Much Ado About Nothing

I’m a little late on this today, but I thought I would participate.

These are the two fields that were the start and end of my youth baseball tenure. It’s Memorial Park in Downers Grove, IL and it looks a lot different now than when I played. We had the aluminum bleacher seats for the “fans” and the outfield fence was wooden snow fence that used to be a lot of fun for us outfielders.

The top field was for the Little League teams. The field on the bottom was for the Babe Ruth League. Regulation infield, but slightly shorter outfield. It’s this field where I had the greatest week of my “career”.

First, I have to say that I wasn’t spectacular by any means. Had a decent arm for distance and accuracy, so I rotated between right field, 3rd base, and catcher. Never could pitch to save my life. Solid hitter for average - line drive singles and doubles to either field. Never was known for power, but with my smaller stature that was no surprise.

That week, something really just clicked for me. The baseball seemed to be the size of a beach ball at the plate and every throw I made was right on the money. Tuesday’s game I went 4 for 4 and threw out two runners stealing from behind the plate. Thursday’s game I went 3 for 5, solo home run and threw out a runner at home from right field.

Coach must have noticed as he started me at third on Saturday, batting cleanup. A shock to me and my team-mates, usually being in the 5 or 6 hole. I remember a couple of the guys wise-cracking about it during warmup when they didn’t know I was behind them. “Cleanup? What’s coach thinking?” I heard one of them say.

My second at bat, I came up with the bases loaded. The count ran to 2 and 1 and the pitcher came at me with a fastball that looked as big as the moon. I launched it to left field and it sailed over the fence, one-hopping into the Little League fence and interrupting their game. Yep. A Grand Slam.

Stats for the day: 4 for 5, 6 RBIs, and three putouts from 3rd.

Oh, and the guys making the wise crack? One was on second when I hit the dinger and the other was on deck. The smiles on their faces when I came home to touch the plate is something I’ll never forget.

And yes, I still have the ball.