The real highlight of their story, however, is seen in a teammate who, ten years ago, would never have been picked to carry a team to such great victory.
At eight years old, Khale Tilby was barely big enough to control the bat when he swung it. With his pants tightened as much as the baseball belt could handle, he would stand at the plate and give it his all. Some days, this would get him on base... other days, the fans would be left saying "You'll get it next time, kid," while Tilby walked back to the dugout that he was all too familiar with. He was the ultimate 'little guy' and many unbelieving spectators would doubt in his ability to ever be anything more.
Although his stats over the next six or seven years would not show it, Khale Tilby continued to give baseball his all. Looking past the fact that he was cut from teams by coaches who were blinded to his potential, he spent countless hours on the field, in the cages, and in the bullpen striving to become the ball player he always dreamed of being.With the support of his family, teammates, and a faithful coach, small improvements were seen by the time he hit High School ball, he had only gotten taller (now at 6' 4", 170 lbs.) and many continued to doubt that he would ever retain the strength of a pitcher. Therefore, it was nothing short of a fight for him to keep his spot on the team. Pitching mostly Sophomore and Junior Varsity games in his first high school seasons, Tilby was anxious to get out of the upper classmen's shadows.
When his Senior season came around, all high school baseball fans and speculators knew that Alta had to bring something extraordinary in order to compete in their new, aggressive region. Although very few thought to ask Khale to provide the special ingredient, he and his team had something up their sleeve.
Alta's best kept secret was not kept for very long, though. Before the season even started, Tilby threw a no-hitter against Weber High school, foreshadowing the rest of the club's season--yes, it only got better!
Deeper into the season, there were countless games when Khale had to lift his team out of a terrible slump and not only fight for his own, but that of the whole nine in the field. Full counts in situations that would normally choke any experienced pitcher seemed to entice him, and he battled them with extreme poise. His ability to war against all odds inspired teammates and fans.
Even with an outstanding appearance against their rivals, the Jordan Beetdiggers to win the series, Tilby's arm in the state tournament was by far the most outstanding. He lead his team to jaw-dropping victories against teams like the undefeated Taylorsville Warriors and reigning champs, the Bingham Miners. His pitching and the team's support and hard work soared them through the first four rounds of the state tournament.
With as much fight and poise, the Hawks were ready to meet the semifinals with everything they had. But that day, a victory was not in their agenda. Of course, fighting til the very last inning of two exhausting games, Tilby and his teammates came to understand the true meaning of Yogi Berra's famous words "it ain't over til it's over," --that meaning being that eventually, it is all over.
With six other seniors, Khale Tilby walked off the High School field for the last time and--with tears in his eyes--showed all those present that even though his arm was the unexpected treasure that brought his team so far, his heart and love for the game are a constant that should never be doubted.
The Alta Baseball club has been blessed to have this 'little guy' on their team--he not only brought fans to their feet because of his skill and hard work, but more importantly, he brought them to tears because of his heart and inspiring story that reminds us of the power that baseball has to truly make anything possible.
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