Some things are much worse than any loss on the diamond
Every now and then, whether the spot for the measurement on a football field does not seem so important.
A call that could go either way only to go against the home team might be deemed insignificant.
The final score might not matter.
Quite so much.
Back in May, I covered the Earlville IHSA Class A Regional championship baseball game where the Somonauk Bobcats beat the Gardner-South Wilmington Panthers 12-2 to claim their first regional crown ever and set a school record for wins in a season.
The following Saturday, I was in Gardner when the Dwight Trojans won their first Sectional title in history on the diamond by beating Somonauk 7-4, thanks to a 3-run rally in the top of the fifth inning keyed by a 2-run homer by senior first baseman Joey Briner. It was Briner's eighth homer of the spring, with the Bobcats bowing out following a 28-4 campaign.
But the reason I bring up the Gardner-South Wilmington and Dwight contests against Somonauk was an article I saw concerning what has transpired in BobcatLand.
Fans at the games undoubtedly recall the Somonauk first base coach.
Especially since the coach stands 6-5 and weighs 250 pounds.
I was sitting down the first base line, shooting photos in Earlville, with a Somonauk fan sharing the picnic table on which I was perched. The fan more than once engaged Bobcats first base coach Tim Humes in cogent conversation.
The words and banter between the fan and Humes, who I do not know, led me to believe that it would be interesting to have a conversation with Humes any time.
An assistant to head coach Bob Honkala for the last three years during which Somonauk has racked up a 73-13 ledger, Humes is all of 46 years old.
And has been diagnosed with liver cancer.
His wife, Kris, has taught at Somonauk since 1988.
There will be a benefit from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Gilligans Restaurant in Sandwich for the Humes family. A buffet will be served along with beverages. There will be music provided and a guest appearance by Jarrett Payton, the son of the late Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.
Payton passed away from liver cancer 10 years ago this month at age 45.
Tickets are $20 per adult and $10 for those ages 13 to 18. Those ages 12 and under are free.
Tim Humes was instrumental in helping the Somonauk Nighthawks Youth Tackle Football League get underway this fall in addition to his helping with the Somonauk 12U All-Star baseball team this summer.
Humes was diagnosed with liver cancer in late August. The diagnosis came out of the blue.
Initially, the tumor on the liver of Humes was deemed to be inoperable.
Following several rounds of chemotherapy, his doctors believed that surgery to remove the growth was feasible.
In late October, Humes underwent surgery at the Loyola Medical Center in Chicago. The results were not good and the tumor was considered to be unable to be extracted.
Needless to say, that diagnosis was not exactly what the family (and friends) of Humes were waiting for.
Humes is now resting at home, weighing further options, while his family and friends pray for his recovery.
Not everyone will be able to attend the benefit. Everyone, especially with the advent of Thanksgiving next Thursday, has a million things on their minds.
And just about as many to do.
To occupy their time.
I know I could be in either Winnetka or Fairbury to cover either high school swimming or girls basketball.
But as someone who knows way too much about how a liver functions and the problems that can occur when it decides not to work, my thoughts will be with the Humes family wherever I am at on Saturday.
Hopefully, there will be a huge crowd at Gilligans Restaurant. And the people will have a good time.
I wish I could be there. But even if I am unable to be present because of my schedule, my thoughts will be with the Humes family.
My thoughts ... and my prayers.
