This is an opinion piece.

Sometimes, even in a key area game between intense rivals, baseball needs to take a back seat.

Sports need to take a back seat.

Hewitt-Trussville coach Jeff Mauldin and Hoover coach Adam Moseley made sure that happened last week for Huskies’ senior Grayson Pope.

“You feel God’s presence in moments like that,” Moseley said simply.

Two summers ago, Pope – then one of the best sophomore baseball players in the state and a Tennessee commitment – suffered a traumatic brain injury when a tree fell on the golf cart he was in during a thunderstorm.

He spent 42 days in a coma.

Since then, Grayson has learned to walk and talk again, returned to school and will graduate with his class this spring. Though he continues to work on his speech and balance, Pope has not been able to return to game action for the Class 7A No. 1 Huskies.

Still, he remains a vital part of the team as it begins the playoffs later today against Sparkman.

“He’s limited on some things he can do,” Mauldin said. “When we do outfield drills, he does that with us. A lot of days, he comes here for a little while and then goes to different therapy sessions. He still does a lot to try to get better.

“He’s only missed one game this year that I can remember, and it was because he was at the Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Banquet. Even then, his parents told me he was on Gamechanger the whole time watching us. He does all the pregame stuff with us. He doesn’t miss anything.”

On April 17, Senior Night, Pope finally got to step into the batter’s box again for the first time since 2023. Hewitt led Hoover 4-1 in the bottom of the third inning with two outs and no one on base. Mauldin sent Pope up as a pinch-hitter for Colby Durden.

“It was something that didn’t come about until that morning and, even then, we didn’t really have details,” Mauldin said. “His parents didn’t know. It had to be the perfect situation. With two outs and no one on, I kind of looked over at Adam in the other dugout, and we were able to make it happen.”

Pope went through his normal batting routine and stepped into the box. Hoover gave the sign to intentionally walk him. He trotted down to first base as players from both dugouts and fans on both sides applauded.

This was more than baseball.

This was a story of faith and determination and heart.

“It was surreal,” Mauldin said. “From where he was two years ago until now? It’s definitely answered prayers. God has plans for him. Gray fights every day. Works every day. He took the field for the National Anthem. Then to see him walk to the batter’s box and get ready to hit … it’s kind of hard to even describe.

“I just talked to Hoover’s athletic director (Harley Lamey) just to tip my hat of respect for them being willing to give him an opportunity to be on the field. It was special for Grayson. It was special for his teammates because they love him. There was a lot of love on the field from the Hoover side to our kids.”

Mauldin sent Durden back in to pinch-run for Pope, who returned to the Hewitt dugout to celebrate with his teammates.

“He flipped his helmet, and they had that celebration,” Mauldin said. “It was neat to see. We wanted to have that moment for Grayson and everyone involved, but as soon as it was over, it had to be a baseball game.”

The next Hewitt batter flew out on the first pitch to end the inning.

The outcome of the game was not affected, but everyone in Trussville that night had a moment they won’t soon forget.

“It was amazing,” Moseley said. “That moment is ever how many years in the making. What a positive for our kids to watch that and see that and be a part of it. It was really special. However long I coach, it will be a top 10 moment. To be on the field and watch it and hear his parents cheer and see how excited he was … man, it was neat. It was really, really neat.”

Hewitt went on to win the game 8-2 though few will likely remember the score.

Most will remember April 17 as another step in the journey of an amazingly resilient young man, Grayson Pope.

To his credit, Tennessee coach Tony Vitello is honoring Pope’s scholarship. Grayson will continue to work in hopes of returning to the field full-time one day.

At this point, who could doubt him?

Thought for the Week

“This is the confidence we have before Him: If we ask anything, He hears us.” – 1 John 5:14.

Ben Thomas is the high school managing producer at AL.com. He has been named one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow him on twitter at @BenThomasPreps or email him at [email protected].