Let's Play 2!

After a cold and dark winter , Ernie Banks's urging to "Let's play two" fell eagerly on on the ears of your young Fighting Diplomats on the first day down south here in Winter Haven, Florida. The opponent of the determined squad was the Red and White of Denison, a liberal arts schools near Columbus,Ohio.
Denison has notable alumni in the entertainment world such as Steve Carell, Hal Holbrook as well as Michael Eisner, former Disney CEO and Jennifer Gardner, the actress from the show "Alias". This background proved helpful as the Denison pitchers were pounded by the Fighting Diplomats. Junior Nick Rolnick blasted a home run at least 20 feet over the 410 foot center field fence. During his trot around the bases, the pitcher was pondering the seemingly small field dimensions and distinctly heard Disney's "it's a small world after all". In game two, Dension again was hammered and the rumor was the pitcher left with a disguise including a wig and makeup and assumed name ( the reference to Alias that you have been waiting for :).

A beautiful day went well for the Fighting Diplomats but the baseball gods were gleefully ( for them) in attendance after the winter break. They were not any more liberal than in years past and after the Fighting Diplomats opened a quick 3-0 lead, the baseball gods observed our guy walk two in a row and then hit a guy to load the bases. The baseball guys were rolling the eyes and shaking their heads ( they are big on nonverbal communication). By now, readers know the baseball gods will extract punishment for this transgression and you would not be disappointed in their swift dispensation of justice. Two base hits scored three runs and another fielders choice gave the Red and While a lead but we managed to stop the bleeding with a double play. On rare occasions, a pitcher can get himself in trouble and with a strikeout and maybe a double play to wriggle himself out without any damage. And it might be fun and even exciting to see him get out of the jam. But this kind of activity is like dating a stripper -it might be exciting and fun in the beginning but in your heart you know it is going to go horribly bad.

An additional note in Game 2 Junior Jason Anderson blasted a home run way over the fence in left field. So far in fact it went over a second fence 50 feet away that served to enclose a parking lot. This was one of the top five hardest hit balls I have seen. It exploded into the atmosphere like a missile. North Korea reports it can send missiles to Alaska. Hah! Watch a college baseball game Kim Jung!! After seeing a day of these aluminum bats, I would tell the Koreans to use aluminum bats ( or titanium ) and they ought to be able to reach Boulder, Colorado.

Jason however triggered an entrant into the supervision of baseball--the Karma Police. After the blast, and blast it was, Jason pondered it a bit and then flipped his bat up in the air and actually sent it about 10 feet towards the Diplomat bench. Somehow despite the awe inspiring shot he just hit Everybody noticed the bat flip . Denison surely noticed it and could not shrug it off as "Jason being Jason"and after being embarrassed by the missile projectile, Denison developed plans for Jason's next at bat. Additionally, an alert was sent to the Karma Police!

Some of you may wonder about the difference between the Karma Police and the baseball gods. It is a distinction of primarily jurisdiction as well as range of punishment. The baseball gods only focus on the baseball field. The only time they have their attention off the field is when the player behaves in a manner to inhibit his performance on the field. Additionally, the baseball gods only hand out sentences on the baseball field. The Karma Police who seem to be more of a combination of the Gestapo and the police in the movie "Minority Report" have far more encompassing responsibilities well and abilities to meter out punishment in any medium ( although they are said to enjoy administration on the field for those who they think it will hurt the most). For example, a counterfeiter who gives his daughter "bad paper" does not attract the attention of the baseball gods unless he walks the leadoff hitter or he throws a bunt into right field. The baseball gods don't care about the counterfeiting or his evil treatment of his daughter. The Karma Police however care deeply. In the case of the counterfeiter, the Karma Police will likely wait until the counterfeiter pitches in the the championship game and is leading 1-0 after 5 innings and then our counterfeiter will mysteriously"lose it" and give up 6 straights shots and find himself trailing 5--1. And then get arrested after the game. You don't see many evil counterfeiters in baseball anymore!

Dension indeed did plunk Jason in his next at bat but by then everyone expected it. Later discussion revealed Jason didn't intend to show the Dension pitcher up. He just got caught up in
the moment ... maybe the Karma police will give him a reprieve


But we have a day in and the season has begun. We shall take this journey together and as your faithful correspondent I will enjoy taking the journey with you as my companion. But it sure is terrific being outside on a sunny day watching your Fighting Diplomats play baseball.

The only sad note is that Shea is unable to play after hurting his knee last week in practice.
The swelling and limping earned a trip to the orthopedist today and an MRI. The Doc suggests he will be ok as he did not think there were any tears but pending the MRI we won't be sure. When we know more your faitful corresspondent will report it and we are hoping he can get out there soon.