On The Fly

It’s back. Baseball—yes, baseball ! If you’re someone who finds themselves inexplicably drawn to this peculiar ritual, let’s be honest with each other: it’s a bit odd, right? I mean, 162 games. That’s a lot of hot dogs, a lot of standing around, and a lot of grown men in oddly tailored trousers spitting with remarkable precision. And yet, here we are, poised on the precipice of another season. Thursday, March 26, 2026, to be precise—Opening Day. It’s a curious thing, this Opening Day. You walk into a stadium, or turn on the TV, and suddenly, everyone is infected with a highly contagious strain of . . . Optimism . It’s a spectacular form of collective amnesia. All of last year’s fumbles, the endless losing streaks, the existential dread of watching your bullpen implode in the eighth inning—poof. Gone. It’s entirely replaced by a wide-eyed, childlike belief that this year, finally, the baseball gods will smile upon us. The Cycle of Hope and Despair As a Cubs fan, I know this cycle intim...

In this episode, Chasing the Magic: How the Summer of ’98 Inspired the 'Ball Boys' . . .  Do you remember that feeling? The late-summer air was thick with humidity, radios crackling on porches, the smell of fresh-cut grass and barbecue smoke in the backyard. Every evening carried a new kind of suspense—the country holding its collective breath after every pitch. “Did he hit one today?” became more than a question; it sparked a nationwide conversation.   For me, and millions of others, the summer of 1998 wasn’t just another baseball season. It was theater, a movement, a time when the game recaptured something sacred. As sportswriter Mike Lupica said so perfectly,   “No matter how old you are or how much you’ve seen, sports is still about memory and imagination. Never more than during the summer of ’98, when baseball made everyone feel like a kid again, when it felt important again.”    Just four years earlier, the 1994 players’ strike had left the sport bruised...

In this episode: Special April Fools' Edition: Did You Fall For It? (And a Little Baseball Nonsense) Welcome, fellow baseball aficionados and purveyors of the peculiar, to a very special, dare we say unpredictable, issue of On the Fly! Today, the air is thick with . . . well, probably just regular air, but a specific mischievous something is buzzing around. Can you feel it? Does that tingling sensation make you double-check your shoelaces and suspiciously eye any unusual packages? Yes, dear readers, it’s April 1st! A day steeped in mystery, shrouded in playful deception, and frankly, a day where you shouldn't believe anything you read (except maybe this . . .maybe). But before we descend into a whirlwind of whimsical falsehoods (don’t worry, we’ll mostly keep it light!), let’s take a quick, slightly wobbly, historical flight through the origins of this most unreliable of holidays. Whispers from the annals suggest a few intriguing possibilities for why we dedicate this particula...

Here we are; it’s Saturday. A day of leisure and the gentle art of doing nothing. Yet, it’s the season openers I'm attempting to follow in baseball, a sport resembling slow performance art with men crouching in the batter's box, their faces masked in concentration as they coax a tiny white sphere to glory. It’s early in the season, and everyone is trying to find their rhythm with those first few hits while swinging for the fences. I'm tracking two games: the Angels and the Cubs. It feels like herding cats while solving a Rubik's Cube blindfolded! Early in the season, the rosters showcase a mix of new faces. Players eagerly pursue their first hit and a home run–the thrilling moment they circle the bases, signifying the actual start of the season. Outside, the wind whips the trees restlessly. The sun plays peek-a-boo, offering brief glimpses before hiding behind grumpy clouds. Like me, it's a day that can't decide its mood. Inside the house is a study in quiet d...

In this episode,  Opening Day Magic & the Promise of 162 . . . It’s back, baseball–yes, baseball! If you’re like me, someone who finds themselves inexplicably drawn to this peculiar ritual, let’s be honest- it’s a bit odd, right? I mean, 162 games. One hundred and sixty-two. That’s a lot. There’s a lot of hot dogs, a lot of standing around, and a lot of men in oddly tailored trousers spitting. And yet, here we are, poised on the precipice of another season, Thursday, March 27, 2025, to be precise– Opening Day . It’s a curious thing, this Opening Day. You walk into a stadium, and suddenly, everyone is filled with . . . O ptimism . You know, it’s a form of collective amnesia. All the previous year’s fumbles and foibles, the endless losing streaks, the existential dread of watching your team implode – all of it disappears. Replaced by a sort of wide-eyed, childlike belief that this year, finally, this year will be different. As a Cubs fan, I know it well, this cycle of hope and d...

In this episode, More Than Just Stats: The Enduring Impact of Willie Mays . . .   Welcome back to On the Fly! Today, we're dedicating this episode to a true giant of Baseball, the one and only Willie Mays, the "Say Hey Kid.” The passing of Willie Mays on June 18, 2024, has deeply saddened baseball fans everywhere. However, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy. To honor him, we can't discuss Willie Mays without acknowledging his fellow New York baseball legends, Mickey Mantle and Duke Snider. These three outfielders dominated the baseball scene in the 1950s and 60s, creating a golden age for baseball in New York City. We’re talkin’ baseball . . . Especially “Willie, Mickey & The Duke." As a young little league player, I vividly recall the day my mother purchased my first baseball bat. It was a special moment when we visited our local True Value Hardware store. There, we chose an “autographed” Mickey Mantle bat. This bat became more than just a piece of equipment; i...

In this episode – Baseball is Back . . .   I must confess I'm a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs. Who else but a true fan would willingly watch a Spring Training baseball broadcast on The Marquee Sports Network, especially when it's one of their first broadcasts? Casual baseball fans would say, “It's a waste of time; these games don't mean a thing.” I disagree. It's an opportunity to sit back, enjoy the rhythm and sounds of the game, and reminisce.  Living in Southern California, we have several baseball teams to choose from, including the San Diego Padres, the Angels of Anaheim, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and, with a road trip, the San Francisco Giants. People ask me, why the Cubs? The answer is simple: My Dad was a Cubs fan (everyone called him Doc) , and baseball was a big part of my childhood. The sounds of baseball were everywhere - on the barbershop radio – while playing baseball with the Heller boys and at the local ball diamond where I watched my Dad play. So thi...

In this episode – Baseball's New Rules . . . In the final out in a Major League Baseball (MLB) spring training game on Saturday, February 25, 2023, the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox ended in a 6–6 tie after Braves player Cal Conley  struck out  for not getting set in the batter's box "in time." Yes, baseball is back. Spring training began on February 24, 2023, with a few new rules. Let's face it - it's a game, and don't you adjust the rules when you play a game to suit the players? Major League Baseball did this year for a few good reasons. Look at the end of the first paragraph of this post, "In time." That's not a phrase you often hear connected with baseball; get used to it because baseball has entered a new era this season. Overly concerned it's getting overshadowed by faster-paced sports. This year's goal is to speed up the game and generate more offense. These rules include the following;   A pitch clock so pitchers (and hi...

In this episode - Baseball by Ken Burns . . . The signs are all around you. Leaves on the trees have started to pop. Aqua blue skies form the backdrop over an eye-pleasing manicured green diamond, spotted with bases so white they appear to glow against the brown clay of the infield. The sweet smells of spring. Right now, it's a picture in your mind—a visit to the Ballpark. Today, April 7, 2022, the baseball season officially opens. With 162 games to play, 30 teams step confidently into the opening day with renewed hope, allowing me to set the tone. Baseball - by Ken Burns (Audio only segment) Baseball fans rejoice! This is your year. Please continue to practice safe habits, get out and treasure America's national pastime. I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.  

In this episode, The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum . . . Baseball fans, Major League Spring Training started on March 17, 2022. ( My Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox ) Opening day is less than one month away. My question to you is this, "Have you made plans which ballparks to visit this year?" How about the American League Central, Kansas City Royals? Casual fans may not realize this, but baseball in Kansas City has a grand tradition. Just ask Johnny. At 18th and Vine, history comes alive at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. A few years ago, while in Kansas City, I met Johnny. A dapper museum docent, seated in the lobby, sporting a fedora, wearing a fine vest, a large turquoise ring on his right hand, and high gloss polished shoes, Johnny took the time that day to share the following tale he heard baseball legend Buck O'Neil spin many times. "It was the grand opening celebration of the museum, 1990. My hero, Buck O'Neil, had invited the stars of black...

From The Desk Of Patrick Ball Cherished friends, During this COVID-19 lockdown, social distancing has allowed us to return to the basics; reading, writing, and arithmetic. Me, I'm learning to read music, write out chords, and work out the math ematical patterns to play guitar. Music is a very calming influence. It's also a lot of fun when you can recreate a recognizable tune. And now, to add to the confusion, I'm learning to play the ukulele. Check out Ukulele Mike on YouTube. What have you been up to lately? One primary skill that has gone by the wayside is writing a letter. The acceptance of email, text messaging, and Facetime videos has made it too easy to throw a few emojis or partially spelled words in a message and hit send. Being a valued friend, I'm using this ancient medium to close our social distance gap. There is something therapeutic about the process of putting your thoughts on paper. But the real question is this, Is it worth mailing a sin...