Nothing like a day at the old ballpark
Sometimes we stare upward toward the stars, and maybe miss some wonderful things that aren’t quite that far away.
That’s certainly true in sports, where generally only major leaguers are on TV and superstars pretty much dominate the stories we read in print or online.
Stars, stars, stars...
And of course, how much money they’re making.
Amazingly enough, though, there is an awful lot of fun in the “middle world” of sports.
I got a very pleasant reminder of that last Sunday, enjoying a Spokane Indians game with pal Don Bradway.
It was a gorgeous late afternoon at Avista Stadium, with a couple of Northwest League teams full of kids playing for their futures — and of course hot dogs with mustard for us, because it’s almost un-American to watch a ballgame without dogs and mustard.
It doesn’t get much better.
Well, it COULD have been slightly improved if the Indians hadn’t lost 6-0, but hey, Spokane is already the league’s first-half champ so our guys are playing with house money.
THESE ARE just kids at the level of the Northwest League (one notch above rookie ball), but however much they need to smooth out their swings or pitching mechanics...
They’re still professionals.
In the midst of a game during which Vancouver starter Adam Kloffenstein – a 19-year-old, 6-foot-6 righthander from Magnolia, Texas, who was Toronto’s third-round draft choice in 2018 — handcuffed the Indians completely, nonetheless there were some stunning plays on both sides.
The gem of the lot came from Indians centerfielder Alexander Ovalles, who somehow tracked down a drive hit well past him and straight over his head.
It’s one of the toughest tests in baseball, a blast whacked hard and directly beyond you, but Ovalles raced to the warning track, re-acquired the ball somewhere in that brilliant sunny sky, and snagged it at the last second.
Just to prove he can go in either direction, Ovalles made a diving catch while sprinting toward the infield later in the game.
Yes, there also were mistakes.
Spokane’s pitchers had trouble finding the strike zone, to the point that two of Vancouver’s runs were walked home, a couple of batters got plunked to load the bases — and yet starter Teodoro Ortega fought his way out of several jams to keep the game close.
IT’S MOSTLY a “learning league” at the Indians’ level, and Spokane first baseman Jonah McReynolds received a short lecture from manager Kenny Hook after McReynolds tried unsuccessfully to steal third base with two outs in the second inning and the score 1-0.
But...
McReynolds showed a lot of savvy later in the game, when Vancouver had the bases loaded and he cut off a wicked ground ball headed toward right field. He bobbled the thing momentarily, but then recovered and calmly threw out the runner headed toward second.
Win or lose, though, it was baseball.
Oh, as the bonus for Don, who has hosted pure Hawaiian music in his previous radio days, the Indians had a Hawaiian theme going on this particular Sunday.
Plenty of nostalgia for Don when, after we’d barely found seats, the P.A. system crackled with the sounds of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by the late Israel Kamakawiwo?ole (or Bruddah Iz), arguably the most famous Hawaiian singer of all time.
Perfect weather, baseball, dogs with mustard, music to bring back the past — we were treated to just about everything, except...
Don brought his glove and we never got a chance at a foul ball.
On our way out, I almost bought an Indians windbreaker at the club store.
Didn’t pull the trigger on the purchase, but I’ll surely have another chance because I’ll be back later in the season.
Why wouldn’t I?
It’s baseball, like a day in heaven.
Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns for The Press appear on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Steve also contributes the “Zags Tracker” package on Gonzaga basketball once monthly during the off season.
Email: scameron@cdapress.com