COMMENT: Baseball a sign of springtime

Spring has officially sprung across the East County, and nothing signals the start of spring more than America’s favorite pastime.

Yes, for the next few months, the baseball and softball fields will become my second home.

The Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and The Out-of-Door Academy baseball and softball teams are already in full swing. They’ve been practicing for weeks and already have a handful of games under their belts.

And this past weekend, Lakewood Ranch Little League officially welcomed its spring season (see photos at right). Braden River Little League, Cal Ripken Little League and Miss Manatee Softball all will do the same this coming Saturday.

There’s nothing better than seeing the look on the players’ faces as they don their brand new uniforms for the first time. For some, it’s the first time they’ve ever stepped up to the plate; and for others, it’s the final step in a long journey.

But it doesn’t matter whether it’s a player’s first game or the start of his or her final Little League season. Opening Day brings out the kid in all of us.

I was fortunate enough to take in a pair of T-ball games while I was out snapping photos of the festivities. Most of them had never played baseball before that morning. They could barely see over the tee, and more often than not, third base had become the new first base line.

As I sat there watching the players continually circle back around home plate and head for first base, I glanced over at my 18-month-old son, Brendan. A baseball from the Pirates was tucked firmly by his side, and his eyes were glued to the action.

And then it hit me. Parents had been telling me it all morning long. It wouldn’t be long before my son would also be circling the bases.

In a couple of years, the fields he had grown up on would soon be his to play on. I guess I better start putting that T-ball set together this weekend.