Take me out to the ball game!

Why I love baseball…

I can trace my love of baseball to my childhood in the late 1950’s and early 60’s. I remember watching baseball games with my Dad; maybe my attention wasn’t sustained for the entire game, but I loved the calm of the announcers when the batters were at-bat, kind of like golf announcers of today; then the over-the-top excitement of a hit! I remember my Dad explaining about strikes and balls and singles, doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, foul balls and the whole nine yards (or, rather… innings!) like it was yesterday.

My family was living in California, but my Dad grew up in Michigan, so his team was the Detroit Tigers.  Of course, I was a Tigers fan.  Just like my Dad.

There was something about baseball that loaded the bases of my soul.

When my family moved from California to New Hampshire… well, I ran into a bit of interference with my Boston born-and-bred-loyal-Boston-fan uncles, aunts, cousins and die-hard Red Sox fan, Nana! My Boston-born Mom was all in for letting me pick the team I wanted, and God bless her for understanding the pickle I was in.

By then, I was playing softball for my junior high school team.  These were my Glory Days.  I loved every game, every bus ride, every hit, every play, every cheer, every moment of our late afternoon games.  I also was “allowed” to play actual pick-up baseball with my brothers and neighborhood boys… only because I knew how to play.

I proudly wore my hat with the “D”.

It took me awhile to switch allegiance, but with the blessings of my Dad, I became Red Sox fan in 1967, The Impossible Dream season. By then, my family had moved to Rhode Island and I was completely immersed in my life as a New Englander.  I haven’t looked back since.  I married a Red Sox fan and we’ve had weekend season tickets for years.  We relish our trips to Fenway Park.

I still love watching baseball games on television.  I still love playing baseball.  Baseball is my favorite spring/summer sport.  My sons played baseball.  My daughters played softball.  Now 4 of my grandsons play baseball!

Take me out to the ball game!

Like this past Wednesday early evening, when 8-year old William and 7-year old Alexander were playing a Little League game.  The sun was beginning to makes its descent.  The air was still.  The parents were cheering.  My heart was racing.

William stepped to the plate.  First pitch…

Then Alex stepped to the plate.  4th pitch…

The sounds of their bats cracking the ball instantly brought back some of the greatest memories of my childhood.  My very own Fields of Dreams; and I do mean plural.

To me, there’s nothing like that sound.

It’s my summers.

It’s my childhood.

It’s my Dad.

It’s my joy.

 

 

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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4 Comments

  1. 5.28.13
    Jane said:

    I love baseball and softball games for many of the same reasons – great memories from my childhood!! I can’t wait to come catch some of the boys’ games this season.

  2. 5.28.13

    This post is so fun and nostalgic for me too because I grew up in Texas (as a toddler on) watching my brother play baseball! There is nothing like it! Your grandson is adorable by the way. So happy you turned into a Sox fan after all!

  3. 5.28.13
    Joanna said:

    Such special memories!!! I love reading your posts 🙂

  4. 5.28.13

    So cute, it’s a good thing you like baseball with all those grandkids! I like reading your nostalgic memories of growing up with it!

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