A Bittersweet Opening Day
Baseball has its opening day the first week in April. For fastpitch, as long as I can remember, the season has kicked off the first weekend in March. It always seems like a suitable birthday present for me, something coincidentally shared with my manager Ron Kirby, and former manager Manny Echeveste, who celebrates his, two days prior. I remember many played to on-again-off-again rain at Joe Rodgers Field in Long Beach. In recent years, those rainy days contrasted with the warm, balmy weather of Palm Springs. As I walked from my car Saturday for an early morning game at DeMuth Park, the San Jacinto Mountains provided a spectacular backdrop beyond the centerfield fence. The outfield grass was neatly cropped and the infield dirt as smooth as a pool table. I remarked to my wife Maddy that I don't think the fields had ever looked any better. The morning air was still crisp, and I could hear the distant chatter of players on the field. Spotting familiar faces, I heard the "hey's" and "how are you's"'; reaching in my bag, I retrieved my trusty old piece of leather; and sat down in the dugout among friends. "My fortieth season", I thought to myself. "How fortunate I am". How fortunate, indeed.
By now, most of the fastpitch community has heard the news of the tragic passing of Dwight "Dewey" Thompson, who collapsed of an apparent heart attack while playing third base for the So Cal Masters in their game against us, the Rounders. The games underway at the time were stopped, out of respect, and because they no longer seemed as important as the people around us. Later, the games resumed, perhaps because we couldn't imagine him not playing, and needing the respite from our thoughts. The sense of support that I saw in the eyes of the fastpitch family gathered around him that morning was overwhelming. As we struggle with the loss of a friend, we are reminded how fortunate we are. To have known him, and to have the support of this fraternity of friends.
(We honor Dewey at: In Memory of Dewey Thompson and invite you to share your thoughts at the Forum)
By now, most of the fastpitch community has heard the news of the tragic passing of Dwight "Dewey" Thompson, who collapsed of an apparent heart attack while playing third base for the So Cal Masters in their game against us, the Rounders. The games underway at the time were stopped, out of respect, and because they no longer seemed as important as the people around us. Later, the games resumed, perhaps because we couldn't imagine him not playing, and needing the respite from our thoughts. The sense of support that I saw in the eyes of the fastpitch family gathered around him that morning was overwhelming. As we struggle with the loss of a friend, we are reminded how fortunate we are. To have known him, and to have the support of this fraternity of friends.
(We honor Dewey at: In Memory of Dewey Thompson and invite you to share your thoughts at the Forum)
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