Opening Day is a loooong way away. Post any stories, photos, etc to help us pass the time through the long winter. I'm thinking about the historic stuff, anecdotal, maybe the emotional side of the game. You know, the part of baseball that has woven itself deep into the fabric of the nation like no other sport has been able to do. The stories that make you smile... Or pieces of baseball history that make you say, "wow"...
I'll start with one from my son, now 8, and a fine ball player in his local rec league. An All-Star in both Spring and Fall ball. His Fall Ball team was mediocre, but improved greatly as the season wore on, reaching the championship game after a favorable draw. My boy batted lead off all year and was one of the defensive stars, unassisted double plays at 1B when the runner took off not expecting him to catch the line drive, the only kid who caught outfield flies, that sort of thing. He loves the game... Throwing a tennis ball off a door to himself all winter long, and religiously playing baseball on PS3.
The team he faced in the Championship game was 10-2, actually an All-Star team from a neighboring Spring League who did not have enough players for a Fall League of their own. We were beaten 14-6 and were never in the game. He got a game ball for four hits, a couple runs, several RBI and a sweet backhand shorthop scoop in the dirt while playing 1st.
At the car, the eyes started to water. I thought he might have been upset they lost, with dissapointment on missing out on the big trophy rather than the second place medals dominating his thoughts. (His team won it last year)
When I asked him if he was sad that they lost, fully expecting to tell him the All-Star team situation he said...
I'm not sad we lost. I'm sad it's over.
I'll start with one from my son, now 8, and a fine ball player in his local rec league. An All-Star in both Spring and Fall ball. His Fall Ball team was mediocre, but improved greatly as the season wore on, reaching the championship game after a favorable draw. My boy batted lead off all year and was one of the defensive stars, unassisted double plays at 1B when the runner took off not expecting him to catch the line drive, the only kid who caught outfield flies, that sort of thing. He loves the game... Throwing a tennis ball off a door to himself all winter long, and religiously playing baseball on PS3.
The team he faced in the Championship game was 10-2, actually an All-Star team from a neighboring Spring League who did not have enough players for a Fall League of their own. We were beaten 14-6 and were never in the game. He got a game ball for four hits, a couple runs, several RBI and a sweet backhand shorthop scoop in the dirt while playing 1st.
At the car, the eyes started to water. I thought he might have been upset they lost, with dissapointment on missing out on the big trophy rather than the second place medals dominating his thoughts. (His team won it last year)
When I asked him if he was sad that they lost, fully expecting to tell him the All-Star team situation he said...
I'm not sad we lost. I'm sad it's over.
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