Atlantic Comes Back For 6-4 Victory In Third Annual Dave Smith Memorial Game

Atlantic overcame a 4-0 deficit to comeback for a 6-4 victory over Treasure Coast in the 3rd annual Dave Smith Memorial game.

To even play in this game, one has to be a grizzly.

Wednesday evening’s contest between Treasure Coast and Atlantic featured more than just a non-district baseball game. But rather it carries more significance than any other game either team plays each season, as it is done to honor former legendary Eagles coach Dave Smith.

It was the host Eagles prevailing in the third annual Dave Smith Memorial with a come-from-behind 6-4 victory, in a game that is played every year at Little Fenway Park in Delray Beach.

Atlantic improved to 16-5 on the season, having already well surpassed its win total from a season ago. The team continues to execute at every facet and in fact mirrors the type of program that Dave Smith used to run.

Dave Smith coached the Eagles baseball team from 1987 to 2005 before retiring in 2006. In that time he won 332 games, seven district titles and two regional titles. His Eagles made one appearance in the state semifinals. He was also an educator who taught at the school for 35 years.

But more importantly than any of his coaching achievements was the impact that he had on the lives of those he interacted with, which has left so many people better for it.

“He helped show me how to be a good teacher,” Atlantic coach Steve Wilson said during pregame ceremonies. “Dave always had a good joke to make things easier. He was a friend, a coach, a mentor and more importantly an educator.”

In September 2009, Dave Smith suffered a fatal heart attack while on a trip to New York City.

Among those he left behind is his son, Kyle Smith, the current Treasure Coast coach and also a former Eagles star. It is this connection that brought these ball clubs together to play this annual contest.

Kyle even insists that the game always be played at Little Fenway Park, which holds just as special significance as the game itself. He grew up less than 10 blocks away, and ever since the ballpark was built, it has been a second home to him. Dave Smith somehow even had a key to the field back then, and he spent a good many hours playing baseball with his sons there.

“I didn’t know anything else,” Kyle said. “I remember his laugh, it was so distinctive, we could find him anywhere on the field when we were playing here just listening for his laugh. It feels good to be on this field, and when I’m there as the third base coach I like to think this is where his footsteps were.”

When Kyle was a kid, he used to hang out in the dugout with the Atlantic players because he liked to feel like he was a part of the team, and he used to be the guy who the players would give a dollar to go buy them a hot dog. When he reached high school, he helped to lead the Eagles to a district title, and at one point, Atlantic was even ranked number one in the state. He also played quarterback for the football team.

Atlantic is ingrained into his makeup, and he does his best to carry on his father’s traditions with his Titans team, which also has other Eagles alumni on its coaching staff.

The meaning behind this game was not lost on the players either.

Atlantic coach Steve Wilson and Treasure Coast coach Kyle Smith before the third annual Dave Smith Memorial game.

“It is a huge honor to play in this game,” Atlantic’s Kyle Blank said. “It’s a great home just playing at this field. Bucky Dent made this field and it is such an honor.”

When these two teams face off each year, it never lacks drama and excitement. Given the motivation beyond this annual match up, it is perfectly fitting that the teams put so much of their hearts and souls into playing it.

The Titans (5-9) won it last year with a dramatic eight-inning thriller to even the score after the Eagles won it on a no-hitter from Nick Garito the first year it was held. Wednesday provided the opportunity for the teams to finally play the rubber match.

With the Eagles trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, it was Blank who helped spark the comeback with a deep shot to center field off of Titans starter Phil Naclerio that he legged out for a double.

“I waited for a fastball because his curve ball was filthy,” Blank said. “Coach always says, ‘Stay on the barrel, lock, load and hit the ball.’ ”

Jesse Kieffer then lined a shot to first base that the fielder had to dive to grab, which allowed Kieffer to beat him to the base.

Eagles starter Rigo Beltran followed with a deep shot to nearly the identical spot in center for a double that sent both runners home, although he was caught on the bases after overrunning second base.

It was a big day for Beltran, who earned the victory to improve to 5-2 and also was the recipient of a $500 dollar scholarship in Dave Smith’s honor.

Catcher Brad Myott kept the rally going with a shot to the left corner for a standup double, and his courtesy runner Jake Wallin scored on a fielder’s choice RBI from Daniel Metz. Courtesy runner Stefan Rolle then came in on an infield error to give the Eagles the lead for good, after Rolle had come in to run when closer Cody Bryant singled.

Blank was 3-for-4 with two doubles and Myott as 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Atlantic added an insurance run in the sixth, although it ultimately did not need it as Bryant closed down the Titans in order to close it out and earn his second save of the season.

Eagles starter Rigo Beltran picked up the victory on the mound.

“We focus on a hard seven innings all the time, because you never know what’s going to happen,” Wilson said. “I just told the guys to look for a pitch to hit and they didn’t give up. They had us down and we came back.”

Treasure Coast opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Richie Furline doubled to send in Mike Conger, who had connected for a long single on a shot off of the Little Green Monster.

Conger was 3-for-4 with a double, and Furline was 2-for-3.

The Titans added to that lead with three runs in the fifth, as they capitalized on three errors. Kyle Morris doubled to lead off and scored on an RBI single from Alvin Swoope, and Swoope and Robert Rosado also scored on errors.

But they were just unable to withstand the Eagles’ rally.

“They take this loss harder than the district championship,” Kyle Smith admitted. “They have a lot of respect for the memory of the coach. I have trouble talking about it much still, but they show up in the moment because they know.”

It is no wonder that the game is so important to them, as Dave Smith changed so many lives. The slogan for the memorial, which is worn on commemorative T-shirts, is to be a grizzly. That is what Dave Smith was, that is what he wanted everyone else to be and that is how he is remembered.

In an interview Dave Smith gave several years ago, he spoke about the pleasures he enjoyed from coaching.

“Even if you coach, you still teach,” Dave Smith said. “Coaching is teaching. I really enjoy it; that’s why I do it.”

The coach also shared some of his vast amusing and yet insightful strategy.

“I don’t feel it necessary to say we’ll be a .500 team. It’s just telling my team to win half of our games. I don’t believe in that. I think we should go out and beat every team.”

Kyle Smith has not forgotten any of these many colorful memories, and Wednesday’s game is one way to help find peace and comfort in paying tribute the best way possible.

“I just try to think like him,” Kyle said. “It is like he’s right there with us.”

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