O’Bannon Greenwaves baseball in the 2020 season best captures the fullness of emotion invoked via the COVID-19 crisis.
Junior center fielder Perry Gibson described the season that quickly ended as “heartbreaking” on both a team and personal level.
“We were picked to win our district this year and we had finished second just the year before,” he explained. “Coach (Nathan) Kennedy had named me a captain and constantly reminded me that it was now my team and I was ready for that responsibility.”
With his new appointment as team captain, Gibson looked forward to the spring with excitement and a sense of duty.
Then in early March, much like it did the rest of the world, the Coronavirus brought the Greenwaves season to an abrupt halt.
“We only got a chance to play in two tournaments in Jackson and in one scrimmage game,” Gibson said. “ The regular season really never got started.”
Amid all of the disappointment and heartbreak, the world can also glean a sense of hope from the Greenwaves lost season.
Thankfully for Gibson, he can look forward to a senior season where the coronavirus pandemic is better controlled and where the new normal includes baseball.
Over the last couple of months, Gibson has been taking Coach Kennedy’s advice by keeping a broomstick nearby to work on his hip movement in the batters box and he’s been watching baseball instructional videos to stay mentally sharp.
“Due to the fact that we can’t go to the field or to the gym, I try to stay focused mentally and physically by doing a lot on my own,” Gibson said. “Knowing that I didn’t really get a chance to play this year and be with my teammates, I’m going to make the most of next season and never take playing baseball for granted.”
During his sophomore season Gibson was instrumental in helping the O’Bannon program return to prominence. He set up the victory over Leland during the 2019 season with a two-run double to help O’Bannon secure a second place district 2A finish.
Currently, Alabama A &M has expressed the most interest in Gibson playing at the next level.
