On The Fly

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...

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Catchers are squatting, and pitchers reporting - you be of good cheer.  “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Hah, you thought it was Andy Williams singing about Christmas. Nope, for millions of baseball fans Spring Training rings in The National Pastime. A time of renewed hope and fresh starts. The season (for me) officially kicks off Monday, April 3, 2017, 1:15 pm (PST) with the Los Angeles Dodgers battling the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. With 162 games to play, 30 teams step confidently into opening day with renewed hope. Yes, I’m still ecstatic about the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs! Go Cubs go! Ok, I’m a California resident but a die hard Cubs fan at heart. However, the Dodgers have always held a special place in my baseball loyalties. I’ll admit my spring ritual is to begin each season listening to a game on the radio with play-by-play announcer Vince (Vin) Scully broadcasting. This year however, ...