STUNTED SEASON

Senior Billy Bracket starts baseball practice just like everyone else on the team.

He puts on his practice shirt, baseball pants, a belt, and his hat. He helps to set everything up and has a job assigned to him, just like everyone else on the team. He warms up and stretches, just like everyone else on the team. This is where the similarities end, however.

Since last year, Brackett has been recovering from a torn labrum, which renders him unable to play for the majority of the 2019 season. The Hospital for Special Surgery defines the labrum as “the cup-shaped rim of cartilage that lines and reinforces the ball and socket joint of the shoulder.”

This tear requires surgery in order to heal properly. Brackett has received surgery and has been going to physical therapy for the last 13 weeks, continuing to strengthen the injured shoulder. The injury occured during a American Legion baseball game while Brackett was pitching.

“I was pitching and I think over the years I have worn out my shoulder, because last season it collapsed, and I ended up tearing my labrum.” said Brackett.

This injury has been devastating to Brackett, as he feels the frustration of having to sit the bench during his last baseball season in High School. The loss of Brackett has also set the team back one of their key players. Last season Brackett led the team in Triples (3), was fourth in Runs Batted In (12), and was tied for second in Runs Scored (16). Brackett also started in 19 out of the 20 games the Bulldogs had last year.

Although the team was at first shocked and frustrated, they hope Brackett makes a full and healthy recovery.

“I hope he gets better because that’s a horrible thing for someone to be a Senior and then get hurt like that.” said fellow teammate and Senior Kade McDonald.

It looks as though Brackett won’t miss the entire season this year, however. He is set to make a recovery before the district playoff games in May.

Overall Brackett is just trying to stay positive, and work as much as he can to get his arm ready to go as soon as possible.

“I’ve been trying to put my knowledge into other players, and just support the team as much as I can.” said Brackett.