Going from the dugout to Iraq

While baseball players at Kelly High School try to build on a 9-12 season from a year ago, some of their attention is focused far away from Southeast Missouri.

Just months before Kelly's players would be taking the field for opening practices, coach John Gandt, a member of the 1140th Army National Guard unit, was sent to Iraq.

"A lot of us were shocked," Kelly sophomore Caleb Daughhetee said. "A lot of us were not wanting him to go."

Gandt, a second lieutenant, is stationed in southern Iraq where his unit is performing patrol missions.

Athletic director Cory Johnson, who had filled in for Gandt on occasion last season, was given the head coaching position. Johnson brought in former Southeast Missouri State University standout and Kelly alum Denver Stuckey as his assistant.

"I was excited about it," Johnson said. "I was going to be an assistant anyhow."

Besides some early growing pains surrounding a young team with a new coach, the Hawks have been able to overcome their difficult situation and have started to play some good baseball. Recently the team strung together a three-game winning streak, which included a wins over district foe St. Vincent, Dexter and New Madrid County Central.

The Hawks, who lost 11-2 to Central on Wednesday, have won three of their last four and are 4-4.

"Early in the year, with all of it being new, it took a while for adjustments," Johnson said. "I think it took a good two or three games into the season. I think now we're getting more confidence and jelling more as a team."

Said Daughhetee, "It was different at first, but now we've gotten used to it. They are totally different styles of coaches."

As the Hawks move forward with their season, Gandt is never far from the players' minds. The nightly news has taken on a new level of importance for the team.

"I'm sure that now it affects them more," Johnson said. "Now they know a person that is over there."

New developments in Iraq occasionally make for conversation on the practice field for the Hawks, but for the most part the players stick to talking baseball when at the diamond.

"Every once in a while it comes up," Daughhetee said. "I think about him a lot."

Added sophomore Jonathan Simpher: "We all just hope he's doing all right."

For a team with only one senior and a small upper-class presence, Kelly has been able to turn a potential distraction into a positive. The players simply want to do well to honor their coach.

"It hasn't been a distraction as far as playing-wise," Johnson said. "If anything, it has helped them focus more just coming out and not taking things for granted."

Gandt has been able to keep up with the team in a limited fashion by e-mail. Gandt and some of the Kelly staff have exchanged several e-mails since he was sent to Iraq.

Johnson said Gandt always wants to know how the team is doing.

"It's good to be able to send him a good report," Johnson said.