Saturday, May 29, 2010

Opening Day fills fans with euphoric emotions: Baseball is back

Baseball fans have experience nearly 10 months of withdrawal since the Cheyenne Grizzlies last stepped foot inside Pioneer Park.

That ends tonight at 6:30 p.m. MT when the Grizzlies clash with the Laramie Colts.

Baseball is back.

Magic begins. Miracles happen.

The sound of the wood bat striking a 95 mile per hour fastball. The feel of your hand inside a freshly oiled glove.

The days start getting a little longer, the weather a little warmer. Summer is here.

A full roster, coaching staff and an entire stadium full of fans pulling together.

Baseball is America’s sport. America’s pastime.

There’s a feeling of optimism within all four teams today.

A fresh start. A new chance.

An opportunity to prove that they are the best team in the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League.

The dirt has been watered. The lines are chalked. The smell of the freshly cut grass lingers in the air. Pine tar is spread up the first 17 inches of the bats.

Rosters are finalized, lineups are penciled in but the road to the MCBL championship is anything but certain.

Summer nights will soon settle in where there is no better place to be than at the ballpark.

The boys of summer.

Hot dogs, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and cracker jacks.

A towering home run. Hustling around first base and sliding into second for a double down the line. Taking one step too many and getting caught in a pickle. A 6-4-3 double play.

Stains on the jersey from a diving catch deep in the outfield. A collision at the plate.

Infuriated managers. Ejections.

Catchers giving pitchers signs. Pitchers shaking off the catchers' signs.

A suicide bunt to score the tying run. A grand slam. Hitting for the cycle.

Extra innings. Game-winning walk-off hits. Excitement. Celebrations.

Grown men dog-piling on top of each other.

Pure joy.

Baseball brings euphoric emotions to each of its fans.

Dreams begin for children today—dreams of playing someday.

Dreams for adults—this game allows them to become kids.

We witnessed extraordinary events in 2009: the team’s first triple play, grand slam, a regular-season title.

What will be in store for 2010?

Button up your jersey. Tighten your newly polished cleats. Adjust your cap and get ready. The boys are back in town, ready for the chance to be crowned the MCBL’s greatest.

Baseball is back.

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