By Paul Valencia, Columbian
High School Sports Reporter
Published: May 22, 2014, 5:00pm
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After a successful inning, Ben Nikolas walks off the pitcher’s mound and imagines his dad standing near the dugout, waiting to give an encouraging word.
“He was always giving me pointers. He would talk to me between innings,” said Nikolas, a senior pitcher for Battle Ground. “Playing the game reminds me of him. I feel like he’s helping me a lot this year.”
His father has helped the entire team, actually. The Tigers are playing in the Class 4A state tournament Saturday, the program’s first appearance in the sweet 16 since 2008. Ben Nikolas got the pitching win in the victory that advanced Battle Ground to state.
Doug Nikolas never missed a game. So in his memory, his oldest son plays like his dad is there with him still. Because in a special way, his dad is always with him.
Doug was diagnosed with liver cancer in the spring of 2012. He died that summer.
“It was crazy quick,” Ben said, shaking his head with the memory.
Ben and his younger brothers Brian and Blake keep busy with sports, something Doug would have wanted. Marilyne Nikolas keeps busy trying to keep up with three sons playing sports.
Doug was a husband, dad, and a coach. The guy loved baseball and football, helping out wherever he could.
He still is coaching, too.
Ben has some of his dad’s advice written under the bill of his baseball hat.
“He taught me everything I know about baseball,” Ben said.
Work fast.
Change speeds.
Throw strikes.
“Before every inning, I look at my hat before I throw the first pitch,” Ben said. “It calms me down, keeps me focused.”
Ben is inspired by his dad’s commitment to him and the game. During treatment, Doug could not stay out in the sun too long but he still managed to get to the diamond to watch. Not just games, but practice.
For his dad, Ben wanted this season, Ben’s senior season, to be special.
Nikolas has been the team leader, the team’s ace.
“You know when he goes out there he’s going to compete,” Battle Ground coach Billy Hayes said. “He’s a really nice kid, but he’s got a nasty side to him out on the bump. I like that in a kid.”
The Tigers surprised many by finishing second in the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League. Then they pulled out a road victory in the bi-district tournament to qualify for state. Nikolas threw into the seventh inning that day, a 7-3 win over Kentridge.
“I felt honored to be part of that, that big of a win,” Nikolas said. “I’ll remember that forever.”
Many of Ben’s teammates came to the house the day his dad passed. They have been there with him through the entire ordeal.
They still think of Doug, too.
“After I have a good game, they say things like, ‘I bet your dad was proud. He was watching.’ “
Ben knows this is true. His dad is right there, near the dugout. He can close his eyes and see him.
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