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Seniors represent West in BNBA Classic All-Star Games

The Bloomington Normal Baseball Association provided an opportunity for this year’s graduating seniors to represent their  high schools once last time on the baseball field.  The seniors from the Intercity and Area high schools were divided into four teams to play two 7-inning games.  And it only seemed fitting given this year’s season that the teams had to overcome a lengthy weather delay!

Both Intercity teams came out on top in the end.  Check out The Pantagraph article for highlights from the evening.

A few photos from the night….

2020 Seniors put on the jerseys one last time
Intercity Squad – Game 1
Intercity Squad Game 2
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Recognizing the 2020 Senior Class

The 2020 Senior class endured a season like no other.  Congratulations to this year’s class – many of whom are continuing their baseball careers at the collegiate level (*).

      • Alec McGinnis – Augustana *
      • Alex Smith – Carl Sandburg *
      • Ben Hanson – Heartland
      • Connor Stephenson – Case Western *
      • Daniel Ogden – St. Ambrose
      • Evan Ericson – Heartland
      • Evan Hutson – Illinois Wesleyan *
      • Evan Wallgren – Heartland
      • Garrett Swingler – Illinois Wesleyan *
      • Sean Shook – Heartland *
      • Will Kafer – Illinois Wesleyan *

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Highlights from the 2020 season that never was……

In March, the COVID-19 pandemic totally disrupted the world as we knew it.  All of us were forced to shelter in place, wear masks in public, social distance, and limit the size of any gathering.  Students and teachers moved to an online learning model – one that is going to continue into the start of the fall academic year.

After just a few days of practice, the baseball season came to a screeching halt…..no Gulf Shores trip over spring break, no conference games, no games against rivals NCHS or U-High, no chance to play in the postseason….there was no season.

As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, find a way to make lemonade.  This year required student athletes, coaches, and parents to make gallons of lemonade!  It tested the resolve of everyone in the West baseball program, and only reinforced Coach Hawkins’ core principals of “Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul.”

Here are a few highlights from the season that never was…..

A special video from the varsity players to Coach Hawkins (created by Cheryl Shook) – https://youtu.be/gpxNzKyIeBI

Alec McGinnis and Evan Hutson put things into perspective in this WMBD news interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix8jr5XMDGA

Coach Hawkins’ interview with Randy Kindred – https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/high-school/baseball/watch-now-normal-west-baseball-coach-chris-hawkins-devastated-by-cancellations-but-finds-comfort-in/article_fe9ad2e8-2991-51ac-af02-d0ca9f100345.html

A video Coach Hawkins helped to create for the players this season – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NFqJNlEXnzrwsTZId5WvOzBmH6FpWW8v/view?usp=drivesdk