Even in this wind, a wind that blew down multiple sections of the fence in my backyard, my hat stayed on. That’s the sign of a good hat.
I was back at the field where, in the middle of an interview with Daniel, the daily catch-playing resolution finally stuck. Daniel has since moved on to a new job, leaving for DC last fall. The storyteller in me wanted the resolution of one more game of catch with him, to end the year like it started.
Hannah, graciously, agreed to play catch.
She’s on Day #5 with the Daybreak team at KOLR, recently moving to Springfield from Chicago after graduating from Illinois State University. She asked questions about the catch-playing year, lessons learned, and even asked if I still had a flip phone.
I was quite proud to show off my new flip phone.
The roaring wind must have felt like home. It reminded me of the two days my family spent in the Windy City last summer. I told Hannah the stories of meeting and playing catch with Shaun and Shane at Millennium Park. And then Hannah told me her baseball story.
Last summer, she went to DC.
To cover MLB’s All-Star Game.
And interview all the Cubs.
And Bryce Harper.
“When it was Bryce against Schwarber in the finals of the home run derby, I was pulling for Schwarber, but I was pretty happy when Bryce won it, too.”
I only asked one question about the Chicago Bears and then the topic was dropped.
Much, much too soon.
As a Chiefs fan, I know the horrors of playoff football. I’m already nervous for the game against the Colts on Saturday.
So, Hannah and I played catch as the wind blew the ball here and there, exaggerating any natural movement we had on underhand tosses.
As we parted ways, I promised her a copy of This is My Springfield as a gift welcoming her to the Queen City.
Looking forward to the stories you’ll tell, Hannah!
