An Undying Love

Spring is an amazing season. It creates growth and life, not just in our natural surroundings but also in ourselves. Everyone feels better when the sun is shining, the weather is warmer and when the days are longer. There is always that sweet spring smell you feel passing through your nose into your lungs in spring. I always loved that spring smell.

That smell reminds me of countless hours at the ballparks around Western New York. Usually these little tiny parks where the grass is worse than the infield dirt. But even though the fields were below par, you were still out there to play. Playing in the polyester flannels of white or grey. Wearing that same cap day in and day out, collecting sweat stains from overuse. The breaking of a new pair of cleats until they feel oh so right. That was what baseball was to me, the sights, sounds and the feel of the game.

It's been years since I've played competitive baseball. It's apparent I can never let the game go. Despite the love for the national game, it caused anxiety, the worry, the boredom of outfield duty. But as soon as I left it, the game kept calling me back. I can never say no to it. That's why I have to be around it.

I love baseball. I'm not like those stereotypical guys who has to live with sports and uses it as an affirmation of life. Sports, particularly baseball, lured me into the strategy and competition of the game. It grew the greatest relationship with my father. The game developed my dream to be an announcer. To me, life couldn't get any better than announcing baseball games for the rest of my life.

While the journalism world is hard to break into, tomorrow, I will be in the booth for my second season of play-by-play for the Geneva Red Wings. Last year I was 22 years old and achieved one of my top ambitions in life - to call a baseball game. At 23 I am hoping it will lead to an opportunity to a career. A paid gig, financial security. Now, I'm not asking to become a millionaire with a catch phrase (not my style). I'm just looking for an opportunity to follow ballplayers and tell their stories and their games. As I get the rest of my notes prepped tonight, I hope people tune in and think about how much work and how much love the people at the ballpark have for baseball... and that's not including the players.


ROC SPORTS NET 2009