Skip to main content

The Rock

Baltimore is one of those unique places in America that breeds basketball talent. It has a spirit of relentless history for carving out some of the best players that the hoops game has ever seen. That type of mindset and drive for basketball greatness could move individuals to two questions.  Where does the idea of being the best basketball player come from? Why do kids and young people believe that they'll be the next great basketball player to rise up from Baltimore? Those are two important questions when analyzing the thought process of kids chasing their dreams.   

The Rock
In Baltimore on some blocks the ideals of entrepreneurship is measured by how many "rocks" one can sell.  No, it's not a poplar statement, but one that reigns true on some streets.  Ordinarily making references to a "rock" [pseudonym for a basketball] in cities like Baltimore could easily be associated with something negative. Fortunately in this case, those common thoughts ring false.  However, over the past two years there has been an advanced version of the "rock" that's been upgraded for the blocks.  It's being offered in the form of a basketball [the rock]. The entrepreneurs that own this corner are offering hope, possibility, and a safe-haven for the young and old to help rebuild traditions of it's community. 

Game Action
Recently, I had the opportunity to witness this advanced grassroots version of the "rock" being sold.  It's reemergence has taken the streets by storm. The process was pretty intriguing to witness. The crowd was buzzing with energy, and I was at the baseline of it all.  The game day operations were like watching poetry in motion.  I was especially impressed with the packaging, {yes}, I was impressed by a paper ticket.    

The location was pretty unique as well. The host site was located in the heart of an area within walking distance for most of it's residents.  In the thick of the crowd were families, {yes} families! With the home games being held at St. Francis Academy in Baltimore City, many would assume that the area would have little to no family presence. I found that to be a false narrative when I saw droves of parents and grandparents ushering in children and teens that filled the place to capacity.

Young Fans
After digesting the overall atmosphere I was able to observe the event. It was the Baltimore Hawks ABA basketball team.  It was basketball in its purist form. I was witnessing the dreams of young men whose dreams had begun by playing in the streets, local parks, and even in glass filled alleyways.

The Baltimore Hawks organization is selling "rocks" in the form of hope and possibility. The Baltimore Hawks are offering solutions beyond the game. It's a model that we as a society hope that others will reproduce.



Cheer Action





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Measure of a Man.........

the details are below the photos it's a must read story for the men.... The title of this blog maybe familiar to some, it's that of the autobiography of actor Sidney Poitier.  When you mention his name the words courage, great, intelligent, daring, brilliant and faithful may come to mind.  I've got a new name that replaces those words, Von Johnson.   My friend. My brother.  My cousin.  My new HERO. How and what does that have to do with the title? Yesterday, I observed what it means to live the final portion of your wedding vows,  "till death do us part"...... I can't even put it into words how I felt yesterday.  The only word that comes close is "helpless".   It was one of the rare moments in life where you want to take someone else's pain and throw it down the river and start fresh. I learned what the measure of a man is all about.   Can you live on life's edge and handle all it dishes out?  Can you stand in the toughest moments of opposit
22 comments
Read more

The Players That You Never Knew

With the opening Friday Night of the 2014 high school football season on the horizon, every barbershop in every small-town in America is probably buzzing with the conversation of who are greatest high school football players of all time.  It's a valid question considering the pool of talent that passes through most small towns.  People often wonder where these guys end up long after their playing days are over.  I've often asked the same question about many of my ex-teammates. Two in particular, Darius Brewnington and Kenny Shaw. If you were an athlete in the early 1990's they were arguably considered two of the most influential athletes in North Carolina's rich high school football history.  Unfortunately, like many other high profile athletes life happens.  However, even with the growing pains of life every man has his day of redemption.  With Darius and Kenny being former teammates of mine I wanted to see for myself who they are 20 years removed from fame. So t
5 comments
Read more

Pete's Road Trip

Two weeks ago my friend Pete decided to take a road trip without me. If you're like me, you're probably thinking some friend right? I guess it goes to show you that like most friendships, we too were total opposites. In our teen years, Pete was always there for my major sports accomplishments. For example, when we went to team camp at High Point University he and I won the 2 on 2 competition for the first time, together. A few years later we won the North Carolina State 3-A Basketball Title, and in my sophomore year of college he was in the stands when I scored my first collegiate touchdown. He and our mutual friend Johnny were going nuts. I celebrated so hard that Lamont Burns had to slap me so that we could kick the extra point. Pete was like a little brother to me. So like any other sibling relationship, I would have never told him that he was my motivation for my many athletic accomplishments. It's a part of the unspoken sibling code, worry your brothers, sis
10 comments
Read more