The 2018 postseason is here starting with the National League Wild Card Game.
Rockies and Cubs.
Dad grew up in Colorado and I’ve lived in Colorado, although it was only for one year. I remember my one night of camping, I think it was in the Book Cliffs Mountains. I’ve met Drew Butera and Wade Davis is on my catch-playing bucket list. I was hoping, somehow, that it would be Milwaukee and Colorado in the NLCS, but the Dodgers were hard to beat in Game #163. So, with apologies to Shane and Andy and other catch-playing Cub fans and friends, tonight I’m pulling for the Rockies.
Holly was a paraprofessional in Jamie’s classroom her second year as a teacher and has become a dear family friend. She brought Dr Pepper and chocolate cake and her glove to dinner. Perfect.
Sophie was at the school around the corner from our house working on her Inktober project. Holly and I waved hi and sought out a spot in the shade for catch. Unable to remember the last time she played catch, “I think it was with my sister,” Holly apologized in advance.
It was completely unnecessary.
An outfielder growing up, Holly caught pop-ups and showed me her drop step. She crow-hopped and made strong throws that popped and echoed in my mitt. Sophie occasionally cheered from the playground nearby. Holly kept asking me questions while I was trying to ask her questions, so we took turns. And she laughed, which I think is my favorite part of playing catch.
“A day without laughter is a wasted day,” said Charlie Chaplin.
After a day of reading and researching and writing grants, laughing and playing catch is a taste of heaven.
“There’s just something about baseball compared to other sports, but it’s hard to describe. Like a feeling of home,” Holly said.
Coming home. The whole point of baseball, where home is the beginning and the end and where walk-off celebrations happen. Home is where laughter echoes off the walls and there is always room for a new friend.
Baseball is a feeling of home.
And then Holly and I went home and ate chocolate cake.
Go Rockies!
