View Full Version : East Meck "Miracle on Monroe"
A Christmas story in May about one of our former members that I want to post in here for one day...to honor one of our own:
I am not a professional writer, so I will not do this post justice, but I would like to give it a try. On a beautiful night to play baseball something unique was happening at East Meck vs Providence game. Quite frankly, in hindsight, Coach Hignight and the Providence Panthers did not have a chance. On this night, the East Meck Eagles were playing with 10 players and no matter how many innings they played, Providence fate would have been the same.
Friday night, East Meck played their first game under their new lights. They dedicated the lights to a very important person to their baseball program....Ed Bryant. Ed was just like every other father that has a son playing baseball. Dedicated, committed, passionate for the game and for his son. The relationship the two have is what every father dreams of having with their child. They are extremely close...Ed felt the excitement, joy and disappointment that every father goes through when supporting and guiding their son through their life. He devoted his life to his family and the few spare hours he had was spent helping his son to improve his baseball skills and to help the East Meck baseball program and their field. On a tragic day this past year, the Bryant's, their family, their friends and East Meck lost Ed....a terrific man...a terrific husband...and a terrific father. He is missed and loved by everyone who has ever met him.
The dedication Friday night to honor Ed Bryant could not have been scripted better if Ed wrote it himself. Beautiful weather...playing one of the best teams in the State....packed crowd...Ben Buchanan vs Joey Cutler. It doesn't get any better than this. It was a pitcher's duel all night....each team scratching and clawing for a run.
Providence took a 1-0 lead and it appeared as if this may be enough. Cutler was on tonight and he was not giving up hits. Up came Taylor Bryant.... Yes, the son .....just like Roy Hobbs in "The Natural", Taylor hit a long homerun that seemed to be lifted by the skies......East Meck was stunned...almost in shock ...then exploded into unabashed screaming at what just happened. At that moment, the Eagles, Ben Buchanan and their fans knew that no matter how many innings it would take...they were going to win and Ben was going to pitch them all.... they had 10 players on their field...and all 10 were smiling
sugarjet
04-24-04, 05:07 PM
That was a great story and what a way for Taylor to complete an already emotion field night. Congrats to him and the East Meck Eagles on a great game.
Prepster
04-24-04, 08:18 PM
Well done, Braves...VERY well done!
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:
rcbbfan
04-24-04, 08:31 PM
Great post on an inspirational story. Thanks Braves, for sharing it with all of us outside the Charlotte area. Congratulations to Taylor and the Eagles on a solid win on an emotional night.
sugarjet
04-24-04, 09:57 PM
Man just to hold it together on such a emotion night with a 1 run game and then to tie and take the led. Dang I wish I wouldn't have been playing and could have been there to see it and I don't say that much. I love it for Taylor. It took big balls to be out their on the East side. Ben held it together and that is the way he is. He will battle his butt off for you. My goodness what a good story. Thanks Braves.
SouthPawDad
04-24-04, 10:51 PM
WOW, I'm speechless and touched! Wow!
There are so many things to mention about this game...but what is surreal about this night is that Taylor Bryant is not a HR hitter.
taylor's not a home-run hitter like you're not a writer. you both proved you an come through in the clutch.
:applause:
Thanks Larry..I guess we both were touched by his Dad.
FalconDad
04-26-04, 11:27 AM
I am not a professional writer, so I will not do this post justice, but I would like to give it a try. On a beautiful night to play baseball something unique was happening at East Meck vs Providence game. Quite frankly, in hindsight, Coach Hignight and the Providence Panthers did not have a chance. On this night, the East Meck Eagles were playing with 10 players and no matter how many innings they played, Providence fate would have been the same.
Friday night, East Meck played their first game under their new lights. They dedicated the lights to a very important person to their baseball program....Ed Bryant. Ed was just like every other father that has a son playing baseball. Dedicated, committed, passionate for the game and for his son. The relationship the two have is what every father dreams of having with their child. They are extremely close...Ed felt the excitement, joy and disappointment that every father goes through when supporting and guiding their son through their life. He devoted his life to his family and the few spare hours he had was spent helping his son to improve his baseball skills and to help the East Meck baseball program and their field. On a tragic day this past year, the Bryant's, their family, their friends and East Meck lost Ed....a terrific man...a terrific husband...and a terrific father. He is missed and loved by everyone who has ever met him.
The dedication Friday night to honor Ed Bryant could not have been scripted better if Ed wrote it himself. Beautiful weather...playing one of the best teams in the State....packed crowd...Ben Buchanan vs Joey Cutler. It doesn't get any better than this. It was a pitcher's duel all night....each team scratching and clawing for a run.
Providence took a 1-0 lead and it appeared as if this may be enough. Cutler was on tonight and he was not giving up hits. Up came Taylor Bryant.... Yes, the son .....just like Roy Hobbs in "The Natural", Taylor hit a long homerun that seemed to be lifted by the skies......East Meck was stunned...almost in shock ...then exploded into unabashed screaming at what just happened. At that moment, the Eagles, Ben Buchanan and their fans knew that no matter how many innings it would take...they were going to win and Ben was going to pitch them all.... they had 10 players on their field...and all 10 were smiling
I dont know what to say? You wrote a wonderful article. My son played on a few AAU/USSSA teams with Tate Bryant. My family had the chance to spend many hours, days, weekends, with Ed and his family. Ed was one of the dearest friends i have ever had. A very special man that loved life, loved his family, loved his friends, and yes (Loved Baseball). On his days off during the week and some weekends, Ed would drive to my house in Salisbury from Charlotte to help me with any task that i couldnt complete alone. He always made me feel better no matter how many aches and pains i had on those days. (Health Problems) But like you said this was one special night for a lot of reasons!
My son played JV and Varsity for the West Rowan Falcons last year. This year he decided to give up baseball. So, it has been very difficult for me to go watch HS baseball. My family was informed that this night would be dedicated to Ed and the lights would glow for the first time. I felt compelled to go to this one. And im glad i did. What i saw that night was one of the best baseball games i have ever seen. As the East Mech players were called they surrounded the pitchers mound. Tate was catching this night. Ed's wife Kari and daughter Kelsey also on the mound. After an emotional speech about Ed and his efforts to get those lights for the field. Kari Bryant threw the first pitch of the game to her son Tate. I think it was a change-up? But anyway it made it all the way and crossed the plate. Tears were pouring like a thunderstorm from many people. The lights were turned on and the game began. Providence was winning 1-0, Tate came up to bat, and i said to myself
(wouldn't it be great if he hit one out?) When the ball came off of the bat i said to myself (Goodby, new ballgame!) The rest is history. East Meck played their butts off and won the game. Great pitching from both sides. Leaving the game that night i knew that Ed was smiling down from heaven saying"Yep those are the lights that i helped make possible for my boys to play under, and the big tall young man that caught the game, the one that shot the baseball over the left center fence,,,that was my son Tate." I learned that i still love to watch baseball that night, and i plan on going more often now.
Ed Byrant is and will be missed by many many people for years to come. For those that knew him as i did, rest assured that he got more out of life in his 46 years than most of us will get in 80 years.
sugarjet
04-26-04, 03:43 PM
What a wonderful story! This is what sports are all about. We learn so many life lessons through sports, and this is just one more example of one. I am so proud of East Meck and Taylor Bryant and Ben Buchanan. Congratulations!
The "O"
04-26-04, 08:43 PM
all around story period! Miracles and the good times past present and future it is what makes us all want to continue to live, right? Good job "B" and East! :applause: :applause:
Epilogue:
This story was very difficult to write. I am also a father of a son playing baseball and to imagine the emotions the Bryant family felt that night is beyond comprehension, yet hit so close to home. I have received much feedback from a lot of people about the East Meck Miracle...from the players participating to parents attending and the one thing that strikes me the most is this. That Friday night, there were no rivals. Supporters from Providence to Myers Park...Butler to South Meck...Olympic to Waddell, all understood the impact of this game. It was not about conference wins...not about rivalries...not even about baseball. It was an event. As Sugarjet mentioned, it was a life lesson.
I sat with Alex Martin, Kevin Dietrich and Ben Buchanan at a table the next day discussing the game with them. Although Alex and Kevin were certainly disappointed in the loss, they seemed to understand that this game was predestined. They were proud participants....and to me, that goes beyond sports.
We hear, too often, about the negative things revolving sports that I thought it was important to post this story. This goes so far beyond a typical HS baseball game, yet the emotions displayed by parents and the players are something experienced at every HS game and to me, this makes HS baseball the greatest game to attend. So, the next time you are driving down Monroe Rd. and you pass the East Meck field, look for a twinkling light...that's Ed reminding you what HS baseball is all about.
PS- I'll keep this thread up one more day and then I'll take it down. I appreciate all those that have responded with your thoughtful posts.
Braves,
Please consider sending this to IHIGH for posting on their site.
It is a wonderful story that should be shared with all!
http://www.ihigh.com
Braves,
Please consider sending this to IHIGH for posting on their site.
It is a wonderful story that should be shared with all!
:xyzthumbs ...thanks BB9er...I just did.
Dawgfan
04-28-04, 01:27 PM
Braves
GREAT writing.
I felt like I was there.
and wish I had been.
Can you say "Charlotte Observer" I think they need a good man for the preps pages.
Ray :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :xyzthumbs
Thanks Ray...but I have a place even better to write....TBR:D
BTW....what a great story you guys are providing this year...undefeated...and for those that don't know..Ray is the coach for the undefeated Butler softball team :applause: :applause:
mathmajors
04-28-04, 09:48 PM
Heard about this game tonight from one of the coaches. We should transfer a copy of this thread over to 'Religion'.
Heard about this game tonight from one of the coaches. We should transfer a copy of this thread over to 'Religion'.
math, if you think it would serve a purpose than please..you do the honor.
mathmajors
04-28-04, 10:24 PM
math, if you think it would serve a purpose than please..you do the honor.
I'm afraid it would only serve as fodder for some folks over there. Besides, it retains it's purity over here.:)
i was thinking hall of fame. :)
Dawgfan
04-29-04, 09:44 AM
Thanks Ray...but I have a place even better to write....TBR:D
BTW....what a great story you guys are providing this year...undefeated...and for those that don't know..Ray is the coach for the undefeated Butler softball team :applause: :applause:
Braves thanks for the kind words. but I am the asistant JV coach, one of four coaches that run the Butler program.
coachevans26
04-29-04, 11:00 AM
I don't know personally about all of you guys, but it is times like these that makes me sure of why I do this!!
PhillyDave
04-30-04, 10:48 AM
:applause: I have known the Bryant Family for the past fifteen years. Watching Ed and Kari's kids grow up has been a thrill for myself and my family. The events that took place recently at East Meck were beyond explaining. All I know, is that Ed's spirit was with his family and friends that night. Especially with his son Taylor (Tate). Not only did Tate hit a tremendous Home Run, but people have failed to mention, that he also had a line drive single down the third base line with his first at bat. Tate was also catching this game, and proceeds to pick off a runner at first base. Then the improbable win. I don't know about anyone else, but I got chills down my back after this game. Ed Bryant is gone, but believe me, his spirit will live on for years to come, especially at his "Field of Dreams".
God's speed to Kari, Taylor, Kelsey and to all Ed's family and friends, you will be missed my friend.
:xyzthumbs ...thanks BB9er...I just did.
and it looked good there too
Mr. Anonymous :cool:
A tribute to one of God's Angels
Honeygirl
12-24-04, 04:57 PM
Braves - thank you so much for writing this up, and for the other's (FalconDad in particular) for adding more to this wonderful story. I'm afraid that I'm not much of a sports chica, and rarely follow sports things - but this absolutely held me spellbound and I'm not too proud to admit that I wept like a baby when I read that Taylor hit the home run and won the game. Thank you so much for putting this thread down here. I would never have found it otherwise, and hope that other people read this and appreciate the thread as much as I have - cheers :).
Braves - thank you so much for writing this up, and for the other's (FalconDad in particular) for adding more to this wonderful story. I'm afraid that I'm not much of a sports chica, and rarely follow sports things - but this absolutely held me spellbound and I'm not too proud to admit that I wept like a baby when I read that Taylor hit the home run and won the game. Thank you so much for putting this thread down here. I would never have found it otherwise, and hope that other people read this and appreciate the thread as much as I have - cheers :).
:xyzthumbs ...you're my favorite chica :mushy:
QueenCityHillbilly
12-24-04, 07:45 PM
Man, I had forgotten about this one. Thanks for bringing it back up :applause: Oh, and men, I'd wait til your home alone to read this one if you haven't already.
or have your children nearby....you will need someone to hug
Ed's wife just posted this in the Prep forum and I thought I would send it here:
Originally Posted by EagleTimeMom
well, I will be giving myself away but once again, I am so touched by this thread...I am Ed's wife, Tate's mom...and that night will always live in my heart and soul as one of the most special nights of my life. From the joy of finally getting those lights turned on, to the huge crowd, to the game itself it was just overwhelming. As ball gets ready to start again, I find myself excited to get back on 'ed's field' (sorry Chet!) and get that baseball connection back with Ed. ladybugs, large birds, etc...Pam Buchanan understands!! Thanks Braves for so eloquently expressing the emotional night last year and thanks to everyone who has said a prayer for us and been there to give us big hugs...its you all that have gotten us through the past year and a half. Ed will live on in the minds and hearts of all who knew him ... and when you see Tate out there this spring you will see a lot of Ed in him...
vBulletin® v3.8.1, Copyright ©2000-2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.