Play Ball!!

There's nothing like the smell and look of spring. The sun begins to shine through the thinning clouds and the trees and plants start to blossom anew. The birds start to sing a new joyful song. The sunsets become vibrant orange and the days become warm.

And somewhere deep in the background of the noise of the towns and cities you hear the crack of the bat and the sound of the ball. It's baseball season again!! There is no place are time on Earth like spring training.

All the teams are potential contenders. Legends and rookies share the same lockerrooms and field. Hope springs eternal and dreams are one hot streak from reality. The comradery is infectious and there is no time for negativity. Everyone is pulling for each other because the best players will help the team win a Pennant and every player want his team to be as strong as possible.

Then there are the rivalries. The Yankees and Boston. The Dodgers and Giants. The A's and the Angels. The players who are all characters themselves. Barry Bonds and his pursuit of Hammerin' Hank Aaron's all time homerun record. Roger Clemens and his continued mastery and domination into his forties.

Comebacks and trades and their impact on this upcoming season. Who has the best starting line up? The best pitching staff? The fastest team speed? The best defense? The best closer? The best DH? The best ballpark? The best manager? Who will win the batting title this year? The Cy Young? Gold Glove? We have one month to sort it out and then it's time to play ball!!

--Hammertime
From my sidekick