baseball is back

Woohoo! Spring is in the air, the grass is turning green as the gentle spring rains fall, and it's time for some baseball. I watched the Braves bullpen give up two game-losing homers in as many games, and the Pirates are on pace to win 162!

I spent a little time tonight browsing the rosters of the Pirates minor league teams, looking to see which of the guys from last year's Spikes made the jump to a higher level of minor league ball. Most of the guys landed at either Hickory or Lynchburg. None were promoted to Altoona, and some are still in Bradenton with the Gulf Coast League until the Spikes open in June.

My lovely wife got her picture in the paper, along with Levi and cousin Wesley, standing in line at the ticket booth last year. The pic is on the Spikes website, and was in the local Weekender.

I am looking forward to another season serving as the chaplain for the Spikes. I do a short devotional/prayer time for the Spikes, the visiting team, and the umpires before each Sunday home game. It's totally optional, and I have enjoyed the opportunity to encourage these young men in their faith. Sid Bream is the new hitting coach, and I am looking forward to getting to know him. I hear that he's a Jesus follower, and he's tied to two baseball memories for me:

1. He scored from second base on a ball hit to Barry Bonds in the 9th inning of game 7, in the 92 NLCS. He might have been the slowest guy in baseball, and he beat Barry's arm.
2. His son's team (Seneca Valley) beat our State High team enroute to a PIAA championship last year.

Play ball!