Wintery Openers: A Day with Dad

The opening of baseball season brings back tons of memories. Dads are in the business of making good, happy memories.

My Dad would get us out of school before noon so that we could make it down to old Cleveland Municipal Stadium in time for the first pitch. When we were older, we would get the bus from the corner nearest the school and meet him in front of the County courthouse. We often took a buddy from class.

Doing this of course irritated the teachers to no end. They would whisper and point at me the day of my dismissal. I remember our music teacher, whose personal calling was to make my life miserable throughout gradeschool. She made an accusatory announcement to our class that Scott Endress would soon be leaving her (precious) classroom for a baseball game. The tone clearly indicated a criminal offense.

Most openers in Cleveland- make that all openers there- were ice cold, even if the sun happened to be shining. It was all over in the blink of an eye. And I would have to face the same testy teachers the very next day. But it was absolutely worth it. One memory that stands out to this day was Frank Robinson, Cleveland's Player-Manager, homering in his first at bat the 1975 game. Robinson was baseball's first African American manager. It was a high drive down the left field line right past our third base seats! Wow- the place shook as the Indians eventually downed N.Y.

Dads, you are fortunate if you can take your son to a ballgame or even particpate in another rite of spring, such as a fishing trip. It will benefit him more than anyone and it will do so for years to come.

Play ball!