By Gary R. Rasberry
grasberry@dailystandard.com It was time for batting practice before Tuesday's Lima-Grand Lake summer college league game and Sean and Scott Boley were out on the field at Jim Hoess Field, stretching, throwing, and getting ready.
That's nothing new for the twin brothers and 2004 graduates of Celina High School since the pair has been playing baseball all their lives.
One thing was certainly different and noticeable this time around, though, the different uniforms.
After playing on the same teams, from Little League through high school, ACME, Legion and the University of Toledo, the Boleys are in opposite dugouts this summer. Scott plays the infield for the Grand Lake Mariners, while Sean is a catcher for the rival Lima Locos.
It's the first time that the pair have squared off against each other on the diamond -- ever. "We've always been on the same team ever since we were young," said Sean in the Locos' dugout as the Mariners took batting practice. "This is the first time, so it should be fun."
"It's the first time we've been on separate teams," said Scott. "But it's fun."
Scott, who started 36 of the 38 games he played this season for the Rockets -- batting .252 with five doubles and nine runs batted -- got an early invitation to play this summer.
"Back in the fall, they asked me to play," said Scott. "It sounded good and it ended up that way."
Sean did not see as much time on the field as Scott this season, but as the season wore on, his numbers improved, finishing the year with a .286 batting average in 20 games, 11 of which were starts.
Then the Lima Locos came calling. The franchise ceased operations after winning the league tournament last season, prompting many players who would have returned to sign on with other teams.
When the Locos were revived, the search for players ensued. Sean's rising numbers allowed him to get signed for the summer in April, sharing catching duties with Lima Senior grad Don Cheney.
"It would have been nice to play for the local hometown team," said Sean. "It didn't work out. Right now, I'm having a blast playing for the Locos."
Although the teams are still close, about 30 minutes apart, choosing to see who plays is interesting for the Boley family, especially parents Bruce -- who coached the twins on the Celina varsity -- and Linda.
"They've got a big calender with all the games laid out," said Sean. "My aunts and uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers just split up the games, that's nice."
"It's worth it," said Scott. "Usually one of us is on a road trip, anyways. Whatever game is in the area, they go to. It works out."
For six games between the Mariners and Locos, five after Tuesday's game, the choice will not be difficult. A large Boley cheering contingent was down in the leftfield bleachers for the game.
Sean got the start for the Locos on Tuesday, getting a hit in four chances while playing the entire game at catcher.
Scott, who started Monday night, got the night off and did not get in the game, which caused a little disappointment for some of the extended family of the twins watching the game.
Although he would have liked to play, Scott was happy about one thing -- the 3-2 win the Mariners posted over the Locos.
"It's a good thing we came out on top," said Scott. "It's a good win for us."
"It sets up a rivalry between us a little bit," said Sean. "There's always a rivalry between the Mariners and Locos." |
