A Spring without baseball

When I was younger, it was inconceivable that Spring would go by without baseball. I played Little League and/or school softball from age four through sixteen. Even when I wasn't on the diamond myself, I was tuning in to games either on my AM radio or television screen. Baseball was everything to me, especially during the Spring and Summer months growing up. I still equate hot summer days in New York with listening to Yankees or Mets games on the radio by the pool, backyard or balcony.

The Spring/Summer of 2020 has shaken up much of our world, including professional sports. There aren't any baseball games to watch on television, except for the re-airing of ESPN classics. I admit to feeling a little more than sad about the fact that baseball is missing, but there are more important things we need to worry about right now during this global pandemic. I mostly am just disappointed that my four year old won't be able to finish his first year of tee ball. I'm upset that we likely won't be attending any local minor league baseball games this Summer or Fall. I'm doubtful that when the professional teams do return to the field that it will be much of a "season". How can it be? How can anything be the same after what we've already endured these past few months?

One thing I've come to appreciate during this pandemic is how uniquely gifted our boys are on their own, from each other. We are about six weeks away from welcoming our third son and I know he will have his own uniqueness too. I've been fortunate to have my time spent with my family, and it has been meaningful. I can see how my two year old is learning how to be affectionate toward animals and compassionate towards other peoples' feelings. He is starting to develop more confidence in his own ability to make us laugh. He is becoming more comfortable with himself and it's great to be so near to this change on a daily basis. As for our four year old son, he never stops wondering and questioning. He never ceases to amaze us with his ability to understand grown up talk. He can probably explain to you all about the coronavirus and why it's important to stay home right now. He gets it. He somehow understands the changes initiated by this crisis, and is taking full advantage of relishing his time spent with his mom, dad and brother.

So, while baseball is absent, we've been trying to find other ways to stay active and engage our children in activities. With such short attention spans, it's not like watching old baseball games will work in young children. It's important to be flexible and have a plan these days. We love being outside and luckily the weather has been cooperative here in central Texas.  T.S. Eliot once penned that "April is the cruelest month..."  I beg to differ. This April has been cruel in many ways, but focusing on the outcomes and the end game is what makes all the difference...even without baseball.

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