Play ball! Do two sweeter words exist? I don't think so. Every year as the Autumn chill gives way to the cold and grey of Winter our hopes and spirits are kept alive by the memory and anticipation of this beautiful phrase. Our minds conjure up the smell of freshly cut grass mingled with the leather of a glove. We can hear the echo of ball meeting bat and the crowd erupting into frenzied cheers as the newest hero of the diamond circles the bases. Today the wait is over and we no longer have to imagine. It is Opening Day! In honor of this, I am going to share some thoughts relating to what makes baseball so great
No clock. If you have one out left you always have a chance.
The Pennant Race. Winning your division is still important and the day to day movement and competition is unmatched in sports.
Redemption. Lose today? There's a game tomorrow. Strike out with men in scoring position? There's another at bat coming.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame. The greatest sports song ever written.
It's really hard. (Have the best players from any other sport try to hit a major league fastball and see what happens)
Game 7's.
Listening to a game on the radio. (Unless Hawk Harrelson is calling it)
The first view of the field as you walk out of the tunnel.
Towering home runs.
The Suicide Squeeze.
The vernacular. Texas Leaguer, going yard, can of corn, bean soup (That last one isn't real but my wife thinks it should be so I included it to make her happy.)
The superstitions. Far too many to list.
Spring Training. "Pitchers and catchers report" : the second greatest phrase.
The hope that springs eternal.
It's the only game where the defense controls the ball. ( I got that from Ken Burns' Baseball documentary)
I could go on and on and on. Please feel free to share your own thoughts. To my fellow baseball fans good luck on the upcoming season. (Unless you're a Dodger fan. I hope your team loses every game.) Play ball!
Play ball! Do two sweeter words exist? I don't think so. Every year as the Autumn chill gives way to the cold and grey of Winter our hopes and spirits are kept alive by the memory and anticipation of this beautiful phrase. Our minds conjure up the smell of freshly cut grass mingled with the leather of a glove. We can hear the echo of ball meeting bat and the crowd erupting into frenzied cheers as the newest hero of the diamond circles the bases. Today the wait is over and we no longer have to imagine. It is Opening Day! In honor of this, I am going to share some thoughts relating to what makes baseball so great
Vin Scully. Even if you hate the Dodgers. Vin Scully on the radio is the voice of summer.
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