Bus-Wrecked Baseball Team Starts Season

Bluffton Will Play Conference Rival In What Promises To Be An Emotional Game

(CBS/AP)  Opening day of a baseball season is usually a festive affair. But not this year in Bluffton, Ohio.

Bluffton University baseball players will return to the field Friday wearing black jerseys instead of purple and white to honor five teammates killed when their bus plunged off a highway overpass.

The team plays a single game Friday afternoon against conference foe College of Mount St. Joseph of Cincinnati, then a doubleheader against the same team on Saturday.

"For the players, it will be a marker that allows them to move on in some ways, but never forget that part of their team isn't with them anymore," Bluffton President James Harder said in a telephone interview. "I think it's the right thing to do."

Bluffton is about 80 miles northeast of Dayton, and a crowd that is sure to swell beyond the 100-seat bleachers is expected. Anticipating extra interest from the press, reporters are advised by the school to "bring their own folding/lawn-style chair."

The team was headed to Florida for spring training when its bus plunged off an overpass March 2 in Atlanta. Investigators say the driver apparently mistook an exit ramp for a highway lane.

The crash killed the driver, his wife and four players that day, and a fifth player died the following week. One player remains hospitalized.

The Beavers will be without coach James Grandey, who is still recovering from breaking bones in his face and injuring his right leg. Up to six players could miss all or part of the season because of injuries.

The team resumed practices March 19 and hopes to make up the four games it has missed in the Heartland Collegiate Conference. Bluffton coaches and players have not been available to speak to reporters.

Athletic Director Phill Talavinia said the players seem excited about the game.

"I've enjoyed — when I'm sitting in my office — hearing the ping of that bat again," he said of practice, which has been held indoors sometimes because of rain.

The coach of the team's first opponent said going on with the season will help Bluffton's players begin to heal.

"I'm really happy that despite this tragedy that they are able to get back on the field," said Chuck Murray of St. Joseph. "It's heartbreaking. I pray for them every night."

Students and teachers at Bluffton, a 1,200-student, Mennonite-affiliated school about 55 miles south of Toledo, were encouraged to wear the school colors during the day Friday, and then black at the game. There will be a prayer and moment of silence before the national anthem.

Bluffton and Mount St. Joseph are familiar rivals, and Murray said Friday's game will be emotional for both sides.

"We're still going to play hard. We will do everything within the rules to win the game," Murray said. "But if we have to lose a game this year, that would be the one we'd want to lose."

[mainemade]

Good Luck! And God bless you all! Your lost team-mates will be there in spirit and in your hearts. Who knows maybe they will be the "Angels in the outfield".

[last121868]

Good Luck, Guys!