WESSON – A strong, gusting wind out of the southwest made thehuge American flag appear to be standing at nervous attentionduring the playing of our National Anthem. Located behind thecenter field fence at Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s SullivanField, the pole bent in the breeze, making me wonder if that steelcould withstand the strain.

For 227 years, Old Glory had stood strong in the midst of war,economic and political upheaval. America’s citizens are pliable butthey have a steel core, especially when challenged.

Baseball players and coaches from Co-Lin and East CentralCommunity Colleges stood along the first and third base foul lines,their caps covering their hearts. There was a loud round ofapplause at the conclusion of the anthem.

Prior to the ceremony, Co-Lin public address announcerDennis White had read a patriotic proclamation.”Remember our armed forces as they fight for freedom in farawayplaces. Pray for our country. Observe a moment of silence for thosewho have paid the ultimate price for freedom, dying on thebattlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan. God bless the USA.”

It was time to do battle on the baseball diamond. The Wolves andWarriors, both mired in rebuilding seasons, were battling forsurvival.

Hmmm. Battling for survival on the sporting field lost much ofits importance because of this military campaign in Iraq. Baseballis just a game. Marines and Army personnel, most of them 19 and 20years old, had died on the battlefield.

Pause a moment and ponder the situation. Get hit by a pitch andit hurts like crazy but all you have is a blue spot and a sorelimb. Get hit by a bullet in Iraq and the consequences could befatal.

Wow! Look at that flag! How beautiful to see the red and whitestripes and those white stars on a blue field of fabric flutteringin the breeze. Takes on a whole new meaning, doesn’t it?

Co-Lin baseball fans have been spoiled by a series of extremelysuccessful campaigns. Coach Keith Case, Co-Lin’sintense and dedicated field general, feels pain with each loss inthis difficult season.

“I know our kids are playing hard,” said Case. “When I waswashing the uniforms the other night, there was blood on some ofthem. It makes you think.”

During the pregame ceremony, White mentioned two of Co-Lin’sformer baseball players, John Shoemake andDavid “O.C.” Booth, who are currently in themilitary. Shoemake is a PFC, serving in Afghanistan. Booth has justqualified for OTS with the Marines.

“David always wanted to be in the military,” said Case “but hisparents wouldn’t let him join until he got his college degree.”

Booth is fulfilling a dream, serving his country. The waragainst terrorism is protecting the American dream.

Changing wars and sports, the Co-Lin Wolves are in the midst ofspring football practice. Head coach DavidPoinsett and his staff are busy working with returningsophomores, some walkons and a few incoming freshmen who enrolledin school for the second semester.

“We are working on concepts,” said Poinsett. “We are looking forguys who are going to step up to the plate and play for us.”

Due to injuries, Co-Lin finished last season with just 38players, 17 below the team limit. Remarkably, Co-Lin managed to winthree games.

“We are working on improving our offense and defense,” saidPoinsett. “We want to see the mental toughness. We want to see theedge.”

A few holdovers from last season still aren’t at full speed.

“We are happy with the progress this team is making. Guys aretrying to win jobs and win scholarships.

“Obviously, we are really, really young up front. We graduatedfour up front on offense. We have Dusty Shack backon the defensive line.”

Football on the college level is a year-round business.

“We have been running and lifting since January,” said Poinsett.”We have made tremendous gains in the weight room.Conditioning-wise, we are in shape. Our team speed hasimproved.

“We are still in the midst of recruiting. We will be recruitinguntil two-a-days start in August.”

Co-Lin’s first game is Thursday, Sept. 4, at Mississippi Delta.It’s the same schedule as last year, except in reverse. First homegame is Sept. 18, versus Gulf Coast.

“These kids have worked hard. Many of them are from the Co-Lindistrict.” Poinsett definitely wants more community support in thestands this fall.

A thumbnail sketch of returnees on offense have TySmith of Natchez and Billy Williams ofBrookhaven working at quarterback. First team running backs areShermaine Vaughn and Bobby Smithof Enterprise At fullback, Jonathan Eley ofMonticello and A.J. Holloway of Magee are running1-2.

Johnathan Walker and JohnathanMcLaurin of Mendenhall are leaders at wide receiver.

“We are halfway through spring. We feel good about the progressthat we are making, both on the field and in the classroom,”Poinsett pointed out.