UHS Baseball Trip to Walt Disney World
Most of the guys that are on this year’s team are juniors and sophomores, with the exception of two seniors. With that being said, this was everyone’s first experience as a player to enjoy playing the sport they love while having an amusing time with friends and family in the magical World of Disney.
From the first day off of the plane, players took advantage of their three-day park pass by going out to explore one of the many different theme parks.
“I feel great,” said Junior Jared Broom, “I’m excited to hit up the parks with my team and play some baseball in this wonderful weather,” when asked how he felt just after arrival in Orlando International Airport.
The team set out to three of the most popular parks: Animal Kingdom, where the players would enjoy the site of many safari animals and ride the park’s most anticipated ride, the Mt. Everest roller coaster. Afterwards there was Hollywood Studios, where they became a part of the Star Wars saga in the 3-D Star Tours ride and later see the action packed stunts in the Indiana Jones live show.
And finally, the team couldn’t leave without visiting the internationally known castle at Magic Kingdom.
“I felt like a little boy again when I saw all of the fireworks and the amazing parade that included all of the Disney classic characters and movies,” said Junior Kyle Ross after visiting the Magic Kingdom Park.
The parks weren’t the only attraction of course: the Tigers would go to Downtown Disney, which included numerous amounts of stores to shop for souvenirs and other places to eat delicious Disney dishes. Senior Salman Khan claims “The sundae I had at Ghirardelli was probably one of the best sundaes I’ve ever had.”
With the many characters that are part of the team this year, there was no doubt that the some of the players couldn’t stay away from the Dance Along on the main stage, which included songs like Michael Jackson’s famous “Thriller” and Tina Turner’s very own “Proud Mary.”
Although prices for food were mind boggling in the resort and theme parks, players and parents both enjoyed the variety of meals served at breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Food Court and restaurants.
Sophomore Tanner Russell said, “The spaghetti was amazing and I loved all the choices in desserts I had to choose from at the Food Court’s desert menu.”
The trip got even better for the players when they laid their eyes on the huge Disney Sports Complex. This complex held numerous fields almost any sport they could think of: from baseball/softball to lacrosse/soccer and all the way to a track & field arena. However, the first thing the players saw when pulling up to the complex was Champion Stadium, the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves.
What better way to end an astounding spring break trip than to watch the Professionals play; as the team got a chance to see the Miami Marlins visit the Braves in an unbelievable game that ended in a 5-5 tie.
“This trip cannot be compare to any other,” said Sophomore Kiel King, “I didn’t think I would ever have a chance to be a part of a vacation like this with my baseball buddies.”
When the players returned back to Illinois, they brought back memories from Florida, which has become a bit of a tradition for the Urbana baseball team. Lucky enough for the sophomores who are on the team now, they will be able to do it again when they become seniors.
As for the upper class players, they will never forget the fun times they had with their team playing baseball, while representing Urbana Sports. The best part about this trip for the Tigers is that it is only the beginning to hopefully a very successful season.
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