It was 9 a.m. Wednesday morning, May 23, and Cooper Hineman wasn’t at Bridgeport High School. Of course, with his last day as a senior several days in the rearview mirror that’s not a surprise.

 

However, Hineman wasn’t in bed. He wasn’t watching early-morning television. And he wasn’t out driving around to see what was taking place in Bridgeport. Instead, Hineman was in the office of Dr. Joseph Fazalare, an Orthopedic Surgeon at United Hospital Center.

 

In a perfect world, Hineman wouldn’t have been there. In a perfect world, he would never have met Dr. Fazalare.

 

Yet he was there for a very specific reason. It was Dr. Fazalare that surgically repaired Hineman’s right shoulder where he suffered a torn labrum at wrestling practice in December. The surgery to repair it took place on Feb. 9 and while he definitely knew his wrestling season was over, he was also told he would almost certainly miss the entire 2018 baseball season.

 

For three and a half months, or nearly 14 weeks, Hineman let his body heal. For many of those weeks, he was in physical therapy doing everything he could to get a chance to contribute to the chances of the Indians to get a shot at winning their fifth straight Class AA championship.

 

Hineman needed two things to happen. He had to make sure he did everything he could on the physical fitness front to heal his body and he needed his teammates to keep winning as long as possible to potentially get a chance in the postseason, which was the earliest timeline for a return.

 

Wednesday morning, the perfect storm emerged.

 

“(Dr. Fazalare) gave me the green light to do pretty much whatever I wanted as long as it doesn’t hurt me with the exception of extreme rotation, such as throwing,” said Hineman. “I was finally cleared.”

 

While that was good news everyone found out Wednesday, the rest of the good news was pretty much known. The Indians were still alive in the Class AA Region II finals and were already up one game in the best 2-out-of-3 series with Lewis County with a game scheduled that evening in Weston.

 

In the top of the seventh inning, with the Indians up 7-0 and on their way to locking up another state tournament berth, Shields looked to Hineman and called for him to pinch hit. The process of doing everything he could to contribute was almost complete.

 

“I was pretty excited, but when I got into the box I got nervous. I was thinking about getting hit in the shoulder and getting injured again,” said Hineman. “Then, my heart started racing and adrenaline took over so I just batted.”

 

Hineman making it to the plate would have been victory enough. However, the senior wasn’t done.

 

“I got an outside fastball thrown to me and I knew I made good contact. It felt good coming off the bat,” said Hineman.

It felt better watching it get to the outfield and being able to run to first base for a single. Once there, it was officially – on a personal front – mission accomplished.

 

“It was an awesome feeling and it got me to everything that I’ve been working for; just for a chance. That was one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever had in sports,” said Hineman.

 

Hineman was quick to point out that it wasn’t just his hard work that got him that chance. The fact the Tribe was still winning extended the window of opportunity that now extends into next week’s state tournament in Charleston.

 

“It’s good to know the team kept winning and I could tell they had faith in me when I got up to bat. Honestly, it’s just been great. I can’t wait to get to Charleston,” said Hineman.

Veteran Coach Robert Shields can’t wait for Hineman to be there. Last year, Hineman was a steady bat and defensive hand. While he won’t be in the field next week, Shields could use him as a pinch hitter or a designated hitter. Regardless the coach is happy to have him back.

 

“That was absolutely great to see him get a hit because he’s worked his tail off and been with us all year long just for the chance to get to play. You think about it; he’s been waiting all year for a chance to bat,” said Shields. “As happy as I am for him, I’m also happy for our team because Cooper can be a weapon and a key cog for us if we want to win a title. He certainly has the ability to do this team some favors in Charleston.”

 

After the game Wednesday, Hineman said he couldn’t wait to talk to his father. And they quickly focused on the task at hand.

 

“Going after a fifth title and being able to be part of it makes it a little more special. I was talking to dad (Todd) after the game and gave him a hug because I reached my goal,” said Hineman. “One thing we talked about it that this team still has a goal to reach and they’re still alive to get there. I hope I can make a difference.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Hineman after his at-bat getting congratulated by teammate Nate Cole, while he's shown in the second photo at the plate in a 2017 file photo below. Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com. The third, submitted photo, shows Hineman as he tried to wrestle after tearing his labrum.