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I remember, as a seven year old, going to the playground everyday and playing pick-up baseball. These summer days were only interrupted by lunch and Giants games.



There was a very limited amount of televised games at the time. A Radio was a must for any baseball fan. Like any seven year old, I was wide eyed and impressionable, especially when told of all the wonderful hits, pitches, and catches taking place on the field.



What amazed me the most was the shortstop. Not one in particular, all of them.

When I went out to play in the pick-up game, we all played on a level field. Sure, there were weeds, patches of grass, and uneven dirt, but, for the most part, level.

Not major league shortstops.



When listening on the radio, the announcer, almost every game, would tell us that the shortstop had to go in the hole to field the ball.

I was AMAZED!

Man, if I thought fielding a baseball was tough now, just wait till they put holes near shortstop. I was very happy that that seemed to be the only major hole in the field. There seemed to be a little one between first and second, but, It must have been small because it was hardly mentioned



My brother, four years my senior, let me believe there was an actual hole in a major league field for a time, and then could no longer hold back.

I wasn't embarrassed.

I was relieved.

At seven, I already had aspirations of being a ball player, and that was one less obstacle that I'd have to face.



Now, as I watch Derek Jeter range towards third base, glove the ball, and throw while suspended in mid-air to get the batter at first base, I smile.

We wouldn't get to see that if there were a hole there.



[ June 21, 2010, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

I know this post had nothing to do with fantasy whatsoever. But, we all have our roots in baseball first, and most of us started at a young, impressionable age.



Some of us are still impressionable. I know I thought Kyle Blanks would break out this year :rolleyes:

Some rode the Rick Porcello train to ERA oblivion.

We're still impressionable.

I recall playing 2-man baseball with my friend when we lived in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario behind the Catholic School. One of us pitched, the other hit. We used judgment on the success of our at-bats, placed "ghost-men" on the correct bases and they would advance station-to-station.



Apparently our "ghost-men" had more major league potential than either of us....



They're apparently playing for the Brewers.....and still running station to station.

"I know this post had nothing to do with fantasy whatsoever."



Who cares? Your notes about baseball are great.

I always look forward to reading your posts. They are better than most major sportswriter's columns...