Gators give one more for Sizemore

Although the Kitsap Gators summer baseball club has racked up a 20-12 record on the field this year, a void has been left that no one could fill. That space was created in the tragic passing of North Kitsap High School’s Kyle Sizemore, who died in a car accident on Hansville Road in March.

Although the Kitsap Gators summer baseball club has racked up a 20-12 record on the field this year, a void has been left that no one could fill.

That space was created in the tragic passing of North Kitsap High School’s Kyle Sizemore, who died in a car accident on Hansville Road in March.

“A lot of times when we were struggling a little bit intensity-wise, he was the guy that came and kicked some butt when it was needed,” said Gators coach Tim Stabler. “Nobody can replace that.”

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The 17-year-old was part of a Gators group that has spent the past several seasons playing together and also includes current North Kitsap players Chris Williams and Jordan Prince. Sizemore’s father, Chuck, is still an assistant with the team. And while the tragedy has helped the team grow together even more, it still seems like a “nightmare” to coaches and teammates.

“We’ve grown together,” said Gators catcher Alan Stabler, who is Tim Stabler’s son and a recent Central Kitsap High School grad. “But it’s harder every time we step on the field.”

Tim Stabler remembers a particularly emotional tournament in Yakima earlier this season.

“When we won that tournament, there were some special things that went on and got us emotional,” he said. “There’s just constant memories. It’s still like a bad dream, a nightmare. But his dad’s here and that’s very special to us.”

While the team and community have struggled with Sizemore’s passing off the field, the Gators have been able to maintain their composure on it, working this season to the 20-12 record.

July 21 was no exception, as the team pounced on the Narrows Yankees 7-1 at Huey Field at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. And while the tragedy looms overhead, the team has done its best to enjoy its last season together, as many of the players are recent area high school graduates.

“They’ve been around each other for so long,” Tim Stabler said. “And since they’ve been around them they trust (each other). When we do go on the road, we have fun.”

Alan Stabler said from a player’s perspective, the team has learned to pick each other up when needed.

“We all know how each other play and pick each other up,” said Alan Stabler. “We have confidence in each other after all these years.”

The Gators’ final home games will take place July 31 with a 1 p.m. double-header against Showtime Baseball Club.

“I don’t think we’ve peaked yet,” Tim Stabler said. “That’s one of the traits of my team is we peak at some point during the season. Hopefully, we’re saving that for a late run.”

And not just a late run, but a final run for a team that has been through so much together.

“That’s exactly it,” Alan Stabler said. “We’re just out here having fun. It’s our last year together before we move on to college and real life.”

“We decided we wanted to keep this team together one last year,” Tim Stabler said. “It’s something the guys wanted. It’s been pretty special.”

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