeling.  Oakland Press Beat Writer Scott Burnstein recently ranked us as the fourth best baseball team inOaklandCounty.  Ranked just below Brother Rice,LakeOrion, and Bishop Foley, three teams that have made a run at the state championship in the past few years.   

 The difference is, this year, we are no longer the underdog from Bloomfield Hills.  We are a force to be reckoned with.

 Early on in the season, we earned a third place finish in a spring break tournament in which we beat  powerhouses Stoney Creek,Rochester, and Lamphere. 

 I have never had this feeling in my high school sports career; the feeling that we can win any game we play.

 I love this feeling.  I have waited four years for this feeling.  The feeling that I have a chance to do something that people will remember for the rest of their lives.

 This is different.

  “I think it’s amazing that Lomas is one of our assistant coaches. I [feel] really fortunate to have such an experienced coach on our staff,” says three-year varsity member Junior Captain Nick Rabah.  “He knows how the game works. That was his job, that was his livelihood for a quite a few years, so he knows everything that there is to know about the game and I think it’ll be amazing to have him share that with us.” 

  Eighteen-year NFL player and Superbowl Champion Offensive Tackle Lomas Brown has joined the Barons as an assistant coach in their final year of football.

  “When [Lomas] first walked into the room, the atmosphere became electric,” shares Athletic Director R.J. Guizzetti.

 “Everyone went from really down and worried about the future of the program to ‘Wow I really am glad to be a part of this.’  We all went from thinking ‘We’re going to have a football program’ to ‘Darn right we’re going to have a football program.’ ”

 Starting in mid-March, Brown began working with the team to prepare for the upcoming season.

  “[Lomas] is already working out on the weekend with the kids trying to get them stronger in the weight room and working on technique skills,” says Guizzetti.  “He already does some clinics and training and things so he knows what to do. He knows how to make kids better and he’s just going to bring that toAndoverand start working with our kids to make them the best they can be.”

  “I know the linemen he was working with have already developed considerably, just over the few times he’s been able to be in touch with them,” shares Rabah.  “I know they now have a lot more hope and a better work ethic.”

  Knowing that this is the last year beforeAndoverand Lahser football teams combine, Brown views his coaching as his way to help out.

  “He is one of the most charitable guys you will meet.  He is always giving up his time and just the fact that he’s willing to help speaks volumes,” says Head Varsity Coach Nate Coleman.  “It’s a learning experience for everyone.”

  “I think it says a lot about him that he wants to give back,” Guizzetti agrees.  “You see all kinds of former pro-athletes in all kinds of sports that never give back and get involved.  He’s coming in and giving up an awful lot of his time and even with his busy schedule, he’s still willing to try to fit our team in and I think that’s huge.  We’re so lucky to have him on board.”

  According to Rabah, Brown’s experiences is what sets him apart from other coaches.

  “He brings a lot more experience to the table,” tells Rabah.  “I think he can teach a lot more in an even more clear way, such as the way he learned in the NFL or when he was in college from professional coaches, so I think we can improve our skills a lot more with Lomas.  We now know we have someone that we can trust and that is credible.”

“I think from playing football and understanding football players’ tendencies and different things like that has helped me [from a coaching standpoint],” explains Brown.  “I think I’m more from the players’ side.  I know how it is to be a player and I know when it gets tough so I think my experiences of being a former football player helps me monitor these guys and see how they’re progressing.”

  Apart from the experiences Brown brings, according to Rabah, having such a well-known celebrity on the team also boosts morale.

  Guizzetti adds, “They got so down after the other coaching staff left, I think they felt abandoned and let down and hopeless.  Now with whatever concerns they might have, I think seeing Lomas Brown come on staff is going to make them a lot happier.  It brings such a sense of excitement to the program and we look forward to seeing what he can do with the players.”

  “I hope I encourage them and I hope they look at me and say ‘Hey if this guy can make it then I can make it,’ ” shares Brown.  “There were people in my career that influenced me so hopefully I can be a small influence to them.”

  Guizzetti concludes, “The things we can do with this program and the things we can teach the boys give us a chance to do something really special for everyone involved.  We can make this something they will never forget.”

  These are the dreaded five words I hear daily.

  Every time I hear them there is one reply I itch to say: No, actually, no you cannot. I like my pens untouched, unchewed, and unused by other students. I’m sorry, please look elsewhere.

  I wish I could say that right then and there, but I can’t muster up the sheer courage that would take.

   Instead I find myself responding with a ‘yes.’ Yes, of course you can “borrow” my pen. In fact, I brought these all just for you. 

  Even as I grudgingly hand over one of my praised pencils, I know the truth. My pleas will make no difference; the chances of seeing that pen again are slim. You know why? Because we all do it. Yes, we all throw out those five seemingly innocent words to our fellow classmates knowing that we don’t like when they do it to us either.

  This is a sneaky business: those forgetful students begging for a pen know exactly the tricks of the trade.

  First, they pick out a classmate who has unloaded a pencil case full of spares from their backpack to neatly lie out at the top of their desk.

  Then, they pounce. ‘Can I borrow a pen?’ they say with a warm smile.

  Now what?

   You cannot possibly say no as they are staring at your twenty extra pens sitting right in front of you.

 But you certainly don’t want to say yes knowing that almost every time you allow this charade to happen, you find yourself another pen short from the stack.

  So, the scenario plays out the same way once again, and once again you find yourself wondering why you couldn’t just say no.

  Egocentric. Materialistic. Egotistic.

  Basically… bratty.

  Otherwise known as a JAP, a Jewish American Princess.

  I hear the term “JAP” thrown around constantly. But, what truly makes a JAP? Are there certain criterias I need to fit? Do I need to try out?  If I’m Jewish, am I just a JAP by default?

  Apparently I am, because if I had a dollar for everytime I have been called a JAP, I would probably be richer than a real princess.

  And honestly, I’m sick of it. Yes, I’m Jewish. And yes, I’m American too, but how does that just imply that I’m a so-called “princess” as well? It shouldn’t.

  The term JAP has a negative connotation. Why is a term that is so serious taken so lightly? Believe it or not, there are people out there who enjoy getting called a JAP. But to me, not only can it be hurtful, but it is also bluntly anti-Semitic and implies that all Jewish-Americans are materialistic and egocentric. That just isn’t true.

  Coming from a Jewish day school, I have been taught to be proud of my religion. It is sad to see my religion turned into degrading term for Jewish girls.

  There are numerous Twitter accounts dedicated to making fun of “Jewish American Princesses” all over the world. While on occasion I find these tweets humorous, for the most part I am ashamed at the fact that I even follow them. These Twitter accounts give unspoken permission to the rest of the world to call anybody a JAP.  And it is not okay.

  This is usually the time in the my column where I would bring up the counterpoint, but for me, there is never a time when calling somebody a JAP is okay.

  So for all you so-called “JAPs” out there, it is time to bring this small but mighty acronym down once and for all.

  The next time someone calls you a JAP, stand up for yourself.

 Because frankly, we deserve better.