REMEMBERING GEORGE PRATT

Today I write to you with a heavy heart as I have just learned the news that our two time M.V.P. pitcher and great friend, George Pratt, has unexpectedly passed away (Feb. 21). Pratt came to pitch for me on the Sidewalk Café team in the M Street Softball League in 2002. Over the next eight seasons our friendship would grow and become very close, we would celebrate three championships together, and share life experiences that went well beyond the game of softball. I may have served as his coach on the team but I was the one who was being mentored and learning all of the lessons. I feel it is my obligation as a writer and friend to pay tribute and honor him by sharing some of his softball career highlights and personal reflections with you.	George Pratt - (9/27/1949-2/21/2011)
For starters you should know that George was always one of the first players to arrive at the field. That's an amazing side note considering he was coming from the furthest distance (Lowell to South Boston). He would park his truck on First Street, put his cleats on and make the slow walk towards the infield. He would be in full uniform yet the game was still an hour away. When asked why he was so early he replied "to set a good example for the young players." His commitment and dedication to the team was unmatched as he was a guy we could count on and build a team around.
Those attributes along with his mental toughness and talent led to him dominating the league during those first two seasons, 2002-2003. During this time he compiled a 39-3 record, led the league in strikeouts, won two championships, and was named the playoff M.V.P. George's greatest pitch was his riseball and batters in the league had never seen a pitch with that kind of movement. He was quickly making a name for himself while helping to spread the word around the state that the M Street Softball League was a place where talented players came to play.
At some point during that span, there was a moment when our quiet leader blew his stack. I'll never forget the reaction of my teammates in seeing big George take out his frustrations on a park barrel. We were unprepared and not focused for the game which led to a bunch of errors and several runs. George kept pitching and was working extra hard to get outs. Finally, between innings without saying a word of criticism to anyone he let the barrel have it. We were all shocked because this was the first time we saw this kind of emotion from our leader. A few games later we were all able to have a good laugh about it but the message wasn't lost. The man demanded so much from himself he expected us to be prepared when we played.
Because of George and Sidewalk's dominance, several talented teams decided to join the M Street league and take their shot at knocking off the champs. A few of these teams were established all-star teams that played in national tournaments. Their arrival ended Sidewalk's reign but in doing so it just made George even hungrier to knock one of them off. We would have to wait another three years before upsetting one of the stronger teams ever assembled - the Dawgs. With his role reduced for the series, it was my time to take the spotlight on the mound but George was right there lending his support to me. After one of the more exhilarating games of my career, he sent me a text message that I still have today. "I'm giving what I honestly have in the tank. You're pitching great and I'm thrilled for you. Remember some people never experience what we have and in my heart of hearts, you will always be one of my favorite teammates." With that kind of backing, together we toppled a team that many said we couldn't beat and won another championship. It was a great moment for all of us on that 2006 team.
Over the next few seasons we competed at the top of the standings but roster turnover prevented us from being a serious contender. Finally, before the start of last season George called me and told me that the 2010 season would most likely be his last. He said that if things went the way he saw them then he would be retiring from his job at Charles River Labs and would spend the summer of 2011 hiking the 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail. Having this information I did my best to recruit talented players that would give us a chance at sending George into retirement with one last championship.
Looking back, the 2010 season was a remarkable one for all of us. With several new players on the team, our expectations were unknown. From the very first game George made the effort in bringing everyone together. He set aside time to talk with players he felt were struggling in their lives away from the game. Through his efforts the team came together and enjoyed a very successful season. During one of our games, there was big George on the ground doing 25 pushups between innings. When asked why, he quickly answered, "I'm getting ready for the trail."
Just two weeks before his 61st birthday, George pitched his last softball game on Tuesday, September 14 against the Shennanigan's squad in game five of the finals. After falling behind 4-0, Sidewalk fought back in the fourth inning to get within a run, 4-3. Shennanigan's pitcher, Mike Hoadley, was dominating and we knew that if we gave up another run it would pretty much end our chances. George realized this too and shut the very talented lineup down the rest of the way. It would be his best game (7 innings pitched, 1 earned run) of the season against the toughest team in the league. In an almost storybook ending, Pratt led the last inning off by nearly hitting his first homerun at M Street Park. Instead, the ball fell into the outfielder's glove just a foot away from clearing the fence and being a homerun. Sidewalk lost the game and as disappointing as it was, George was gracious in defeat and thanked me for giving him the opportunity to pitch in such a key game. Imagine, the guy was our best performer and there he was thanking me.
I thought I knew George pretty well but would learn much, much more about the man while attending his services. I kept hearing from his coworkers that he would stand up and speak for them when nobody else would. They also shared their fond memories of him dressing up as Santa Claus at the office Christmas parties. I heard stories of him sneaking away from family gatherings to go pitch in a softball game across town. I saw plenty of photos of him enjoying his life with that always present smile. I got to meet his brothers (Jack and Paul), his sisters (Patricia and Alice), his three children (Jennifer, Emily, and Buddy), girlfriend Laurie, and many of his extended family members. But the thing I remember mostly from that service was a certificate and a letter George received from the Children's Hospital in Boston. One honored him for being the July 2008 Blood Donor of the month and the other thanked him for the continuing years of blood donations he had made. The letter stated that since 1984, George had donated 18 gallons of blood to the hospital. Amazing!
In closing, I miss my friend and know it's going to hit me really hard when our team takes the field on May 2nd without our #56 in uniform. I will miss our post game phone calls, our talks about our families, our future plans, and will regret that we didn't get to sit back and talk about some of our softball accomplishments. It's probably fitting though as George was never one to do too much talking as he was too busy leading by example. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart." Well, I can honestly say that George blazed a trail through mine and I will forever be grateful for the time we got to share together.

Read more about George from one of his former teammates - Sully's Blog

Additional player Tributes

• I've played many years at the M Street league in South Boston. I had the privilege of being George's teammate for a short while. Whether on the same team or not, he always greeted me with a big smile. A great pitcher, even more important a great gentleman. Rest In Peace, George. God bless.
  ~ Jim Sullivan, Watertown, Massachusetts

• I am so sorry for the loss of a great man. I was lucky enough to call George a teammate for a few seasons and he was always a true gentleman on and off the field. He will be missed by so many my prayers are with all his family at this time.
  ~ Brian W., South Boston, Massachusetts

• May god bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I played softball with George for many years..He will be sorely missed. A solid guy you could always count on. RIP George
  ~ Tom Connolly, South Boston, Massachusetts

• I'm sorry for the family and friends. George was such a nice guy on and off the softball field.
  ~ Jason Atton, South Boston, Massachusetts

• To my good friend George, Thank you for being such a good friend and mentor. I will always cherish the time spent on and off the softball field where I learned so many valuable life lessons. You truly were an amazing person whose generosity and kindness will never be overshadowed. I hope you get to take the adventure on the Appalachian trail on your way to your next destination! I will miss you!
  ~ Mike Hoadley, Worcester, Massachusetts

• Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead. George was a great teammate, wonderful person, and best friend. All of us here at the M Street Softball League will miss him greatly. Rest in peace #56
  ~ Mark Senna, South Boston, Massachusetts