Slip Sliding Away!

   Our travels took my wife, two of our grand kids,
and I to South Williamsport on Wednesday! Just in
case you haven't heard...the Little League World
Series is in full swing and South Williamsport
is where it's at!
   My old friend and colleague Derry Bird
posted a Facebook note last week lamenting
the fact that most news coverage of the event
seems to ignore the actual site of the games. I
thought I'd better get it right so he'd be happy!
   This is baseball in its purest form.
    Kids from all over the world are
gathered for the competition.
    In fact it seemed a little unusual to stand
for the "Anthem" and hear the ballads that
honor The Republic of Mexico and Venezuela!
   The tunes are different as are the languages
 spoken by the players.
    But except for the fact they play only 6
 innings the 'language of baseball', 4 balls
you walk, 3 strikes you're out, is the same!
    It's a great place to enjoy baseball and all
the excitement that goes along with this
competition.
    If you've ever watched any of the games
you know part of that excitement is
displayed by young spectators who use
cardboard and carpets to slide down the
steep hill that over looks the outfield at
Lamade Stadium. Did I mention it's a
steep hill!?
    After straining our necks to watch a game
from the left field bleachers the grand kids
talked us into moving to that hill! We now
know why it's so easy to slide there!
     In fact, the real trick seems to be walking
there!
    We folded the seats we brought to support
our backs in the bleachers and sat on them
rather than on the grass. But those seats,
in their folded state, must be a lot like
cardboard because they immediately
started to slide!  Trouble is we were still
on them!
    My wife, grandson and I were eventually
able to stabilize ourselves so we could watch
the game without sliding into the hedge that
separates the hill from the outfield .
    Our grand daughter, however, spent her
time learning to "surf" the hill!
    She actually got pretty good and will
probably bring waxed cardboard next time!
     Where else could a family go to watch
a championship baseball game, free of
charge I might add, enjoy some great food,
and have fun without a computer, Ipod, or
such by sliding or trying not to slide down
a hill! Ah the simple joys of life!
     I was even able to buy something that
is synonymous with baseball, but seldom
found at the games.....Cracker Jack!!!
     By the time we got up, and that did
take some time, cleaned off the grass,
and headed back to the refreshment
stands, Mexico had won the 9 inning game
over Venezuela 2 to 1. And as we left
the winners and losers were congratulating
each other on a 'good game.'
    It was a 'good game'....for everyone!
    Hope you're on level ground, your eye is
on the ball, the count is in your favor, and
that all your NEWS is good!