Don Ball and the 50-Yard-Dash at Peary Junior High Schooi

On a fine Spring day in 1969, a hard-to-believe 54 years ago, a gym coach at Peary Junior High School in Gardena had a sudden idea; find out who is the fastest runner at school. And a 50-yard-dash would decide who that was.  There was a lull of activity in the gym area - the track, the handball courts, the baseball fields - so Coach Hines, who once held the American record for indoor pole vault, called everyone together and had the fastest guys in school line up near the chain link fence that borders 162nd Street and where the 50-yard-dash would start.

 I forgot all who were in that line up. I’m sure Guy Askins was there, and Humphrey Dodson, and Ronald Williams. Probably Mike Miller and Cornelius Bailey.  Stevie Maranon was in that line up. And I know that Don Ball was in there, too.

Ball, my closest friend then and for the next 54 years, stood out. I’m trying to think of what he stood out like. Way more than a sore thumb. Don Ball stood out more than just about anything I had ever seen. Here were eight Black guys. Stevie Maranon, who was, I think, Filipino. And Don Ball, the whitest red-haired guy I have ever known.

 I’m was not even sure why Coach Hines let Ball  run.

 Anyway. I am at the finish line with Hines and many others. And it’s a “On your mark”.

 “Get set.”

 “Go.”

After maybe 15, 20 yard I am stunned the Ball is even in the running. He’s close to the lead.  Somewhere, like at about 30 yards, I find feel as if my eyes are playing tricks on me because it is clear Don Ball is in the lead!

 At 40 yards, he is in the lead.

And at the 50 yard finish line,,,,, the winner is…….. DON BALL!!!

 I’m not the only one stunned. Everyone, the runners and their friends, are kinda silent. Finally, Coach Hines makes it official and yells out “The winner is Don Ball.”

Man, Don and I talked about that for the next 54 years. I didn’t see him all that much, a few times a year at best. But we talked maybe once a month or so.  He had moved away to Oregon and recently back to Utah where his family was from. But whenever I did see him – and most of the times I even talked on the phone with Ball – we would eventually talk about the 50 yard dash.  And if I saw him and there was somebody else there, I would tell that story.

 Ball loved that story, as he should. And I loved to tell it.

 Two months ago, I had called Ball two times to tell him I needed some of the Mexican honey he was selling. For more than a year, my girlfriend, a chef, had been using Don’s honey at her restaurant.  I wanted some for a gift. I left two messages and didn’t hear back. I left a third message which was basically “Hey Ball, I’m starting to worry about you. Call me back.”

A few weeks ago, I checked some messages on Instagram, something I rarely do. I had one Don Ball’s ex-wife Mollie and one from his brother David. Both said to call them.  They had bad news about Don.

Damnit. Damnit to hell, as Ball would often say. Don had a heart attack and was found dead at his place in Utah. That is very hard to type.

 I found my 9th grade Peary Jr. High yearbook, Polaris 1969. This is part of what Don Ball wrote.  “I appreciate your mom putting up with me during the time I’ve known you. So I’ll say goodbye saying you’re the best friend in the world”.

 I wish I could see Ball’s yearbook and see what I wrote. I like to think I called him the best friend in the world, too.

Hey, Ball, wherever you are, I know your telling that story about the time at Peary Junior High School in Gardena when you won the 50-yard dash.