Play Ball

Play ball.

There is a lot more to Opening Day for Major League Baseball than just a great day for sports phans.

As I compose this column Opening Day is still to come. When you read it, Opening Day will have passed.

Opening Day obviously means the official start of the baseball season. But it's more, a lot more. Even for those who don't know a slider from a headfirst slide or a steal sign from a steel sign, an intentional walk from a walk to the concession stand, Opening Day has a meaning far beyond sports. Some have referred to Opening Day as a spiritual event and I agree.

Looking trough the Internet for a little background on Opening Day I came across a reference to A. Bartlett (Bart) Giamatti, a professor of romance languages who became the president of Yale University and then the commissioner of Major League Baseball. Among his many highbrow essays this man of letters referred to the beginning of the baseball season in terms of rebirth and renewal and likened a ballpark to the prima garden. I'm certainly no intellectual match for the late Yale University president but I sure can relate to some of his feelings and thoughts about Opening Day.

You see pholks, lots of sports and other events have opening days but MLB (Major League Baseball) is one most identified with that phrase. The NFL (National Football League) opens its season with the phrase “Are You Ready For Some Football?” coined from the famed Monday Night Football frenzy and basketball and hockey have their own start up promotions.

As most of you know spring and summer are my personal favorite seasons even though the other two have some merits.

Opening Day can mean many things to many people.

Opening Day can mean a day to stop and smell the roses since it's the time of year when rose smelling—or wildflower viewing and smelling, is best.

Opening Day can mean getting the lawn mower, trimmer or other gardening tools tuned up and ready for action. There are many pholks who actually prefer gardening or yard work to baseball.

Opening Day can mean the start of Spring Break for students and teachers. There is much to be said for Spring Break these days but let's not go there. Let the younger pholks “do their thing”—within limits, of course.

Opening Day can mean walks in the park for the first time in the New Year. Pushing a stroller or walking hand in hand in the park or around the block is an awesome experience for so many.

Opening Day can mean a leisurely drive in the country, to the beach or maybe Disney Land or some other exciting venue. Any first big outdoor excursion of the year can qualify an Opening Day.

There are some pholks who open all the doors and windows for the first time in quite a spell. For them, the term Opening Day really fits.

Even though MLB is having a game on Opening Day night for national television purposes, it still means the same thing.

I don't think I've even experienced an Opening Day without the words to “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” running through my mind well before its official singing during the seventh inning stretch. And lots of times I've tried to recite as much as I can of Abbott and Costello “Who's On First?” routine as I attempt to get the new season starting line ups for my favorite teams straight.

And throwing out the First Pitch on Opening Day is more special than tossing out the first pitch on another other game, although the World Series games initial tosses are pretty impressive events. Give a President or presidential candidate or other politician a baseball for a First Pitch and you've got yourself a happy camper even if the ball bounces four or five times or is 50 feet left or right, depending on political sway, of the plate.

Even on a bright sunshine filled day Opening Day is in the spotlight.

Life is good.

Play Ball!!!

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com