In my mind, there are few things better than early morning baseball practice during the spring and into the summer: getting up at 6 or 7 in the morning, before the rest of the world regains consciousness, taking a short warm-up run in the cool crisp air with the warm sun enveloping me, dew gently splashing around my cleats and socks. Standing on the mound, just me and my catcher, tossing the ball back and forth, the leather of our gloves snapping sharply against the quiet backdrop of birds in the trees just beyond the outfield fence. A dog barks as its owner lets it outside to enjoy the beautiful summer morning. People begin to appear alone or in pairs, going for leisurely walks or bike rides through the park, pausing for a moment to watch the team practice.
As I begin to settle into a rhythm, I hear the ping of a gleaming black Demarini CF3, fresh out of its wrappings, spraying batting practice pitches throughout the outfield, the fielders competing to make spectacular diving plays, just so they have an excuse to slide through the dew and cool off.
By now, it’s mid-morning, the day is rapidly warming up and many of the players have shed their outer jackets, leaving them in three-quarter-length sleeves or t-shirts. Children can be heard playing on the playground equipment on the other side of the complex, their parents watching from the shelter nearby. Soon, a coach calls everyone to the infield and we take positions to play out a mini-scrimmage. Passersby stop and take a seat in the bleachers as we toss the ball around, turning double plays with ease and practicing our first-and-third situations.
Far too soon, midday hits and temperatures skyrocket. Coach pulls out a hose and has us carefully clear a hillside of any rocks and debris. Soon the water from the hose makes the grass slick enough to form a natural slip-and-slide and we each take turns practicing our headfirst dives. After a few slides each, 15 soaked baseball players jump in the bed of a few trucks or stretch out in the grass to air dry and enjoy another gloriously hot summer day, just waiting for the next early-morning practice to get announced.
3/3/2010
© 2007-2010 Jacob Tauer
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