Baseball is Heaven's gift

“It’s like Heaven.”

That’s what Blaine Nelson told me after my latest Braves game. 

I can officially call myself a baseball player now that I’ve notched my first inning in the field after 6 years away from the sport. 

Blaine was right. It really is Heaven. 

Or Iowa. To quote the famous line from Field of Dreams. 

I struck out again, but had a different approach this time. Just swing at pitches I think I might hit. No cute stuff. 

After the game, I again found myself a postgame text message waiting from my father. 

“Tried my best to will you a double to the gap. We will work on your hitting.” 

I love my dad. 

And I love baseball. 

Throughout the game I chatted with, well everyone. I must share my “Tink story of the night.” 

The first baseball game Tink Larson ever attended was during his elementary days of schooling. Tink was a farm kid whose dad worked a “25- hour- a-day job.” 

I guess he just loved to work. 

I was told Tink pestered his dad about baseball enough that he finally brought him to a game, one played by a town team in Mantorville. Tink said the only thing he could remember from the experience was the name of one player which, coincidentally, I don’t remember. Outside of a few games, Tink said he never played baseball until high school. I found all of this remarkable. 

Unsurprisingly, other topics of discussion also revolved around baseball. For one thing, Blake, Tink, and I are all in agreement: We shouldn’t have traded Arraez. He was so much fun to watch hit for the Twins. It's a shame we don’t get to anymore. 

I grew up during the Mauer and Morneau era of Twins baseball. My first Twins game was found while channel surfing from my living room couch. The Twins won 4-1 and I’d like to think Nick Blackburn was pitching: Not quite as good a story as Tink’s first game, but memorable nonetheless. 

We talked about my first start on a varsity baseball team. I was a sophomore at NRHEG and Drew Paukert informed me I would be pitching a Saturday game at noon. I came home, and, as nonchalantly as possible, asked my dad whether he was coming to the game. His response was, “Why? You don’t play varsity.” 

“Well guess who's starting on Saturday.” 

Dad jumped up off the couch with excitement. 

So how did that game go? 

Well, I can’t tell you who the other team was or how they scored their first run, but I can tell you the name of the center fielder who dropped a would-be third out on a routine fly ball. Carson Field. 

One run was in and two on when I saw the “can of corn” (baseball reference for easy fly ball) and breathed a sigh of relief. “Phew, I got through the first inning, now I’m good.” 

The next batter hit the ball over the left field fence. 

It was the only home run I ever gave up in my high school career. But that, that was memorable. 

Before the game, Blake talked about baseball being a game of limiting mistakes and doing the little things right. He shared a similar story about a state entrance game and I couldn’t help but see the similarities. 

I don’t think a player could ask for better teammates than the other Braves on the team. It’s a great atmosphere, even when Chris Glynn throws his helmet. (Even after getting 2 hits in the game.)

It’s an amazing thing to see adults take a kids’ game so seriously. But then again. It is Heaven to be on a baseball diamond.

Wednesday’s game was the regular season finale, but look for us to host some playoff games. 

And I can’t forget to mention. Wednesday was the first day of the Waseca County Fair. I’m already exhausted and it’s only the first night. Here’s to four more. 

“Baseball is Heaven's gift to mortals” - George F. Will. 

“When you look up into the stands, everyone you’ve ever loved is there to cheer you on.” - unknown.