What? Should I talk about the Cubs’ weekend in New York? Seeing Anthony Rizzo in another uniform, seeing him hit a home run against him, and watching the Yankees kick the ever living shit out of us? I don’t think so. How about the White Sox? Losing another series at home, hearing fans chant “Fire Tony”, and watching this team continue to underachieve on the field? Nah, that’s OK. It is summer time, which means it is all about baseball, but man… tough sledding this year. My team, the Cubs suck, and the other team, has been a major disappointment thus far. Tough to get into it… but baseball? I can always get into that.
My son is providing an opportunity to continue to be involved in the sport that I love. I wish I could tell you about his games this past week, except there were more rain outs, and a day when the other team didn’t show up; what’s up with that? Baseball is a kids game; this is their time to play ball. It doesn’t last forever. For some, it may last longer than others. Those major leaguers who stick around and have a great career. How about the guys who end up playing elsewhere after their major league career doesn’t pan out as expected? That’s OK too. There are some that play the game they love on a non-professional level; shit, that’s cool too… if you have the time to do it… if your body holds up. But right now, for these kids, man… I wish I could turn back the clock. I wish all I had to worry about throughout the summer was what time practice was, and when our next game was. Those were the days, let me tell you…
So I’ve been involved with my son’s team. Getting into it late, because of the original league folding, and my son having to play up to join a travel team, I’m not an official coach; I was supposed to be in the original league we signed up for. Still, I’m there to help if needed; I’ve told the guys that. If it was me, I would take that help every single time; you can always use an extra body, an extra glove at practice. I’ve taken score during the game too, calling out the lineup, who’s on deck, who’s in the hole. I love it. If I’m going to be at every single one of my son’s games, which I’m planning on doing, then I might as well be involved; I love working with the kids too.
On this Sunday, we were all dressed and ready to play a game; this was the day that the other team didn’t show… such BS. So, we turned it into an intra-squad scrimmage, with the 2 coaches, and me and another “assistant” coach, taking the field. They asked me to pitch; of course I said yes. That was my favorite position to play as a kid; you have the ball in your hands every single play… you can’t beat that. I guess catcher would fall into the same category, but I could never squat. So heck yeah I pitched to both teams, trying to throw strikes so the kids could get their swings in; putting the ball in play to test our fielders. I didn’t expect to be tested as much as I was, with kids trying to bunt on me; I think I was 2-3 on those. Then there was the hard grounder and line drive hit right back at me; I caught both of those thankfully. I hope the kids enjoyed it; I know I sure did.
I don’t remember the last time I played a game like that; maybe it was a few years ago with the family. I miss it. For that hour plus, I didn’t worry about shit, other than trying to throw strikes, and not get hurt… haha. It was a throwback to when all I had to do was to walk around the block and cross the street to the park, rounding up a handful of us to get a game going. Don’t get me wrong; I did play video games when I was a kid, but I would much rather prefer getting out there and playing with a bunch of my friends. Thankfully, through my son playing baseball, I’m getting another chance to play this kids game…. much better than talking about it, especially nowadays in Chicago. I think I’m ready to throw another few innings…
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