Syracuse Post-Standard:Lesson, then prophecy: ‘Play this one like it’s our last’

Haunting softball story from the Salt City:

Just before 5 p.m. last Tuesday, Bill Skvarch Jr. died. The Nibsy’s softball team that he captained for years was scheduled to play about two hours later in the Syracuse city league. His teammates showed up, even as word spread among the spectators at Burnet Park. An umpire approached Bob O’Leary, a Nibsy’s infielder, and asked:

“How can you play?”

“How can we not play?” Bob replied.

(...)

Joe O’Leary decided to play outfield. Nibsy’s was up against a team called the Yankees, a team loaded with young sluggers. Joe spent the game on the run. He made catch after catch of long fly balls - at one point, Bob called out to him, “Who are you, and what have you done with my brother?” - but as the game went into the sixth inning, Nibsy’s trailed by five runs.

The team wasn’t finished. Joe got up and stroked a triple, then scored on a single. In the dugout, the players shouted and slapped hands, channeling the energy that comes with a great battle.

Joe, still breathless from his triple, walked toward his brother at one end of the bench. Bob heard him say, “I feel faint,” then Joe collapsed in a pile. Bob, knowing Joe, thought for an instant it was a joke, until Donohue dropped to the ground and began to frantically push on his friend’s chest.

Condolences to the Skvarch and O’Leary families.