PLAY BALL

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 153

Happy Kentucky Derby Day! To be honest, I had no idea the first leg of the Triple Crown was even running today. I suppose I’ve been a bit oblivious to the happenings of the sporting world lately. But speaking of sports...

This morning was "errand day," which meant a run to Mankato and the inevitable quest for lunch. Slim Chickens sounded like the right call today; it’s tasty, reliable, and hits the spot. As we scarfed down our tenders and fries, the TVs were loaded with NCAA women’s softball—four different games at once. One of them happened to be Alabama vs. South Carolina. My goodness, can those ladies pitch!

I felt a surge of "hey, I know about them!" glee when I saw Bama on the screen. One of my former bosses, Paul Briski, has not just one, but two daughters who start for the Crimson Tide. One of them, Jocelyn, is currently ranked 25th in the nation.

After watching her dad praise her up and down for the last umpteen years, I thought it would be a hoot to actually see her in the circle. Sadly, the network cut away before we got a glimpse of either Briski girl. I was all ready to take a screenshot of the TV to send to Paul, but alas—life goes on.

As we sat there chatting over the remains of our lunch, my mind drifted to "America’s Pastime." I haven't followed the Twins closely in years, but man, I miss the atmosphere of a live game. It’s just such a great time with the family, isn't it?

Most years when we lived in Toledo, we made it a point to catch a Mudhens game. For us, it was never really about the box score; half the time we didn’t even know the players' names. It was about the time spent with our girls, chilling in the park, and watching a bunch of young men play for the sake of the game. Those were good days.

I think 2017 was the last time we caught a live game. Perhaps someday soon, the wife and I will have to resurrect that tradition—even if it’s just the two of us, and even if it’s just a group of amateurs playing for nothing more than the love of the sport. Anybody want to catch a Leavenworth Orioles game?

Anywho, we finished our shopping and headed home. Just as we were pulling into town, I spotted two boys playing catch in their front yard.

"That’s pretty cool," I said to my wife. "Better to be outside playing ball than inside wasting their minds on the Nintendo." (I almost said Nintendo 64—gosh, talk about dating myself! Hahaha!)

An hour later, I saw a couple of older boys shooting hoops at the city park. While basketball might not be the first thing you think of when someone shouts "Play ball!", it’s still a game of ball, isn't it? Just like the younger kids, they were out there taking in the fresh air, engaging their brains and bodies, and enjoying the day.

For that simple, little thing, I’m thanking the Lord tonight. I’m thankful there are still kids and adults alike who get outside and toss a ball around—an activity that is just a hobby for most, but for some, the very rhythm of life. Those boys could have been doing a thousand other things today, but instead, they were outside enjoying life and "doing life" with one another.

Praise God for that!