Lot of folks went out to the ballpark this week. The national pastime started another season. Football captivates the American soul these days. More people are watching football than baseball. However, baseball is still the quintessential American game.
Unlike other sports, it’s not on the clock. It has it’s own beat. America is like that. We are unlike any other country in the world.
Anyone can play baseball. It doesn’t matter what color you are, where you grew up. You can be successful in baseball. Fat, skinny, muscular, or just an average body. All you need is a skill. If you have a great arm, you can pitch.
If you are strong, and have great hand/eye coordination, you can earn millions swinging the bat in baseball. Prince Fielder isn’t exactly someone you trot out when you want to imagine Adonis.
Just like America. You can be successful in several different ways. You are only limited by your imagination.
Years ago when immigrants came over, one of the first things they did was learn how to play baseball. It was part of becoming American. Like learning the language and other parts of the culture, you learned to put neatsfoot oil on leather to break in a glove.
When the Japanese were engaged in hand to hand combat with troops in the Pacific, they cursed Babe Ruth.
Just like American holidays, each nation puts its own stamp on baseball. The Japanese, the Cubans, the Venezualans all have their own unique twists on the game. However, it’s still 90 feet on the basepaths, and 60 feet 6 inches from the pitching rubber to home plate. There are constants in baseball. Just like America.
The movie Field of Dreams chronicled what baseball means between father’s and sons. But metaphorically, it also illustrates the passing of tradition from one American generation to another.
As Harry Caray used to say, “You can’t beat fun at the ol’ ballpark.”. So go on out, and celebrate something that is uniquely American.
Very busy today. I was in the new right field seats at Wrigley Field for opening day. Unfortunately, the Cubs lost. But, if you want to experience Wrigley in a unique and different way, those right field seats are gold.