Batter, batter, batter ...

Batter, batter, batter... And not the kind made with flour and water CUZ 'country' folk defintely love their baseball whether it's playing the game/ watching it. There are busy baseball fields no matter where you turn. Irv's boys, Simon and Sam both played on a diamond that really was next to a corn field like the movie "Field of Dreams," I swear. Well anyway as I was driving home Tuesday the radio station listed where all the high school ball teams would be playing and I caught that DeSoto would be playing in Stoddard which is just right down the road from us.

So when Natureman mentioned a drive and picnic dinner, I suggested the ball park 5 miles away since I knew there was a late afternoon game and I knew DeSoto has a good reputation sportswise. There's no better place to be part of the local culture than a baseball park. Kids look the same anywhere and were donning sweatshirts and jeans as the temp had really dropped into the low 50's yet some girls were in their short shorts just 'cuz it had been hot 2 days ago. We shared the picnic table space with some old timers that probably make these spring games part of their daily social life chowing down hot dogs and chips. How many places do you go that jackets advertise Holsteins and tractors? We caught the last couple of innings as we ate Natureman's famous potato salad with a turkey sandwich and a nice cold root beer. Life doesn't get much better than this.

Oh, by the way DeSoto shut out their competition boys : final score 9-0 , girls 6-0 Way to go DeSoto Pirates! We'll talk more about battering next entry...