Christmas is coming, and I want a diamond
As Andy Williams croons, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”
Except instead of kids jingle-belling and everyone telling you to be of good cheer, it is the crack of the ash and maple, the pop of the leather and the sizzle of a fast ball. Yes, kids, it is time for baseball.
It is 9¼ inches and 5 ounces of leather, string and cork, 60 feet, 6 inches separating two players at the top of their game and 90 feet that can mean the difference between glory and goat. It is home runs, suicide squeezes, sac flies and drag bunts. Fastballs, sliders, change-ups and everyone’s least-favorite relative Uncle Charlie. The seventh-inning stretch, the call to the bullpen, pinch hitters and broken bats.
Ah, America’s pastime.
Whether you follow an MLB team, a minor league affiliate, college, beer league, Little League or all of the above, baseball is the king of summer. Nothing compares to an evening game under the lights, complete with popcorn, stadium dogs and an ice-cold beverage. It is the perfect way to bring a close to a perfect night.
The beauty of summer ball is that there is always some special event going on: the College World Series (including the women’s softball world series in that), the Little League World Series, various summer leagues — including in this region, the Spearfish Sasquatch and the Casper Spuds of the Independence League. I have been to the stadiums where both play, and it is an awesome experience. There is the MLB Midsummer Classic, with an All-Star game, Home Run Derby and various other activities. If you are so inclined to see an MLB game, it is just a hop, skip and a jump to Coors Field in Denver to catch the Rockies playing, and I can tell you it is a great time.
The history of baseball dates to 1849, when the Knickerbockers played the New York Nine at Elysian fields. It was a one-sided affair, the Nine rolling the Knickerbockers 23-1 in four innings. From that rout, a game was born that would span generations. It would give rise to superhuman figures — George Herman Ruth (the Babe), Mickey Mantle, Willy Mays, Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson and more modern-day heroes such as Ken Griffey Jr., Derek Jeter, Miguel Cabrera and Pedro Martinez. Then there are current superstars such as Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw. On the fast-pitch softball side, you have stars such as Jennie Finch, Dot Richardson, Jessica Mendoza and Cat Osterman. All out there for young men and women to pretend to be on the sandlot.
Speaking of sandlots, that is one of the great things about baseball. A few friends, a ball, a bat and an open field and you have a game. No need for 18 players. Get however many you can, form teams and adapt the rules to what you have. Only have eight 8 to 10 players? Simple. One pitcher, a catcher and the others in the outfield. If the ball doesn’t leave the infield in the air, it is an out. If it falls in front of the fielders, it’s a single; over their heads, a double; hits the fence, a triple. There are so many variations that can be thought up. Let your imagination run wild. It is a very egalitarian game.
Last, let’s go local. Right here in Newcastle we have had for the past nine years a great event on Father’s Day weekend in the Annual Mefford Memorial Majors Tournament. This annual event runs from the Friday before Father’s Day to Sunday and features Little Leaguers from all over the region. Keep an eye out for flyers with dates and fundraising and donation opportunities.
Get down to the ballpark and support these budding young superstars. Show them the community spirit, offer to volunteer and most of all, let them be kids playing the sport they love.
