The players gave it their all – and so did the coaches, umpires and fans. (Oh yes, and the concessions crew.)
Okay, I love writing (made a career of it). Now that I’m retired, I love writing about baseball. Even more I love watching baseball – at any level. So, I took a break from a blog post I’m working on – focused on all the MLB rookies who have hit for the cycle – to take in a game between the Red Sox and Angels. They were playing for all the marbles – the Roseville (MN) Youth Baseball League Championship in their classification. (I have a nearby neighbor who coaches and whose son plays – and made the league All Star Team. The AS Game, by the way is next week.)
Let me say, this game was all that the national pastime is about. Those youngsters were intense and competitive, yet still having fun (and enthusiastically encouraged by their coaches and fans). Not only that, they were on the field – together – playing and supporting each other as a team; no matter what the skill level. (And, of course, they were out in the sunshine – not on their computers or smartphones.)
It was, as the photo of the scoreboard indicates, a see-saw battle, with plenty of tension to go around. We saw a couple of nice running catches in the outfield, some well-handled grounders, some very well-hit balls, a few walks and strikeouts and, yes, a few misplays. We also saw a group of youngsters giving 110 percent all the way – with neither side giving in. The Red Sox (my neighbor’s team) prevailed 16-12. And, for those who like to know such things, the game ended on a legitimate triple play! Top of the last inning, Red Sox up 16-12 and the Angels get the first two players on base (first and second). The next batter hit a hard – HARD – line drive that everyone (myself included) thought was headed for right-center. Somehow the pitcher leapt and captured the liner in the webbing of his glove. The runners were moving and a quick toss to first and relay to second and 1-3-4 (maybe 1-3-6) – Triple Play – Game Over – Championship Secured. If you want to really see the joy of the game, watch a group of grade school youth baseball players celebrate a champinship clinched with a triple play.
Playing for the love of the game – and these, of course.
Oh yes, admission was (of course) free and the concessions (profits supporting youth baseball) were great. I managed to get by on a hot dog, chips and two Diet Cokes ($5.00 total). The Shaved Ice – blueberry, lime and cherry – was (from my observation) the crowd favorite.
All I can say is, if you ever get a chance to take in some youth baseball – TAKE IT. It was a wonderful, uplifting way to spend an afternoon. And, it will make you feel even better about this great game of ours. I want to thank all the players, coaches, umpires and fans who made BBRT’s summer Sunday a special one.
The fans took their shade where they could find it.
Coming up: Posts on MLB rookies who hit for the cycle and The Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals induction ceremonies (which took place today).
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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; and Baseball Bloggers Alliance.
