Little League baseball fills many youngsters’ late spring and early summer with dreams. For their love of the game comes to life with another season.
America’s pastime sparkles in the Magic City each summer. One of their own, Dave McNally, pitches for the Baltimore Orioles in the big leagues, and he has earned a World Series ring.
Boys throughout the city dream of filling those shoes of their local baseball hero. Alas, one team seems left outside the baselines, experiencing very little success.
They are called “Baseball’s Misfits” in the Central Heights League. Sponsored by the local Masonic Lodge, their nickname is the Masons. Over the past few seasons, many have labeled the team with stinging epitaphs. Other boys can sometimes be so cruel.
Cellar Dwellers!
Losers!
Last Place!
Their uniforms look like they are several seasons past their prime. The fading numbers and letters perfectly describe the team’s fortunes over the past couple of seasons . . . zero wins!
Could fortunes be changing for this band of misfits?
A new coach arrives on the scene, with a refreshing outlook for this team. Coach Pete, assisted by Zup, brings along his three sons, and they join a roster filled with a Laird, Zupan, Luetke, Olson, and a trio of Hjellum’s.
A sense of confidence begins to brew among the players. Could their field of dreams finally come true?
With coaches Pete and Zup guiding, the team learns more about the game. They teach and reteach, with patience and conviction, baseball’s fundamentals. More importantly, they build a positive spirit within the team.
The season rolls out, and the boys take the field with a new sense of believing in their field of dreams. However, other contending teams still look down at these former misfits. Watching the Masons, they see new coaches, a few added players, and the same old, fading uniforms. Sorry boys, not this season!
Playing through their schedule, the boys match wins with the other top team. People begin to take notice of this new team on the block. They look legitimate.
Entering the final game, the team needs one more win to capture the league championship. Fueled by past disappointments and demeaning ridicule, their destiny will now be fulfilled. League Champions!
Taking their championship dreams one step further, the team moves on to the city tournament. Here awaits a field of champions from the other neighborhood leagues in the city.
Losing in the semifinals dashes their ultimate dream. Despite the tears, the boys have experienced an amazing season, fulfilling their summer of dreams.
Special Note: While this account has been embellished a bit, the story is true. I had the pleasure to play on this team as a 12-year old. If you go back to the picture, you can find my Dad and two brothers (far left in the back, Coach Pete; front row far left, Doug; front row far right, Greg; and in the second row, second from the right is yours truly).
I’m not at all a baseball fan, but I do enjoy a good baseball story involving kids. This is good one; thanks for sharing it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading and sharing thoughts. Childhood memories can be a treasure trove to harvest for a story or a poem once in awhile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loving being on the team and just playing ball is written all over those faces. I remember my grandson trying T-ball when he was just a little guy. They put him in center field, because he wouldn’t see much action. Instead he picked dandelions and blew the seeds into the air. He never did pursue a ball playing career.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kathy, the memory of your grandson is one I have seen with a few young children playing ball. The game isn’t as important as what’s right in front of them. One of my grandsons played a season of TV ball as well. Baseball wasn’t his thing so he tried soccer, and he’s still playing in high school.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our grandson went in to do cross country in high school. He’s now teaching English in Korea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing more about your grandson Kathy. Family is a remarkable blessing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fun post!🌟
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susan, I am happy you enjoyed this story. It was a pleasure to craft.
LikeLike
love the story. I have fond memories of Little League, even though I was terrible. I also enjoyed my time as a coach when our boys were young…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jim, thanks for sharing some memories. The summer of ’68 was the high water mark of my baseball days. While I still played, I was more successful in basketball and football.
LikeLiked by 1 person
as much as I loved those sports, I had no success on the playing field. Fortunately I discovered a love of, and a talent for, swimming…
LikeLiked by 1 person
In our youth, we tend to gravitate towards our interests and strengths. You became a phenomenal swimmer while I could never swim competitively.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and away from our weaknesses 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow love this story, of the underdog, the change of outlook and also that it has basis in truth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jim, I am pleased you enjoyed the story. Taking life’s memories can turn into a story with an element of teaching.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True!
LikeLiked by 1 person