Since last spring, life has felt like it was missing something. I think it has something to do with the way baseball and softball was so rudely interrupted, thanks to that virus that some folks have been talking about.
I know I have said it before, but I love baseball and softball games. It may have something to do with the fact that when I was younger, I was always much better at baseball than I was at football. That really doesn't say as much about how good I was at baseball as it does about how bad I was at football. I wasn't all that bad at basketball, thanks to usually being one of the tallest kids around. No matter, I have always enjoyed most sports, but I especially loved baseball. I remember many fun Sunday afternoons on the baseball diamond at the old Greenville High School next to Mama Mae's back yard. One quick climb of the brick fence behind her house and I was right there on the baseball diamond. Even if I didn't always get picked for the team, I always had fun. Those memories quickly come back to mind when I go to a baseball game. Perhaps it's because the weather is beginning to get warmer. Perhaps it's because the weather hasn't gotten so warm that it's uncomfortable to be at the games. Perhaps it's the smell of the grass and red clay. Perhaps it has something to do with the hot dogs.
I'm sure it will be at least a little bit emotional for me over the next couple of weeks when I'm finally able to go to a ball game. It will feel like a bit of fresh air after being stuck inside for so long. It will feel a bit like normal. That may be what I'm looking forward to the most. I encourage everyone to catch a baseball or softball game as soon as you can. I'll see you at the ball field, then at the concession stand during the "seventh inning stretch;" one hot dog please, ketchup and pickle relish only.