Tasked with a research project for school, Warren senior pitcher Reece Lawler skimmed through photos stored on his computer.
What Lawler found were pictures of him and other kids in baseball uniforms. He recognized the faces of Warren teammates Gabe Schmitt, Nate Rentas, Luke Behrens, Mikey Kocen, Ryan DeVries and Thomas Kenney. The images transported him to 2014, when he went to Cooperstown, New York, the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, with a Gurnee travel team to play in a tournament.
“We were all on the same team,” said Lawler, an Iowa recruit. “I’ve known those guys since I was 6 or 7 years old.”
That 2014 team finished 18th out of 104 teams in Cooperstown. It foreshadowed future success.
This spring was set to be the last hurrah for 18 Warren seniors until the coronavirus pandemic forced the Illinois High School Association to cancel the state tournaments in spring sports on April 21, effectively ending the season for the Blue Devils.
When Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended remote learning for the rest of the academic year on April 17, players and coaches anticipated the IHSA’s ruling. It didn’t make the reality any easier to accept.
“When it hit, it was devastating,” senior pitcher Dru Jasnoch said.
“It’s one of those things where I feel so bad for the players,” coach Clint Smothers said. “It’s such a special group.”
Warren won 32 games and a Class 4A regional title in 2019. Preparations for 2020 began almost immediately after the conclusion of that season.
“Over the summer, fall and winter, it was exciting and spirited, as we knew we could be great,” said Jasnoch, a Lewis recruit. “We had football and basketball players come to our open gyms. They wanted to be a part of what we were doing.”
The IHSA did not completely shut the door on spring sports. It left open the possibility for teams to participate in events during the summer if such gatherings are deemed safe by public health officials.
Conversations are already taking place within Warren’s baseball program about holding such an event, whether it be a scrimmage for senior night, exhibition games with other area teams or a road trip.
Warren was scheduled to travel downstate over spring break and play games at Rent One Park in Marion. Smothers said taking that trip over the summer will be discussed.
“If it’s possible with the administration, and the parents are OK with it, I’d do anything to get as much out of this season as we can,” Smothers said. “They deserve it. My coaching staff would be there. We’ll do whatever to get these guys a fair farewell.”
A video was produced recently by the Warren Dugout Club, a booster organization for the baseball team. The video is a montage of players’ photos in their Little League and high school uniforms, along with speeches from coaches. It’s the story of a group of boys growing up together through baseball.
The Blue Devils hope a final chapter still can be written.
“We’re trying to look forward and not dwell on what’s been canceled,” Lawler said. “Even if we have a few games in the summer, that would be super fun.”
Jon J. Kerr is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
