Something is wrong with this picture.
Bob Fornelli is in the middle of a circle of Emporia State baseball players, and Fornelli is kicking a hacky sack. Hacky sack, a game usually reserved for long-haired high schoolers, is being played by a middle-aged bald guy, and he’s having the time of his life.
The only thing that gives away the fact that Emporia State is on its way to the World Series is the television interview going on in foul territory.
Fornelli is with his baseball family. He has a big smile on his face. His players are all laughing and couldn’t be more loose. It’s the Tuesday before the College World Series, but it might as well be a random March day in the middle of the season.
“When new players come in, he tells them everybody’s going to be a family,” says John Martin, ESU pitching coach who played for Fornelli. “He’s going to be like your older brother and he’s going to treat you like that. He’s going to get on you, but he’s also the first guy here every single day.
“He’s always coming with a great attitude, messing around with guys, playing hacky and stuff like that. He’s just a big player’s coach. He’s going to let you go. He doesn’t put restrictions on you. He lets his players play and everybody just loves to play for him.”
For the complete story see the Gazette print edition or the online print edition at http://www.emporiagazette.com/pdf. To subscribe to the print edition or the online print edition go to http://www.emporiagazette.com/subscribe.
latenitereader (anonymous) says...
This sounds too good to be true. Maybe C.J. should talk to the players Fornelli left behind. I'll bet they don't feel like he treats them like a brother much less a part of the "family". These guys practiced everyday with the rest, helped the team get where they are and he left them hanging out to dry. Why didn't Fornelli or the University try to find a way for the "whole team" to go? I understand several of them have been on the team for more than 2 years yet he lets a kid who just got here go along, sit in the dugout and keep stats while these others are left back here feeling completely left out. What a family guy - what a brother!
May 22, 2009 at 11:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hornetfaithful (anonymous) says...
I have been part of the family and I am a proud alumni and its too bad you have to say something like this. There is always going to be someone upset but i am pretty sure what Fornelli is doing is working just fine. Where were these players last Monday when the Hornets were winning the regional championship? I was in the stands and I did not see one of them, and now they should get a free ticket to NC? Fornelli is the best coach I have ever had or been around and yes he is a big brother even after you are done playing for him. Just sucks that you have to write something like that when you really have no clue.
May 23, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
latenitereader (anonymous) says...
Sounds like your experience with coach was different than some. Maybe you didn't look hard enough, or maybe you really don't have a clue...several of these young men were there. Everybody is excited and happy for the team for them to be where they are today. I'm not trying to take that away. The whole team should be there, all of them, after all it took all of them at practices, conditioning, games. How would you feel if you were one of the ones told that they couldn't go, maybe a senior..... I mean doesn't he (or you) have any compassion, feelings for how those young men must feel. It just sucks that the university and the big brother couldn't find a way for the "whole family" to be together. Reality is that he doesn't treat everybody like his brother, maybe you were one of "his chosen" but think back....I'll bet you could recall a few players who weren't ....
May 25, 2009 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beth (anonymous) says...
I'm sure he would have taken everyone if he could. Last time I checked this was the NCAA Division II World Series - not the Little League World Series. As far as I know everyone on the team had a chance to make the travel squad. Sometimes being a family means sacrifice and being able to say no to something that you want.
I think he made a pretty good choice on who to take to the regional and after the win over Grand Valley I think he was right about the world series roster as well.
May 25, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
NCAA allows for so many to be on official team roster. NCAA pays the expenses for so many to be transported, housed, bussed, fed.
It would be nice if the University had boatloads of money to send everyone but they do not. Coach F probably feels worse that you about leaving some home.
May 25, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )