Miracle on Monroe Part ll--Ed Bryant Story

Those of you that have read TBR's "Miracle on Monroe" remember Tate and his Dad, Ed Bryant. A dad that spent tireless hours in helping his son play baseball and helping to develop East Meck's baseball field into one of the finest. Ever since that "Miracle" game, I have followed Tate's baseball successes through last spring, summer and fall. Although Tate is not blessed with his Mom's(Kari) footspeed, he has his Dad's strength in arms and legs. This kid is a player!!! He can pitch, field, catch and flat out hit....but coming into this season, he did not look the same. He did not seem to have the joy for baseball that I had witnessed in the past. After watching East Meck play in the Shelby Easter tournament, I felt that Tate had lost his interest in baseball. I thought to myself at the time, ~if he had....it was certainly understandable~ It is difficult enough being a teenager, but to couple that with the tragedy of losing your father...well, the fact that Tate was still playing is a testament to his Dad's influence.

Last night, I went to Ed Bryant's field to watch the South Meck/ East Meck game....and it was eerie. It was the first game played under the lights this year. I don't know if it was just me or if others attending felt the same way. But once they turned the lights on, I could feel it. I could feel that dadgum Ed Bryant on the field wishing he would come back another night....but I knew why he was there and he kept ignoring my pleas to come back for the Providence game instead.

Tate has been struggling this year in baseball...and my guess, in other things as well and Ed was going to straighten him out. Tate had a total of 3 hits this year... 3 hits??? Heck, he could get 3 hits in one game batting opposite handed. I was up in the press box listening to the EM supporters telling me how much Tate has been struggling, while I was thinking "yeah, yeah,yeah... just wait". His first plate appearance, the first pitch....whack...a rope to left field. The guys in the booth were yelling, "that's the hardest hit ball he has hit all year". I was thinking " yeah, yeah, yeah...just wait". It was a close game when Tate came up again. I looked up at the lights and begged for Ed to have mercy. South Meck has been struggling and they needed the win. First pitch....whack...a towering HR.

As I was silently cursing Ed, I watched Tate rounding the bases and hoped he understood the message that was being sent. His father taught him how to love the game. How it's supposed to be played. How it's just a game and to have fun. I know Ed reminded his son that he has a gift...don't waste it.

Ed doesn't go to all the games anymore, but he knows when his son needs him. For those that have never met Ed...come on out to Monroe Rd. for a night game. When the lights come on...he's there. You will feel him!

 

Another wonderful story Braves. I wish I had met Ed. I have met Taylor and he's an outstanding young man.

 

Those Lights!!

OK Braves, you are not supposed to do this to me first thing in the morning!! Yes, Ed was there last night - but more importantly, Taylor came back to the game of baseball last night. It has been hard for me to watch him this year because the 'fire' had gone out - I kept thinking it was his age or that he had been doing this for 14 years or any little excuse I could find...but deep in my heart and soul I knew that Tate missed his mentor, his Dad, his best friend...the one who would come home after being on a trip for 4 days, put down his suitcase and immediately head to the street with two gloves - one for him and one for Tate ... anyone who knows Tate knows what an awesome young man he has become off the field. It has just made me sad that it seemed he had lost his love for the game. Watching him round those bases last night and watching him come home pumped up til midnite like the 'old days' made my heart beam ... I realized that he hadnt lost his love, he just needed to see those magical lights shine again ... once again, it was a perfect night for baseball and Ed was there. (Tate thinks that Pammie had a pretty big part in all this too!!) and Braves, could you imagine if Tate had my grace and footspeed ?? He would be unstoppable !!!

 

...yes, he would.

And yes, Pammie is pretty special too. But I've always known that. She has always had a special place in her heart for the underdogs.....look who she married...just kidding SB

 

Tate and his Dad

I had the misfortune of watching PHS play East Meck last year the night they dedicated the lights at East Meck to Ed Bryant. Tate hit a Home Run to Beat Providence that night (2-1), so it appears Ed has never left the field. We were fortunate to have Taylor play with us (part-time) on the Charlotte Diamondbacks the Fall his Dad passed away. We didn't start him the first game and all the players kept coming up to us asking us if we were nuts. Eight of our nine starters asked us to take them out so Tate could play. I am shocked to hear he only had 3 hits going into last nights game. He's a first round daft choice in my book. He can catch, pitch, play short or the outfield for any team!!

East Meck is very quietly one game out of first in the SW4A!!

:229031_ha

 

good story Braves

 

I am one of the lucky ones that has known the Bryants since Tate was a five year old star on the T-Ball field. Ed was like a brother to me and Tate knew the relationship his Dad & I had. Fortunately, I was able to find his home run ball. It was in the dam trees behind the fence. After the game, (Tate didn't know I was there) he and I made eye contact and the biggest smile game across his face. I gave him the ball and got a big hug. Very special moment for me. I told him, "you got all of that one", and he smiles and says, " yea, I knew it was gone as soon as I hit it." Taylor is and will be just fine, all he needed was a litttle help from his Dad to get started, and he got it.

Kari, you can be very proud of this young man, Ed and you did a great job bringing him up.

Yes Braves, I can hear and feel Ed each and every time I go to East Meck's ball field. I just wish that they would change the name of the field to
"Ed's Field of Dreams"

God's speed Ed, you will continue and always be missed.

 

East Meck is the only Charlotte team on NW Cabarrus's regular season schedule. The last couple of years I've complained about battling the Charlotte traffic to play an early non-conference game there.........until I got to the field and saw how beautifully it was kept. (great hot dogs and fans too!) I never knew there was such a great story behind the field and the team.

Best of luck to the Bryants!!!! (great post Braves)