Sliding in Head First

It occurs each August
a true f
a
l
l
from fantasy
t
o
reality

I cling onto the
green and blue of summer

As I p
l
u
m
m
e
t
into the
black and grey of instructional technology

the white noise
of

Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Academic Standards Syllabus Criteria Assessment Critical Thinking Strategic Planning

has replaced
my sweet simplistic melody
of

wooden bats children’s foul ball footsteps the national anthem

Please Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Please Take Me Out
Please Take Me
Please

In a League of Our Own

Women and baseball. Two weeks ago, on another one of my baseball park crawls, I stopped at the oldest minor league park in America in Evansville, Indiana. It was here that A League of Their Own was filmed. The Frontier League team – the Otters – that call Bosse Field home, employ some of the cutest local high school girls to don replica uniforms found in the film and host the on-field promotions and games.

The film is best known for the phrase, “There is no crying in baseball.” However, when these darling young women break into dance fillers between innings, it took everything in my power to not interject, “There is no dancing in baseball. Take off the costumes. Sit down and watch the game!”

Maybe I was just reminded that women understanding, appreciating and loving baseball is as rare as a triple play. In fact, just this evening, I was enjoying a gorgeous night of ball at Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska when I was approached by a man who wanted to know who I was here to watch. My response was, “All of them.” I am not their mother or the cheerleader in residence; I am a baseball fan. He could not grasp the fact that I loved the game so much that I would a) travel to watch it b) sit there by myself.

This past summer, I befriended another woman who is as loyal to the play at the Birdcage as I am. I have admired her from afar in past years. Furthermore, I have enjoyed watching her grow - literally - as a fan. This season, I moved back to my original season seat located in the front row on the first base line. This placed me next to this other die hard Canaries fan, and we immediately bonded. Jasper and I became true baseball buddies.

We discussed our favorite baseball players, food and songs and agreed on many of them. The one thing we most have in common is that we love to….color, cut and paste. Did I mention Jasper is four?

Jasper inspires creativity. Together we created an All-Star scrapbook, and with her new baseball friendly arts and crafts suitcase, she is drawing intricate pictures with corresponding stories that entertain all of section D inning after inning. Well, almost everyone is entertained.

Canaries pitcher Pat Mahomes is Jasper’s number one fan; she reciprocates the adoration. He gives her gum and has taught her the proper arm gestures for the YMCA; she gives him a lot of smiles. Pat Mahomes is no different from any ball player that I have ever met - he knows where every gorgeous brunette is in the stands, and Jasper is no exception!

Pat has reprimanded me on many occasions that when we are creating, we put ourselves in the path of danger. Even though I do not think he gives me enough credit as the Queen of Multitasking – I can watch the game, draw trees and color ghosts between pitches – his concern has warrant. Foul balls come quick. We need to pay attention.

So, Jasper and I rehearsed the drill. “Heads up!” is the signal for us to throw our heads down between our knees. I have never thought of the conflict of language until I actually had to practice and explain it to a four year old. Leave it to a child to point out the fact that “Heads down!” would just make more sense.

This was not enough for Pat. He knows that a little body like Jasper's is no match for a ball whether hit or overthrown. So, this week, when he strolled across the warning track, leaned over to me as Jasper was sitting on my lap, and whispered, “If anything happens to my baby girl, it will be you and me”….I listened. Jasper and I agreed to pick up our cuddling, conversation and creativity between innings so she could return to her father who was packing a glove for protection during actual play.

I – like Pat Mahomes – have fallen in love with a brunette season ticket holder in the front row. Together she and I have had serious discussions about issues such as hot dog vs. chicken strips (hot dog hands down), the importance of “K’s” to a solid defensive outing, and the truth in bubbles as a positive addition to any sporting ambiance.

Jasper is a true fan, and as long as we practice safe fan etiquette, I hope to continue sharing our love of the game for seasons to come. As long as Jasper is my baseball buddy, “There is no crying in baseball” – only lyrics to Take Me Out to the Ballgame, high fives and lots of laughter.

Super Fan Jasper

Here are some of the many faces of Jasper....sitting with daddy, cheering Pat on as he pitches, blowing bubbles and doing the YMCA!

Standing Still

I just finished reading Three Weeks with my Brother by Nicholas Sparks. I have to admit that I've never been a big fan of his novels and subsequent movies as they are a bit too sentimental for my taste. However, after reading this memoir, I have a completely new perspective on how he writes and the impetus for his work.

In Three Weeks, Sparks travels around the world with brother Micah. He does a beautiful job of taking the readers - not only to destinations such as Mayan Ruins, Easter Island, Malta, etc - but he also lets the readers journey with him as he revisits his childhood and all the landmarks that shaped him as a brother, son, husband, father and novelist.

Simply, I was inspired. Nicholas Sparks reminded me of the importance of sibling bonds and owning one’s family’s dynamics. “Perseverance and “stillness” are two words that I think of when reflecting of the book.

This past week, a friend of mine confessed his brain never allows him to be satisfied. He is highly successful, has achieved awards and positions at a young age, and has a family that loves, support and celebrates him. However, he never is satisfied….or still.

Granted, he has an extremely high pressure job. However, he never enjoys any of the success that comes with it. He only obsesses about the nuances of how to make it better. As he was midstream in a verbal rant, I found myself reaching out and placing my hand on his chest. He immediately looked confused – almost shocked – but he was silent. I just wanted my energy to quiet his heart.

Sparks refers to I Corinthians 10:13 in his book. God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the same time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

My past couple of years have been challenging. I have declared numerous times in my life that I am the strongest broad that I know and that I fear nothing…except God. In truth, as of late, I have never felt weaker or more afraid and yet….I have found a quietness that has saved my life.

I did not find this silence on my own. Ironically, it has taken a group of strangers to show me the path to reclaiming my own space and adjusting the volume in it. Right now, I am trudging through a personal path thick with mud and cockleburs. However, it will eventually wash off, and I can pick off the rest. More importantly, I have discovered that I can do it on my own time and in a quiet place. Once it is off, it may leave a film and a few scars, but ultimately I will feel lighter than ever before. I have been provided with a way out. But for right now… I am just standing still, breathing in and out and being quiet.