Andy Barnes (left) and Linton-Stockton baseball head coach Bart Berns pose for a photo before the start of a Miner game. (Submitted photo).

As warmer weather reaches the area, and we once again flip the page on the calendar, it's time for America's favorite pastime -- BASEBALL!! Bloomfield will kick off the area schedule with home games on Tuesday and Wednesday against Northeast Dubois and North Knox, but the community may want to circle Thursday, April 2 on the calendar.

The Linton-Stockton Miners will open their season with a road contest against Owen Valley on Wednesday, before their home opener at Roy Herndon Field the next night against Washington Catholic. The home opener will not be just another game, as veteran coach Bart Berns and his squad will pay tribute to their No. 1 fan, the late Andy Barnes, before the game.

Kenton Barnes, Andy's father, will throw out the first pitch after the line-ups are introduced and the National Anthem. Also in the ceremonies, Barnes' No. 33 jersey will be retired on the outfield fence.

"No one has ever had their jersey retired here before," Berns said. "For everyone that has ever put on the Miner uniform Andy has meant the world to them. This is something really special, and it's the least that we could do for someone that meant so much here."

This season marks Berns' 19th leading the Miners on the diamond, but the first without his best friend and assistant coach, Barnes. The Miners played host to Edgewood on Wednesday night in a scrimmage, which was the first time they had suited up and taken to the field against an opponent -- Berns said it was a different feeling than in the past 18 years.

"You just always expect him to be here," the veteran coach said. "It really hit me when I was filling up the water jug 'cause he would always have it ready to go for us. It's just not the same without our buddy here."

Barnes may not be with the Miners in person, but it is guaranteed he will be with Berns and the rest of the Miners each and every game in spirit. To further pay tribute to Barnes, the Miners' caps have "Andy" etched on the right side of their fitted hats, and a black patch of No. 33 sewn on their jersey tops.

Besides the stitching and patches there will be at least two other ways to remember just how much of an impact Barnes had on the program. There will be a "Coach Barnes Boulevard" leading up to the home dugout, and the newly build indoor facility at Roy Herndon Field will be named "The Schmack Shack."

"We have a paved walk-way from the gravel to the dugout now. Andy did not like to get his feet wet or muddy," Berns chuckled. "If it had rained before or during the game Andy did not want to come to the dugout, he hated his feet being wet."

The naming of the indoor facility was the players idea, according to Berns.

"The boys came up with that name. Andy would always tell them to 'schmack' the baseball when at the plate, so that is their way of remembering him."

Berns said Andy is more than deserving for everything that is being dedicated toward him and he is the definition of Linton baseball.

"No matter what we do to honor him it does not come close to what he has done for me and this program," the veteran coach said. "He was my assistant coach and my right-hand man all these seasons.

"He may not be here with us physically but we just do not want to lose the memory of such a great person."

Berns also noted he learned more than just baseball from Andy.

"He taught us all such great life lessons," Berns said. "He taught us no matter if you win or lose that life goes on and you got to have fun. It may sting a little bit after a loss, but after a few minutes you just have to move on."

I have only had the pleasure of knowing Berns for little over a year now but have come to realize there is not a more dedicated and passionate person about the game of baseball or any sport for that matter and is also very competitive. When the Miners lose I am sure the loss is going to stick with the veteran coach for a little, well maybe a lot longer than most coaches, but I am also certain that he will think about his best friend and move on a little quicker this season.

Speaking of the dedication of Berns, five years ago he started an Alumni Day for members of the Miner baseball team. The day included an alumni game and also a Hall of Fame induction ceremony of up to four past Miner players each year. Berns announced that this year's alumni day will be dedicated to Barnes and he will be the only inductee.

"He will be the only person inducted into the Hall of Fame this year," Berns said. "When you go through the list of qualifications to be eligible for the Hall, Andy is the perfect example. I feel that should be his day, and he does not deserve to share it with anybody else."

The sixth annual Alumni Day will be May 3 at Roy Herndon Field.

Berns said it is going to take a while for the sting of this loss of his best friend to go away.

"He was a fixture here," Berns said. "Anytime that you see me, you could almost bet Andy was there too. It is going to take a long time to get over this loss not only for me but a lot of people. But his memory will live on inside of us everyday. He was very important to all of us."

My first event that I covered here was during the Wabash Valley Pizza Hut Classic in Dec. of 2007 at Terre Haute North High School. The Miners basketball team was playing Sullivan and that is the first day I had the honor of meeting Mr. Miner himself. Andy approached me and struck up a conversation about the team like we had been best friends our entire lives.

He had such a great talent that if just half the people in this world could possess, would make it better by ten fold. I always claim that I am the Cubs, Bears, Celtics and Kentucky Wildcats biggest fan, but after meeting Andy Barnes I don't think it is possible for one person to share as much love for their favorite team as he did for the Miners -- not just the baseball team but for the whole athletic department. I did not know Andy outside of athletic events, but from hearing stories and reading comments from previous articles about him, he was such a great human being.

Even if you are not a fan of Linton-Stockton or baseball in general, if you do not have anything planned at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, I encourage you all to make the trip out to Roy Herndon Field to take part in the special ceremonies for an even more special person.

Travis David is a sports writer for the Greene County Daily World and can be reached at (812) 847-4487 ext. 20 or tdavid@gcdailyworld.com .