York, PA has a new minor league baseball team called the Revolution. On June 22nd, my brother got to sing the national anthem before the game. I took my 12-year-old son, Mark, to the game to support my bro and to check out the new ballpark. Late in the game, one of the relief pitchers was warming up the right fielder in between innings. When he was done, he tossed the baseball up to Mark. Mark was thrilled.

A little later, Mark had to go to the restroom but told all of us to leave his baseball alone while he was gone. Being a good father, I swiped the baseball from his glove. As luck would have it, the pitcher that tossed Mark the ball entered the game while Mark was in the restroom. When Mark came back to his seat, I said “Mark, check out who the new pitcher is.” When he saw it was his relief pitcher, he was all excited. Then I told him as he reached for his glove “But there is some bad news.” He saw his glove was empty. I told him “The pitcher needed the ball back.” The stunned look on his face was priceless. After a couple of seconds, I tossed him his ball. He had to admit it was a funny joke.

By Tommy T

As the back of the Video box says: “The powerful true story of Boston Red Sox outfielder, Jimmy Piersall who struggled throughout and following his career with a foe much tougher than a 90-m.p.h. fastball - mental illness.” Jim Piersall is the guy who ran around the bases backward to celebrate his 100th career home run.

In the movie docudrama of his life, Piersall is portrayed by Anthony Perkins (of the great Hitchcock’s Psycho), who made a career of playing tortured souls (like himself) on the Silver Screen. Academy Award winner Karl Malden plays his father, who some would say drove him too hard and allegedly to mental illness. (more…)

By David Quinn

I remember the at-bat like it was yesterday, yet it was 25 years ago when it happened. I was digging into the batter’s box. From seeing this guy pitch to the other guys, I knew he had an incredible fastball. I wanted to start my stride early. The pitcher released the ball and I got started. It didn’t take long to realize the ball was coming right at my head. As I started to bend back out of the way, it broke down and away sharply. All I could do was stand in amazement as the ball went right to the catcher’s mitt for a strike.

It was the scariest and most embarrassing moment I’d ever had in an at-bat. I knew I did not have a future in baseball at that time.

The pitcher’s name was Alfonzo Timmons.

(originally published in Baseball Ink Vol. 1, No. 1 - June 2000)

By Ryan

Baseball is an American sport which has fame and legend of all sort.
All of the time you will hear about it, so when you do, don’t retort it.
Sometimes it is such a wonderful sport.
Excellent behavior is required.
Baseball can make many people become inspired.
At any time you should not be tired.
Losers are not made fun of.
Living in America is just as good as wearing a baseball glove.

(originally published in Baseball Ink Vol. 1, No. 1 - June 2000)

By Barbara Golding

I have lots of baseball hats with all kinds of different logos and slogans on the fronts of them, but my favorite is my Atlanta Braves hat. I wear it out in public even when the Braves aren’t playing well. Lately my idea of a really great evening is eating “camp-out” style dinners in the living room with my husband, Bob and our 4 cats all gathered around the television set, watching a Braves game. I LOVE baseball…now. (more…)