RETIREMENT’S COMIC RELIEF: America’s pastime spans generations
Trending
A predecessor to baseball came about in the 1700s when North American immigrants revised England's game of cricket. Further changes the following century led to baseball's designation as America's national pastime. Players Ty Cobb, Shoeless Joe Jackson and Babe Ruth were topics of discussion over the backyard fence when radio broadcasts of games became common.
It wasn't until 1958 that Santa slid down our chimney with two baseball gloves - one right-handed, the other left. As luck had it, Dad was left-handed. When spring arrived, it was time to play catch. At first, standing only a few feet apart, I struggled to get the hang of it. Throwing was easy; throwing in the right direction was not. By late summer, we stood further apart as my arm and aim improved. Dad signed me up for Little League the following year. As a rookie on the '59 Beechcraft "Hawks" team, I was assigned to the outfield which required chasing balls routinely avoided by infielders who dodged hot grounders. No one wanted a bad hop to knock out a tooth.
Three years later with the '62 Hawks, Coach Fees usually played me at pitcher, catcher or third base. Coach's son, Randy, was twice the size of others on the team. With long arms and great height, he could snag most any throw airmailed his direction. As a result, Coach played him at first base.
While pitching one game, a runner on first took a big lead and looked ready for a mad dash to second. I spun and rifled the ball at Randy. He was daydreaming, staring into outer space. The ball hit him square in the chest and dropped him to the ground. Playing catch in the back yard had paid off for me, but not for Randy's ribs.
Our grandson, Declan turned five and played T-Ball for the first time this summer. His mother shared a video of him learning to run the bases. In another video, he smacked balls sitting atop the tee repeatedly into a nearby fence. At practice the following week, at-bats took place on a ball field for the first time. Declan's swing sent rawhide up the middle and over the pitcher's mound. Teammates in the infield scattered as the ball rolled past second and into center field while Declan stood watching at the plate. He finally took off in response to his parental shouts to run. What he didn't remember was where to go. He chased after the ball, running toward where the pitcher should have been. His parents pleaded, "Go to first...Declan! Run to FIRST!" He stopped at the pitcher's mound, turned toward his parents with a grin, then hung a right to speed toward first base while the untouched ball eventually lost steam and came to rest in the outfield. Declan - this kid's a natural.
There is something special about seeing grandchildren learn to enjoy what their grandparents once did. This includes watching creation of LEGO structures, reminiscent of time devoted to Lincoln Log cabins decades ago. Among our own children as well as grandchildren old enough for such things, we've enjoyed piano, violin, viola, saxophone, swimming or diving, acting and gymnastic performances in addition to golf, football, baseball, basketball, soccer and plenty more elements that bring up memories from our own childhood.
Backyard fence discussions about sports legends are ancient history now. There are more important matters to discuss. Grandparent pastimes focus on their children and grandchildren now. Sure, we might admire a professional athlete here or there. But nothing compares with the pleasure of enjoying talents possessed by our descendants. Whether it's the work they do, the unique gifts each have or just taking their first steps in life - they're all naturals. Just give grandparents a few hours and they'll tell you all about them.
Sommers is a retired Minot orthodontist, violinist with the Minot Symphony and author of the book, "Retirement? You Can't HANDLE the Truth!"