Baseball (something) Like It Once Was

You've probably seen the field before. It was in "A League of Their Own" and still has the "Support Your Racine Belles" on the walls above the exits. The signage is vintage 1940's. It was built in 1915, three years post Fenway and one year post Wrigley. And it's a place that has hosted many players and many games. It's Bosse Field. Google it, you'll find the facts that have been ingrained in my mind for years.

The evening was warm, beautiful and clear. The Evansville Otters were playing the Southern Illinois Miners. And it was a wonderful game. We were all rooting for the Evansville Otters, all the while using modern technology (my cell phone) to keep up with the Cardinals game and the first game of the NBA championship. So maybe not like 'it once was', but the seats were slatted wood with backs, the stadium was full (over 7,000 fans) and we were all cheering for the Otters.

The game was a little slower that we were accustomed to. The music was, in my mind, unnecessary, but a part of modern baseball that is inevitable. Scott Rolen (who is from southern Indiana) will inevitably walk onto the field with strains of Metallica playing in the background.

But the hot dogs were good and the pop (soda or carbonated beverage) was cold. The beer was inexpensive and the fans were all happy.

And the Otters won the game, 7-2. The crack of the bat, the throw of the ball, all musical with the chatter of the crowd. It was, and will remain, one of my favorite games I've ever been to.

And besides, at one point in my life, Jim Leyland lived in Evansville and coached at Bosse Field.

It's a wonderful place to watch a game.