Playing Catch

March 06, 2009 | mriehn | Comments 2

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by Michael Riehn
Whiteyball Staff

“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.” James Earl Jones – Field of Dreams”

Playing Catch with my Dad

One of the simplest and most enjoyable things you can do in life is to play catch with a friend or family member.  I was able to do so yesterday on a gorgeous afternoon in St. Louis. The sun was shining and my neighborhood was alive with people enjoying one of the first “Spring” days of the year. I decided to take my son outside for his first outdoor game of catch this year. Mind you, we play catch in our basement almost year round, but this is different. Baseball is meant to be played outdoors.  I can’t think of a better thing to do than throw the ball around with my little boy, watching him fall in love with the game that I hold dear.

This got me thinking about playing catch in general, and how the experience has affected me.  There have been funny times, and times I will remember for the rest of my life.   

I remember watching Tony Pena and Jose Oquendo warming up back in 1987.  I was 10 years old and idolized everyone that wore a Cardinal uniform.  My Dad and I had come down to watch the players warm up and were standing 10 feet away in the first few rows of the field.  You may not remember, but Pena had an absolute cannon on him.  He had one of the most feared arms in the National League and was recognized throughout the game for his throwing prowess. 

Pena had his catchers mitt on, and during practice he good naturedly challenged his friend Oquendo to a game of “burnout”.  This is a game in which you stand in close proximity to the other person and throw the ball as hard as you can.   I’ll never forget how hard Oquendo threw that day.  After a few minutes, Pena had enough and quit the game shaking his glove hand.  Mind you, he had a CATCHER’S mitt on and was whizzing the ball pretty fast himself.  Oquendo never flinched during the game and I remember being absolutely impressed with his arm and toughness.

Every opening day I tailgate with 20-30 friends and family outside of Busch Stadium. I’ve been doing so for 6 years now and it’s a rite of passage that I hope to continue for the rest of my life. My Dad is always there, and before the game, I always make sure that I bring a couple of gloves to have a father son “catch.”  We don’t say much while the ball is popping back and forth, but we are both having a good time. It’s quality time that brings us closer together without having to say a word. This takes me back to the innocence of that 10 year old boy, and is one of my favorite traditions in life.

The next time you are with family or friends, grab a couple of gloves. Whether it is your son, daughter, father, or even just a friend, take the time to play some catch. You’ll be glad you did.

Filed Under: Baseball

Tags: Catch • Field of Dreams • Jose Oquendo • Tony Pena