From May 2009:
The baseball team has shown great potential this year, making this their first appearance in the state playoffs in eight years.
What has made the team great this year is not only the talent on the team but the leadership of many of the seniors. Among those senior leaders, Rudy Germaine has stepped up to the plate.
This is Germaine’s second year on the varsity team and his third playing for Chamblee. Baseball is the main aspect of his life and his love is not only for the game, but also for his team.
Although Rudy has not been playing first-string this year for the Bulldogs, he has still gained a lot of respect in his fellow teammate’s eyes. Even head baseball coach Brian Ely only had good things to say about him.
“He brings a certain confidence and has an air about him that makes the team look up to him,” said Ely.
Germaine is not the only leader of the team this year. Other seniors that have stood out for leading are Ennis Coble, Mark Lindemann, Paul Strakoski, and Henry Jacobs.
With so many players being seniors, the team is losing a lot of its core next year. Players are expected to step up next year like Knox Maslia and Brandon Lowe.
While in the playoffs, Germaine kept the stress down for the team.
“I like to tell jokes to get everyone’s spirit up and keep the stress down,” says Germaine.
Germaine’s plan for the next year also includes baseball. He plans on attending Middle Georgia, in hopes to try out for the baseball team there as a pinch hitter.
“I have no doubt that he has talent, and will be able to be a great leader in baseball if he decides to play for college,” said Ely.
Hopefully, with the team’s raw talent and Germaine’s jokes, we will see a lot from the baseball team this year.