"The Love of the Game"

I love the game of baseball. Like many Americans I look forward to this time of the year. I was introduced to baseball at a very young age. My older brother taught me all that I needed to know. We would sit around the radio listening as he explained every pitch. It felt as though we had front row seats in the stadium! We would listen to the Houston Astros or the Chicago White Sox. As a matter of fact, we were so into the sport that my brother, Lucien, invented a replica of the game. I'll share with you how it was played.
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A 12x12 piece of cardboard was cut out and used for the diamond. A circle was drawn in the center for the pitcher's mound. First, second, third and home plate were labeled on the corners. It was placed on the floor where two walls met using the baseboards for the outfield walls. It was a perfect height for our players. So now we need some players. An old chess game came in handy. Several pieces were selected and given a name and position. Letters were marked on players for better identification. For instance, there could be a Knight A and a Knight R. One could be a shortstop and the other a catcher. A few toy soldiers were also added to the rosters.
 
Now let's play ball! Each pitch was determined by the roll of a dice borrowed from a monopoly game. If a three is rolled, it's a ball thrown by the pitcher. A six is a call strike and four is a strike swing and a miss. Four balls you walk, and three strikes and you are out! Roll a one and it's a liner to the outfield. Roll another one and it drops in for a single. Roll a two and it's a fly ball. Roll another two and it becomes a homer. A two rolled followed by a one becomes a double, with a chance of becoming a triple with the roll of another one. Oops, I almost forgot. The roll of a five was an infield ground ball which the batter would be safe at first only if a one was rolled next. Nine innings were played for every complete game. If the score was tied at the end of nine innings, the game went into extra innings until a team scored a run. Every pitcher had a win/loss record along with strike outs accomplished. For every position player's batting average was calculated and a record was kept of his hits, runs, homers and runs batted in.
 
I think that covers it my friends. That is why I love the game of baseball. Thank you Lu for teaching me the ropes of my favorite sport. Until we meet again, love all.
 
GO BRAVES!
 
In Christ,
Jerome Young, Facilities Manager