Malcolm Dykes: Funtime, Family Time

It’s that time of the year when America’s favorite pastime is in full swing, better known as Major League Baseball. 

Now I’m sure the NBA and the NFL would not support that slogan but it’s so anyway because Ol Dizzy Dean said so, the late and famous MLB Hall of Famer from Bond MS. 

My summertime Saturdays were so special back growing up as I sat and watched the Game of the Week being telecasted by him and his side kick, Peewee Reeves another Hall of Famer. 

Those days of the old black and white TV broadcasts when Mickey Mantle was swinging the bat and Whitey Ford was slinging the ball both for the New York Yankees will go with me to my grave. 

But as I grew on up the game took on a personal slant as I played first base in Little League and one summer was awarded most doubles with 7. 

I can still smell the unique smell of that grey flannel cotton uniform and taste that slice of pink bubble gum in the wax pack baseball cards I would buy for a nickel at the concession stand. 

And I can still feel the excitement when I would find my diamond heroes like Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris rookie cards inside. 

I can also remember the devastating grief that enveloped me as a teenager when I found out my mother had burned my treasured collection in a Spring cleaning one day, burning a fortune in today’s collection world. 

But that’s another story for another day. 

Then there was the night my big brother Don took me to see the Los Angeles Dodgers play the visiting St. Louis Cardinals in Chavez Ravine stadium near LA. 

I witnessed a grand slam homer that night by a hometown boy who came back to break the heart of those fans winning the game for his Cardinals! 

Then as I grew into manhood, married and had my two sons, slow pitch softball came into being and my boys and I participated wholeheartedly sponsoring church tournaments and going to other church tourneys on invite. 

I was on the mound, Jon the oldest at shortstop and 3rd and Landon in the outfield. 

They were good. 

We lost more games than we won but the value of father and sons time was invaluable. 

We did that until Father Time and Mother Nature caught up with me, so I took over coaching 3rd base for the team and even got sanctioned by ASA to umpire. 

Now those action-packed summers are just pleasant memories. 

Presently in my old age I have my 9-year-old daughter Mikella wanting to learn the sport, so we get in the backyard to teach her the fundamentals of the game. 

And she’s got some pop in her bat! 

Who knows, she’s got the same genes in her as Jon and Landon and she may very well be Salem Training Academy’s star girls softball player. 

Yes, it’s Funtime family time in the warm days of summer. 

Get out and enjoy it while you can. 

God bless you and God bless America.