Sidelines Baseball

All American, Baseball, apple pie, mom and chevrolet.......Think that was a commercial jingle for awhile,maybe I am dating myself? Anywhew not hard to do these days. Some of us are just naturally inclined to particular interests. Sometimes the interests are forced on us sometimes we do the forcing. However, there is no substituting the radiance from someone who is deeply in joy from an experience. I look back and realize where baseball became such an intricate part of my life. When in grade school I was thrilled by winning cub tickets to Wrigley Field from school for perfect attendance. I used to play street softball with the neighbor kids til we couldn't see the ball anymore. I participated in school organized sports (bowling,gymnastics,track,flag football). I collected awards,ribbons, trophies. In high school the voted Seniors for "whatever" I was honored with Most Physically Fit. My son's father was varsity Wresting,Baseball,Football team captain scholarship winner. My first date with my wasband was to a White Sox game, the second date a Blackhawks game. So I guess the athletic genes come naturally to "my three son's".

Something changes though when you are watching your children play. Sometimes those changes are not so pretty! I have been a Sideline Baseball mom for mmm let's say, at least twelve years, Ouch! The Stories!! The Joys!! The Challenges.......The tears, the Pride, the Cheers through all these Years.....

This season was rather rainy. I sat in the bleachers soaking wet, listening to the increasing agitation of the other "wet" parents and wonder why I keep doing it, especially as I listen to the "other" team mom's chatting that they can beat our team easy, it's wrapped up (grrrrr!). The final game of a long season for many reasons. The hair is raised on my arms and the tears drip from my eyes as I re live this story: One of our players hit's the ball out of the ball diamond over the fence, YEAHHHH We Stand and cheer him round the bases. One of the Dad's runs all the way out of the park to retrieve the Home Run ball for the player. He returns beaming ear to ear and all the parents cheer at his thoughtful diligence - he is wet from retrieving the ball from the river which had crested the banks. Other parents offer up "things" to dry him off. Onward through the excitement and YEP! Another out of the park over the fence Home Run ball!!! YIPPPEEEEE. And they thought they had us wrapped up!! (GRRR!) Off to retrieve another ball and this time definately Really Wet but REALLY beaming ear to ear and more Parents cheer,cheer,cheer! Now, the excitement way out there as if this is not enough for the Sidelines to bare,but, you guessed it, the Parent who has retrieved the home run balls for kids, own Kid hits and out the park -- THREE In One Game except this One Is His BOY!!!!! He returns Soaking wet Yep Beaming, I think this is way tooo much for us sideline folks, the father is wringing out his socks and shoes and shirt and and but will not falter with three special balls to present to three special boys and all the smiles and cheers and pounding heart thrills!!!! The energy of it all, the precious memories and experiences and pictures. WE WON!!!! and this feeds my heart........Another season........??