By Rich Dupree
The groundhog may have seen his shadow last week and the Super Bowl will be remembered more for a Bad Bunny than a victorious Seahawk – but hope springs eternal again as America’s Favorite Pastime is BACK!!
Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers report this week – and I for one can’t wait for Opening Day! No matter what major league team you follow, baseball is the ultimate team sport – and young and old alike long for the crack of the bat and to buy some peanuts and cracker jacks.
The LSU Tigers, the defending NCAA World Series Champions, open defense of their title today in Baton Rouge. With two championships in their last three seasons, baseball has been just what Tiger fans have needed to survive the football and basketball blues,
Louisiana Christian University hit the diamond on January 22nd and are already 10-2 on the young season in what is the 26th year at the helm for the ageless legend Mike Byrnes, who has over 550 career wins, most in program history. The Wildcats are home today and tomorrow for Valentine’s weekend – and if diamonds are a girl’s best friend, take her to a big one at Allgood Field.
Locally, Louisiana State University of Alexandria baseball team is also back home this Valentine’s weekend playing 5 games against 4 opponents in a round robin affair that is good pre-conference warm up for all involved. The Generals are putting up double digit runs through their first 12 games and look to be a force again when Red River Athletic Conference play begins in a couple of weeks.
High School Baseball and Softball is also underway locally with jamborees – and youth league signup and tryouts are also taking place. There’s just something about baseball that is good for the soul of everyone who plays and watches.
When you think about it, baseball has pulled America through some of its hardest times. From the end of World Wars, to 9/11, to the most recent challenges of the COVID pandemic, the one thing I remember bringing America back together was the therapeutic game of baseball.
Baseball is not just a sport; it is a cultural gift that keeps on giving to generations past, present and future. So, root, root, root for the home team. If they don’t win, it’s a shame. For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out…at the old ball game.