Of course it rained today. Fortunately, it did not rain at all before we left about 1:30 to drive the twenty miles to the ballpark in south Garland. The humidity, however, was enough to choke a water soaked camel. Opening the windows on the highway did quite the opposite of the intended effect. Rather than creating a breeze, it gave us insight into how a pair of pants feels when it is being dry-cleaned.
When we got to the fields three games were already in progress. Sadly though, there had been a rain delay before our arrival. Scheduled for 1 p.m., the game began an hour later. J.D.’s team, the Farmers Branch All Stars were to begin their game at three, but it did not start until four. There was little dry space for the team to warm up, but they managed to find a spot. Meanwhile, the parents and family did their best to pass the time.
With the stands full of the families of the currently playing teams, we had no alternative to standing around. Except for those who always bring their own chairs. We used to bring chairs in earlier Little League years and at Disc Golf (Frisbee™ Golf tournaments). Cyndy and I found it too much to keep track of when she and I were left with it all. It is hard to watch a baseball game when you are busy keeping track of stuff. So Cyndy and I stood and walked around while the children played - most of the younger ones (thankfully not ours) in the mud.
The longer we stood, the longer we sweat. For a place where one can almost constantly count on wind (the only question being how hard it blows), there was an abnormal lack of a breeze. When the game finally started we began to move around, urging the players on, and sweating more. Every move took effort to force our way through the cloud of humidity.
By the time we returned home (J.D.’s team won) well after six o’clock Cyndy and I were drained of energy. The house had stayed relatively cool even with the air conditioner off while we were gone. Even so it was some time before the heat our bodies had absorbed managed to dissipate. The weather forecast is not much better for tomorrow when they are to play their next game.
If I am not mistaken, if the team wins the next two games they will win the District and go to the State tournament. But the weather has made mincemeat out of any planned schedule. With more rain on the way, we wonder and worry about the next game being rained out. Hopefully, we will get the games played and won and will move on.
It is even more annoying because we did the same thing in the regular season. Yet despite all the obstacles, the players enjoy playing. Despite having to warm up, cool down, then warm up briefly right before the game. Despite never really knowing when the next game was going to be.
Through it all, the players and their siblings had a good time. And that is what Little League is all about.
Peace be with you.
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