Thacher walks off a winner

LOWELL -- James Hamilton knew it was a risky proposition.

Along with 11 other soon-to-be senior teammates, he had to coax a dedicated man back to his bench of 20 years. The fireballing ace was talking about another championship. The unassuming skipper, Harwich's Fred Thacher, was contemplating retirement.

"We told him we were going to do it again," Hamilton said capturing the Division 3 state championship last spring. "But it's one thing to say it -- and another thing to do it."

Thacher had grown accustomed to the seaside Cape Cod town in which he coached. He even had to remind himself just how lucky he was. When exhausted parents showed up at practices after work and helped with batting practice, Thacher kept wondering about the job he loved and what it would be like leaving for good.

"There's something different about Harwich," the coach explained. "It's a real small, tight community. These kids have all played with each other since they were seven. And they all have loving parents who take time to play with them."

Fast forward to yesterday at LeLacheur Park. There was Thacher again, conducting pre game drills for the final time. There was Hamilton on the mound, starting the final game of his career. There were hundreds of parents and friends in the stands, their cars adorned with "Go Harwich" signs.

And there was the MIAA trophy being presented to Thacher for the second straight year. Promise fulfilled.

"It hit me when that final play was over," said Thacher following a 9-2 victory over St. Joseph Central of Pittsfield, the school's third state title in 11 years. "You just stand there, kind of lonely for a minute."

It was hard to leave the field. The players had given their coach an offer he couldn't refuse, and it worked.

"How difficult is it with a bunch of seniors to come back here and win it twice in a row?" Thacher said. "I think that's monstrous. It shows you exactly what kind of winners they are."

And this time, there was no hesitation for Thacher, who estimated he's won more than 290 games in his career.

"I've given up very few jobs in my life and this is probably the most difficult," he said. "It's time though. I have to do this. How can you go away any better than this?"