As it neared 1:00 pm, I still had no prospects for playing catch. While I was eating an incredibly healthy lunch of two corn dogs and jelly beans, I remembered MSU had a game against SEMO, so I grabbed my gloves and camera and headed toward Hammons Field when Phil texted.
At a red light, I looked down and read, “Whatcha doing? I’m sitting in my office thinking I should be hitting you fly balls.”
“On my way,” I replied.
Phil is a good friend from high school who is now an incredible author and pastor and, for some odd reason, an Orioles fan. He has survived going viral and passionately advocates on behalf of the poor and culturally marginalized. He’s also helping coach his son’s baseball team, so he has a bucket of baseballs and a fungo bat in his truck at all times.
After 25 quick throws to warm up my arm, I ran out into the back field of his church while Phil took a couple warm-up swings. I forgot he hit left-handed and his first swing caught me by surprise.
Phil bombed high fly balls that sailed along the wind and line drives that curved like long sliders. I caught more than a handful and did not twist a single ankle nor pull a hamstring.
Success.
Thirty minutes later and in desperate need of oxygen, I called it a day and we drove for Dr Peppers.
“So, this summer I’m headed to Cooperstown,” Phil said. “And while I’m there, I’m gonna buy your book and take a picture of it.”
I remember fondly my trip there last summer. Thanks to Baseball Seams Company and Nate Rueckert, we were able to present the story of America at the Seams at the Cooperstown Symposium. It was my first trip to the neat village town off the lake and I still miss the pizza and fudge that we ate daily.
On my last day there, I wrote a poem about my experience.
Cooperstown
I shook Buck’s bronzed hand
courageous, compassionate
ambassador of the game
sweetly singing
the greatest thing
in all my life
is loving you
tipped my hat to
Gehrig, Robinson, Clemente
gentlemen giants
lucky men
impacting other lives
giving all they had to give
laughed with
Abbott and Costello
larger than life ageless Satchel
and smallest ever Gaedel
silently stood before Quiz
a heart of hope delivered
through flaws
thanked Aaron and Ruth
just keep swinging
through strikeout fears
remembered Ryan and Brett
coveted autographs
who quit playing
before we played catch
learned from
speedy Sophie Kurys
baseball is everyone’s game.
